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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.

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At least 109 records · Page 6

Enhanced pairing of quantum critical metals near d = 3 + 1

We study the dynamics of a quantum critical boson coupled to a Fermi surface in intermediate energy regimes where the Landau damping of the boson can be parametrically controlled, either via large Fermi velocity or by large- N techniques. We develop a systematic approach to the BCS instability of such systems, including careful treatment of the enhanced log 2 and log 3 singularities which appear already at 1-loop. These singularities arise due to the exchange of a critical boson in the Cooper channel and are absent in Fermi liquid theory. We also treat possible instabilities to charge density wave (CDW) formation, and compare the scales Λ BCS and Λ CDW of the onset of the instabilities in different parametric regimes. We address the question of whether the dressing of the fermions into a non-Fermi liquid via interactions with the order parameter field can happen at energies > Λ BCS , Λ CDW .

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Doping evolution of spin and charge excitations in the Hubbard model

We shed light on how electronic correlations vary across the phase diagram of the cuprate superconductors, examining the doping evolution of spin and charge excitations in the single-band Hubbard model using determinant quantum Monte Carlo (DQMC). In the single-particle response, we observe that the effects of correlations weaken rapidly with doping, such that one may expect the random phase approximation (RPA) to provide an adequate description of the two-particle response. In contrast, when compared to RPA, we find that significant residual correlations in the two-particle excitations persist up to 40% hole and 15% electron doping (the range of dopings achieved in the cuprates). Ultimately, these fundamental differences between the doping evolution of single- and multi-particle renormalizations show that conclusions drawn from single-particle processes cannot necessarily be applied to multi-particle excitations. Eventually, the system smoothly transitions via a momentum-dependent crossover into a weakly correlated metallic state where the spin and charge excitation spectra exhibit similar behavior and where RPA provides an adequate description.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Experimental observation of incoherent-coherent crossover and orbital-dependent band renormalization in iron chalcogenide superconductors

The level of electronic correlation has been one of the key questions in understanding the nature of superconductivity. Among the iron-based superconductors, the iron chalcogenide family exhibits the strongest electron correlations. To gauge the correlation strength, we performed a systematic angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study on the iron chalcogenide series Fe 1+y Se x Te 1-x (0 < x < 0.59), a model system with the simplest structure. Our measurement reveals an incoherent-to-coherent crossover in the electronic structure as the selenium ratio increases and the system evolves from a weakly localized to a more itinerant state. Furthermore, we found that the effective mass of bands dominated by the d xy orbital character significantly decreases with increasing selenium ratio, as compared to the d xz /d yz orbital-dominated bands. The orbital-dependent change in the correlation level agrees with theoretical calculations on the band structure renormalization, and may help to understand the onset of superconductivity in Fe 1+y Se x Te 1-x .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Quantum oscillations in a bilayer with broken mirror symmetry: A minimal model for YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6 + δ

Using an exact numerical solution and semiclassical analysis, we investigate quantum oscillations (QOs) in a model of a bilayer system with an anisotropic (elliptical) electron pocket in each plane. Key features of QO experiments in the high temperature superconducting cuprate YBCO can be reproduced by such a model, in particular the pattern of oscillation frequencies (which reflect “magnetic breakdown” between the two pockets) and the polar and azimuthal angular dependence of the oscillation amplitudes. However, the requisite magnetic breakdown is possible only under the assumption that the horizontal mirror plane symmetry is spontaneously broken and that the bilayer tunneling t ⊥ is substantially renormalized from its ‘bare’ value. Lastly, under the assumption that t ⊥ = $\sim\atop{Z}_t$ $(0)\atop{⊥}$, where $\sim\atop{Z}$ is a measure of the quasiparticle weight, this suggests that $\sim\atop{Z}$ ≲ 1/20. Detailed comparisons with new YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.58 QO data, taken over a very broad range of magnetic field, confirm specific predictions made by the breakdown scenario.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Variation in superconducting transition temperature due to tetragonal domains in two-dimensionally doped SrTiO 3

Strontium titanate is a low-temperature, non-Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer superconductor that superconducts to carrier concentrations lower than in any other system and exhibits avoided ferroelectricity at low temperatures. Neither the mechanism of superconductivity in strontium titanate nor the importance of the structure and dielectric properties for the superconductivity are well understood. We studied the effects of twin structure on superconductivity in a 5.5-nm-thick layer of niobium-doped SrTiO3 embedded in undoped SrTiO3. We used a scanning superconducting quantum interference device susceptometer to image the local diamagnetic response of the sample as a function of temperature. We observed regions that exhibited a superconducting transition temperature T-c greater than or similar to 10% higher than the temperature at which the sample was fully superconducting. The pattern of these regions varied spatially in a manner characteristic of structural twin domains. Some regions are too wide to originate on twin boundaries; therefore, we propose that the orientation of the tetragonal unit cell with respect to the doped plane affects T-c. Our results suggest that the anisotropic dielectric properties of SrTiO3 are important for its superconductivity and need to be considered in any theory of the mechanism of the superconductivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Nonequilibrium lattice-driven dynamics of stripes in nickelates using time-resolved x-ray scattering

Here, we investigate the lattice coupling to the spin and charge orders in the striped nickelate, La 1.75 Sr 0.25 NiO 4 , using time-resolved resonant x-ray scattering. Lattice-driven dynamics of both spin and charge orders are observed when the pump photon energy is tuned to that of an E u bond- stretching phonon. We present a likely scenario for the behavior of the spin and charge order parameters and its implications using a Ginzburg-Landau theory.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

STM imaging of electronic waves on the surface of Bi2Te3: topologically protected surface states and hexagonal warping effects

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy studies on high-quality Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} crystals exhibit perfect correspondence to ARPES data, hence enabling identification of different regimes measured in the local density of states (LDOS). Oscillations of LDOS near a step are analyzed. Within the main part of the surface band oscillations are strongly damped, supporting the hypothesis of topological protec- tion. At higher energies, as the surface band becomes concave, oscillations appear which disperse with a particular wave-vector that may result from an unconventional hexagonal warping term.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High-Resolution X-Ray Lensless Imaging by Differential Holographic Encoding

X-ray free electron lasers (X-FELs) will soon offer femtosecond pulses of laterally coherent x-rays with sufficient intensity to record single-shot coherent scattering patterns for nanoscale imaging. Pulse trains created by split and- delay techniques even open the door for cinematography on unprecedented nanometer length and femtosecond time scales. A key to real space ultrafast motion pictures is fast and reliable inversion of the recorded reciprocal space scattering patterns. Here we for the first time demonstrate in the x-ray regime the power of a novel technique for lensless high resolution imaging, previously suggested by Guizar-Sicairos and Fienup termed holography with extended reference by autocorrelation linear differential operation, HERALD0. We have achieved superior resolution over conventional x-ray Fourier transform holography (FTH) without sacrifices in SNR or significant increase in algorithmic complexity. By combining images obtained from individual sharp features on an extended reference, we further show that the resolution can be even extended beyond the reference fabrication limits. Direct comparison to iterative phase retrieval image reconstruction and images recorded with state of-the-art zone plate microscopes is presented. Our results demonstrate the power of HERALDO as a favorable candidate for robust inversion of single-shot coherent scattering patterns.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Theory of Two-Magnon Raman Scattering in Iron Pnictides and Chalcogenides

Although the parent iron-based pnictides and chalcogenides are itinerant antiferromagnets, the use of local moment picture to understand their magnetic properties is still widespread. We study magnetic Raman scattering from a local moment perspective for various quantum spin models proposed for this new class of superconductors. These models vary greatly in the level of magnetic frustration and show a vastly different two-magnon Raman response. Light scattering by two-magnon excitations thus provides a robust and independent measure of the underlying spin interactions. In accord with other recent experiments, our results indicate that the amount of magnetic frustration in these systems may be small.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Amorphous Diamond: A High-Pressure Superhard Carbon Allotrope

Compressing glassy carbon above 40 GPa, we have observed a new carbon allotrope with a fully sp{sup 3}-bonded amorphous structure and diamondlike strength. Synchrotron x-ray Raman spectroscopy revealed a continuous pressure-induced sp{sup 2}-to-sp{sup 3} bonding change, while x-ray diffraction confirmed the perseverance of noncrystallinity. The transition was reversible upon releasing pressure. Used as an indenter, the glassy carbon ball demonstrated exceptional strength by reaching 130 GPa with a confining pressure of 60 GPa. Such an extremely large stress difference of >70 GPa has never been observed in any material besides diamond, indicating the high hardness of this high-pressure carbon allotrope.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗