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At least 649 records · Page 36

Lattice-QCD Computable Quark Correlation Functions at Three-Loop Order and Extraction of Splitting Functions

We present the first complete next-to-next-to-next-to-leading-order calculation of the matching coefficients that link unpolarized flavor nonsinglet parton distribution functions with lattice QCD computable correlation functions. By using this high-order result, we notice a reduction in theoretical uncertainties compared to relying solely on previously known lower-order matching coefficients. Furthermore, based on this result we have extracted the three-loop unpolarized flavor nonsinglet splitting function, which is in agreement with the state-of-the-art result. Because of the simplicity of our method, it has the potential to advance the calculation of splitting functions to the desired four-loop order.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Investigating the impact of higher-order phase transitions in binary neutron-star mergers

In this paper we investigate quark deconfinement in neutrons stars and their mergers, focusing on the effects of higher orders for the phase transition between hadronic and quark matter. The different descriptions we use to describe matter microscopically contain varying particle degrees of freedom, including nucleons, hyperons, Delta baryons, and light and strange quarks. We use tabulated equations of state from the CompOSE database in which the quark deconfinement phase transition is described as being first order, and then smooth it out by introducing a percolation, replacing the single first-order phase transition with two transitions of second or third order. We then perform binary neutron-star merger simulations using these new equations of state, focusing on groups of binaries with the same single-star mass, radius, and tidal deformability, but different equations of state. Here, we go on to discuss differences in their evolution, and the ramifications for interpreting future gravitational wave observations and the potential to learn about dense matter.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Composition dependence of atomic order in strain-relaxed, metastable GeSn alloys

Extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements of single-crystal Ge/GeSn radial heterostructure nanowires are used to examine the effects of composition on both short-range order (SRO) and longer-range disorder in GeSn alloys. GeSn has prompted significant interest because it can achieve a direct band gap for sufficient Sn concentrations beyond the equilibrium solid solubility limit in an all-group IV system. Short-range order in this material is particularly interesting as it has been predicted to affect the band gap independent of average composition or strain effects. By independently controlling the Sn composition and GeSn thickness during chemical vapor deposition of misfitting GeSn shells around ultrathin, elastically compliant, Ge core nanowires, the elastic misfit strain in the GeSn is minimized for Sn compositions over the studied range ≈Ge 0.96 Sn 0.04 to Ge 0.88 Sn 0.12 . The degree of SRO was found to decrease with increasing Sn composition. Additionally, damping of the EXAFS signal was observed as the Sn content increased, particularly for increasingly distant atomic shells about the absorbing atom, even for scattering paths not involving Sn atoms. This result is quantified as an increase in the mean-squared relative displacement parameters of the shells. These measurements reveal the accommodation of local strain due to the presence of the highly size-mismatched Sn atoms in the Ge diamond cubic lattice (≈14%), which may have effects on the band structure of the material in addition to the influence of short-range atomic order. Comparison among the nanowire samples allows for calculation of the topological rigidity parameter, a ∗∗ , for the first-neighbor bond lengths. Furthermore, these exhibit chemically distinct values for Ge-Ge, Ge-Sn, and Sn-Sn, and they are consistent with the value a ∗∗ = 0.75 ± 0.07 confirming the general applicability of the model to alloys with both large amounts of natural misfit strain and the potential for short-range order.

Crystal structure Semiconductors Transmission elec↗

Complex magnetic order in the decorated spin-chain system Rb 2 Mn 3 ( MoO 4 ) 3 ( OH ) 2

The macroscopic magnetic properties and microscopic magnetic structure of Rb 2 Mn 3 (MoO 4 ) 3 (OH) 2 (space group Pn ma) are investigated by magnetization, heat capacity, and single-crystal neutron diffraction measurements. The compound's crystal structure contains bond-alternating [Mn 3 O 11 ] ∞ chains along the b axis, formed by isosceles triangles of Mn ions occupying two crystallographically nonequivalent sites (the Mn1 site on the base and Mn2 site on the vertex). These chains are only weakly linked to each other by nonmagnetic oxyanions. Both superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry and neutron diffraction experiments show two successive magnetic transitions as a function of temperature. On cooling, it transitions from a paramagnetic phase into an incommensurate phase below 4.5 K with a magnetic wave vector near k 1 = ( 0 , 0.46 , 0 ). An additional commensurate antiferromagnetically ordered component arises with k 2 = ( 0, 0, 0), forming a complex magnetic structure below 3.5 K with two different propagation vectors of different stars. On further cooling, the incommensurate wave vector undergoes a lock-in transition below 2.3 K. The experimental results suggest that the magnetic superspace group is Pnma. 1' (0b0) s0ss for the single- k incommensurate phase and is Pn' m a ( 0 b 0 ) 00 s for the two- k magnetic phase. We propose a simplified magnetic structure model taking into account the major ordered contributions, where the commensurate k 2 defines the ordering of the c-axis component of the Mn1 magnetic moment, while the incommensurate k 1 describes the ordering of the ab -plane components of both Mn1 and Mn2 moments into elliptical cycloids.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Topological orders of monopoles and hedgehogs: From electronic and magnetic spin-orbit coupling to quarks

Topological states of matter are, generally, quantum liquids of conserved topological defects. We establish this by constructing and analyzing topological field theories which introduce gauge fields to describe the dynamics of singularities in the original field configurations. In this work, homotopy groups are utilized to identify topologically protected singularities, and the conservation of their protected number is captured by a topological action term that unambiguously obtains from the given set of symmetries. Stable phases of these theories include quantum liquids with emergent massless Abelian and non-Abelian gauge fields, as well as topological orders with long-range quantum entanglement, fractional excitations, boundary modes, and unconventional responses to external perturbations. This paper focuses on the derivation of topological field theories and basic phenomenological characterization of topological orders associated with homotopy groups π n (S n ), n ≥ 1 . These homotopies govern monopole and hedgehog topological defects in d = n + 1 dimensions, and enable the generalization of both weakly interacting and fractional quantum Hall liquids of vortices to d > 2 . Hedgehogs have not been in the spotlight so far, but they are particularly important defects of magnetic moments because they can be stimulated in realistic systems with spin-orbit coupling, such as chiral magnets and d = 3 topological materials. We predict topological orders in systems with U(1) × Spin(d) symmetry in which fractional electric charge attaches to hedgehogs. Monopoles, the analogous defects of charge or generic U(1) currents, may bind to hedgehogs via Zeeman effect, or effectively emerge in purely magnetic systems. The latter can lead to spin liquids with different topological orders than that of the resonant valence bond spin liquid. Charge fractionalization of quarks in atomic nuclei is also seen as possibly arising from the charge-hedgehog attachment.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Pseudospin versus magnetic dipole moment ordering in the isosceles triangular lattice material K 3 Er(VO 4 ) 2

Spin- 1 / 2 antiferromagnetic triangular lattice models are paradigms of geometrical frustration, revealing very different ground states and quantum effects depending on the nature of anisotropies in the model. Due to strong spin orbit coupling and crystal field effects, rare-earth ions can form pseudospin- 1 / 2 magnetic moments with anisotropic single-ion and exchange properties. Thus, rare-earth-based triangular lattices enable the exploration of this interplay between frustration and anisotropy. Here we study one such case, the rare-earth double vanadate glaserite material K 3 Er ( VO 4 ) 2 , which is a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) isosceles triangular antiferromagnet. Our specific heat and neutron powder diffraction data from K 3 Er ( VO 4 ) 2 reveal a transition to long range magnetic order at T N = 155 ± 5 mK which accounts for all R ln 2 entropy. Furthermore, we observe what appears to be a coexistence of three-dimensional (3D) and quasi-2D order below T N . The quasi-2D order leads to an anisotropic Warren-like peak profile for ( h k 0 ) reflections, while the 3D order is best-described by layers of antiferromagnetic b -aligned moments alternating with layers of zero moment. Our magnetic susceptibility data reveal that Er 3 + takes on a strong X Y single-ion anisotropy in K 3 Er ( VO 4 ) 2 , leading to vanishing moments when pseudospins are oriented along c . Thus, the magnetic structure, when considered from the pseudospin point of view could comprise of alternating layers of b -axis and c -axis aligned antiferromagnetism.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Isotropic parallel antiferromagnetism in the magnetic field induced charge-ordered state of $\mathrm{Sm Ru_4 P_{12}}$ caused by $p - f$ hybridization

Nature of the field-induced charge-ordered phase (phase II) of SmRu 4 P 12 has been investigated by resonant x-ray diffraction (RXD) and polarized neutron diffraction (PND), focusing on the relationship between the atomic displacements and the antiferromagnetic (AFM) moments of Sm. From the analysis of the interference between the nonresonant Thomson scattering and the resonant magnetic scattering, combined with the spectral function obtained from x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, it is shown that the AFM moment of Sm prefers to be parallel to the field (m AF ∥ H), giving rise to large and small moment sites around which the P 12 and Ru cage contract and expand, respectively. This is associated with the formation of the staggered ordering of the Γ 7 -like and Γ 8 -like crystal-field states, providing a strong piece of evidence for the charge order. PND was also performed to obtain complementary and unambiguous conclusion. In addition, isotropic and continuous nature of phase II is demonstrated by the field-direction invariance of the interference spectrum in RXD. Finally, crucial role of the p-f hybridization is shown by resonant soft x-ray diffraction at the P K edge (1s↔3p), where we detected a resonance due to the spin polarized 3p orbitals reflecting the AFM order of Sm.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Temperature dependence of London penetration depth anisotropy in superconductors with anisotropic order parameters

Here, we study the effects of anisotropic order parameters on the temperature dependence of London penetration depth anisotropy γ λ ( T ) . After MgB 2 , this dependence is commonly attributed to distinct gaps on multiband Fermi surfaces in superconductors. We have found, however, that the anisotropy parameter may depend on temperature also in one-band materials with anisotropic order parameters Δ ( T , k F ) ; a few such examples are given. We have also found that for different order parameters, the temperature dependence of Δ ( T ) / Δ ( 0 ) can be represented with good accuracy by the interpolation suggested by Einzel, which simplifies considerably the evaluation of γ λ ( T ) . Of particular interest are mixed order parameters of two symmetries for which γ λ ( T ) may go through a maximum for a certain relative weight of two phases. Also, for this case we find that the ratio Δ max ( 0 ) / T c may exceed substantially the weak-coupling limit of 1.76. It, however, does not imply strong coupling; rather, it is due to significantly anisotropic angular variation of Δ .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Field-induced intermediate ordered phase and anisotropic interlayer interactions in α-RuCl 3

In α-RuCl 3 , an external magnetic field applied within the honeycomb plane can induce a transition from a magnetically ordered state to a disordered state that is potentially related to the Kitaev quantum spin liquid. In zero field, single crystals with minimal stacking faults display a low-temperature state with in-plane zigzag antiferromagnetic order and a three-layer periodicity in the direction perpendicular to the honeycomb planes. In this work, we present angle-dependent magnetization, ac susceptibility, and thermal transport data that demonstrate the presence of an additional intermediate-field ordered state at fields below the transition to the disordered phase. Neutron-diffraction results show that the magnetic structure in this phase is characterized by a six-layer periodicity in the direction perpendicular to the honeycomb planes. Theoretically, the intermediate ordered phase can be accounted for by including spin-anisotropic couplings between the layers in a three-dimensional spin model. Together, this demonstrates the importance of interlayer exchange interactions in α-RuCl 3 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Valence bond order in a honeycomb antiferromagnet coupled to quantum phonons

We use exact quantum Monte Carlo simulations to demonstrate that the Néel ground state of an antiferromagnetic SU(2) spin-1/2 Heisenberg model on the honeycomb lattice can be destroyed by a coupling to quantum phonons. Here, we find a clear first-order transition to a valence bond solid state with Kekulé order instead of a deconfined quantum critical point. However, quantum lattice fluctuations can drive the transition towards weakly first order, revealing a tunability of the transition by the retardation of the interaction. In contrast to the one-dimensional case, our phase diagram in the adiabatic regime is qualitatively different from the frustrated J 1 –J 2 model. Our results suggest that a coupling to bond phonons can induce Kekulé order in Dirac systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Dynamics of a fractal set of first-order magnetic phase transitions in frustrated Lu 2 CoMnO 6

The axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model predicts a fractal (infinite) set of phases with incommensurate wave vectors that are separated by first-order phase boundaries. This complexity results from a simple frustration condition between nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor interactions along a chain of Ising spins. Using x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS), we investigate the surprising antiferromagnetic dynamics that emerge from such a complex phase diagram over a wide range of temperatures. In this work, we present XPCS measurements of the frustrated magnetic chain compound Lu 2 CoMnO 6 and Monte Carlo simulations. Incommensurate magnetic Bragg peaks slide towards commensurate “up-up-down-down” spin order with decreasing temperature and increasing time. Both simulation and experiment support a counterintuitive “upside-down” temperature dependence of the magnetic dynamics: at higher temperatures in the region of first-order phase boundaries, slower dynamics are observed where the speckle maintains its coherence. At the lowest temperatures, where part of the sample adopts commensurate order, the dynamics speed up and result in fast decoherence.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Sign-free determinant quantum Monte Carlo study of excitonic density orders in a two-orbital Hubbard-Kanamori model

While excitonic instabilities in multiorbital systems recently have come under scrutiny in a variety of transition-metal compounds, understanding emergence of these instabilities from strong electronic interactions has remained a challenge. In this work, we present a sign-problem-free determinant quantum Monte Carlo study of excitonic density orders in a half-filled two-orbital Hubbard-Kanamori model with broken orbital degeneracy, which accounts for the role of Hund's coupling in transition-metal compounds. For strong inverted (negative) Hund's exchange, we find numerical evidence for the emergence of excitonic density order, with competition between anti-ferro-orbital order and Q = (π, π) excitonic density order as a function of orbital splitting and Hund's coupling. While inverted Hund's coupling stabilizes a spin-singlet excitonic density phase for weak orbital splitting, positive Hund's coupling favors a spin-triplet excitonic density phase.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effect of iron vacancies on magnetic order and spin dynamics of the spin ladder BaFe 2-δ S 1.5 Se 1.5</sub

Quasi-one-dimensional iron chalcogenides possess various magnetic states depending on the lattice distortion, electronic correlations, and presence of defects. Here we present neutron diffraction and inelastic neutron scattering experiments on the spin ladder compound BaFe 2-δ S 1.5 Se 1.5 with ~6% iron vacancies. The data reveal that long-range magnetic order is absent, while the characteristic magnetic excitations that correspond to both the stripe- and block-type antiferromagnetic correlations are observed. First-principles calculations support the existence of both stripe- and block-type antiferromagnetic short-range orders in the experimental sample. The disappearance of long-range magnetic order may be due to the competition between these two magnetic orders, which is greatly enhanced for a certain concentration of iron vacancies, which we calculate to be about 6%, consistent with the measured iron vacancy concentration. Our results highlight how iron vacancies in the iron-based spin ladder system strongly influence the magnetic ground state.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A -type antiferromagnetic order in the Zintl-phase insulator EuZn 2 P 2

Zintl phases, containing strongly covalently bonded frameworks with separate ionically bonded ions, have emerged as a critical materials family in which to couple magnetism and strong spin-orbit coupling to drive diverse topological phases of matter. Here we report the single-crystal synthesis, magnetic, thermodynamic, transport, and theoretical properties of the Zintl compound EuZn 2 P 2 that crystallizes in the anti-La 2 O 3 (CaAl 2 Si 2 ) P-3m1 structure, containing triangular layers of Eu 2+ ions. In-plane resistivity measurements reveal insulating behavior with an estimated activation energy of E g = 0.11eV. Specific heat and magnetization measurements indicate antiferromagnetic ordering at T N = 23K. Curie-Weiss analysis of in-plane and out of plane magnetic susceptibility from T = 150 to 300 K yields p eff = 8.61 for μ 0 H⊥c and p eff = 7.74 for μ 0 H//c, close to the expected values for the 4f 7 J = S = 7/2 Eu 2+ ion and indicative of weak anisotropy. Below T N , a significant anisotropy of χ ⊥ /χ // ≈ 2.3 develops, consistent with A-type magnetic order as observed in isostructural analogs and as predicted by the density functional theory calculations reported herein. The positive Weiss temperatures of θ W =19.2K for μ 0 H⊥c and θ W =41.9K for μ 0 H//c show a similar anisotropy and suggest competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. Comparing Eu magnetic ordering temperatures across trigonal EuM 2 X 2 (M= divalent metal, X= pnictide) shows that EuZn 2 P 2 exhibits the highest ordering temperature, with variations in T N correlating with changes in expected dipolar interaction strengths within and between layers and independent of the magnitude of electrical conductivity. These results provide experimental validation of the crystochemical intuition that the cation Eu 2+ layers and the anionic (M 2 X 2 ) 2– framework can be treated as electronically distinct subunits, enabling further predictive materials design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Topological order and entanglement dynamics in the measurement-only XZZX quantum code

We examine the dynamics of a ( 1 + 1 ) -dimensional measurement-only circuit defined by the stabilizers of the [[5,1,3]] quantum error correcting code interrupted by single-qubit Pauli measurements. The code corrects arbitrary single-qubit errors and it stabilizes an area law entangled state with a D 2 = Z 2 × Z 2 symmetry protected topological (SPT) order, as well as a symmetry breaking (SB) order from a twofold bulk degeneracy. The Pauli measurements break the topological order and induce a phase transition into a trivial area law phase. Allowing more than one type of Pauli measurement increases the measurement-induced frustration and the SPT and SB order can be broken either simultaneously or separately at nonzero measurement rate. This yields a rich phase diagram and unanticipated critical behavior at the phase transitions. Although the correlation length exponent ν = 4 3 and the dynamical critical exponent z = 1 are consistent with bond percolation, the prefactor of the logarithmic entanglement growth may take noninteger multiples of the percolation value. Remarkably, we identify a robust transient scaling regime for the purification dynamics of L qubits. It reveals a modified dynamical critical exponent z * ≠ z , which is observable up to times t ~ L z * and is reminiscent of the relaxation of critical systems into a prethermal state.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dual-stage structural response to quenching charge order in magnetite

The Verwey transition in magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) is the prototypical metal-insulator transition and has eluded a comprehensive explanation for decades. A major element of the challenge is the complex interplay between charge order and lattice distortions. Here we use ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) to disentangle the roles of charge order and lattice distortions by tracking the transient structural evolution after charge order is melted via ultrafast photoexcitation. A dual-stage response is observed in which X 3 , X 1 and Δ 5 type structural distortions occur on markedly different timescales of 0.7-3.2 ps and longer than 3.2 ps. We propose that these distinct timescales arise because X 3 -type distortions strongly couple to the trimeron charge order whereas the Δ 5 -distortions are more strongly associated with monoclinic to cubic distortions of the overall lattice. Our work aids in clarifying the charge-lattice interplay using UED method and illustrates the disentanglement of the complex phases in magnetite.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Transferring orbital angular momentum to an electron beam reveals toroidal and chiral order

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) and torque transfer play central roles in a wide range of magnetic textures and devices including skyrmions and spin-torque electronics. Analogous topological structures are now also being explored in ferroelectrics, including polarization vortex arrays in ferroelectric/dielectric superlattices. Unlike magnetic toroidal order, electric toroidal order does not couple directly to linear external fields. Instead, we find that the presence of an electric toroidal moment in a ferrorotational phase transfers measurable torque and OAM to a localized electron beam in the ballistic limit. We record these torque transfers from a high-energy electron beam using a momentum-resolved detector. This approach provides a high-sensitivity method to detect polarization fields and their more complex order parameters and topologies. In addition to toroidal order, we also demonstrate high-precision measurements of vorticity and chirality for polar vortexlike phases.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

High-order harmonics and the reverse of the squaring up process in the triangular-lattice magnet HoPdAl 4 ⁢Ge 2

We uncover high-order harmonics and the reverse of the squaring-up process, in terms of analyzing the evolution of magnetic orders in a centrosymmetric layered triangular-lattice magnet HoPdAl 4 ⁢Ge 2 , based on a detailed study of the crystal structure, magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, heat capacity, and magnetic structure. Temperature dependencies of magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity show two magnetic transitions at T N = 10.5 K and T t = 5.5 K. Below T N , Ho 3+ spins order antiferromagnetically as a transverse spin-density wave with the propagation vector k 1 = (001.5 – δ) with δ ≈ 0.18. Upon further cooling through T t , the high-order harmonics with k n = (001.5 – nδ), n = 3, 5, 7 develop, suggesting a squaring-up process. It is surprising that the squaring-up process does not continue down to 0 K but reverses the trend below 3 K. Magnetic-field-induced metastable transitions were observed in M⁡(H) curves with the fields applied both parallel and perpendicular to the triangular-lattice plane. Neutron-diffraction results suggest that the magnetization process in HoPdAl 4 ⁢Ge 2 involves the conversion of k n = (001.5 – n⁢δ) with n = 1, 3, 5, 7, to a ferromagnetic k F = (000) component. It is worth noting that the already weak seventh harmonic magnetic peak is enhanced by applying a small magnetic field in the ab plane at 1.5 K or warming up to 3 K, accompanied by a slight decrease of δ.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗