arXiv subjects

D. Mihailovic

Publications and source records attributed to D. Mihailovic.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Quantum charge transport in Mo$_{6}$S$_{3}$I$_{6}$ molecular wire circuits

Charge transport measurements on flexible Mo$_{6}$S$_{3}$I$_{6}$ (MoSI) nanowires with different diameters in highly imperfect 2-terminal circuits reveal systematic power law behaviour of the conductivity $σ(T,V)$ as a function of temperature and voltage. On the basis of measurements on a number of circuits we conclude that the behaviour in \emph{thin} wires can be most convincingly described by tunneling through Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (TLL) segments of MoSI wire, which is in some cases modified by environmental Coulomb blockade (ECB). The latter are proposed to arise from deformations or imperfections of the MoSI wires, which - in combination with their recognitive terminal sulfur-based connectivity properties - might be useful for creating sub-nanometer scale interconnects as well as non-linear elements for molecular electronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Distinct pseudogap and superconducting state quasiparticle relaxation dynamics in near-optimally doped SmFeAsO0.8F0.2 single crystals

We use femtosecond spectroscopy to investigate the quasiparticle relaxation and low-energy electronic structure in a near-optimally doped pnictide superconductor with T_c=49.5 K. Multiple relaxation processes are evident, with distinct superconducting state quasiparticle (QP) recombination dynamics exhibiting a T-dependent superconducting (SC) gap, and a clear "pseudogap" (PG) -like feature with an onset around 200K indicating the existence of a temperature-independent gap of magnitude Δ_PG= 61 +- 9 meV above T_c. Both the SC and PG components show saturation as a function of fluence with distinct saturation thresholds ~0.15 \muJ/cm^2 and 1.5 \muJ/cm^2, respectively.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Fine structure in the electronic density of states of Al-Ni-Co decagonal quasicrystal from ultrafast time-resolved optical reflectivity

We measured the temperature and fluence dependence of the time-resolved photoinduced optical reflectivity in a decagonal Al_{71.9}Ni_{11.1}Co_{17.0} quasicrystal. We find no evidence for the relaxation of a hot thermalized electron gas as observed in metals. Instead, a quick diffusion of the hot nonthermal carries ~40 nm into the bulk is detected enhanced by the presence of a broad ~1 eV pseudogap. From the relaxation dynamics we find an evidence for the presence of a fine structure in the electronic density of states around ~13 meV from the Fermi energy. The structure is related to a weak bottleneck for the carrier relaxation observed at low temperatures.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2008

Magnetic properties of the insulating ferromagnetic phase in strained Pr_0.6Ca_0.4MnO_3 thin films

Bulk magnetization in Pr_{0.6}Ca_{0.4}MnO_3 thin films with tensile (SrTiO_3) and compressive (LaAlO_3) substrate-induced strain is compared to the magnetooptical Kerr effect (MOKE) measurements. In the absence of an external magnetic field, in both films, a stable ferromagnetic insulating majority phase coexists with an antiferromagnetic insulating phase below ~120K. MOKE measurements indicate that at 5K a metastable ferromagnetic metallic (FM) phase is formed at the surface of the stretched film in a magnetic field below 1.1T already, while in the bulk the FM phase starts to form in the field above ~4T in both films.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Single-particle and collective mode couplings associated with 1- and 2-directional electronic ordering in metallic RTe$_3$ (R = Ho, Dy, Tb)

The coupling of phonons with collective modes and single-particle gap excitations associated with one (1d) and two-directional (2d) electronically-driven charge-density wave (CDW) ordering in metallic RTe_3 is investigated as a function of rare-earth ion chemical pressure (R=Tb, Dy, Ho) using femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. From the T-dependence of the CDW gap Δ_{CDW} and the amplitude mode (AM) we find that while the transition to a 1d-CDW ordered state at T_{c1} initially proceeds in an exemplary mean-field (MF) -like fashion, below T_{c1}, Δ_{CDW} is depressed and departs from the MF behavior. The effect is apparently triggered by resonant mode-mixing of the amplitude mode (AM) with a totally symmetric phonon at 1.75 THz. At low temperatures, when the state evolves into a 2d-CDW ordered state at T_{c2} in the DyTe_3 and HoTe_3, additional much weaker mode mixing is evident but no soft mode is observed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Controlled vaporization of the superconducting condensate in cuprate superconductors sheds light on the pairing boson

We use ultrashort intense laser pulses to study superconducting state vaporization dynamics in La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO4 (x=0.1 and 0.15) on the femtosecond timescale. We find that the energy density required to vaporize the superconducting state is 2+- 0.8 K/Cu and 2.6 +- 1 K/Cu for x=0.1 and 0.15 respectively. This is significantly greater than the condensation energy density, indicating that the quasiparticles share a large amount of energy with the boson glue bath on this timescale. Considering in detail both spin and lattice energy relaxation pathways which take place on the relevant timescale of picoseconds, we rule out purely spin-mediated pair-breaking in favor of phonon-mediated mechanisms, effectively ruling out spin-mediated pairing in cuprates as a consequence.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Spontaneous ferromagnetic spin ordering at the surface of La$_2$CuO$_4$

Magnetic properties of high purity stoichiometric La$_2$CuO$_4$ nanoparticles are systematically investigated as a function of particle size. Ferromagnetic single-domain spin clusters are shown to spontaneously form at the surface of fine grains as well as paramagnetic defects. Hysteresis loops and thermomagnetic irreversibility are observed in a wide temperature range $5 - 350$ K with the remnant moment and coercivity gradually decreasing with increasing temperature. Possible origins of the spontaneous surface ferromagnetic clusters and the relation of our data to the appearance of unusual magnetic phenomena and phase separation of doped cuprates are discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Self-organization of charged particles on a 2D lattice subject to anisotropic Jahn-Teller-type interaction and 3D Coulomb repulsion

Self-organization of charged particles on a 2D lattice, subject to an anisotropic Jahn-Teller-type interaction and 3D Coulomb repulsion is investigated. In the mean-field approximation without Coulomb interaction, the system displays a phase transition of first order. In the presence of the Coulomb repulsion the global phase separation becomes unfavorable and the system shows a mesoscopic phase separation, where the size of the charged regions is determined by the competition between the ordering energy and the Coulomb energy. The phase diagram of the system as a function of particle density and temperature is obtained by systematic Monte Carlo simulations. With decreasing temperature a crossover from a disordered state to a state composed from mesoscopic charged clusters is observed. In the phase separated state charged clusters with even number of particles are more stable than those with odd number of particles in a large range of particle densities. With increasing particle density at low temperatures a series of crossovers between states with different cluster sizes is observed. Above half filling in addition to the low temperature clustering another higher temperature scale, which corresponds to orbital ordering of particles, appears. We suggest that the diverse functional behaviour - including superconductivity - observed in transition metal oxides can be thought to arise from the self-organization of this type.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Comment on: Role of inelastic tunneling through the insulating barrier in scanning-tunneling-microscope experiments on cuprate superconductors

In a recent letter [1] Pilgram, Rice and Sigrist (PRS) propose to perform oxygen isotope dependent conductivity measurements along the c-axis of the cuprate superconductor BSSCO. In Raman isotope data for vibrations along the c-axis from 1988 [2], and in site selective susceptibility experiments determining Tc, no isotope effects were observed for oxygen ions in the insulating layer [3]. Based on these earlier not by PRS quoted experiments, we argue that the suggestion made in Ref. 1 is not worth to be undertaken, and if it is carried through, no effect will be seen. From the meanwhile 12 years old site selective data [3] the observed isotope effects stem to nearly 100% from oxygen ions in the CuO2-planes. These results evidence polaronic behavior in these planes [4].

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Nonlinear elastic and electronic properties of Mo_6S_3I_6 nanowires

The properties of Mo_6S_3I_6 nanowires were investigated with ab initio calculations based on the density-functional theory. The molecules build weakly coupled one-dimensional chains with three sulfur atoms in the bridging planes between the Mo octahedra, each dressed with six iodines. Upon uniaxial strain along the wires, each bridging plane shows two energy minima, one in the ground state with the calculated Young modulus Y=82 GPa, and one in the stretched state with Y=94 GPa. Both values are at least four times smaller than the experimental values and the origin of the discrepancy remains a puzzle. The ideal tensile strength is about 8.4 GPa, the chains break in the Mo-Mo bonds within the octahedra and not in the S bridges. The charge-carrier conductivity is strongly anisotropic and the Mo_6S_3I_6 nanowires behave as quasi-one-dimensional conductors in the whole range of investigated strains. The conductivity is extremely sensitive to strain, making this material very suitable for stain gauges. Very clean nanowires with good contacts may be expected to behave as ballistic quantum wires over lengths of several $μ$m. On the other hand, with high-impedance contacts they are good candidates for the observation of Luttinger liquid behaviour. The pronounced 1D nature of the Mo_6S_3I_6 nanowires makes them a uniquely versatile and user-friendly system for the investigation of 1D physics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Kinetics of a superconductor excited with a femtosecond optical pulse

Superconducting state dynamics following excitation of a superconductor with a femtosecond optical pulse is studied in terms of a phenomenological Rothwarf and Taylor model. Analytical solutions for various limiting cases are obtained. The model is found to account for the intensity and temperature dependence of both photoinduced quasiparticle density, as well as pair-breaking and superconducting state recovery dynamics in conventional as well as cuprate superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2005

Evidence for a universal length scale of dynamic charge inhomogeneity in cuprate superconductors

Time-resolved optical experiments can give unique information on the characteristic length scales of dynamic charge inhomogeneity on femtosecond timescales. From data on the effective quasiparticle relaxation time r in La2-xSrxCuO4 and Nd2-xCexCuO4 we derive the temperature- and doping- dependence of the intrinsic phonon escape length le, which, under certain circumstances, can be shown to be a direct measure of charge inhomogeneity. Remarkably, a common feature of both p and n-type cuprates - which has important consequences for superconductivity - is that as T  Tc from above, the escape length approaches the zero-temperature superconducting coherence length, le  s(0). In close vicinity of Tc, le appears to follow the critical behaviour of the Ginsburg-Landau coherence length, GL(T). In the normal state le is found to be in excellent agreement with the mean free path lm obtained from the resistivity data. The data on le also agree well with the data on structural coherence lengths ls obtained from neutron scattering experiments, implying the existence of complex intrinsic textures on different length scales which may have a profound effect on the functional properties of these materials.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2005

Charged particles on a 2D plane subject to anisotropic Jahn-Teller interactions

The properties of a system of charged particles on a 2D lattice, subject to an anisotropic Jahn-Teller-type interaction and 3D Coulomb repulsion are investigated. In the mean-field approximation without Coulomb interaction, the system displays a phase transition of first order. When the long range Coulomb interaction is included, Monte Carlo simulations show that the system displays very diverse mesoscopic textures, ranging from spatially disordered pairs to ordered arrays of stripes, or charged clusters, depending only on the ratio of the two interactions (and the particle density). Remarkably, charged objects with even number of particles are more stable than with odd number of particles. We suggest that the diverse functional behaviour - including superconductivity - observed in oxides can be thought to arise from the self-organization of this type.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Electrical conductivity of inhomogeneous two component media in two dimensions

The electrical conductivity is calculated for regular inhomogeneous two component isotropic medium in which droplets of one phase with conductivity sigma_2 are embedded in another, with conductivity sigma_1. An expression is formulated which can be used in many different situations, and is of particular relevance in the case where the relative proportion of the components is temperature dependent and varies over a wide range. The behavior of effective conductivity depends on the spatial arrangements and the shape of the inclusions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2004

Mesoscopic Phase Separation in the Model with Competing Jahn-Teller and Coulomb Interaction

We have derived the interaction between Jahn-Teller centers due to optical and acoustic phonons. Without Coulomb repulsion the model leads to a global phase separation at low temperature. At long distances Coulomb repulsion always dominates the short range attraction leading to phase separation on a short scale. On the basis of Monte-Carlo simulation of microscopic lattice-gas model we have formulated an effective phenomenological model. In the limit of low density of polarons, phase separation takes place in the form of charged bubbles. In the limit of high density, charge segregation occurs on domain walls.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2004

Hole interactions with molecular vibrations on DNA

We report on a study of the interactions between holes and molecular vibrations on dry DNA using photoinduced infrared absorption spectroscopy. Laser photoexcited (PE) holes are found to have a room-temperature lifetime in excess of 1 ms, clearly indicating the presence of localization. However, from a quantitative model analysis of the frequency shifts of vibrational modes caused by the PE holes, we find the holevibrational coupling constant to be relatively small, 0.2. This interaction leads to a change in the conformational energy of 0.015 eV, which is too small to cause selftrapping at room temperature. We conclude that, at least in the dry (A) form, DNA is best understood in terms of a double chain of coupled quantum dots arising from the pseudo-random chain sequence of base pairs, in which Anderson localization prevents the formation of a metallic state.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2004

Ultrafast real-time spectroscopy of low dimensional charge density wave compounds

We present a femtosecond time-resolved optical spectroscopy (TRS) as an experimental tool to probe the changes in the low energy electronic density of states as a result of short and long range charge density wave order. In these experiments, a femtosecond laser pump pulse excites electron-hole pairs via an interband transition in the material. These hot carriers rapidly release their energy via electron-electron and electron-phonon collisions reaching states near the Fermi energy within 10-100 fs. The presence of an energy gap in the quasiparticle excitation spectrum inhibits the final relaxation step and photoexcited carriers accumulate above the gap. The relaxation and recombination processes of photoexcited quasiparticles are monitored by measuring the time evolution of the resulting photoinduced absorption. This way, the studies of carrier relaxation dynamics give direct information of the temperature-dependent changes in the low energy density of states. Here we present the application of the femtosecond time-resolved optical spectroscopy for studying changes in the low energy electronic density of states in low dimensional charge density wave systems associated with various charge density wave (CDW) transitions and review some recent experiments on quasi 1D and 2D CDW compounds.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2003

Ultrafast photoinduced reflectivity transients in $(Nd_{0.5}Sr_{0.5})MnO_3$

The temperature dependence of ultrafast photoinduced reflectivity transients is reported in Nd$_{0.5}$Sr$_{0.5}$MnO$_{3}$ thin film. The photoinduced reflectivity shows a complex response with very different temperature dependences on different timescales. The response on the sub-ps timescale appears to be only weakly sensitive to the 270K-metal-insulator phase transition. Below $\sim 160$ K the sub-ps response displays a two component behavior indicating inhomogeneity of the film resulting from the substrate induced strain. On the other hand, the slower response on the 10-100 ps timescale is sensitive only to the metal-insulator phase transition and is in agreement with some previously published results. The difference in the temperature dependences of the responses on nanosecond and $μ$s timescales indicates that thermal equilibrium between the different degrees of fredom is established relatively slowly - on a nanosecond timescale.

cond-mat↗