arXiv subjects

Bernd Büchner

Publications and source records attributed to Bernd Büchner.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

Electronic properties of Co$_{2}$FeSi investigated by x-ray magnetic linear dichroism

We present experimental XMLD spectra measured on epitaxial (001)-oriented thin Co$_{2}$FeSi films, which are rich in features and depend sensitively on the degree of atomic order and interdiffusion from capping layers. Al- and Cr-capped films with different degrees of atomic order were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering by varying the deposition temperatures. The local structural properties of the film samples were additionally investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The XMLD spectra of the different samples show clear and uniform trends at the $L_{3,2}$ edges. The Al-capped samples show similar behavior as previous measured XMLD spectra of Co$_2$FeSi$_{0.6}$Al$_{0.4}$. Thus, we assume that during deposition Al atoms are being implanted into the subsurface of Co$_{2}$FeSi. Such an interdiffusion is not observed for the corresponding Cr-capped films, which makes Cr the material of choice for capping Co$_{2}$FeSi films. We report stronger XMLD intensities at the $L_{3,2}$ Co and Fe egdes for films with a higher saturation magnetization. Additionally, we compare the spectra with \textit{ab initio} predictions and obtain a reasonably good agreement. Furthermore, we were able to detect an XMCD signal at the Si $L$-edge, indicating the presence of a magnetic moment at the Si atoms.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

Li dynamics in carbon-rich polymer-derived SiCN ceramics probed by nuclear magnetic resonance

We report $^{7}$Li, $^{29}$Si, and $^{13}$C NMR studies of two different carbon-rich SiCN ceramics SiCN-1 and SiCN-3 derived from the preceramic polymers polyphenylvinylsilylcarbodiimide and polyphenylvinylsilazane, respectively. From the spectral analysis of the three nuclei at room temperature, we find that only the $^{13}$C spectrum is strongly influenced by Li insertion/extraction, suggesting that carbon phases are the major electrochemically active sites for Li storage. Temperature and Larmor frequency ($ω_L$) dependences of the $^7$Li linewidth and spin-lattice relaxation rates $T_1^{-1}$ are described by an activated law with the activation energy $E_A$ of 0.31 eV and the correlation time $τ_0$ in the high temperature limit of 1.3 ps. The $3/2$ power law dependence of $T_1^{-1}$ on $ω_L$ which deviates from the standard Bloembergen, Purcell, and Pound (BPP) model implies that the Li motion on the $μ$s timescale is governed by continuum diffusion mechanism rather than jump diffusion. On the other hand, the rotating frame relaxation rate $T_{1ρ}^{-1}$ results suggest that the slow motion of Li on the ms timescale may be affected by complex diffusion and/or non-diffusion processes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Effect of annealing on spinodally decomposed Co2CrAl grown via floating zone technique

Among the large class of Heusler compounds, Co2CrAl is predicted to be 100 % spin polarized and is hence, a potential candidate for application in spintronics. So far, the predicted properties have not been experimentally realized which may be attributed to the phase segregated nature of samples. This phase segregation is avoided using floating zone growth. However, the grown sample was found to have undergone phase transformation via spinodal decomposition at low temperatures. In the present work, thermal annealing has been done on the spinodally decomposed samples and its effect on microstructure, crystallographic structure and magnetic properties has been studied. Annealing experiments were done and analyzed in order to understand the extent of the solid state miscibility gap. With regards to the phase diagram, the two-phase regime was found to extend till 1000 °C. Even at 1250 °C, we are still inside the immiscibility region. The thermodynamic miscibility gap was thus found to exist until high temperatures and alternate routes might be required to obtain a single phase sample with the desired high spin polarization and Curie temperature in the Co-Cr-Al system.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Doping Dependence of the Plasmon Dispersion in 2H-Tantalum-Diselenide

Inelastic electron scattering is applied to investigate the impact of potassium intercalation on the charge carrier plasmon energy and dispersion in the charge-density wave (CDW) bearing compound 2H-tantalum-diselenide. We observe an unususal doping dependence of the plasmon dispersion, which even changes sign upon alkali addition. In contrast to the continous energy shift of the plasmon position upon doping at lowest momentum transfer, its dispersion changes in a rather discontinuous manner. We argue that the observed dynamics can only be explained in a picture, where complex phenomena are taken into account including the suppression of the CDW upon doping as well as the interplay of the CDW and the plasma resonance.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Experimental evidence for the coupling of Li-motion and structural distortions in LiMnPO$_4$

We present a detailed $^7$Li- and $^{31}$P-NMR study on single crystalline LiMnPO$_4$ in the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic phase (AFM, $T_N \sim$ 34 K). This allows us to determine the spin directions in the field-induced spin-flop phase. In addition, the anisotropic dipolar hyperfine coupling tensor of the $^7$Li- and $^{31}$P-nuclei is also fully determined by orientation and temperature dependent NMR experiments and compared to the calculated values from crystal structure data. Deviations of the experimental values from the theoretical ones are discussed in terms of Mn disorder which is induced by Li-disorder. In fact, the disorder in the Mn-sublattice is directly revealed by our diffuse x-ray scattering data. The present results provide experimental evidence for the Li-diffusion strongly coupling to structural distortions within the MnPO$_4$ host, which is expected to significantly affect the Li-mobility as well as the performance of batteries based on this material.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Challenging the nature of low energy plasmon excitations in CaC$_6$ using electron energy-loss spectroscopy

The nature of low energy plasmon excitations plays an important role in understanding the low energy electronic properties and coupling mechanism of different superconducting compounds such as CaC$_6$. Recent ab-initio studies predict a charge carrier intraband plasmon in keeping with a low energy acoustic plasmon. Here, we have studied the low-energy electronic excitations of CaC$_6$ using high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy in transmission at low temperatures. The analysis of the core-level excitations leads to the conclusion that hybridization between graphite and calcium states plays an essential role in this graphite intercalated compound. Regarding the low energy plasmon excitation, we observe the formation of an intraband (charge carrier) plasmon with a negative dispersion at about 3.5 eV in sound agreement with the theory. Finally, a weak excitation around 1.2 eV with an almost linear dispersion relation can be observed as predicted for an acoustic plasmon that may mediate the superconducting coupling in CaC$_6$. However its optical limit at ~1 eV challenges the theoretical predictions and safely rules out an electronic superconducting coupling mechanism in CaC$_6$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Local Structure and Hyperfine Interactions of 57Fe in NaFeAs Studied by Mossbauer Spectroscopy

Detailed 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements on superconducting NaFeAs powder samples have been performed in the temperature range 13 K < T < 300 K. The 57Fe spectra recorded in the paramagnetic range (T > TN ~ 46 K) were discussed supposing that most of the Fe2+ ions are located in distorted (FeAs4) tetrahedral of NaFeAs phase, while additional minor (< 10%) component of the spectra corresponds to impurity or intergrowth NaFe2As2 phase with a nominal composition near "NaFe2As2". Our results reveal that the structural transition (TS ~ 55K) has a weak effect on the electronic structure of iron ions, while at T < TN the spectra show a continuous distribution of hyperfine fields HFe . Shape of these spectra was analyzed in term of two models: (i) an incommensurate spin density wave modulation of iron magnetic structure, (ii) a formation of a microdomain structure or phase separation. It was shown that the hyperfine parameters obtained using these two methods have very similar values over the whole temperature range. The analysis of the temperature dependence HFe(T) with the Bean-Rodbell model leads to ksi = 1.16 +/- 0.05, suggesting that the magnetic phase transition is first-order in nature. A sharp evolution of the VZZ(T) and etha(T) parameters of the full Hamiltonian of hyperfine interactions near T ~ (TN, TS), were interpreted as a manifestation of the anisotropic electron redistribution between the dxz, dyz- and dxy-orbitals of the iron ions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Exciton properties of selected aromatic hydrocarbon systems

We have examined the singlet excitons in two representatives of acene-type (tetracene and pentacene) and phenacene-type (chrysene and picene) molecular crystals, respectively, using electron energy-loss spectroscopy at low temperatures. We show that the excitation spectra of the two hydrocarbon families significantly differ. Moreover, close inspection of the data indicates that there is an increasing importance of charge-transfer excitons at lowest excitation energy with increasing length of the molecules.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Interband Quasiparticle Scattering in Superconducting LiFeAs Reconciles Photoemission and Tunneling Measurements

Several angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) studies reveal a poorly nested Fermi surface of LiFeAs, far away from a spin density wave instability, and clear-cut superconducting gap anisotropies. On the other hand a very different, more nested Fermi surface and dissimilar gap anisotropies have been obtained from quasiparticle interference (QPI) data, which were interpreted as arising from intraband scattering within hole-like bands. Here we show that this ARPES-QPI paradox is completely resolved by interband scattering between the hole-like bands. The resolution follows from an excellent agreement between experimental quasiparticle scattering data and T-matrix QPI calculations (based on experimental band structure data), which allows disentangling interband and intraband scattering processes.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Strong Competition of Superconducting and Magnetic Order Parameters in Ba1-xNaxFe2As2

We study the interplay of magnetic and superconducting order in single crystalline hole doped Ba1-xNaxFe2As2 using muon spin relaxation. We find microscopic coexistence of magnetic order and superconductivity. In a strongly underdoped specimen the two forms of order coexist without any measurable reduction of the ordered magnetic moment by superconductivity, while in a nearly optimally doped sample the ordered magnetic moment is strongly suppressed below the superconducting transition temperature. This coupling can be well described within the framework of an effective two-band model incorporating inter- and intra-band interactions. In optimally doped Ba1-xNaxFe2As2 we observe no traces of static or dynamic magnetism and the temperature dependence of the superfluid density is consistent with two s-wave gaps without nodes.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Structural and electronic phase diagrams of CeFeAsO1-xFx and SmFeAsO1-xFx

We have studied the structural and electronic phase diagrams of CeFeAsO1-xFx and SmFeAsO1-xFx by a detailed analysis of muon spin relaxation experiments, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, electrical resistivity, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility measurements (Full abstract in the main document).

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Half-Metallic Ferromagnetism in the Heusler Compound Co$_2$FeSi revealed by Resistivity, Magnetoresistance, and Anomalous Hall Effect measurements

We present electrical transport data for single-crystalline Co$_2$FeSi which provide clear-cut evidence that this Heusler compound is truly a half-metallic ferromagnet, i.e. it possesses perfect spin-polarization. More specifically, the temperature dependence of $ρ$ is governed by electron scattering off magnons which are thermally excited over a sizeable gap $Δ\approx 100 K$ ($\sim 9 meV$) separating the electronic majority states at the Fermi level from the unoccupied minority states. As a consequence, electron-magnon scattering is only relevant at $T\gtrsimΔ$ but freezes out at lower temperatures, i.e., the spin-polarization of the electrons at the Fermi level remains practically perfect for $T\lesssimΔ$. The gapped magnon population has a decisive influence on the magnetoresistance and the anomalous Hall effect (AHE): i) The magnetoresistance changes its sign at $T\sim 100 K$, ii) the anomalous Hall coefficient is strongly temperature dependent at $T\gtrsim 100 K$ and compatible with Berry phase related and/or side-jump electronic deflection, whereas it is practically temperature-independent at lower temperatures.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Evidence for phase formation in potassium intercalated 1,2;8,9-dibenzopentacene

We have prepared potassium intercalated 1,2;8,9-dibenzopentacene films under vacuum conditions. The evolution of the electronic excitation spectra upon potassium addition as measured using electron energy-loss spectroscopy clearly indicate the formation of particular doped phases with compositions K$_x$dibenzopentacene ($x$ = 1,2,3). Moreover, the stability of these phases as a function of temperature has been explored. Finally, the electronic excitation spectra also give insight into the electronic ground state of the potassium doped 1,2;8,9-dibenzopentacene films.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

75As NMR-NQR study in superconducting LiFeAs

We report results of 75As nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) experiments as well as 7Li NMR on different samples of self flux grown LiFeAs and 5 % Co doped LiFeAs single crystals, and a polycrystalline LiFeAs sample. We were able to distinguish the samples by their slightly different quadrupole frequencies, $ν_Q$, which is a direct measure of the electric field gradient (EFG) at the As site. Interestingly, samples with a large quadrupole frequency appear to show a different Knight shift and spin lattice relaxation in the superconducting state from those with a lower $ν_Q$, yet all the samples are clearly superconducting. For sample S1 which has the largest $ν_Q$, we find constant Knight shift K across Tc for a certain direction of the magnetic field and a peculiar upturn of the NQR spin lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 below Tc. In contrast, samples with a lower $ν_Q$ exhibit the expected behavior for a singlet superconductor: a drop of K and 1/T1 for both NMR and NQR below Tc. Our results show that already tiny changes in stoichiometry uncovered by slightly different NQR frequencies lead to very different behavior of the NMR parameters in the superconducting state of LiFeAs. Different possibilities will be discussed which may explain the contrasting behavior.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Interplay of Magnetic Exchange Interactions and Ni-S-Ni Bond Angles in Polynuclear Nickel(II) Complexes

The ability of bridging thiophenolate groups to transmit magnetic exchange interactions between paramagnetic Ni(II) ions has been examined. For this purpose, dinuclear and trinuclear Ni(II)-complexes were prepared and fully characterized by IR- and UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, static magnetization measurements and high-field electron spin resonance (HF-ESR). We compare structural and magnetic properties of the two Ni(II)-complexes and discuss the relationships between magnetic interactions and chemical bonding.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Electronic structure of undoped and potassium doped coronene investigated by electron energy-loss spectroscopy

We performed electron energy-loss spectroscopy studies in transmission in order to obtain insight into the electronic properties of potassium intercalated coronene, a recently discovered superconductor with a rather high transition temperature of about 15\,K. A comparison of the loss function of undoped and potassium intercalated coronene shows the appearance of several new peaks in the optical gap upon potassium addition. Furthermore, our core level excitation data clearly signal filling of the conduction bands with electrons.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Graphene: Piecing it together

Graphene has a multitude of striking properties that make it an exceedingly attractive material for various applications, many of which will emerge over the next decade. However, one of the most promising applications lie in exploiting its peculiar electronic properties which are governed by its electrons obeying a linear dispersion relation. This leads to the observation of half integer quantum hall effect and the absence of localization. The latter is attractive for graphene-based field effect transistors. However, if graphene is to be the material for future electronics, then significant hurdles need to be surmounted, namely, it needs to be mass produced in an economically viable manner and be of high crystalline quality with no or virtually no defects or grains boundaries. Moreover, it will need to be processable with atomic precision. Hence, the future of graphene as a material for electronic based devices will depend heavily on our ability to piece graphene together as a single crystal and define its edges with atomic precision. In this progress report, the properties of graphene that make it so attractive as a material for electronics is introduced to the reader. The focus then centers on current synthesis strategies for graphene and their weaknesses in terms of electronics applications are highlighted.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2011

The Effect of Charge Order on the Plasmon Dispersion in Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides

We investigate the dispersion of the charge carrier plasmon in the three prototypical charge-density wave bearing transition-metal dichalcogenides 2H-TaSe2, 2H-TaS2 and 2H-NbSe2 employing electron energy-loss spectroscopy. For all three compounds the plasmon dispersion is found to be negative for small momentum transfers. This is in contrast to the generic behavior observed in simple metals as well as the related system 2H-NbS2, which does not exhibit charge order. We present a semiclassical Ginzburg-Landau model which accounts for these observations, and argue that the vicinity to a charge ordered state is thus reflected in the properties of the collective excitations.

cond-mat.str-el↗