Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Fermi surface”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 505 records · Page 28

Topological surface states on the nonpolar (110) and (111) surfaces of SmB 6

In order to clarify the controversial issue of the topological nature in a mixed-valent Kondo system, SmB 6 , we have explored the surface states on the nonpolar (110) surface of SmB 6 , employing both angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) experiment and ab initio density-functional theory (DFT) band calculations. Based on ARPES spectroscopic fingerprints and the DFT surface band structures, we ascribe the observed spectral weights at $\bar{X}$ and $\bar{Y}$ on the (110) surface Brillouin zone to topological surface states (TSSs) of “topological insulator (TI)” nature and of “topological crystalline insulator (TCI)” nature, respectively. With varying the chemical potential, the double Dirac cones of the TCI nature exhibit a Lifshitz transition of Fermi surfaces with intriguing spin textures. Further, we have also examined the TSSs on the nearly nonpolar (111) surface of SmB 6 in connection with a recently reported ARPES result and proposed a way to probe the Dirac points that are buried in the bulk-projected bands.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Ab-initio predictions of phase stability, electronic structure, and optical properties of (0001)-MAX surfaces in M 2 AC (M = Cr, Zr, Hf; A = Al, Ga)

In this work, we report MAX phases' surface properties, which are essential for thin-film technology due to their excellent resistance to high-temperature oxidation, corrosion, and wear. The surface stability, electronic, and optical properties of 0001-surfaces in M 2 AC (M = Zr, Hf, Cr; A = Al, Ga) are investigated and compared with their bulk counterparts. The interplay between chemical bonding and charge distribution is discussed from electronic structure, including the Fermi surfaces. Four possible (0001)-terminated surfaces are considered by breaking M - C and M-A bonds in which cleavage energy of M - C is higher than M-A. The Cr–Al bond in Cr 2 AlC is stronger than other M-A bonds. The charge density of valance A-p electrons redistributes in the surface area, distinct from that of the bulk. The A- and M(C)-terminated (0001)-surfaces are the most stable and energetically favorable terminations due to lower surface energies. The optical properties of the most stable (0001)-surfaces were also investigated to understand the dielectric and photoconductive behavior in the (0001)-terminated surfaces of M 2 AC.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Prevailing Charge Order in Overdoped La 2 – x Sr x CuO 4 beyond the Superconducting Dome

The extremely overdoped cuprates are generally considered to be Fermi liquid metals without exotic orders, whereas the underdoped cuprates harbor intertwined states. Contrary to this conventional wisdom, using Cu L 3 -edge and O K-edge resonant x-ray scattering, we reveal a charge order (CO) correlation in overdoped La 2–x⁢ Sr x ⁢CuO 4 (0.35 ≤ x ≤0.6) beyond the superconducting dome. This CO has a periodicity of ~6 lattice units with correlation lengths of ~20 lattice units. It shows similar in-plane momentum and polarization dependence and dispersive excitations as the CO of underdoped cuprates, but its maximum intensity differs along the c direction and persists up to 300 K. This CO correlation cannot be explained by the Fermi surface instability and its origin remains to be understood. Finally, our results suggest that CO is prevailing in the overdoped metallic regime and requires a reassessment of the picture of overdoped cuprates as weakly correlated Fermi liquids.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A combined capacitance-voltage and hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterisation of metal/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As capacitor structures

Capacitance-Voltage (C-V) characterization and hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) measurements have been used to study metal/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As capacitor structures with high (Ni) and low (Al) work function metals. The HAXPES measurements observe a band bending occurring prior to metal deposition, which is attributed to a combination of fixed oxide charges and interface states of donor-type. Following metal deposition, the Fermi level positions at the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As interface move towards the expected direction as observed from HAXPES measurements. The In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As surface Fermi level positions determined from both the C-V analysis at zero gate bias and HAXPES measurements are in reasonable agreement. The results are consistent with the presence of electrically active interface states at the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As interface and suggest an interface state density increasing towards the In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As valence band edge.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Origin of the butterfly magnetoresistance in a Dirac nodal-line system

Here, we report a study on the magnetotransport properties and on the Fermi surfaces (FS) of ZrSi(Se,Te) semimetals. Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, in absence of spin orbit coupling (SOC), reveal that both the Se and the Te compounds display Dirac nodal lines (DNL) close to the Fermi level εF at symmorphic and nonsymmorphic positions, respectively. We find that the geometry of their FSs agrees well with DFT predictions. ZrSiSe displays low residual resistivities, pronounced magnetoresistivity, high carrier mobilities, and a butterflylike angle-dependent magnetoresistivity (AMR), although its DNL is not protected against gap opening. As in Cd 3 As 2 , its transport lifetime is found to be 10 2 to 10 3 times larger than its quantum one. ZrSiTe, which possesses a protected DNL, displays conventional transport properties. Our evaluation indicates that both compounds most likely are topologically trivial. Nearly angle-independent effective masses with strong angle-dependent quantum lifetimes lead to the butterfly AMR in ZrSiSe.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Breakdown of Fermi Degeneracy in the Simplest Liquid Metal

We are reporting the observation of the breakdown of electrons’ degeneracy and emergence of classical statistics in the simplest element: metallic deuterium. We have studied the optical reflectance, shock velocity and temperature of dynamically compressed liquid deuterium up to its Fermi temperature, TF. Above the insulator–metal transition, the optical reflectance shows the distinctive temperature-independent resistivity saturation, which is prescribed by the Mott-Ioffe-Regel minimum metallic limit, in agreement with previous experiments. At T > 0.4 T F , however, the reflectance of metallic deuterium starts to rise with a temperature-dependent slope, consistent with the breakdown of the Fermi surface. The experimentally inferred collisional time in this region exhibits the characteristic temperature dependence expected for a classical Landau-Spitzer plasma. Our observation of electron degeneracy lifting extends studies of degeneracy to new fermionic species, electron Fermi systems and offers an invaluable benchmark for quantum statistical models of Coulomb systems over a wide range of temperatures relevant to dense astrophysical objects and ignition physics.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Sulfur Hydrides: Phase Diagram and the Transition into the Record-High T{sub c} State

Remarkable feature of the phase diagram of sulfur hydrides, the record-high T{sub c} superconductors, is a sharp increase near P ≈ 150 GPa from T{sub c} ≈ 120 to ≈ 200 K. This increase is a signature of the structural transition. The present study is concerned with the nature of this phase transition. One can demonstrate that the symmetry analysis along with an analysis of the impact of lattice deformations lead to the conclusion that we are dealing with the first-order transition. Such a transition is manifested in an abrupt appearance of small pockets on the Fermi surface and, correspondingly, the two-gap energy spectrum.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Ab-initio study of B{sub 2}-type technetium AB (A=Tc, B=Nb and Ta) intermetallic compounds

The structural, electronic and elastic properties of AB type (A = Tc, B = Nb and Ta) technetium intermetallic compounds are studied using full potential linearized plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The calculated lattice parameters agree well with the experimental results. The elastic constants obey the stability criteria for cubic system. Ductility for these compounds has been analyzed using the Pugh’s rule and Cauchy’s pressure and found that all the compounds are ductile in nature. Bonding nature is discussed in terms of Fermi surface and band structures.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Electronic structure of non-centrosymmetric PtBi2 studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we have systematically studied the electronic structure of non-centrosymmetric PtBi2 with a layered structure. Through photon energy dependent measurements, the surface state and the bulk state were identified. Consistent with the non-centrosymmetric structure, different surface states were observed on opposite PtBi2(001) surfaces. Experimental bulk bands agree nicely with first-principle calculations. By combining ARPES and calculations, energy bands that contribute to triply degenerate point fermion were all detected. We also suggest that there are “canted” tube-like Fermi surfaces that might cause strong anisotropy in electronic transportation in non-centrosymmetric PtBi2.

Jiang, Wenxiang (ORCID:000000020524259X)↗

Determinant quantum Monte Carlo study of exhaustion in the periodic Anderson model

The Kondo and periodic Anderson models describe many of the qualitative features of local moments coupled to a conduction band, and thereby the physics of materials such as the heavy fermions. In particular, when the exchange coupling J or hybridization V between the moments and the electrons of the metallic band is large, singlets form, quenching the magnetism. In the opposite, small J or V, limit, the moments survive and the conduction electrons mediate an effective interaction which can trigger long-range, often antiferromagnetic order. In the case of the Kondo model, where the moments are described by local spins, Nozières considered the possibility that the available conduction electrons within the Kondo temperature of the Fermi surface would be insufficient in number to accomplish the screening. Much effort in the literature has been devoted to the study of the temperature scales in the resulting “exhaustion” problem and how the “coherence temperature” where a heavy Fermi liquid forms is related to the Kondo temperature. Here, we study a version of the periodic Anderson model in which some of the conduction electrons are removed in a way which avoids the fermion sign problem and hence allows low-temperature quantum Monte Carlo simulations which can access both singlet formation and magnetic ordering temperature scales. Finally, we are then able to focus on a somewhat different aspect of exhaustion physics than previously considered: the effect of dilution on the critical V for the singlet-antiferromagnetic transition.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Flat band driven itinerant magnetism in the Co-pnictides CaCo 2⁢ As 2 and LaCo 2 ⁢P 2

Flat bands can induce strong electron correlation effects that help stabilize both magnetic and superconducting states. Here, in this study, we carry out angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations to study the electronic structure of the Co-pnictides CaCo 2 ⁢As 2 and LaCo 2 ⁢P 2 . We find that the 𝑘 𝑧 Fermi topology of ferromagnetic LaCo 2 ⁢P 2 is markedly two-dimensional, while the antiferromagnetic CaCo 2 ⁢As 2 develops a 3D Fermi surface described by a zigzaglike band dispersion perpendicular to the Co-As plane. Furthermore, the magnetism is driven by the electronic correlations of the flat bands with 𝑑 𝑥⁢𝑦 and 𝑑 𝑧 2 orbital character at the Fermi level. Our results link the electronic dimensionality and the magnetic order and emphasize the critical role of the As-As and P-P bond strength along the 𝑐 direction to understand the electronic band structure and the rich phase diagram of transition metal pnictides.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nanoscale visualization and spectral fingerprints of the charge order in ScV 6 Sn 6 distinct from other kagome metals

Charge density waves (CDWs) in kagome metals have been tied to many exotic phenomena. Here, using spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscopy and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we study the charge order in kagome metal ScV 6 Sn 6 . The similarity of electronic band structures of ScV 6 Sn 6 and TbV 6 Sn6 (where charge ordering is absent) suggests that charge ordering in ScV 6 Sn 6 is unlikely to be primarily driven by Fermi surface nesting of the Van Hove singularities. In contrast to the CDW state of cousin kagome metals, we find no evidence supporting rotation symmetry breaking. Differential conductance dI/dV spectra show a partial gap Δ 1 CO ≈ 20 meV at the Fermi level. Interestingly, dI/dV maps reveal that charge modulations exhibit an abrupt phase shift as a function of energy at energy much higher than Δ 1 CO , which we attribute to another spectral gap. Our experiments reveal a distinctive nature of the charge order in ScV 6 Sn 6 with fundamental differences compared to other kagome metals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electronic structure of Ce 2 RhIn 8 : A two-dimensional heavy-fermion system studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

We use angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) to study the 2D heavy fermion superconductor, Ce₂RhIn₈. The Fermi surface is rather complicated and consists of several hole and electron pockets with one of the sheets displaying strong nesting properties with a q-vector of (0.32, 0.32) π/a. We do not observe k z dispersion of the Fermi sheets, which is consistent with the expected 2D character of the electronic structure. Comparison of the ARPES data to band structure calculations suggests that a localized picture of the f-electrons works best. While there is some agreement in the overall band dispersion and location of the Fermi sheets, the model does not reproduce all observed bands and is not completely accurate for those it does. As a result, our data paves the way for improving the band structure calculations and the general understanding of the transport and thermodynamical properties of this material.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Fractionalized Fermi liquid in a Kondo-Heisenberg model

The Kondo-Heisenberg model is used as a controllable tool to demonstrate the existence of a peculiar metallic state with unbroken translational symmetry where the Fermi surface volume is not controlled by the total electron density. Here, I use a nonperturbative approach where the strongest interactions are taken into account by means of exact solution, and corrections are controllable. The resulting metallic state represents a fractionalized Fermi liquid where well defined quasiparticles coexist with gapped fractionalized collective excitations, in agreement with the general requirements formulated by T. Senthil et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 216403 (2003)]. Furthermore, the system undergoes a phase transition to an ordered phase (charge density wave or superconducting), at the transition temperature which is parametrically small in comparison to the quasiparticle Fermi energy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Evidence of a short-range incommensurate d-wave charge order from a fermionic two-loop renormalization group calculation of a 2D model with hot spots

The two-loop renormalization group (RG) calculation is considerably extended here for the two-dimensional (2D) fermionic effective field theory model, which includes only the so-called “hot spots” that are connected by the spin-density-wave (SDW) ordering wavevector on a Fermi surface generated by the 2D t−t{sup ′} Hubbard model at low hole doping. We compute the Callan–Symanzik RG equation up to two loops describing the flow of the single-particle Green’s function, the corresponding spectral function, the Fermi velocity, and some of the most important order-parameter susceptibilities in the model at lower energies. As a result, we establish that–in addition to clearly dominant SDW correlations–an approximate (pseudospin) symmetry relating a short-range incommensurated-wave charge order to the d-wave superconducting order indeed emerges at lower energy scales, which is in agreement with recent works available in the literature addressing the 2D spin-fermion model. We derive implications of this possible electronic phase in the ongoing attempt to describe the phenomenology of the pseudogap regime in underdoped cuprates.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Semiconductor–metal structural phase transformation in MoTe 2 monolayers by electronic excitation

Optical modulation of the crystal structure and materials properties is an increasingly important technique for functionalization of two-dimensional and layered semiconductors, where traditional methods like chemical doping are ineffective. Controllable transformation between the semiconducting (H) and semimetallic (T') polytypes of transition metal chalcogenide monolayers is of central importance to two-dimensional electronics, and thermally-driven and strain-driven examples of this phase transformation have been previously reported. Yet, the possibility of a H–T' phase transformation driven by electronic or optical excitation is less explored and little is known about the potential energy surface and the magnitude of activation barriers or the mechanism of the phase transformation in the excited state. In this work, we model the electronic and ionic structure of excited MoTe 2 crystals and demonstrate how electronic excitation leads to a Fermi-surface-nesting driven softening of phonon modes at the Brillouin zone boundary and the subsequent stabilization of a low-energy intermediate crystal structure along the semiconductor–metal phase transition pathway. The significantly reduced barriers for this transformation upon electronic excitation suggest that optical excitation may enable rapid and controllable synthesis of lateral semiconductor–metal heterophase homojunctions in monolayer materials for use in next-generation two-dimensional nano-electronics applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Global perspectives of the bulk electronic structure of URu 2 Si 2 from angle-resolved photoemission

Previous high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) studies of URu 2 Si 2 have characterized the temperature-dependent behavior of narrow-band states close to the Fermi level ( E F ) at low photon energies near the zone center, with an emphasis on electronic reconstruction due to Brillouin zone folding. A substantial challenge to a proper description is that these states interact with other hole-band states that are generally absent from bulk-sensitive soft x-ray ARPES measurements. Here we provide a more global k -space context for the presence of such states and their relation to the bulk Fermi surface (FS) topology using synchrotron-based wide-angle and photon energy-dependent ARPES mapping of the electronic structure using photon energies intermediate between the low-energy regime and the high-energy soft x-ray regime. Small-spot spatial dependence, f -resonant photoemission, Si 2 p core-levels, x-ray polarization, surface-dosing modification, and theoretical surface slab calculations are employed to assist identification of bulk versus surface state character of the E F -crossing bands and their relation to specific U- or Si-terminations of the cleaved surface. The bulk FS topology is critically compared to density functional theory (DFT) and to dynamical mean field theory calculations. In addition to clarifying some aspects of the previously measured high symmetry Γ, Z and X points, incommensurate 0.6 a * nested Fermi-edge states located along Z – N – Z are found to be distinctly different from the DFT FS prediction. The temperature evolution of these states above T HO , combined with a more detailed theoretical investigation of this region, suggests a key role of the N -point in the hidden order transition.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electronic growth of Pd(111) nanostructures on MoS 2

Quantum confinement effects can induce the formation of discrete nanostructures with well-defined preferred heights in thin metallic films. In most systems, such electronic growth modes are weak and limited to cryogenic conditions. Recently, however, we have discovered that metals grown upon van der Waals surfaces can exhibit electronic growth at, or even above, room temperature to spontaneously form well-defined and highly stable nanostructures. Here, we explore the initial stages of room temperature deposition of Pd onto MoS 2 . We found that, even for minimal thicknesses, Pd spontaneously formed discrete islands with three atomic layers. The islands maintained this preferred height for nominal coverages below three atomic layers. At higher coverages, the preferred height switched abruptly to six atomic layers. Unlike previous studies using Au or Ag, the islands did not increase laterally with coverage but rather increased in number with lateral size remaining about the same. The preferred heights in Pd/MoS 2 correlate to the Pd Fermi surface topography and are also consistent with thicknesses showing minima in the density of states at the Fermi level, which suggest that the electronic growth modes are the driving factors in these self-assembled Pd nanostructures. The Pd system shows a preference for island nucleation compared to Au and Ag which grow laterally with increasing coverage. Furthermore, this is likely related to differences in bonding at the interface as Pd is typically much more reactive than Ag or Au.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗