arXiv subjects

Frank Steglich

Publications and source records attributed to Frank Steglich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Large transverse thermoelectric figure of merit in a Dirac semimetal

Thermoelectric (TE) conversion in conducting materials is of eminent importance for providing renewable energy and solid-state cooling. Although traditionally, the Seebeck effect plays a key role for the TE figure of merit zST, it encounters fundamental constraints hindering its conversion efficiency. Most notably, there are the charge compensation of electrons and holes that diminishes this effect, and the intertwinement of the corresponding electrical and thermal conductivities through the Wiedemann-Franz (WF) law which makes their independent optimization in zST impossible. Here, we demonstrate that in the Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 the Nernst effect, i.e., the transverse counterpart of the Seebeck effect, can generate a large TE figure of merit zNT. At room temperature, zNT = 0.5 in a small field of 2 T; it significantly surmounts its longitudinal counterpart zST for any field and further increases upon warming. A large Nernst effect is generically expected in topological semimetals, benefiting from both the bipolar transport of compensated electrons and holes and their high mobilities. In this case, heat and charge transport are orthogonal, i.e., not intertwined by the WF law anymore. More importantly, further optimization of zNT by tuning the Fermi level to the Dirac node can be anticipated due to not only the enhanced bipolar transport, but also the anomalous Nernst effect arising from a pronounced Berry curvature. A combination of the former topologically trivial and the latter nontrivial advantages promises to open a new avenue towards high-efficient transverse thermoelectricity.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Quantum-critical phase out of frustrated magnetism in a strongly correlated metal

Strange-metal phenomena often develop at the border of antiferromagnetic order in strongly correlated metals. It has been well established that they can originate from the fluctuations anchored by the point of continuous quantum phase transition out of the antiferromagnetic order, i.e., a quantum critical point. What has been unclear is how these phenomena can be associated with a potential new phase of matter at zero temperature. Here we show that magnetic frustration of the 4f-local moments in the distorted Kagome intermetallic compound CePdAl gives rise to such a paramagnetic quantum-critical phase. Moreover, we demonstrate that this phase turns into a Fermi liquid through a Mott-like crossover; in a two-dimensional parameter space of pressure and magnetic field, this crossover is linked to a line of zero-temperature 4f-electron localization-delocalization phase transitions at low and moderate pressures. Our discovery motivates a new design principle for strongly correlated metallic states with unconventional excitations that may underlie the development of such effects as high temperature superconductivity.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Large Fermi Surface Expansion through Anisotropic c-f Mixing in the Semimetallic Kondo Lattice System CeBi

Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and resonant ARPES, we report evidence of strong anisotropic conduction-f electron mixing (c-f mixing) in CeBi by observing a largely expanded Ce-5d pocket at low temperature, with no change in the Bi-6p bands. The Fermi surface (FS) expansion is accompanied by a pronounced spectral weight transfer from the local 4f 0 peak of Ce (corresponding to Ce3+) to the itinerant conduction bands near the Fermi level. Careful analysis suggests that the observed large FS change (with a volume expansion of the electron pocket up to 40%) can most naturally be explained by a small valence change (~ 1%) of Ce, which coexists with a very weak Kondo screening. Our work therefore provides evidence for a FS change driven by real charge fluctuations deep in the Kondo limit, which is made possible by the low carrier density.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Giant magnetic quantum oscillations in the thermal conductivity of TaAs: Indications of chiral zero sound

Charge transport of topological semimetals has been in the focus of intensive investigations because of their non-trivial band topology. Heat transport of these materials, on the other hand, is largely unexplored and remains elusive. Here we report on an observation of unprecedented, giant magnetic quantum oscillations of thermal conductivity in the prototypical Weyl semimetal TaAs. The oscillations are antiphase with the quantum oscillating electronic density of states of a Weyl pocket, and their amplitudes amount to two orders of magnitude of the estimation based on the Wiedemann-Franz law. Our analyses show that all the conventional heat-transport mechanisms through diffusions of propagating electrons, phonons and electron-hole bipolar excitations, are far inadequate to account for these phenomena. Taking further experimental facts that the parallel field configuration favors much higher magneto-thermal conductivity, we propose that the newly proposed chiral zero sound provides a reasonable explanation to these exotic phenomena. More work focusing on other topological semimetals along the same line is badly called for.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Tunable Electronic Structure and Surface States in Rare Earth Mono-Bismuthides with Partially Filled f Shell

Here we report the evolution of bulk band structure and surface states in rare earth mono-bismuthides with partially filled f shell. Utilizing synchrotron-based photoemission spectroscopy, we determined the three-dimensional bulk band structure and identified the bulk band inversions near the X points, which, according to the topological theory, could give rise to nontrivial band topology with odd number of gapless topological surface states. Near the surface Gamma bar point, no clear evidence for predicted gapless topological surface state is observed due to its strong hybridization with the bulk bands. Near the M bar point, the two surface states, due to projections from two inequivalent bulk band inversions, interact and give rise to two peculiar sets of gapped surface states. The bulk band inversions and corresponding surface states can be tuned substantially by varying rare earth elements, in good agreement with density-functional theory calculations assuming local f electrons. Our study therefore establishes rare earth mono-bismuthides as an interesting class of materials possessing tunable electronic properties and magnetism, providing a promising platform to search for novel properties in potentially correlated topological materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Magnetic and defect probes of the SmB$_6$ surface state

The impact of non-magnetic and magnetic impurities on topological insulators is a central problem concerning their fundamental physics and possible novel spintronics and quantum computing applications. SmB$_6$, predicted to be a topological Kondo insulator, is considered a benchmark material. Using a spin-polarized tip in scanning tunneling spectroscopy destroys the signature peak of the topological surface state, revealing its spin texture. Further, combining local STS with macroscopic transport measurements on SmB$_6$ containing different substitutions enables us to investigate the effect of impurities. The surface states around impurities are locally suppressed with different length scales depending on their magnetic properties and, for sufficiently high impurity level, globally destroyed. Our study points directly to the topological nature of SmB$_6$, and unveils, microscopically and macroscopically, how impurities -- magnetic or non-magnetic -- affect topological surface states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Observation of two critical points linked to the high field phase B in CeCu2Si2

We present thermal expansion and magnetostriction measurements on a CeCu2Si2 single crystal of A/S-type up to 17.9T magnetic field applied along the crystallographic a-direction (Delta L ll a ll H) and down to 0.015K temperature. We identify clear thermodynamic anomalies at the superconducting transition T_c and at two second order transitions T_A,B into ordered phases A and B. Our measurements establish for the first time the boundary of phase B at high field and low temperature. No evidence for additional high field phases above B is found up to the maximum field. We speculate based on our experimental results that i) phase B is similar to phase A of spin-density wave type and ii) the first order phase transition between A and B is caused by Fermi surface reconstruction. We furthermore identify a new quantum critical point at H_c ~ 17T, where T_B is suppresssed to zero, and a bicritical point at (0.35K, 7.0T), where phase lines T_A(H) and T_B(H) meet.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Kondo destruction in a quantum paramagnet with magnetic frustration

We report results of isothermal magnetotransport and susceptibility measurements at elevated magnetic fields B down to very low temperatures T on high-quality single crystals of the frustrated Kondo-lattice system CePdAl. They reveal a B*(T) line within the paramagnetic part of the phase diagram. This line denotes a thermally broadened 'small'-to-'large' Fermi surface crossover which substantially narrows upon cooling. At B_0* = B*(T=0) = (4.6 +/- 0.1) T, this B*(T) line merges with two other crossover lines, viz. Tp(B) below and T_FL(B) above B_0*. Tp characterizes a frustration-dominated spin-liquid state, while T_FL is the Fermi-liquid temperature associated with the lattice Kondo effect. Non-Fermi-liquid phenomena which are commonly observed near a 'Kondo destruction' quantum critical point cannot be resolved in CePdAl. Our observations reveal a rare case where Kondo coupling, frustration and quantum criticality are closely intertwined.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Emergence of superconductivity in the canonical heavy-electron metal YbRh2Si2

We report magnetic and calorimetric measurements down to T = 1 mK on the canonical heavy-electron metal YbRh2Si2. The data reveal the development of nuclear antiferromagnetic order slightly above 2 mK. The latter weakens the primary electronic antiferromagnetism, thereby paving the way for heavy-electron superconductivity below Tc = 2 mK. Our results demonstrate that superconductivity driven by quantum criticality is a general phenomenon.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Temperature-field phase diagram of geometrically frustrated CePdAl

From the electrical resistivity and ac susceptibility measurements down to $T$ = 40 mK, a rich temperature-field phase diagram has been constructed for the geometrically frustrated heavy-fermion compound CePdAl. In the limit of zero temperature, the field-induced suppression of the antiferromagnetism in this compound results in a sequence of phase transitions/corssovers, rather than a single critical point, in a critical region of field 3$-$5 T. In the lowest temperature region, a power-law description of the temperature-dependent resistivity yields $A$$\cdot$$T^n$ with $n$$>$2 for all applied fields. However, a quadratic-in-temperature resistivity term can be extracted when assuming an additional electron scattering channel from magnon-like excitations, with $A$ diverging upon approaching the critical regime. Our observations suggest CePdAl to be a new playground for exotic physics arising from the competition between Kondo screening and geometrical frustration.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Superconducting gap structure of the skutterudite LaPt4Ge12 probed by specific heat and thermal transport

We investigated the superconducting order parameter of the filled skutterudite LaPt4Ge12, with a transition temperature of Tc = 8.3 K. To this end, we performed temperature and magnetic-field dependent specific-heat and thermal-conductivity measurements. All data are compatible with a single superconducting s-wave gap. However, a multiband scenario cannot be ruled out. The results are discussed in the context of previous studies on the substitution series Pr1-xLaxPt4Ge12. They suggest compatible order parameters for the two end compounds LaPt4Ge12 and PrPt4Ge12. This is not consistent with a single s-wave gap in LaPt4Ge12 considering previous reports of unconventional and/or multiband superconductivity in PrPt4Ge12.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Thermodynamic study of gap structure and pair-breaking effect by magnetic field in the heavy-fermion superconductor CeCu2Si2

This paper presents the results of specific-heat and magnetization measurements, in particular their field-orientation dependence, on the first discovered heavy-fermion superconductor CeCu$_2$Si$_2$ ($T_{\rm c} \sim 0.6$ K). We discuss the superconducting gap structure and the origin of the anomalous pair-breaking phenomena, leading e.g., to the suppression of the upper critical field $H_{\rm c2}$, found in the high-field region. The data show that the anomalous pair breaking becomes prominent below about 0.15 K in any field direction, but occurs closer to $H_{\rm c2}$ for $H \parallel c$. The presence of this anomaly is confirmed by the fact that the specific-heat and magnetization data satisfy standard thermodynamic relations. Concerning the gap structure, field-angle dependences of the low-temperature specific heat within the $ab$ and $ac$ planes do not show any evidence for gap nodes. From microscopic calculations in the framework of a two-band full-gap model, the power-law-like temperature dependences of $C$ and $1/T_1$, reminiscent of nodal superconductivity, have been reproduced reasonably. These facts further support multiband full-gap superconductivity in CeCu$_2$Si$_2$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Magneto-transport properties of CeRu$_2$Al$_{10}$: Similarities to URu$_2$Si$_2$

We report on magneto-transport properties of the Kondo semiconducting compound CeRu$_2$Al$_{10}$, focusing on its exotic phase below $T_0$ = 27 K. In this phase, an excess thermal conductivity $κ$ emerges and is gradually suppressed by magnetic field, strikingly resembling those observed in the hidden-order phase of URu$_2$Si$_2$. Our analysis indicates that low-energy magnetic excitation is the most likely origin, as was also proposed for URu$_2$Si$_2$ recently, despite the largely reduced magnetic moments. Likewise, other transport properties such as resistivity, thermopower and Nernst effect exhibit distinct features characterizing the very different charge dynamics above and below $T_0$, sharing similarities to URu$_2$Si$_2$, too. Given the exotic nature of the ordered phases in both compounds, whether a unified interpretation to all these observations exists appears to be extremely interesting.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Signatures of phase transitions in the microwave response of YbRh2Si2

We used a spectroscopic microwave technique utilizing superconducting stripline resonators at frequencies between 3 GHz and 15 GHz to examine the charge dynamics of YbRh2Si2 at temperatures and magnetic fields close to the quantum critical point. The different electronic phases of this heavy-fermion compound, in particular the antiferromagnetic, Fermi-liquid, and non-Fermi-liquid regimes, were probed with temperature-dependent microwave measurements between 40 mK and 600 mK at a set of different magnetic fields up to 140 mT. Signatures of phase transitions were observed, which give information about the dynamic response of this peculiar material that exhibits field-tuned quantum criticality and pronounced deviations from Fermi-liquid theory.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Giant isotropic Nernst effect in an anisotropic Kondo semimetal

The "failed Kondo insulator" CeNiSn has long been suspected to be a nodal metal, with a node in the hybridization matrix elements. Here we carry out a series of Nernst effect experiments to delineate whether the severely anisotropic magnetotransport coefficients do indeed derive from a nodal metal or can simply be explained by a highly anisotropic Fermi surface. Our experiments reveal that despite an almost 20-fold anisotropy in the Hall conductivity, the large Nernst signal is isotropic. Taken in conjunction with the magnetotransport anisotropy, these results provide strong support for an isotropic Fermi surface with a large anisotropy in quasiparticle mass derived from a nodal hybridization.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Superconducting gap and vortex lattice of the heavy fermion compound CeCu_2Si_2

The order parameter and pairing mechanism for superconductivity in heavy fermion compounds are still poorly understood. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy at ultra-low temperatures can yield important information about the superconducting order parameter and the gap structure. Here, we study the first heavy fermion superconductor, CeCu_2Si_2. Our data show the superconducting gap which is not fully formed and exhibits features that point to a multi-gap order parameter. Spatial mapping of the zero bias conductance in magnetic field reveals the vortex lattice, which allows us to unequivocally link the observed conductance gap to superconductivity in CeCu_2Si_2. The vortex lattice is found to be predominantly triangular with distortions at fields close to \sim 0.7 H_{c2}.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Emergence of an incipient ordering mode in FeSe

The structurally simplest Fe-based superconductor FeSe with a critical temperature $T_{c}\approx$ 8.5 K displays a breaking of the four-fold rotational symmetry at a temperature $T_{s}\approx 87$ K. We investigated the electronic properties of FeSe using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S), magnetization, and electrical transport measurements. The results indicated two new energy scales (i) $T^{*} \approx$ 75 K denoted by an onset of electron-hole asymmetry in STS, enhanced spin fluctuations, and increased positive magnetoresistance; (ii) $T^{**} \approx$ 22 - 30 K, marked by opening up of a partial gap of about 8 meV in STS and a recovery of Kohler's rule. Our results reveal onset of an incipient ordering mode at $T^{*}$ and its nucleation below $T^{**}$. The ordering mode observed here, both in spin as well as charge channels, suggests a coupling between the spins with charge, orbital or pocket degrees of freedom.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Large Seebeck Effect by Charge-Mobility Engineering

The Seebeck effect describes the generation of an electric potential in a conducting solid exposed to a temperature gradient. Besides fundamental relevance in solid state physics, it serves as a key quantity to determine the performance of functional thermoelectric materials. In most cases, it is dominated by an energy-dependent electronic density of states at the Fermi level, in line with the prevalent efforts toward superior thermoelectrics through the engineering of electronic structure. Here, we demonstrate an alternative source for the Seebeck effect based on charge-carrier relaxation: A charge mobility that changes rapidly with temperature can result in a sizeable addition to the Seebeck coefficient. This new Seebeck source is demonstrated explicitly for Ni-doped CoSb3, where a dramatic mobility change occurs due to the crossover between two different charge-relaxation regimes. Our findings unveil the origin of pronounced features in the Seebeck coefficient of many other elusive materials characterized by a significant mobility mismatch. As the physical origin for the latter can vary greatly, our proposal provides a unifying framework for the understanding of a large panoply of thermoelectric phenomena. When utilized appropriately, this effect can also provide a novel route to the design of improved thermoelectric materials for applications in solid-state cooling or power generation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗