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At least 487 records · Page 27

Charge density wave with anomalous temperature dependence in UPt 2 Si 2

Using single-crystal neutron and x-ray diffraction, we discovered a charge density wave (CDW) below 320 K, which accounts for the long-sought origin of the heat capacity and resistivity anomalies in UPt 2 Si 2 . The modulation wave vector, Q mod , is intriguingly similar to the incommensurate wave vector of URu 2 Si 2 . Q mod shows an unusual temperature dependence, shifting from commensurate to incommensurate position upon cooling and becoming locked at aproximately (0.42 0 0) near 180 K. Furthermore, bulk measurements indicate a crossover toward a correlated coherent state around the same temperature, suggesting an interplay between the CDW and Kondo-lattice-like coherence before coexisting antiferromagnetic order sets in at T N =35 Κ.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Origin of gaplike behaviors in URu 2 Si 2 : Combined study via quasiparticle scattering spectroscopy and resistivity measurements

In this work, we address two long-standing questions regarding the hidden order in URu 2 Si 2 : Is it associated with the hybridization process, and what are the distinct roles played by the localized and itinerant electrons? Our quasiparticle scattering spectroscopy reveals a hybridization gap ubiquitous in the entire phase space spanned by P and Fe substitutions in URu 2 Si 2 , including the no-order and antiferromagnetic regions, with minimal change upon crossing the phase boundary. This indicates its opening is not associated with the ordering, and thus localized electrons must be the major player. Towards a consistent understanding of all the other gaplike behaviors observed only below transition temperatures, we analyze the electrical resistivity using a model in which gapped bosonic excitations are the dominant scattering source. With their stiffness set to follow an unusual temperature dependence (decreasing with decreasing temperature), this model fits all of our resistivity data well including the jump at the transition. Remarkably, the extracted gap increases slowly with increasing Fe content, similarly to the gap detected by inelastic neutron scattering at $Q_1$ = (1.4, 0, 0), suggesting a common origin. Such a model can also naturally explain the Hall effect temperature dependence without invoking Fermi surface gapping.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Entropic signatures of the skyrmion lattice phase in MnSi 1- x Al x and Fe 1- y Co y Si

Here, the entropic signatures of magnetic phase transitions in the skyrmion lattice host compounds MnSi 0.962 Al 0.038 and Fe 0.7 Co 0.3 Si were investigated through low field magnetization and ac susceptibility measurements. These data indicate that the conical to skyrmion transition that occurs with the application of magnetic field in MnSi 0.962 Al 0.038 is characterized by clear discontinuity in the magnetic entropy as expected for first order topological phase transition. These same magnetoentropic features are negligibly small in isostructural Fe 0.7 Co 0.3 Si due to the level of chemical substitution related disorder and differences in the spin dynamics (range and timescales). Despite the obvious similarities in the magnetic structures of these two compounds, the transitions between these phases is substantially different indicating a surprising nonuniversality to the magnetic phase transitions in this class of materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Influence of hydrostatic pressure on hidden order, the Kondo lattice, and magnetism in URu 2 Si 2-x P x

Within the chemical substitution series URu 2 Si 2-x P x , there is an evolution in the ground-state behavior from hidden ordered (HO) for x ≲ 0.03, to Kondo lattice behavior with no ordering (NO) for 0.03 ≲ x ≲ 0.26, to antiferromagnetism (AFM-2) for 0.26 ≲ x ≲ 0.5 [A. Gallagher et al., Nat. Commun. 7, 10712 (2016); A. Gallagher et al., J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 29, 024004 (2016)]. To better understand what factors control this behavior, temperature-dependent electrical resistivity measurements are performed for this series under applied pressures P up to 20.5 kbar. Specimens in the HO x region show similarities to the parent compound, where HO transforms into antiferromagnetism (AFM-1) at a critical pressure (P c ). P c decreases with increasing x and collapses towards P = 0 near x ≈ 0.03, suggesting that AFM-1 occurs at ambient pressure for this concentration. No pressure-induced phase transitions are observed in the NO x region and the AFM-2 state is only weakly suppressed by P. Measurements further reveal that AFM-1 and AFM-2 are distinct from each other. Calculations of the wave functions using the tight-binding Hartree-Fock approximation are performed and show (i) that the radial probability distributions for the phosphorus ions are more tightly bound than those for the silicon and (ii) that the energy difference between the orbitals decreases with increasing x. The cumulative effect of these two factors is that Si → P substitution decreases the hybridization strength, which correlates with the weakening of HO. At large x, additional effects such as electrical charge tuning also play an important role in determining the ground-state

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Magnetic anisotropy and spin dynamics in the kagome magnet Fe 4 Si 2 Sn 7 O 16 : NMR and magnetic susceptibility study on oriented powder

Fe 4 Si 2 Sn 7 O 16 hosts an undistorted kagome lattice of Fe 2+ (3d 6 , S = 2) ions. We present results of bulk magnetization and Sn nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on an oriented Fe 4 Si 2 Sn 7 O 16 powder sample oriented in geometries parallel (∥) and perpendicular (⊥) to the external applied magnetic field used for orienting the powder (Bori). The bulk susceptibility χ shows a broad peak at T N ~ 3 K associated with antiferromagnetic ordering. NMR spectra indicate the presence of planar anisotropy in the kagome planes. From an analysis of the static NMR shift (K) and dynamic spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T 1 ) we conclude the presence of dominant magnetic fluctuations in the kagome planes. For the ∥ orientation, K scales linearly with the bulk susceptibility for temperatures down to ~ 4 K, while in the ⊥ orientation K starts to deviate strongly below T ~ 30 K. We associate this deviation with the onset of spin-tilting towards the kagome planes. These correlations are also reflected in the 1/T 1 data for the ∥ orientation, which starts to decrease below T ~ 30 K. Here, in this correlated regime, T N < T < ~ 30 K, we discuss the formation of positive chiral spin correlations in the kagome planes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Neutron scattering study of the kagome metal Sc 3 Mn 3 Al 7 Si 5

Sc 3 Mn 3 Al 7 Si 5 is a rare example of a correlated metal in which the Mn moments form a kagome lattice. The absence of magnetic ordering to the lowest temperatures suggests that geometrical frustration of magnetic interactions may lead to strong magnetic fluctuations. We have performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements on Sc 3 Mn 3 Al 7 Si 5 , finding that phonon scattering dominates for energies from ~20–50 meV. These results are in good agreement with ab initio calculations of the phonon dispersions and densities of states, and as well reproduce the measured specific heat. A weak magnetic signal was detected at energies less than ~10 meV, present only at the lowest temperatures. The magnetic signal is broad and quasielastic, as expected for metallic paramagnets.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Heat capacity of URu 2 - x Os x Si 2 at low temperatures

Here we perform measurements of the heat capacity as a function of temperature on URu 2-x Os x Si 2 alloys. Our experimental results show that the critical temperature of the second-order phase transition increases while the value of the Sommerfeld coefficient in the ordered state decreases with an increase in osmium concentration. We also observe an increase in the values of the heat capacity at the critical temperature as well as a broadening of the critical fluctuation region with an increase in x. We analyze the experimental data using the Haule-Kotliar model which, in particular, identifies the “hidden order” transition in the parent material UR u2 Si 2 as a transition to a state with a nonzero hexadecapole moment. We demonstrate that our experimental results are consistent with the predictions of that model.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Magnetic frustration driven by conduction carrier blocking in Nd 2 Co 0.85 Si 2.88

The intermetallic compound Nd 2 Co 0.85 Si 2.88 having a triangular lattice could be synthesized in single phase only with defect crystal structure. Investigation through different experimental techniques indicate the presence of two magnetic transitions in the system. As verified experimentally and theoretically, the high-temperature transition $T_H$ ~ 140 K is associated with the development of ferromagnetic interaction between itinerant Co moments, whereas the low-temperature transition at $T_L$ ~ 6.5 K is due to the coupling among Nd–4$\textit{f}$ and Co–3$\textit{d}$ moments, which is antiferromagnetic in nature. Detailed studies of temperature-dependent dc magnetic susceptibility, field dependence of isothermal magnetization, nonequilibrium dynamical behavior, viz., magnetic relaxation, aging effect, magnetic-memory effect, and temperature dependence of heat capacity, along with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, suggest that the ground state is magnetically frustrated spin glass in nature, having competing magnetic interactions of equivalent energies. DFT results further reveal that the 3$\textit{d}$/5$\textit{d}$-conduction carriers are blocked in the system and act as a barrier for the 4$\textit{f}$–4$\textit{f}$ RKKY interactions, resulting in spin frustration. Presence of vacancy defects in the crystal are also conducive to the spin frustration. This is an unique mechanism of magnetic frustration, not emphasized so far in any of the ternary $R_2TX_3$ ($\textit{R}$ = rare earth, $\textit{T}$ = transition elements, and $\textit{X}$ = Si, Ge, In) type compounds. Due to the competing character of the itinerant 3$\textit{d}$ and localized 4$\textit{f}$ moments, the compound exhibits anomalous field dependence of magnetic coercivity. Further, the system also exhibits a considerable magnetic entropy change of –Δ$S_M$ ~ 13.3 J/kg K with a relative cooling power (RCP) of 220 J/kg and adiabatic temperature change $ΔT_{\text{ad}}$ of 6 K for magnetic field change of 70 kOe.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Unified theory of hastatic order and antiferromagnetism in URu 2 Si 2

The hidden-order phase of URu 2 Si 2 has eluded identification for over 35 years. A compelling proposal that explains the Ising heavy-fermion nature of the material is hastatic order: a symmetry-breaking heavy Fermi liquid arising from a spinorial microscopic hybridization. The original hastatic proposal cannot microscopically model the pressure-induced antiferromagnetic phase; and while it predicts a spinorial order parameter, it does not provide any detectable signatures of the spinorial nature. Here, we present a more realistic microscopic model of hastatic order in URu 2 Si 2 based on two conducting electron bands and explore its phase diagram in detail. Our model nontrivially preserves the Ising heavy-fermion physics of the original, while allowing us to tune between the antiferromagnet and hidden order using pressure analogs and magnetic field. Furthermore, our model is also consistent with recent phenomenological predictions of not one, but two, vector order parameters associated with the spinorial order that provide the first microscopic predictions for detecting the spinorial nature.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electron-phonon coupling in M⁢n 1−𝑥 ⁢F⁡e 𝑥⁢ Si

We present a study of the lattice dynamical properties of M⁢n 1−𝑥⁢ F⁡e 𝑥 ⁢Si with 0≤𝑥≤0.22. Employing time-of-flight neutron spectroscopy and inelastic x-ray scattering, we investigate the doping dependence of phonon energies, 𝐸 ph , and linewidths, Γ ph . We find anomalous softening and broadening of a phonon mode propagating along the direction. Ab initio lattice dynamical calculations link this softening to an enhanced electron-phonon coupling due to the doping-dependent changes of the Fermi surface. In conclusion, we discuss an interplay of increased electron-phonon coupling and reduced ordered magnetic moments in M⁢n 1−𝑥⁢ F⁡e 𝑥 ⁢Si.

Density functional theory↗

Superconducting dome and structural changes in LaRu 3 ⁢Si 2 under pressure

LaRu 3 ⁢Si 2 is of current research interest as a kagome metal with a superconducting transition temperature, 𝑇 𝑐 ∼7 K, and higher-temperature charge density wave orders. Here we report on electrical transport and x-ray diffraction measurements on LaRu 3 ⁢Si 2 under pressure up to 65 GPa and 35 GPa, respectively. The superconducting transition temperature 𝑇 𝑐 first gets slightly enhanced and reaches a maximum ∼8.7 K at ∼8.5 GPa. With further applied pressure, 𝑇 𝑐 is initially gradually suppressed, then more rapidly suppressed, followed by gradual suppression, revealing a superconducting dome. Two possible pressure-induced structural phase transitions are also observed at room temperature, from the original hexagonal phase to another hexagonal structure above ∼11.5 GPa, and further to a structure with lower symmetry above ∼23.5 GPa. These transition pressures roughly correlate with features found in our pressure-dependent transport data.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Temperature-dependent magnetic-field-induced ab -plane Gd spin reorientations in antiferromagnetic domains in a single crystal of the tetragonal A-type antiferromagnet GdRh 2 Si 2

The compound GdRh 2 Si 2 crystallizes in the body-centered tetragonal ThCr 2 Si 2 structure and exhibits A-type antiferromagnetic order below its Néel temperature T N = 107 K where the Gd moments are ferromagnetically aligned in the ab-plane with the moments in adjacent planes aligned antiferromagnetically. Previously, the nonlinear low-field magnetization versus field M ab ( H ∥ [1, 0, 0]) measurements on single crystals were interpreted in terms of a mean-field model. Here, in this work, we reinterpret this nonlinearity more simply in terms of the response of the ordered moments in four noninteracting tetragonal domains to the applied field and find good agreement with our theory.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Thermonuclear reaction rate of 30 Si($p, γ$) 31 P

Silicon synthesis in high-temperature hydrogen burning environments presents one possible avenue for the study of abundance anomalies in globular clusters. This was suggested in a prior study, which found that the large uncertainties associated with the Si 30 ( p , γ ) P 31 reaction rate preclude a firm understanding of the stellar conditions that give rise to the Mg-K anticorrelation observed in the globular cluster NGC 2419. In an effort to improve the reaction rate, we present new strength measurements of the E r lab = 435 keV and E r lab = 501 keV resonances in Si 30 ( p , γ ) P 31 . For the former, which was previously unobserved, we obtain a resonance strength of ω γ = ( 1.14 ± 0.25 ) × 10 – 4 eV. For the latter, we obtain a value of ω γ = ( 1.88 ± 0.14 ) × 10 – 1 eV, which has a smaller uncertainty compared to previously measured strengths. Based on these results, the thermonuclear reaction rate has been re-evaluated. The impact of the new measurements is to lower the reaction rate by a factor of ≈ 10 at temperatures important to the study of NGC 2419. The rate uncertainty at these temperatures has also been reduced significantly.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

High-precision mass measurement of Si 24 and a refined determination of the r p process at the A = 22 waiting point

We report a high-precision mass measurement of 24 Si, performed with the Low Energy Beam and Ion Trap (LEBIT) facility at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The atomic mass excess, 10 753.8 (37) keV, is a factor of 5 more precise than previous results. This substantially reduces the uncertainty of the 23 Al(p ,γ) 24 Si reaction rate, which is a key part of the rapid proton capture (rp) process powering type I x-ray bursts. Furthermore, the updated rate constrains the onset temperature of the (α,p) process at the 22 Mg waiting point to a precision of 9%.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗

Suppressed electric quadrupole collectivity in Si 32

Lying between O 16 and Ca 40 , the s d shell is well described by robust phenomenological and nuclear theories. In this work, however, we highlight an unexplained reduction in electric-quadrupole strength in the rare isotope Si 32 , studied through sub-barrier Coulomb excitation. It is found that the oblate nature of the deformation is well reproduced, while the absolute scale of quadrupole deformation, however, is inhibited by approximately a factor of 2 compared to theoretical predictions. Through comparison with shell-model and calculations, we present a number of possible explanations for this inhibited E 2 strength. By comparing the results of these calculations to multiple observables, we conclude that there is a reduced role for out-of-space excitations in Si 32 , resulting in a reduction in the corrections normally applied to both models. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗

Nodeless kagome superconductivity in LaRu 3 Si 2

We report muon spin rotation (μSR) experiments together with first-principles calculations on microscopic properties of superconductivity in the kagome superconductor LaRu 3 Si 2 with T c ≃ 7K. Below Tc, μSR reveals type-II superconductivity with a single s-wave gap, which is robust against hydrostatic pressure up to 2 GPa. We find that the calculated normal state band structure features a kagome flat band, and Dirac as well as van Hove points formed by the Ru-dz 2 orbitals near the Fermi level. We also find that electron-phonon coupling alone can only reproduce a small fraction of T c from calculations, which suggests other factors in enhancing T c such as the correlation effect from the kagome flat band, the van Hove point on the kagome lattice, and the high density of states from narrow kagome bands. Our experiments and calculations taken together point to nodeless moderate coupling kagome superconductivity in LaRu 3 Si 2 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Carrier properties of Bi(111) grown on mica and Si(111)

A comparison is presented between properties of Bi(111) films grown by Stranski-Krastanov epitaxy on Si(111) 7 × 7 and by van der Waals epitaxy on mica substrates. Thin film morphologies and electronic transport properties of Bi(111) films of variable thickness are investigated for each growth method. Atomic force micrographs for Bi(111) films on mica reveal clearly defined triangular regions consisting of layered steps with height 0.4 nm, corresponding to the Bi(111) bilayer height. Variable-temperature electronic transport measurements show the existence of a quantum confinement-induced energy gap in the film interiors, resulting in a semimetal-to-semiconductor transition. Magnetotransport analysis in a three-carrier model including metallic electrons in surface states and electrons and holes in the films' interiors provides a detailed study of densities, mobilities, and mean-free paths of the three carrier types. Further, improved electronic transport properties are found in Bi(111) films of higher thickness on mica compared to on Si(111), a likely result of the largely strain-free van der Waals epitaxial growth.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spin-lattice coupling in magnetocaloric Gd 5 ( Ge , Si ) 4 alloys by $in$ $situ$ x-ray pair distribution analysis in magnetic field

Here, using in situ x-ray pair distribution analysis in magnetic field, we study the strong spin-lattice coupling in archetypal magnetocaloric Gd 5 (Ge,Si) 4 alloys manifested by the presence of a first order paramagnetic (PM)-to-ferromagnetic (FM) phase transition that can be triggered by either decreasing temperature in zero magnetic field or increasing magnetic field at constant temperature. We find that the coupling arises from the tendency of Gd-(Si,Ge) slabs in the alloys to reversibly slide against each other to both pack closely and couple ferromagnetically. We also find that, locally, the packing of slabs in FM phases induced by decreasing temperature in zero field is different from that in FM phases of the same chemical composition induced by increasing magnetic field isothermally, indicating that temperature and magnetic field are coupled but not necessarily equivalent control variables for triggering phase transitions in strongly correlated systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗