arXiv subjects

A. V. Balatsky

Publications and source records attributed to A. V. Balatsky.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

The Influence Of Elastic Deformations On The Supersolid Transition

We study, within the Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory of phase transitions, how elastic deformations in a supersolid lead to local changes in the supersolid transition temperature. The GL theory is mapped onto a Schrodinger-type equation with an effective potential that depends on local dilatory strain. The effective potential is attractive for local contractions and repulsive for local expansion. Different types of elastic deformations are studied. We find that a contraction (expansion) of the medium that may be brought about by, e.g., applied stress leads to a higher (lower) transition temperature as compared to the unstrained medium. In addition, we investigate edge dislocations and illustrate that the local transition temperature may be increased in the immediate vicinity of the dislocation core. Our analysis is not limited to supersolidity. Similar strain effects should also play a role in superconductors.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2011

Electronic inhomogeneity in a Kondo lattice

Inhomogeneous electronic states resulting from entangled spin, charge, and lattice degrees of freedom are hallmarks of strongly correlated electron materials; such behavior has been observed in many classes of d-electron materials, including the high-Tc copper-oxide superconductors, manganites, and most recently the iron-pnictide superconductors. The complexity generated by competing phases in these materials constitutes a considerable theoretical challenge-one that still defies a complete description. Here, we report a new manifestation of electronic inhomogeneity in a strongly correlated f-electron system, using CeCoIn5 as an example. A thermodynamic analysis of its superconductivity, combined with nuclear quadrupole resonance measurements, shows that nonmagnetic impurities (Y, La, Yb, Th, Hg and Sn) locally suppress unconventional superconductivity, generating an inhomogeneous electronic "Swiss cheese" due to disrupted periodicity of the Kondo lattice. Our analysis may be generalized to include related systems, suggesting that electronic inhomogeneity should be considered broadly in Kondo lattice materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Two energy scales in the magnetic resonance spectrum of electron and hole doped pnictide superconductors

We argue that a multiband superconductor with sign-changing gaps may have multiple spin resonances. We calculate the RPA-based spin resonance spectra of a pnictide superconductor by using the five band tight-binding model or angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) Fermi surface (FS) and experimental values of superconducting (SC) gaps. The resonance spectra split in both energy and momenta due to the effects of multiband and multiple gaps in $s^{\pm}-$pairing; the higher energy peak appears around the commensurate momenta due to scattering between $α-$FS to $γ/δ-$FS pockets. The second resonance is incommensurate coming from $β-$FS to $γ/δ-$FS scatterings and its $q-$vector is doping-dependent and hence on the FS topology. Energies of both resonances $ω^{1,2}_{res}$ are strongly doping dependent and are proportional to the gap amplitudes at the contributing FSs. We also discuss the evolution of the spin excitation spectra with various other possible gap symmetries, which may be relevant when either both the electron pockets or both the hole pockets completely disappear.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Phase fluctuations in finite thickness disordered superconducting thin films

Phase fluctuations in finite thickness layered superconducting films are studied theoretically. The model consists of a set of layers, coupled to each other via a gradient-like term in the phase-only action. It is shown that the effective phase stiffness of the whole system is proportional to its thickness (i.e. the number of individual layers). This result leads to a superconductor-insulator transition and an inverse dependence of $T_c$ on thickness,$T_c\sim d^{-1}$, both in accord with the experimental findings. The relevance to disordered thin films is discussed.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2010

Tunneling into clean Heavy Fermion Compounds: Origin of the Fano Lineshape

Recently observed tunneling spectra on clean heavy fermion compounds show a lattice periodic Fano lineshape similar to what is observed in the case of tunneling to a Kondo ion adsorbed at the surface. We show that the translation symmetry of a clean surface in the case of \emph{weakly correlated} metals leads to a tunneling spectrum given by the superposition of the local weighted density of states of all energy bands involved, which does not have a Fano lineshape. In particular the spectrum will show any hybridization gap present in the band structure. By contrast, in a \emph{strongly correlated} heavy fermion metal the heavy quasiparticle states will be broadened by interaction effects. The broadening grows as one moves away from the Fermi surface, up to a value of the order of $T_K$, the Kondo scale. We show that the hybridization gap is completely filled in this way, and an ideal Fano lineshape of width $T_K$ results, similar to the impurity case. We also discuss the possible influence of the tunneling tip on the surface, in (i) leading to additional broadening of the Fano line, and (ii) enhancing the hybridization locally, hence adding to the impurity type behavior. The latter effects depend on the tip-surface distance.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Pseudogap of Superconducting correlation origin in iron-pnictide superconductor Ba0.6+δK0.4-δFe2As2

Pseudogap (PG), a phenomenon of opening of gap like features above superconducting (SC) transition temperature (Tc), has been universally observed in the high-Tc cuprates (HTC) (1,2), some heavy fermion superconductors (3), and iron pnictides (4-7). Here, we report the observation of PG behavior in optical conductivity in an underdoped Ba0.6+δK0.4-δFe2As2 (Tconset =36 K) single crystal far above Tc, up to 100 K (~ 3Tc). Unique scale separation in Ba0.6+δK0.4-δFe2As2 compound - magnetic and SC correlation energy scales being widely separated - enabled us to establish that the PG structures observed in the range of 50 cm-1 - 150 cm-1 in optical conductivity is caused by the SC correlation and the magnetic correlation origin is ruled out. Theoretical calculations, based on the preformed Cooper pair model (8), provided an excellent description to the temperature evolution of the optical conductivity data from below to above Tc.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Dynamical properties of a vibrating molecular quantum dot in a Josephson junction

We investigate dynamical transport aspects of a combined nanomechanical-superconducting device in which Cooper pair tunneling interfere with the mechanical motion of a vibrating molecular quantum dot embedded in a Josephson junction. Six different regimes for the tunneling dynamics are identified with respect to the electron level and the charging energy in the quantum dot. In five of those regimes new time-scales are introduced which are associated with the energies of the single electron transitions within the quantum dot, while there is one regime where the internal properties of the quantum dot are static.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Detection and Cloaking of Molecular Objects in Coherent Nanostructures Using Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy

We address quantum invisibility in the context of electronics in nanoscale quantum structures. We make use of the freedom of design that quantum corrals provide and show that quantum mechanical objects can be hidden inside the corral, with respect to inelastic electron scattering spectroscopy in combination with scanning tunneling microscopy, and we propose a design strategy. A simple illustration of the invisibility is given in terms of an elliptic quantum corral containing a molecule, with a local vibrational mode, at one of the foci. Our work has implications to quantum information technology and presents new tools for nonlocal quantum detection and distinguishing between different molecules.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Impurity assisted nanoscale localization of plasmonic excitations in graphene

The plasmon modes of pristine and impurity doped graphene are calculated, using a real-space theory which determines the non-local dielectric response within the random phase approximation. A full diagonalization of the polarization operator is performed, allowing the extraction of all its poles. It is demonstrated how impurities induce the formation of localized modes which are absent in pristine graphene. The dependence of the spatial modulations over few lattice sites and frequencies of the localized plasmons on the electronic filling and impurity strength is discussed. Furthermore, it is shown that the chemical potential and impurity strength can be tuned to control target features of the localized modes. These predictions can be tested by scanning tunneling microscopy experiments.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Orbitally controlled Kondo effect of Co ad-atoms on graphene

Based on ab-initio calculations we identify possible scenarios for the Kondo effect due to Co ad-atoms on graphene. General symmetry arguments show that for magnetic atoms in high-symmetry positions, the Kondo effect in graphene is controlled not only by the spin but also by the orbital degree of freedom. For a Co atom absorbed on top of a carbon atom, the Kondo effect is quenched by spin-orbit coupling below an energy scale of $\sim 15$\,K. For Co with spin $S=1/2$ located in the center of a hexagon, an SU(4) Kondo model describes the entanglement of orbital moment and spin at higher energies, while below \sim 60$\,meV spin-orbit coupling leads to a more conventional SU(2) Kondo effect. The interplay of the orbital Co physics and the peculiar band-structure of graphene is directly accessible in Fourier transform tunneling spectroscopy or in the gate-voltage dependence of the Kondo temperature displaying a very strong, characteristic particle-hole asymmetry.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Theory of spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy applied to local spins

We provide a theory for scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy using a spin-polarized tip. It it shown that the tunneling conductance can be partitioned into three separate contributions, a background conductance which is independent of the local spin, a dynamical conductance which is proportional to the local spin moment, and a conductance which is proportional to the noise spectrum of the local spin interactions. The presented theory is applicable to setups with magnetic tip and substrate in non-collinear arrangement, as well as for non-magnetic situations. The partitioning of the tunneling current suggests a possibility to extract the total spin moment of the local spin from the dynamical conductance. The dynamical conductance suggests a possibility to generate very high frequency spin-dependent ac currents and/or voltages. We also propose a measurement of the dynamical conductance that can be used to determine the character of the effective exchange interaction between individual spins in clusters. The third contribution to the tunneling current is associated with the spin-spin correlations induced by the exchange interaction between the local spin moment and the tunneling electrons. We demonstrate how this term can be used in the analysis of spin excitations recorded in conductance measurements. Finally, we propose to use spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy for detailed studies of the spin excitation spectrum.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Impurity induced bound states and proximity effect in a bilayer exciton condensate

The effect of impurities which induce local interlayer tunneling in bilayer exciton condensates is discussed. We show that a localized single fermion bound state emerges inside the gap for any strength of impurity scattering and calculate the dependence of the impurity state energy and wave function on the potential strength. We show that such an impurity induced single fermion state enhances the interlayer coherence around it, and is similar to the superconducting proximity effect. As a direct consequence of these single impurity states, we predict that a finite concentration of such impurities will increase the critical temperature for exciton condensation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

The glassy response of solid He-4 to torsional oscillations

We calculated the glassy response of solid He-4 to torsional oscillations assuming a phenomenological glass model. Making only a few assumptions about the distribution of glassy relaxation times in a small subsystem of otherwise rigid solid He-4, we can account for the magnitude of the observed period shift and concomitant dissipation peak in several torsion oscillator experiments. The implications of the glass model for solid He-4 are threefold: (1) The dynamics of solid He-4 is governed by glassy relaxation processes. (2) The distribution of relaxation times varies significantly between different torsion oscillator experiments. (3) The mechanical response of a torsion oscillator does not require a supersolid component to account for the observed anomaly at low temperatures, though we cannot rule out its existence.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2009

Quasiparticle Interference and Landau Level Spectroscopy in Graphene in the presence of a Strong Magnetic Field

We present a calculation of the modulation in the Local Density Of electronic States (LDOS) caused by an impurity in graphene in the presence of external magnetic field. We focus on the spatial Fourier Transform (FT) of this modulation around the impurity. The FT due to the low energy quasiparticles are found to be nonzero over the reciprocal lattice corresponding to graphene. At these lattice spots the FT exhibits well-defined features at wavevectors that are multiples of the inverse cyclotron orbit diameter (see Figure 2) and is cut off at the wavevector corresponding to the energy of observation. Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STS) on graphene and the energy-resolved FT fingerprint obtained therefrom may be used to observe the quasiparticle interference of Dirac particles in graphene in the presence of magnetic field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Uncovering the Hidden Order in URu2Si2 by Impurity Doping

We report the use of impurities to probe the hidden order parameter of the strongly correlated metal URu_2Si_2 below the transition temperature T_0 ~ 17.5 K. The nature of this order parameter has eluded researchers for more than two decades, but is accompanied by the development of a partial gap in the single particle density of states that can be detected through measurements of the electronic specific heat and nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate. We find that impurities in the hidden order phase give rise to local patches of antiferromagnetism. An analysis of the coupling between the antiferromagnetism and the hidden order reveals that the former is not a competing order parameter but rather a parasitic effect of the latter.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Theory of Fano Resonances in Graphene: The Kondo effect probed by STM

We consider the theory of Kondo effect and Fano factor energy dependence for magnetic impurity (Co) on graphene. We have performed a first principles calculation and find that the two dimensional $E_1$ representation made of $d_{xz},d_{yz}$ orbitals is likely to be responsible for the hybridization and ultimately Kondo screening for cobalt on graphene. There are few high symmetry sites where magnetic impurity atom can be adsorbed. For the case of Co atom in the middle of hexagon of carbon lattice we find anomalously large Fano $q$-factor, $q\approx 80$ and strongly suppressed coupling to conduction band. This anomaly is a striking example of quantum mechanical interference related to the Berry phase inherent to graphene band structure.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Edge states in a honeycomb lattice: effects of anisotropic hopping and mixed edges

We study the edge states in graphene in the presence of a magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the lattice. Most of the works done so far discuss the edge states in either zigzag or armchair edge graphene considering an isotropic electron hopping. In practice, graphene can have mixture of armchair and zigzag edges and the electron hopping can be anisotropic, which is the subject of this article. We predict that the mixed edges smear the enhanced local density of states (LDOS) at E=0 of the zigzag edge and, on the other hand, the anisotropic hopping gives rise to the enhanced LDOS at E=0 in the armchair edge. The behavior of the LDOS can be studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments. We suggest that care must be taken while interpreting the STM data. It is because the clear distinction between the zigzag edge (enhanced LDOS at E=0) and armchair edge (suppressed LDOS at E=0) can be lost if the hopping is not isotropic and if the edges are mixed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Evidence for a Superglass State in Solid 4He

Although solid helium-4 (4He) may be a supersolid it also exhibits many phenomena unexpected in that context. We studied relaxation dynamics in the resonance frequency f(T) and dissipation D(T) of a torsional oscillator containing solid 4He. With the appearance of the "supersolid" state, the relaxation times within f(T) and D(T) began to increase rapidly together. More importantly, the relaxation processes in both D(T) and a component of f(T) exhibited a complex synchronized ultraslow evolution towards equilibrium. Analysis using a generalized rotational susceptibility revealed that, while exhibiting these apparently glassy dynamics, the phenomena were quantitatively inconsistent with a simple excitation freeze-out transition because the variation in f was far too large. One possibility is that amorphous solid 4He represents a new form of supersolid in which dynamical excitations within the solid control the superfluid phase stiffness.

cond-mat.other↗