arXiv subjects

C. Felser

Publications and source records attributed to C. Felser.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Resonant impurity states in chemically disordered half-Heusler Dirac semimetals

We address the electron transport characteristics in bulk half-Heusler alloys with their compositions tuned to the borderline between topologically nontrivial semi-metallic and trivial semiconducting phases. The precise first-principles calculations based on the coherent potential approximation (CPA) reveal that all the studied systems exhibit sets of dispersionless impurity-like resonant levels, with one of them being located right at the Dirac point. By means of the Kubo formalism we reveal that the residual conductivity of these alloys is strongly suppressed by impurity scattering, whereas the spin Hall conductivity exhibits a large value which is comparable to that of Pt, thereby leading to divergent spin Hall angles.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

One-dimensional quantum antiferromagnetism in the $p-$orbital CsO$_2$ compound revealed by electron paramagnetic resonance

Recently it was proposed that the orbital ordering of $π_{x,y}^*$ molecular orbitals in the superoxide CsO$_2$ compound leads to the formation of spin-1/2 chains below the structural phase transition occuring at $T_{\rm{s1}}=61$~K on cooling. Here we report a detailed X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of this phase in CsO$_2$ powder. The EPR signal appears as a broad line below $T_{\rm{s1}}$, which is replaced by the antiferromagnetic resonance below the Néel temperature $T_{\rm N}=8.3$~K. The temperature dependence of the EPR linewidth between $T_{\rm{s1}}$ and $T_{\rm{N}}$ agrees with the predictions for the one-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain of $S=1/2$ spins in the presence of symmetric anisotropic exchange interaction. Complementary analysis of the EPR lineshape, linewidth and the signal intensity within the Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (TLL) framework allows for a determination of the TLL exponent $K=0.48$. Present EPR data thus fully comply with the quantum antiferromagnetic state of spin-1/2 chains in the orbitally ordered phase of CsO$_2$, which is, therefore, a unique $p-$orbital system where such a state could be studied.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Premartensite to martensite transition and its implications on the origin of modulation in Ni2MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory alloy

We present here results of temperature dependent high resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction study of sequence of phase transitions in Ni2MnGa. Our results show that the incommensurate martensite phase results from the incommensurate premartensite phase, and not from the austenite phase assumed in the adaptive phase model. The premartensite phase transforms to the martensite phase through a first order phase transition with coexistence of the two phases in a broad temperature interval (~40K), discontinuous change in the unit cell volume as also in the modulation wave vector across the transition temperature and considerable thermal hysteresis in the characteristic transition temperatures. The temperature variation of the modulation wave vector q shows smooth analytic behaviour with no evidence for any devilish plateau corresponding to an intermediate or ground state commensurate lock-in phases. The existence of the incommensurate 7M like modulated structure down to 5K suggests that the incommensurate 7M like modulation is the ground state of Ni2MnGa and not the Bain distorted tetragonal L10 phase or any other lock-in phase with a commensurate modulation. These findings can be explained within the framework of the soft phonon model.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Phonon-modulated magnetic interactions and spin Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid in the p-orbital antiferromagnet CsO2

The magnetic response of antiferromagnetic CsO2, coming from the p-orbital S=1/2 spins of anionic O2- molecules, is followed by 133Cs nuclear magnetic resonance across the structural phase transition occuring at Ts1=61 K on cooling. Above Ts1, where spins form a square magnetic lattice, we observe a huge, nonmonotonic temperature dependence of the exchange coupling originating from thermal librations of O2- molecules. Below Ts1, where antiferromagnetic spin chains are formed as a result of p-orbital ordering, we observe a spin Tomonaga-Luttinger-liquid behavior of spin dynamics. These two interesting phenomena, which provide rare simple manifestations of the coupling between spin, lattice and orbital degrees of freedom, establish CsO2 as a model system for molecular solids.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Residual stress induced stabilization of martensite phase and its effect on the magneto-structural transition in Mn rich Ni-Mn-In/Ga magnetic shape memory alloys

The irreversibility of the martensite transition in magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs) with respect to external magnetic field is one of the biggest challenges that limits their application as giant caloric materials. This transition is a magneto-structural transition that is accompanied with a steep drop in magnetization (i.e., 'delta M') around the martensite start temperature (Ms) due to the lower magnetization of the martensite phase. In this communication, we show that 'delta M' around Ms in Mn rich Ni-Mn based MSMAs gets suppressed by two orders of magnitude in crushed powders due to the stabilization of the martensite phase at temperatures well above the Ms and the austenite finish (Af) temperatures due to residual stresses. Analysis of the intensities and the FWHM of the x-ray powder diffraction patterns reveals stabilized martensite phase fractions as 97, 75 and 90% with corresponding residual microstrains as 5.4, 5.6 and 3% in crushed powders of the three different Mn rich Ni-Mn alloys, namely, Mn1.8Ni1.8In0.4, Mn1.75Ni1.25Ga and Mn1.9Ni1.1Ga, respectively. Even after annealing at 773 K, the residual stress stabilised martensite phase does not fully revert to the equilibrium cubic austenite phase as the magneto-structural transition is only partially restored with reduced value of 'delta M'. Our results have very significant bearing on application of such alloys as inverse magnetocaloric and barocaloric materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Strain behavior and lattice dynamics in Ni50Mn35In15

The lattice dynamics in the polycrystalline shape-memory Heusler alloy Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15}$ has been studied by means of resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS). RUS spectra were collected in a frequency range $100-1200$ kHz between 10 and 350 K. Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15}$ exhibits a ferromagnetic transition at 313 K in the austenite and a martensitic transition at 248 K accompanied by a change of the magnetic state. Furthermore it displays a antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition within the martensitic phase. We determined the temperature dependence of the shear modulus and the acoustic attenuation of Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15}$ and compared it with magnetization data. Following the structural softening, which accompanies the martensitic transition as a pretransitional phenomenon, a strong stiffening of the lattice is observed at the martensitic magneto-structural transition. Only a weak magnetoelastic coupling is evidenced at the Curie temperatures both in austenite and martensite phase. The large acoustic damping in the martensitic phase compared with the austenitic phase reflects the motion of the twin walls, which freezes out in the low temperature region.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

L1$_0$ stacked binaries as candidates for hard magnets: FePt, MnAl and MnGa

A novel strategy of stacking binary magnets to enhance the magneto crystalline anisotropy is explored. This strategy is used in the search for hard magnets by studying FePt/MnGa and FePt/MnAl stacks. The choice of these binaries is motivated by the fact that they already possess large magneto crystalline anisotropy. Several possible alternative structures for these materials are explored in order to reduce the amount of Pt owing to its high cost.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Evidence for In-Plane Tetragonal c-axis in Mn$_x$Ga$_{1-x}$ Thin Films using Transmission Electron Microscopy

Tetragonal Mn$_x$Ga$_{1-x}$ (x=0.70, 0.75) thin films grown on SrTiO$_3$ substrates at different temperatures and thicknesses exhibit perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with coercive fields between 1-2 T. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveal that 40nm samples grown at 300-350$^{o}$C lead to polycrystalline films with the tetragonal c-axis oriented primarily perpendicular to the film plane but with some fraction of the sample exhibiting the c-axis in the film plane. This structure results in a secondary magnetic component in the out of plane magnetization. Growth at 300$^{o}$C with a reduced thickness or Mn concentration significantly decreases the presence of the tetragonal c-axis in the film plane, thus improving the magnetic properties. TEM is of critical importance in characterizing these materials, since conventional XRD cannot always identify the presence of additional crystallographic orientations although they can still affect the magnetic properties. Our study points to ways that the microstructure of these thin films can be controlled, which is critical for utilization of this material in spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Evidence for Localized Moment Picture in Mn-based Heusler Compounds

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) were used to probe the oxidation state and element specific magnetic moments of Mn in Heusler compounds with different crystallographic structure. The results were compared with theoretical calculations, and it was found that in full Heusler alloys, Mn is metallic (oxidation state near 0) on both sublattices. The magnetic moment is large and localized when octahedrally coordinated by the main group element, consistent with previous theoretical work, and reduced when the main group coordination is tetrahedral. By contrast, in the half Heusler compounds the magnetic moment of the Mn atoms is large and the oxidation state is +1 or +2. The magnetic and electronic properties of Mn in full and half Heusler compounds are strongly dependent on the structure and sublattice, a fact that can be exploited to design new materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Monitoring surface resonances on Co2MnSi(100) by spin-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy

The magnitude of the spin polarization at the Fermi level of ferromagnetic materials at room temperature is a key property for spintronics. Investigating the Heusler compound Co$_2$MnSi a value of 93$\%$ for the spin polarization has been observed at room temperature, where the high spin polarization is related to a stable surface resonance in the majority band extending deep into the bulk. In particular, we identified in our spectroscopical analysis that this surface resonance is embedded in the bulk continuum with a strong coupling to the majority bulk states. The resonance behaves very bulk-like, as it extends over the first six atomic layers of the corresponding (001)-surface. Our study includes experimental investigations, where the bulk electronic structure as well as surface-related features have been investigated using spin-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (SR-UPS) and for a larger probing depth spin-integrated high energy x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES). The results are interpreted in comparison with first-principles band structure and photoemission calculations which consider all relativistic, surface and high-energy effects properly.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Direct measurements of the magnetocaloric effect in pulsed magnetic fields: The example of the Heusler alloy Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15}$

We have studied the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in the shape-memory Heusler alloy Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15}$ by direct measurements in pulsed magnetic fields up to 6 and 20 T. The results in 6 T are compared with data obtained from heat-capacity experiments. We find a saturation of the inverse MCE, related to the first-order martensitic transition, with a maximum adiabatic temperature change of $ΔT_{ad} = -7$ K at 250 K and a conventional field-dependent MCE near the second-order ferromagnetic transition in the austenitic phase. The pulsed magnetic field data allow for an analysis of the temperature response of the sample to the magnetic field on a time scale of $\sim 10$ to 100 ms which is on the order of typical operation frequencies (10 to 100 Hz) of magnetocaloric cooling devices. Our results disclose that in shape-memory alloys the different contributions to the MCE and hysteresis effects around the martensitic transition have to be carefully considered for future cooling applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

Linear magnetoresistance caused by mobility fluctuations in the n-doped Cd3As2

Cd3As2 is a candidate three-dimensional Dirac semi-metal which has exceedingly high mobility and non-saturating linear magnetoresistance that may be relevant for future practical applications. We report magnetotransport and tunnel diode oscillation measurements on Cd3As2, in magnetic fields up to 65 T and temperatures between 1.5K to 300K. We find the non-saturating linear magnetoresistance persist up to 65T and it is likely caused by disorder effects as it scales with the high mobility, rather than directly linked to Fermi surface changes even when approaching the quantum limit. From the observed quantum oscillations, we determine the bulk three-dimensional Fermi surface having signatures of Dirac behaviour with non-trivial Berry's phase shift, very light effective quasiparticle masses and clear deviations from the band-structure predictions. In very high fields we also detect signatures of large Zeeman spin-splitting (g~16).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Spintronic properties and stability of the half-Heusler alloys LiMnZ (Z=N, P, Si)

Li-based half-Heusler alloys have attracted much attention due to their potential applications in optoelectronics and because they carry the possibility of exhibiting large magnetic moments for spintronic applications. Due to their similarities to metastable zinc blende half-metals, the half-Heusler alloys $β$-LiMnZ (Z = N, P and Si) were systematically examined for their electric, magnetic and stability properties at optimized lattice constants and strained lattice constants that exhibit half-metallic properties. Other phases of the half-Heusler structure ($α$ and $γ$) are also reported here, but they are unlikely to be grown. The magnetic moments of these stable Li-based alloys are expected to reach as high as 4 $μ_{\mathrm{B}}$ per unit cell when Z = Si and 5 $μ_{\mathrm{B}}$ per unit cell when Z = N and P, however the antiferromagnetic spin configuration is energetically favored when Z is a pnictogen. $β$-LiMnSi at a lattice constant 14\% larger than its equilibrium lattice constant is a promising half-metal for spintronic applications due to its large magnetic moment and vibrational stability. The modified Slater--Pauling rule for these alloys is determined. Finally, a plausible method for developing half-metallic Li$_x$MnZ at equilibrium, by tuning $x$, is investigated, but, unlike tetragonalization, this type of alloying introduces local structural changes that destroy the half-metallicity.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

Large Noncollinearity and Spin Reorientation in the Novel Mn2RhSn Heusler Magnet

Noncollinear magnets provide essential ingredients for the next generation memory technology. It is a new prospect for the Heusler materials, already well known due to the diverse range of other fundamental characteristics. Here, we present a combined experimental and theoretical study of novel noncollinear tetragonal Mn2RhSn Heusler material exhibiting unusually strong canting of its magnetic sublattices. It undergoes a spin-reorientation transition, induced by a temperature change and suppressed by an external magnetic field. Because of the presence of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya exchange and magnetic anisotropy, Mn2RhSn is suggested to be a promising candidate for realizing the Skyrmion state in the Heusler family.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

Investigation on Mn$_{3-δ}$Ga/MgO interface for magnetic tunneling junctions

The Mn$_3$Ga Heusler compound and related alloys are the most promising materials for the realization of spin-transfer-torque switching in magneto tunneling junctions. Improved performance can be achieved by high quality interfaces in these multilayered structured devices. In this context, the interface between Mn$_{1.63}$Ga and MgO is of particular interest because of its spin polarization properties in tunneling junctions. We performed a chemical characterization of the MgO/Mn$_{1.63}$Ga junction by hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). The experiment indicated the formation of Ga-O bonds at the interface and evidenced changes in the local environment of Mn atoms in the proximity of the MgO film. In addition, we show that the insertion of a metallic Mg-layer interfacing the MgO and Mn--Ga film strongly suppresses the oxidation of gallium.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Non-vanishing Berry Phase in Chiral Insulators

The binary compounds FeSi, RuSi, and OsSi are chiral insulators crystallizing in the space group P2_13 which is cubic. By means of ab initio calculations we find for these compounds a non-vanishing electronic Berry phase, the sign of which depends on the handedness of the crystal. There is thus the possibility that the Berry phase signals the existence of a macroscopic electric polarization due to the electrons. We show that this is indeed so if a small external magnetic field is applied in the [111]-direction. The electric polarization is oscillatory in the magnetic field and possesses a signature that distinguishes the handedness of the crystal. Our findings add to the discussion of topological classifications of insulators and are significant for spintronics applications, and in particular, for a deeper understanding of skyrmions in insulators.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Large resistivity change and phase transition in LiMnAs

Antiferromagnetic semiconductors are new alternative materials for spintronic applications and spin valves. In this work, we report a detailed investigation of two antiferromagnetic semiconductors AMnAs (A = Li, LaO), which are isostructural to the well-known LiFeAs and LaOFeAs superconductors. Here we present a comparison between the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of LiMnAs, LaOMnAs and related materials. Interestingly, both LiMnAs and LaOMnAs show a variation in resistivity with more than five orders of magnitude, making them particularly suitable for use in future electronic devices. From neutron and X-ray diffraction measurements on LiMnAs we have observed a magnetic phase transition corresponding to the Neel temperature of 373.8 K, and a structural transition from the tetragonal to the cubic phase at 768 K. These experimental results are supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Direct observation of band bending in topological insulator Bi2Se3

The surface band bending tunes considerably the surface band structures and transport properties in topological insulators. We present a direct measurement of the band bending on the Bi2Se3 by using the bulk sensitive angular-resolved hard x-ray photospectroscopy (HAXPES). We tracked the depth dependence of the energy shift of Bi and Se core states. We estimate that the band bending extends up to about 20 nm into the bulk with an amplitude of 0.23--0.26 eV, consistent with profiles previously deduced from the binding energies of surface states in this material.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗