arXiv subjects

C. Mielke

Publications and source records attributed to C. Mielke.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Bulk single crystal growth of the theoretically predicted magnetic Weyl semimetals $R$AlGe ($R$ = Pr, Ce)

We explore two methods for single crystal growth of the theoretically proposed magnetic Weyl semimetals $R$AlGe ($R$ = Pr,Ce), which prove that a floating zone technique, being both crucible- and flux-free, is crucial to obtain perfectly stoichiometric $R$AlGe crystals. In contrast, the crystals grown by a flux growth technique tend to be Al-rich. We further present both structural and elemental analysis, along with bulk magnetization and electrical resistivity data on the crystals prepared by the floating zone technique. Both systems with the intended 1:1:1 stoichiometry crystallize in the anticipated polar I4$_{1}$md (No. 109) space group, although neither displays the theoretically expected ferromagnetic ground state. Instead PrAlGe displays a spin-glass-like transition below 16 K with an easy-c-axis and CeAlGe has an easy-ab-plane antiferromagnetic order below 5 K. The grown crystals provide an ideal platform for microscopic studies of the magnetic field-tunable correlation physics involving magnetism and topological Weyl nodes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2009

2D XY Behavior observed in quasi-2D quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnets

The magnetic properties of a new family of molecular-based quasi-two dimension $S=1/2$ Heisenberg antiferromagnets are reported. Three compounds, ($Cu(pz)_2(ClO_4)_2$, $Cu(pz)_2(BF_4)_2$, and $[Cu(pz)_2(NO_3)](PF_6)$) contain similar planes of Cu$^{2+}$ ions linked into magnetically square lattices by bridging pyrazine molecules (pz = $C_4H_4N_2$). The anions provide charge balance as well as isolation between the layers. Single crystal measurements of susceptibility and magnetization, as well as muon spin relaxation studies, reveal low ratios of Néel temperatures to exchange strengths ($4.25 / 17.5 = 0.243$, $3.80/15.3=0.248$, and $3.05/10.8=0.282$, respectively) while the ratio of the anisotropy fields $H_A$ (kOe) to the saturation field $H_\mathrm{SAT}$ (kOe) are small ($2.6/490 = 5.3\times10^{-3}$, $2.4/430=5.5\times10^{-3}$, and $0.07/300=2.3\times10^{-4}$, respectively), demonstrating close approximations to a 2D Heisenberg model. The susceptibilities of ClO$_4$ and BF$_4$ show evidence of an exchange anisotropy crossover (Heisenberg to $XY$) at low temperatures; their ordering transitions are primarily driven by the $XY$ behavior with the ultimate 3D transition appearing parasitically. The PF$_6$ compound remains Heisenberg-like at all temperatures, with its transition to the Néel state due to the interlayer interactions. Effects of field-induced anisotropy have been observed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Pinning frequencies of the collective modes in $α$-uranium

Uranium is the only known element that features a charge-density wave (CDW) and superconductivity. We report a comparison of the specific heat of single-crystal and polycrystalline $α$-uranium. \red{Away from the the phase transition the specific heat of the polycrystal is larger than that of the single crystal, and the aim of this paper is to explain this difference.} In the single crystal we find excess contributions to the heat capacity at 41 K, 38 K, and 23 K, with a Debye temperature, $Θ_D$ = 256 K. In the polycrystalline sample the heat capacity curve is thermally broadened ($Θ_D$ = 184 K), but no excess heat capacity was observed. The excess heat capacity, $C_ϕ$ (taken as the difference between the single crystal and polycrystal heat capacities) is well described in terms of collective-mode excitations above their respective pinning frequencies. This attribution is represented by a modified Debye spectrum with two cutoff frequencies, a pinning frequency, $ν_o$, for the pinned CDW (due to grain boundaries in the polycrystal), and a normal Debye acoustic frequency occurring in the single crystal. We explain the 50-year-old difference in Debye temperatures between heat capacity and ultrasonic measurements.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2003

Very high upper critical fields in MgB2 produced by selective tuning of impurity scattering

We report a significant enhancement of the upper critical field $H_{c2}$ of different $MgB_2$ samples alloyed with nonmagnetic impurities. By studying films and bulk polycrystals with different resistivities $ρ$, we show a clear trend of $H_{c2}$ increase as $ρ$ increases. One particular high resistivity film had zero-temperature $H_{c2}(0)$ well above the $H_{c2}$ values of competing non-cuprate superconductors such as $Nb_3Sn$ and Nb-Ti. Our high-field transport measurements give record values $H_{c2}^\perp (0) \approx 34T$ and $H_{c2}\|(0) \approx 49 T$ for high resistivity films and $H_{c2}(0)\approx 29 T$ for untextured bulk polycrystals. The highest $H_{c2}$ film also exhibits a significant upward curvature of $H_{c2}(T)$, and temperature dependence of the anisotropy parameter $γ(T) = H_{c2}\|/ H_{c2}^\perp$ opposite to that of single crystals: $γ(T)$ decreases as the temperature decreases, from $γ(T_c) \approx 2$ to $γ(0) \approx 1.5$. This remarkable $H_{c2}$ enhancement and its anomalous temperature dependence are a consequence of the two-gap superconductivity in $MgB_2$, which offers special opportunities for further $H_{c2}$ increase by tuning of the impurity scattering by selective alloying on Mg and B sites. Our experimental results can be explained by a theory of two-gap superconductivity in the dirty limit. The very high values of $H_{c2}(T)$ observed suggest that $MgB_2$ can be made into a versatile, competitive high-field superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2002

Disorder-driven magnetic field-dependent phases in an organic conductor

We report inter-plane ($R_{zz}$) electrical transport measurements in the \tp series of organic conductors at very high magnetic fields. In the field range between 36 and 60 T $R_{zz}$ shows a very hysteretic first order phase transition from metallic to an insulating state. This transition does not affect the Shubnikov-de-Haas oscillations associated with the two-dimensional (2D) Fermi surface. We argue that this transition originates from inter-plane disorder which gives rise to incoherent transport along the least conducting axis. We conclude that this system becomes a strictly 2D Fermi-liquid at high magnetic fields.

cond-mat.str-el↗