arXiv subjects

F. Weber

Publications and source records attributed to F. Weber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Magneto-optical evidence for single-crystal-like magnetic switching of epitaxial antiferromagnetic LaFeO3 films

Strained epitaxial films of the antiferromagnetic orthoferrite LaFeO3 offer a promising platform for antiferromagnetic spintronics, yet their magnetic switching behavior and domain structure have remained largely unexplored due to the small magnitude of the weak ferromagnetic moment. Here, we demonstrate that longitudinal magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) measurements provide a sensitive and direct probe of magnetic switching and domain processes in coherently strained LaFeO3 thin films grown on orthorhombic substrates. By employing DyScO3(110), GdScO3(110), and NdGaO3(110) substrates, we achieve straincontrolled, largely twin-free growth and identify the orientation of the orthorhombic c-axis through the presence or absence of a longitudinal MOKE signal. Compressively strained films exhibit large Kerr signals, rectangular hysteresis loops, and magnetic single-domain remanence over macroscopic areas. Tensile strain on orthorhombic substrates is associated with two competing structural effects on thin film orientation; in-plane magnetization has been identified in some films on GdScO3(110) by MOKE. Angle-dependent MOKE hysteresis follows the Kondorsky model, indicating domain-wall-controlled switching analogous to bulk single crystals. Kerr microscopy reveals abrupt domain nucleation and rapid domain-wall motion, with defects acting as pinning centers and governing the coercive field. Our results establish MOKE as an efficient optical tool for identifying orthorhombic orientation, probing magnetic switching of coupled weak magnetization and Neel vectors, and accessing domain dynamics in LaFeO3 films. This provides a foundation for strain-engineered orthoferrite thin films in antiferromagnetic spintronics and magnonics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Asteroid modelling by starlight diffraction: The shape of Dimorphos, the satellite of (65803) Didymos

The DART spacecraft impacted Dimorphos, the satellite of (65803) Didymos, in September 2022. Evidence of crater formation and possible global reshaping has been obtained indirectly from spacecraft and ground-based data. Since the impact, several stellar occultations by Didymos have been observed, but only one in particular, on January 21, 2023, can provide useful constraints on the size and shape of Dimorphos. We modelled the diffraction signatures recorded on multiple occultation chords to constrain the projected shape and size of Dimorphos, assuming an ellipsoidal model. This is the first time diffraction observed simultaneously on several chords of a single event has been used for such a purpose. The projected shape at the epoch of the event is well constrained and consistent with recent post-DART determinations. When extended to a full three-dimensional ellipsoidal solution, the result remains compatible with previous studies, suggesting an equatorially elongated post-impact shape.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2026

The pseudo-complex Friedmann Lemaitre Robertson Walker model and the time dependence of the Hubble constant

The pseudocomplex version of the FLRW model is presented within the framework of pseudocomplex General Relativity (pcGR). In this approach, dark energy arises as a geometric consequence of the pseudocomplex structure, leading to a time dependent Hubble parameter rather than a strictly constant H0. The relation between the tiderived and constrained using recent DESI BAO data. Fitting beta yields a best-fit value beta = 1.0426, corresponding to a deceleration parameter q = -0.9361 and a present day Hubble acceleration me derivative of the Hubble parameter and a single geometric parameter beta in the effective dark energy equation of state is derived and constrained using recent DESI BAO data. Fitting beta yields a best-fit value beta = 1.0426, corresponding to a deceleration parameter q = -0.9361 and a present day Hubble acceleration H0 sim 0.94 x10-17 (km/s2)/Mpc. Using the exact Sandage Loeb relation, the predicted redshift drift over 20 years for a source at z = 4 is Delta-v sim -11.1 cm/s, in close agreement with the Lambda CDM prediction. In pcGR, however, the non-vanishing H0 is a direct geometric prediction, providing a clear and testable target for future high-precision spectroscopic observations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Absence of temperature-dependent phonon anomalies in Sr2IrO4 and Sr3Ir2O7

Following previous works reporting an anomalous behavior of several zone-center optical phonons across the magnetic transition of square lattice iridates Sr2IrO4 and Sr3Ir2O7, we have investigated the lattice dynamics as a function of momentum in these materials by means of high-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS). The observed phonon energies and scattering intensities across the Brillouin zone are in excellent agreement with ab-initio lattice dynamical calculations based on non-magnetic density-functional-perturbation theory (DFPT). Our results do not evidence any renormalization of the phonons at finite momentum across the magnetic transition of Sr2IrO4. The only anomalous behavior was detected for the in-plane polarized longitudinal-acoustic phonon branch in Sr3Ir2O7, which anomalously softens towards low temperatures and might be related to anisotropic negative thermal expansion in this compound. No anomalies related to potential charge ordering were observed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Hot Neutron Star Matter and Proto-Neutron Stars

In this chapter, we investigate the structure and composition of hot neutron star matter and proto-neutron stars. Such objects are made of baryonic matter that is several times denser than atomic nuclei and tens of thousands times hotter than the matter in the core of our Sun. The relativistic finite-temperature Green function formalism is used to formulate the expressions that determine the properties of such matter in the framework of the density-dependent mean field approach. Three different sets of nuclear parametrizations are used to solve the many-body equations and to determine the models for the equation of state of ultra-hot and dense stellar matter. The meson-baryon coupling scheme and the role of the \{Delta}(1232) baryon in proto-neutron star matter are investigated in great detail. In addition, using the non-local three-flavor Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model to describe quark matter, the hadron-quark composition of dense baryonic matter at zero temperature is discussed briefly. General relativistic models of non-rotating as well as rotating proto-neutron stars are presented in part two of our study.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2020

Soft elastic constants from phonon spectroscopy in hole-doped Ba$_{1-x}$(K,Na)$_x$Fe$_2$As$_2$ and Sr$_{1-x}Na$_x$Fe$_2$As$_2$

We report inelastic x-ray scattering measurements of the in-plane polarized transverse acoustic phonon mode propagating along $q\parallel$[100] in various hole-doped compounds belonging to the 122 family of iron-based superconductors. The slope of the dispersion of this phonon mode is proportional to the square root of the shear modulus $C_{66}$ in the $q \rightarrow 0$ limit and, hence, sensitive to the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic structural phase transition occurring in these compounds. In contrast to a recent report for Ba(Fe$_{0.94}$Co$_{0.06}$)$_2$As$_2$ [F. Weber et al., Phys. Rev. B 98, 014516 (2018)], we find qualitative agreement between values of $C_{66}$ deduced from our experiments and those derived from measurements of the Youngs modulus in Ba$_{1-x}$(K,Na)$_x$Fe$_2$As$_2$ at optimal doping. These results provide an upper limit of about 50 {\AA} for the nematic correlation length for the optimally hole-doped compounds. Furthermore, we also studied compounds at lower doping levels exhibiting the orthorhombic magnetic phase, where $C_{66}$ is not accessible by volume probes, as well as the C4 tetragonal magnetic phase.investigated

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Phonon density of states in lanthanide-based nanocrystals

We report a combined inelastic neutron and X-ray scattering study of the phonon density of states of the nano- and microcrystalline lanthanide-based materials NaY$_{0.8}$Yb$_{0.18}$Er$_{0.02}$F$_4$ and NaGd$_{0.8}$Yb$_{0.18}$Er$_{0.02}$F$_4$. While large (20 nm) nanocrystals display the same vibrational spectra as their microcrystalline counterparts, we find an enhanced phonon density of states at low energies, $E \leq 15\,\rm{meV}$, in ultra-small (5 nm) NaGd$_{0.8}$Yb$_{0.18}$Er$_{0.02}$F$_4$ nanocrystals which we assign to an increased relative spectral weight of surface phonon modes. Based on our observations for ultra-small nanocrystals, we rationalize that an increase of the phonon density of states in large nanocrystals due to surface phonons is too small to be observed in the current measurements. The experimental approach described in this report constitutes the first step toward the rationalization of size effects on the modification of the absolute upconversion quantum yield of upconverting nanocrystals.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Dominant in-plane symmetric elastoresistance in CsFe2As2

We study the elastoresistance of the highly correlated material CsFe2As2 in all symmetry channels. Neutralizing its thermal expansion by means of a piezoelectric-based strain cell is demonstrated to be essential. The elastoresistance response in the in-plane symmetric channel is found to be large, while the response in the symmetry-breaking channels is weaker and provides no evidence for a divergent nematic susceptibility. Rather, our results can be interpreted naturally within the framework of a coherence-incoherence crossover, where the low-temperature coherent state is sensitively tuned by the in-plane atomic distances.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Nematic correlation length in iron-based superconductors probed by inelastic x-ray scattering

Nematicity is ubiquitous in electronic phases of high-$T_c$ superconductors, particularly in the Fe-based systems. We used inelastic x-ray scattering to extract the temperature-dependent nematic correlation length $\xi$ from the anomalous softening of acoustic phonon modes in FeSe, underdoped Ba(Fe$_{0.97}$Co$_{0.03}$)$_2$As$_2$ and optimally doped Ba(Fe$_{0.94}$Co$_{0.06}$)$_2$As$_2$. In all cases, we find that $\xi$ is well described by a power law $(T-T_0)^{-1/2}$ extending over a wide temperature range. We attributed this mean-field behavior and the extended fluctuation regime to a sizable nemato-elastic coupling, which may be detrimental to superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Phases of Hadron-Quark Matter in (Proto) Neutron Stars

In the first part of this paper, we investigate the possible existence of a structured hadron-quark mixed phase in the cores of neutron stars. This phase, referred to as the hadron-quark pasta phase, consists of spherical blob, rod, and slab rare phase geometries. Particular emphasis is given to modeling the size othis phase in rotating neutron stars. We use the relativistic mean-field theory to model hadronic matter and the non-local three-flavor Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model to describe quark matter. Based on these models, the hadron-quark pasta phase exists only in very massive neutron stars, whose rotational frequencies are less than around 300 Hz. All other stars are not dense enough to trigger quark deconfinement in their cores. Part two of the paper deals with the quark-hadron composition of hot (proto) neutron star matter. To this end we use a local three-flavor Polyakov-Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model which includes the 't Hooft (quark flavor mixing) term. It is found that this term leads to non-negligible changes in the particle composition of (proto) neutron stars made of hadron-quark matter.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2019

Hot quark matter and (proto-) neutron stars

In part one of this paper, we use a non-local extension of the 3-flavor Polyakov-Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model, which takes into account flavor-mixing, momentum dependent quark masses, and vector interactions among quarks, to investigate the possible existence of a spinodal region (determined by the vanishing of the speed of sound) in the QCD phase diagram and determine the temperature and chemical potential of the critical end point. In part two of the paper, we investigate the quark-hadron composition of baryonic matter at zero as well as non-zero temperature. This is of great topical interest for the analysis and interpretation of neutron star merger events such as GW170817. With this in mind, we determine the composition of proto-neutron star matter for entropies and lepton fractions that are typical of such matter. These compositions are used to delineate the evolution of proto-neutron stars to neutron stars in the baryon-mass versus gravitational-mass diagram. The hot stellar models turn out to contain significant fractions of hyperons and $\Delta$-isobars but no deconfined quarks. The latter, are found to exist only in cold neutron stars.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2019

Electron-phonon coupling and superconductivity-induced distortion of the phonon lineshape in V$_3$Si

Phonon measurements in the A15-type superconductors were complicated in the past because of the unavailability of large single crystals for inelastic neutron scattering, e.g., in the case of Nb$_3$Sn, or unfavorable neutron scattering properties in the case of V$_3$Si. Hence, only few studies of the lattice dynamical properties with momentum resolved methods were published, in particular below the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$. Here, we overcome these problems by employing inelastic x-ray scattering and report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of lattice dynamics in V$_3$Si with the focus on the temperature-dependent properties of low-energy acoustic phonon modes in several high-symmetry directions. We paid particular attention to the evolution of the soft phonon mode of the structural phase transition observed in our sample at $T_s=18.9\,\rm{K}$, i.e., just above the measured superconducting phase transition at $T_c=16.8\,\rm{K}$. Theoretically, we predict lattice dynamics including electron-phonon coupling based on density-functional-perturbation theory and discuss the relevance of the soft phonon mode with regard to the value of $T_c$. Furthermore, we explain superconductivityinduced anomalies in the lineshape of several acoustic phonon modes using a model proposed by Allen et al., [Phys. Rev. B 56, 5552 (1997)].

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Suppression of charge density wave order by disorder in Pd-intercalated ErTe$_3$

Disorder is generically anticipated to suppress long range charge density wave (CDW) order. We report transport, thermodynamic, and scattering experiments on Pd$_x$ErTe$_3$, a model CDW system with disorder induced by intercalation. The pristine parent compound ($x=0$) shows two separate, mutually perpendicular, incommensurate unidirectional CDW phases setting in at 270 K and 165 K. Here we track the suppression of signatures corresponding to these two parent transitions as the Pd concentration increases. At the largest values of $x$, we observe complete suppression of long range CDW order in favor of superconductivity. We also report evidence from electron and x-ray diffraction which suggests a tendency toward short-range ordering along both wavevectors which persists even well above the crossover temperature. Pd$_x$ErTe$_3$ provides a promising model system for the study of the interrelation of charge order and superconductivity in the presence of quenched disorder.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Three-dimensional Fermi surface of 2H-NbSe$_2$ - Implications for the mechanism of charge density waves

We investigate the three-dimensional electronic structure of the seminal charge-density-wave (CDW) material 2H-NbSe$_2$ by soft x-ray angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and density-functional theory. Our results reveal the pronounced 3D character of the electronic structure formed in the quasi-two-dimensional layered crystal structure. In particular, we find a strong dispersion along $k_z$ excluding a nesting-driven CDW formation based on experimental data. The 3D-like band structure of 2H-NbSe$_2$ has strong implications for the intriguing phase competition of CDW order with superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Soft phonons reveal the nematic correlation length in Ba(Fe$_{0.94}$Co$_{0.06}$)$_2$As$_2$

Nematicity is ubiquitous in electronic phases of high-$T_c$ superconductors, particularly in the Fe-based systems. While several experiments have probed nematic fluctuations, they have been restricted to uniform or momentum averaged fluctuations. Here, we investigate the behavior of finite-momentum nematic fluctuations by utilizing the anomalous softening of acoustic phonon modes in optimally doped Ba(Fe$_{0.94}$Co$_{0.06}$)$_2$As$_2$. We determine the nematic correlation length and find that it sharply changes its $T$-dependence at $T_c$, revealing a strong connection between nematicity and superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Competing soft phonon modes at the charge-density-wave transitions in DyTe$_3$

The family of rare-earth tritellurides RTe$_3$ features charge-density-wave (CDW) order related to strongly momentum-dependent electron-phonon coupling. Similar to other CDW compounds, superconductivity is observed when the CDW order is suppressed via hydrostatic pressure [1]. What sets the heavier members of the RTe3 series apart is the observation of a second CDW transition at lower temperatures having an in-plane ordering wavevector $q_{CDW,2}\parallel [100]$ of almost the same magnitude but orthogonal to the ordering wavevector $q_{CDW,1}\parallel [001]$ observed at higher temperatures [2]. Here, we report an inelastic x-ray scattering investigation of the lattice dynamics of DyTe$_3$. In particular, we show that there are several phonon modes along both in-plane directions, which respond to the onset of the CDW transition at $T_{CDW,1}=308\,\rm{K}$. Surprisingly, these soft modes close to $q_{CDW,2}=(0.68,0,0)$ show strong softening near $T_{CDW,1}$ but do not exhibit any response to the lower-temperature transition at $T_{CDW,2}=68\,\rm{K}$. Our results indicate that the low-temperature CDW order is not just the 90{\deg} rotated analogue of the one appearing at high temperatures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Polaronic correlations and phonon renormalization in La1-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0.2, 0.3)

According to standard theory the magnetoresistance magnitude in ferromagnetic manganites crucially depends on the electron-phonon coupling strength. We showed that in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 the phonon renormalization is strong, despite its relatively small magnetoresistance. Here, we report results of a similar inelastic neutron scattering investigation of a closely related compound, La0.8Sr0.2MnO3, where the magnetoresistance is enhanced. We find similar phonon renormalization and dynamic CE-type polaron correlations as in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3. However, quantitative comparison of the results for the two samples shows that only polaron lifetime is well correlated with the strength of the CMR.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Magnetic and structural quantum phase transitions in CeCu6-xAux are independent

The heavy-fermion compound CeCu$_{6-x}$Au$_x$ has become a model system for unconventional magnetic quantum criticality. For small Au concentrations $0 \leq x < 0.16$, the compound undergoes a structural transition from orthorhombic to monoclinic crystal symmetry at a temperature $T_{s}$ with $T_{s} \rightarrow 0$ for $x \approx 0.15$. Antiferromagnetic order sets in close to $x \approx 0.1$. To shed light on the interplay between quantum critical magnetic and structural fluctuations we performed neutron-scattering and thermodynamic measurements on samples with $0 \leq x\leq 0.3$. The resulting phase diagram shows that the antiferromagnetic and monoclinic phase coexist in a tiny Au concentration range between $x\approx 0.1$ and $0.15$. The application of hydrostatic and chemical pressure allows to clearly separate the transitions from each other and to explore a possible effect of the structural transition on the magnetic quantum critical behavior. Our measurements demonstrate that at low temperatures the unconventional quantum criticality exclusively arises from magnetic fluctuations and is not affected by the monoclinic distortion.

cond-mat.str-el↗