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At least 1,333 records · Page 74

A Noncentrosymmetric Polymorph of LuRuGe

In this work, we report a new polymorph of LuRuGe, obtained in indium flux. This phase exhibits the noncentrosymmetric ZrNiAl-type structure with the space group $Ρ\bar 62m$ as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This polymorph can convert into another centrosymmetric polymorph (TiNiSi-type structure, space group Pnma ) at high temperatures. In this work, we performed electrical transport, magnetization, and specific heat measurements on this new phase. It shows metallic behavior with a Hall sign change from negative at 2 K to positive at 125 K. LuRuGe exhibits Pauli paramagnetism as the ground state with no local magnetic moments from either the Ru or Lu site. The Debye temperature Θ = 348 K and electronic coefficient γ e = 3.6 mJ K –2 mol –1 are extracted from the low-temperature specific heat data in LuRuGe. We also carried out first-principles density functional theory calculations to map out the electronic band structure and density of states. There are several electronic bands crossing the Fermi level, supporting a multiband scenario consistent with the Hall sign change. The density of states around the Fermi level is mainly from Ru 4d and Ge 4p electrons, indicating a strong hybridization between those atomic orbitals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

First-principles study of structural, electronic, vibrational, dielectric and elastic properties of tetragonal Ba₂YTaO₆

We report first-principles study of structural, electronic, vibrational, dielectric, and elastic properties of Ba₂YTaO₆, a pinning material in high temperature superconductors (HTS), by using density functional theory. By using different exchange-correlation potentials, the accuracy of the calculated lattice constants of Ba₂YTaO₆ has been achieved with GGA-RPBE, since many important physical quantities crucially depend on change in volume. We have calculated the electronic band structure dispersion, total and partial density of states to study the band gap origin and found that Ba₂YTaO₆ is an insulator with a direct band gap of 3.50 eV. From Mulliken population and charge density studies, we conclude that Ba₂YTaO₆ have a mixed ionic-covalent character. Moreover, the vibrational properties, born effective charges, and the dielectric permittivity tensor have been calculated using linear response method. Vibrational spectrum determined through our calculations agrees well with the observed Raman spectrum, and allows assignment of symmetry labels to modes. We perform a detailed analysis of the contribution of the various infrared-active modes to the static dielectric constant to explain its anisotropy, while electronic dielectric tensor of Ba₂YTaO₆ is nearly isotropic, and found that static dielectric constant is in good agreement with experimental value. The six independent elastic constants were calculated and found that tetragonal Ba₂YTaO₆ is mechanically stable. Other elastic properties, including bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and elastic anisotropy ratios are also investigated and found that Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus of Ba₂YTaO₆ are similar to that of other pinning materials in HTS.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Noncentrosymmetric rare-earth copper gallium chalcogenides RE{sub 3}CuGaCh{sub 7} (RE=La–Nd; Ch=S, Se): An unexpected combination

The quaternary rare-earth chalcogenides RE{sub 3}CuGaS{sub 7} and RE{sub 3}CuGaSe{sub 7} (RE=La–Nd) have been prepared by reactions of the elements at 1050 °C and 900 °C, respectively. They crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric La{sub 3}CuSiS{sub 7}-type structure (hexagonal, space group P6{sub 3}, Z=2) in which the a-parameter is largely controlled by the RE component (a=10.0–10.3 Å for the sulfides and 10.3–10.6 Å for the selenides) whereas the c-parameter is essentially fixed by the choice of Ga and chalcogen atoms within tetrahedral units (c=6.1 Å for the sulfides and 6.4 Å for the selenides). They extend the series RE{sub 3}MGaCh{sub 7}, previously known for divalent metal atoms (M=Mn–Ni), differing in that the Cu atoms in RE{sub 3}CuGaCh{sub 7} occupy trigonal planar sites instead of octahedral sites. Among quaternary chalcogenides RE{sub 3}MM′Ch{sub 7}, the combination of monovalent (M=Cu) and trivalent (M′=Ga) metals is unusual because it appears to violate the condition of charge balance satisfied by most La{sub 3}CuSiS{sub 7}-type compounds. The possibility of divalent Cu atoms was ruled out by bond valence sum analysis, magnetic measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electron deficiency in RE{sub 3}CuGaCh{sub 7} is accommodated through S-based holes at the top of the valence band, as shown by band structure calculations on La{sub 3}CuGaS{sub 7}. An optical band gap of about 2.0 eV was found for La{sub 3}CuGaSe{sub 7}. - Graphical abstract: The chalcogenides RE{sub 3}CuGaCh{sub 7} contain monovalent Cu in trigonal planes and trivalent Ga in tetrahedra; they are electron-deficient representatives of La{sub 3}CuSiS{sub 7}-type compounds, which normally satisfy charge balance. - Highlights: • Quaternary chalcogenides RE{sub 3}CuGaCh{sub 7} (RE=La–Nd; Ch=S, Se) were prepared. • Bond valence sums, magnetism, and XPS data give evidence for monovalent Cu. • Crystal structures reveal high anisotropy of Cu displacement. • Electron deficiency is accommodated by S-based holes in valence band.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

H-point exciton transitions in bulk MoS{sub 2}

Reflectance and photoreflectance spectrum of bulk MoS{sub 2} around its direct bandgap energy have been measured at 12 K. Apart from spectral features due to the A and B ground state exciton transitions at the K-point of the Brillouin zone, one observes additional features at nearby energies. Through lineshape analysis the character of two prominent additional features are shown to be quite different from that of A and B. By comparing with reported electronic band structure calculations, these two additional features are identified as ground state exciton transitions at the H-point of the Brillouin zone involving two spin-orbit split valance bands. The excitonic energy gap at the H-point is 1.965 eV with a valance bands splitting of 185 meV. While at the K-point, the corresponding values are 1.920 eV and 205 meV, respectively.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Nanoscale Confinement of Photo-Injected Electrons at Hybrid Interfaces

A prerequisite for advancing hybrid solar light harvesting systems is a comprehensive understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of photoinduced interfacial charge separation. Here, we demonstrate access to this transient charge redistribution for a model hybrid system of nanoporous zinc oxide (ZnO) and ruthenium bipyridyl chromophores. The site-selective probing of the molecular electron donor and semiconductor acceptor by time-resolved X-ray photoemission provides direct insight into the depth distribution of the photoinjected electrons and their interaction with the local band structure on a nanometer length scale. Our results show that these electrons remain localized within less than 6 nm from the interface, due to enhanced downward band bending by the photoinjected charge carriers. This spatial confinement suggests that light-induced charge generation and transport in nanoscale ZnO photocatalytic devices proceeds predominantly within the defect-rich surface region, which may lead to enhanced surface recombination and explain their lower performance compared to titanium dioxide (TiO 2 )-based systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Giant room temperature anomalous Hall effect and tunable topology in a ferromagnetic topological semimetal Co 2 MnAl

Weyl semimetals exhibit unusual surface states and anomalous transport phenomena. It is hard to manipulate the band structure topology of specific Weyl materials. Topological transport phenomena usually appear at very low temperatures, which sets challenges for applications. In this work, we demonstrate the band topology modification via a weak magnetic field in a ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal candidate, Co 2 MnAl, at room temperature. We observe a tunable, giant anomalous Hall effect (AHE) induced by the transition involving Weyl points and nodal rings. The AHE conductivity is as large as that of a 3D quantum AHE, with the Hall angle (Θ H ) reaching a record value (tan Θ H = 0.21) at the room temperature among magnetic conductors. Furthermore, we propose a material recipe to generate large AHE by gaping nodal rings without requiring Weyl points. Our work reveals an intrinsically magnetic platform to explore the interplay between magnetic dynamics and topological physics for developing spintronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Observation of site-controlled localized charged excitons in CrI3/WSe2 heterostructures

Abstract Isolated spins are the focus of intense scientific exploration due to their potential role as qubits for quantum information science. Optical access to single spins, demonstrated in III-V semiconducting quantum dots, has fueled research aimed at realizing quantum networks. More recently, quantum emitters in atomically thin materials such as tungsten diselenide have been demonstrated to host optically addressable single spins by means of electrostatic doping the localized excitons. Electrostatic doping is not the only route to charging localized quantum emitters and another path forward is through band structure engineering using van der Waals heterojunctions. Critical to this second approach is to interface tungsten diselenide with other van der Waals materials with relative band-alignments conducive to the phenomenon of charge transfer. In this work we show that the Type-II band-alignment between tungsten diselenide and chromium triiodide can be exploited to excite localized charged excitons in tungsten diselenide. Leveraging spin-dependent charge transfer in the device, we demonstrate spin selectivity in the preparation of the spin-valley state of localized single holes. Combined with the use of strain-inducing nanopillars to coordinate the spatial location of tungsten diselenide quantum emitters, we uncover the possibility of realizing large-scale deterministic arrays of optically addressable spin-valley holes in a solid state platform.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Dirac lines and loop at the Fermi level in the time-reversal symmetry breaking superconductor LaNiGa 2

Unconventional superconductors have Cooper pairs with lower symmetries than in conventional superconductors. In most unconventional superconductors, the additional symmetry breaking occurs in relation to typical ingredients such as strongly correlated Fermi liquid phases, magnetic fluctuations, or strong spin-orbit coupling in noncentrosymmetric structures. In this article, we show that the time-reversal symmetry breaking in the superconductor LaNiGa 2 is enabled by its previously unknown topological electronic band structure, with Dirac lines and a Dirac loop at the Fermi level. Two symmetry related Dirac points even remain degenerate under spin-orbit coupling. These unique topological features enable an unconventional superconducting gap in which time-reversal symmetry can be broken in the absence of other typical ingredients. Our findings provide a route to identify a new type of unconventional superconductors based on nonsymmorphic symmetries and will enable future discoveries of topological crystalline superconductors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Origin of the low critical observing temperature of the quantum anomalous Hall effect in V-doped (Bi, Sb) 2 Te 3 film

The experimental realization of the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect in magnetically-doped (Bi, Sb) 2 Te 3 films stands out as a landmark of modern condensed matter physics. However, ultra-low temperatures down to few tens of mK are needed to reach the quantization of Hall resistance, which is two orders of magnitude lower than the ferromagnetic phase transition temperature of the films. Here, we systematically study the band structure of V-doped (Bi, Sb) 2 Te 3 thin films by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and show unambiguously that the bulk valence band (BVB) maximum lies higher in energy than the surface state Dirac point. Finally, our results demonstrate clear evidence that localization of BVB carriers plays an active role and can account for the temperature discrepancy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

First-principles study on the electronic, optical and thermodynamic properties of ABO 3 (A = La,Sr, B = Fe,Co) perovskites

The electronic, optical and thermodynamic properties of ABO 3 (A = La,Sr, B = Fe,Co) perovskites are investigated using first-principles calculations. The obtained results indicate that SrCoO 3 and SrFeO 3 are metals, while LaCoO 3 and LaFeO 3 are insulators and all of them exhibit strong hybridization of the Fe/Co-3d and O-2p orbitals. By correlating the energy band structures with the peaks of the imaginary part of the dielectric function, we obtained the origin of each electron excitation to provide information about the active bands for the corresponding optical transitions observed in the experiment. Moreover, the Debye temperatures θ D obtained from the phonon frequencies are comparable to the available data. In conclusion, the thermodynamic properties of the Helmholtz free energy F , entropy S , and constant-volume heat capacity C v are investigated based on the phonon spectra.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Sub-250 nm light emission and optical gain in AlGaN materials

We investigate the deep-UV optical emission and gain properties of Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1-x}N/Al{sub y}Ga{sub 1-y}N multiple quantum wells structures. These structures were grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy on 6H-SiC substrates, under a growth mode which promotes various degrees of band-structure potential fluctuations in the form of cluster-like features within the wells. The degree of inhomogeneities in these samples was determined by cathodoluminescence mapping. We measured the TE-polarized amplified spontaneous emission in the sample with cluster-like features and quantified the optical absorption/gain coefficients and gain spectra by the variable stripe length technique under ultrafast optical pumping. A maximum net modal gain of about 120 cm{sup -1} is measured at 4.9 eV. On the other hand, we found that samples with homogeneous quantum wells lead to absorption. Numerical simulations are performed to support our experimental findings.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Investigation of electronic properties of the thienoacenes using first principles methods

In the present work, an examination of the electronic properties of pentacene, dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DNTT) and dianthra[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DATT) using ab initio methodology is reported. According to the results, the herringbone packing and π-stack orientation play an important role in the hole mobilities for DNTT and DATT. Band structure of pentacene crystals is more anisotropic than DNTT and DATT and the highest values for the dispersion are found in the herrigbone plane. For the band transport regime, it is demonstrated that the DATT must have carrier mobilities larger than pentacene and smaller than that found in DNTT.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Slab photonic crystals with dimer colloid bases

The photonic band gap properties for centered rectangular monolayers of asymmetric dimers are reported. Colloids in suspension have been organized into the phase under confinement. The theoretical model is inspired by the range of asymmetric dimers synthesized via seeded emulsion polymerization and explores, in particular, the band structures as a function of degree of lobe symmetry and degree of lobe fusion. These parameters are varied incrementally from spheres to lobe-tangent dimers over morphologies yielding physically realizable particles. The work addresses the relative scarcity of theoretical studies on photonic crystal slabs with vertical variation that is consistent with colloidal self-assembly. Odd, even and polarization independent gaps in the guided modes are determined for direct slab structures. A wide range of lobe symmetry and degree of lobe fusion combinations having Brillouin zones with moderate to high isotropy support gaps between odd mode band indices 3-4 and even mode band indices 1-2 and 2-3.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Conical intersection and coherent vibrational dynamics in alkyl iodides captured by attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy

The photodissociation dynamics of alkyl iodides along the C–I bond are captured by attosecond extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) transient absorption spectroscopy employing resonant ∼20 fs UV pump pulses. The methodology of previous experiments on CH3I [Chang et al., J. Chem. Phys. 154, 234301 (2021)] is extended to the investigation of a C–I bond-breaking reaction in the dissociative A-band of C2H5I, i-C3H7I, and t-C4H9I. Probing iodine 4d core-to-valence transitions in the XUV enables one to map wave packet bifurcation at a conical intersection in the A-band as well as coherent vibrations in the ground state of the parent molecules. Analysis of spectroscopic bifurcation signatures yields conical intersection crossing times of 15 ± 4 fs for CH3I, 14 ± 5 fs for C2H5I, and 24 ± 4 fs for i-C3H7I and t-C4H9I, respectively. Observations of coherent vibrations, resulting from a projection of A-band structural dynamics onto the ground state by resonant impulsive stimulated Raman scattering, indirectly reveal multimode C–I stretch and CCI bend vibrations in the A-bands of C2H5I, i-C3H7I, and t-C4H9I.

Chang, Kristina F. (ORCID:000000022315039X)↗

Topological crystalline insulator state with type-II Dirac fermions in transition metal dipnictides

The interplay between topology and crystalline symmetries in materials can lead to a variety of topological crystalline insulator (TCI) states. Despite significant effort towards their experimental realization, so far only Pb 1–x Sn x Te has been confirmed as a mirror-symmetry-protected TCI. In this work, based on first-principles calculations combined with a symmetry analysis, we identify a rotational-symmetry-protected TCI state in the transition metal dipnictide RX 2 family, where R = Ta or Nb and X = P, As, or Sb. Taking TaAs 2 as an exemplar system, we show that its low-energy band structure consists of two types of bulk nodal lines in the absence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effects. Turning on the SOC opens a continuous band gap in the energy spectrum and drives the system into a C 2 T -symmetry-protected TCI state. On the (010) surface, we show the presence of rotationalsymmetry- protected nontrivial Dirac cone states within a local bulk energy gap of ~300 meV. Interestingly, the Dirac cones have tilted energy dispersion, realizing a type-II Dirac fermion state in a topological crystalline insulator. Our results thus indicate that the TaAs 2 materials family provides an ideal setting for exploring the unique physics associated with type-II Dirac fermions in rotational-symmetry-protected TCIs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Population and decay of a K π = 8 – two-quasineutron isomer in Pu 244

Here, the decay of a K π = 8 – isomer in 244 Pu and the collective band structures populating the isomer were studied using deep inelastic excitations with 47 Ti and 208 Pb beams, respectively. Precise measurements of M1/E2 branching ratios in the band confirm a 9/2 – [734] ν Ⓧ7/2 + [624] ν configuration assignment for the isomer, validating the systematics of K π = 8 – , two-quasineutron isomers observed in even-Z, N = 150 isotones. These isomers around the deformed shell gap at N = 152 provide critical benchmarks for theoretical predictions of single-particle energies in this gateway region to superheavy nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Origin of the Size-Dependent Stokes Shift in CsPbBr 3 Perovskite Nanocrystals

In this report the origin of the size-dependent Stokes shift in CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals (NCs) is explained for the first time. Stokes shifts range from 82 to 20 meV for NCs with effective edge lengths varying from ~4 to 13 nm. We show that the Stokes shift is intrinsic to the NC electronic structure and does not arise from extrinsic effects such as residual ensemble size distributions, impurities, or solvent-related effects. The origin of the Stokes shift is elucidated via first-principles calculations. Corresponding theoretical modeling of the CsPbBr 3 NC density of states and band structure reveals the existence of an intrinsic confined hole state 260 to 70 meV above the valence band edge state for NCs with edge lengths from ~2 to 5 nm. A size-dependent Stokes shift is therefore predicted and is in quantitative agreement with the experimental data. Comparison between bulk and NC calculations shows that the confined hole state is exclusive to NCs. At a broader level, the distinction between absorbing and emitting states in CsPbBr 3 is likely a general feature of other halide perovskite NCs and can be tuned via NC size to enhance applications involving these materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Towards monomaterial p-n junctions: Single-step fabrication of tin oxide films and their non-destructive characterisation by angle-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The application of a non-destructive method for characterization of electronic structure of an ultra-thin SnO{sub 1<x<2} layer synthesized by spin coating on Si wafers was demonstrated. Utilizing angle dependent XPS, we quantified stoichiometry changes inside the SnO{sub 1<x<2} layers of thickness comparable with the electron attenuation length. The O/Sn concentration varied from 1.25 near the SnO{sub x} surface to 1.10 near the substrate/overlayer interface. Deviations from ideal stoichiometry are caused by defects, and defect levels affect the band structure of the SnO{sub x} layers. By investigation of the valence band region, followed by main core level position tracking, changes of electronic parameters like energy levels shift were identified. The results indicated a downward energy levels shift by 0.45 eV in SnO{sub x} layers at the SiO{sub 2}/SnO{sub x} interface. In combination with the detected upward energy levels shift in the substrate's electronic structure, these results suggest a negative charge displacement across the SiO{sub 2} layer. As a consequence, there is a significant carrier concentration gradient in the layer, from a nearly insulating oxide at the SnO{sub x} surface to a semiconducting one at the bottom of the SnO{sub x} film. The results showed that the application of a simple and cost-effective method allows tuning the materials' properties towards the one-step fabrication of materials with ambipolar doping.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗