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Guang-Han Cao

Publications and source records attributed to Guang-Han Cao.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Temperature and Angular Dependence of the Upper Critical Field in K$_{2}$Cr$_{3}$As$_{3}$

We report measurements of the upper critical field $H_{\mathrm{c2}}$ as functions of temperature $T$, polar angle $θ$ (of the field direction with respect to the crystallographic $c$ axis), and azimuthal angle $ϕ$ (of the field direction relative to the $a$ axis within the $ab$ plane) for the Cr-based superconductor K$_{2}$Cr$_{3}$As$_{3}$ with a quasi-one-dimensional and non-centrosymmetric crystal structure. We confirm that the anisotropy in $H_{\mathrm{c2}}(T)$ becomes inverse with decreasing temperature. At low temperatures, $H_{\mathrm{c2}}(θ)$ data are featured by two maxima at $θ$ = 0 ($\mathbf{H}\parallel c$) and $π/2$ ($\mathbf{H}\bot c$), which can be quantitatively understood only if uniaxial effective-mass anisotropy and absence of Pauli paramagnetic effect for $\mathbf{H}\bot c$ are taken simultaneously into consideration. The in-plane $H_{\mathrm{c2}}(ϕ)$ profile shows a unique threefold modulation especially at low temperatures. Overall, the characteristic of the $H_{\mathrm{c2}}(θ, ϕ, T)$ data mostly resemble those of the heavy-fermion superconductor UPt$_3$, and we argue in favor of a dominant spin-triplet superconductivity with odd parity in K$_{2}$Cr$_{3}$As$_{3}$.

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Superconductivity at 35 K by self doping in RbGd$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$O$_2$

We report synthesis, crystal structure and physical properties of a novel quinary compound RbGd$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$O$_2$. The new iron oxyarsenide is isostructural to the fluo-arsenide KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$, both of which contain separate double Fe$_2$As$_2$ layers that are self hole-doped in the stoichiometric composition. Bulk superconductivity at $T_\mathrm{c}$ = 35 K is demonstrated by the measurements of electrical resistivity, dc magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity. An exceptionally high value of the initial slope of the upper critical field ($μ_0$d$H_{\mathrm{c2}}$/d$T|_{T_\mathrm{c}}$ = 16.5 T/K) is measured for the polycrystalline sample.

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Peculiar properties of Cr$_3$As$_3$-chain-based superconductors

$A_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$ ($A$ = K, Rb, Cs) are the unique Cr-based ambient-pressure superconductors to date discovered by serendipity in 2015. The new superconducting family are structurally characterized by quasi one-dimensional [(Cr$_3$As$_3$)$^{2-}$]$_{\infty}$ double-walled subnanotubes, which exhibit peculiar properties that mostly point to unconventional superconductivity. In this conference paper, we first describe how the superconductors were discovered. Then we overview the recent progresses on crystal structure, electronic structures, theoretical models, and various physical properties in $A_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$. Some new experimental results are included. Finally we conclude by addressing the related open questions in this emerging subfield of superconductivity.

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Superconductivity in KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ with Separate Double Fe$_2$As$_2$ Layers

We report synthesis, crystal structure and physical properties of a quinary iron-arsenide fluoride KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$. The new compound crystallizes in a body-centered tetragonal lattice (with space group $I4/mmm$, $a$ = 3.8684(2) Å, c = 31.007(1) Å, and $Z$ = 2), which contains double Fe$_2$As$_2$ conducting layers separated by insulating Ca$_2$F$_2$ layers. Our measurements of electrical resistivity, dc magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity demonstrate bulk superconductivity at 33 K in KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$.

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Optical properties of superconducting EuFe2(As1-xPx)2

We present a broadband optical-conductivity study of superconducting single-crystalline EuFe2(As1-xPx)2 with three different substitutional levels. We analyze the normal-state electrodynamics by decomposing the conductivity spectra using a Drude-Lorentz model with two Drude terms representing two groups of carriers with different scattering rates. The analysis reveals that the scattering rate of at least one of the Drude components develops linearly with temperature for each doping level. This points towards strong electron-electron correlations and a non-Fermi-liquid behavior in the P-substituted superconducting Eu-122 pnictides. We also detect a transfer of the spectral weight from mid-infrared to higher frequencies and assign it to the Hund's-rule coupling between itinerant and localized carriers. The conductivity spectra below the superconducting transition show no sharp features to be associated with the dirty-limit superconducting BCS gaps. We interpret these results in terms of clean-limit superconductivity in EuFe2(As1-xPx)2. The best parametrization fit can be achieved using a two-gap model. We find that the larger gap at the hole pockets of the Fermi surface is likely to be isotropic, while the smaller gap at the electron pockets is anisotropic or even nodal.

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A New Ferromagnetic Superconductor: CsEuFe$_4$As$_4$

Superconductivity (SC) and ferromagnetism (FM) are in general antagonistic, which makes their coexistence very rare. Following our recent discovery of robust coexistence of SC and FM in RbEuFe$_4$As$_4$ [Y. Liu et al., arXiv: 1605.04396 (2016)], here we report another example of such a coexistence in its sister compound CsEuFe$_4$As$_4$, synthesized for the first time. The new material exhibits bulk SC at 35.2 K and Eu$^{2+}$-spin ferromagnetic ordering at 15.5 K, demonstrating that it is a new robust ferromagnetic superconductor.

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Superconductivity and Ferromagnetism in Hole-Doped RbEuFe$_4$As$_4$

We discover a robust coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism in an iron arsenide RbEuFe$_4$As$_4$. The new material crystallizes in an intergrowth structure of RbFe$_2$As$_2$ and EuFe$_2$As$_2$, such that the Eu sublattice turns out to be primitive instead of being body-centered in EuFe$_2$As$_2$. The FeAs layers, featured by asymmetric As coordinations, are hole doped due to charge homogenization. Our combined measurements of electrical transport, magnetization and heat capacity unambiguously and consistently indicate bulk superconductivity at 36.5 K in the FeAs layers and ferromagnetism at 15 K in the Eu sublattice. Interestingly, the Eu-spin ferromagnetic ordering belongs to a rare third-order transition, according to the Ehrenfest classification of phase transition. We also identify an additional anomaly at $\sim$ 5 K, which is possibly associated with the interplay between superconductivity and ferromagnetism.

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Crystal Chemistry and Structural Design of Iron-Based Superconductors

The second class of high-temperature superconductors (HTSCs), iron-based pnictides and chalcogenides, necessarily contain Fe$_2$$X_2$ ("$X$" refers to a pnictogen or a chalcogen element) layers, just like the first class of HTSCs which possess the essential CuO$_2$ sheets. So far, dozens of iron-based HTSCs, classified into nine groups, have been discovered. In this article, the crystal-chemistry aspects of the known iron-based superconductors are reviewed and summarized by employing "hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB)" concept. Based on these understandings, we propose an alternative route to exploring new iron-based superconductors via rational structural design.

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A New ZrCuSiAs-Type Superconductor: ThFeAsN

We report the first nitrogen-containing iron-pnictide superconductor ThFeAsN, which is synthesized by a solid-state reaction in an evacuated container. The compound crystallizes in a ZrCuSiAs-type structure with the space group P4/nmm and lattice parameters a=4.0367(1) Å and c=8.5262(2) Å at 300 K. The electrical resistivity and dc magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate superconductivity at 30 K for the nominally undoped ThFeAsN.

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Synthesis, crystal structure and physical properties of quasi-one-dimensional ACr$_3$As$_3$ (A = Rb, Cs)

Recently, new Cr-based superconductors, A$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$ (A = K, Rb, Cs), have gained a strong interest because of their one-dimensional crystal structures and electron correlations. Here we report the crystal structure and physical properties of two related materials ACr$_3$As$_3$ (A = Rb, Cs) which are synthesized via a soft-chemical A+ deintercalation in A$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$. The new compounds remain one-dimensional (Cr$_3$As$_3$)$_{\infty}$ linear chains, and the interchain distance can be tuned by the incorporation of the alkali-metal cations with different sizes. The physical-property measurements indicate a local-moment behavior at high temperatures, and the moments freeze into a cluster spin-glass state below 5$\sim$6 K. No superconductivity was observed in both materials. We also found that, with increasing the interchain distance, the Cr effective moments increase monotonically, accompanied with the enhancement of semi-conductivity. Our results shed light on the understanding of occurrence of superconductivity in A$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$.

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Physical properties and electronic structure of Sr$_2$Cr$_3$As$_2$O$_2$ containing CrO$_2$ and Cr$_2$As$_2$ square-planar lattices

We report the physical properties and electronic structure calculations of a layered chromium oxypnictide, Sr$_2$Cr$_3$As$_2$O$_2$, which crystallizes in a Sr$_2$Mn$_3$As$_2$O$_2$-type structure containing both CrO$_2$ planes and Cr$_2$As$_2$ layers. The newly synthesized material exhibits a metallic conduction with a dominant electron-magnon scattering. Magnetic and specific-heat measurements indicate at least two intrinsic magnetic transitions below room temperature. One is an antiferromagnetic transition at 291 K, probably associated with a spin ordering in the Cr$_2$As$_2$ layers. Another transition is broad, occurring at around 38 K, and possibly due to a short-range spin order in the CrO$_2$ planes. Our first-principles calculations indicate predominant two-dimensional antiferromagnetic exchange couplings, and suggest a KG-type (i.e. K$_2$NiF$_4$ type for CrO$_2$ planes and G type for Cr$_2$As$_2$ layers) magnetic structure, with reduced moments for both Cr sublattices. The corresponding electronic states near the Fermi energy are mostly contributed from Cr-3$d$ orbitals which weakly (modestly) hybridize with the O-2$p$ (As-4$p$) orbitals in the CrO$_2$ (Cr$_2$As$_2$) layers. The bare bandstructure density of states at the Fermi level is only $\sim$1/4 of the experimental value derived from the low-temperature specific-heat data, consistent with the remarkable electron-magnon coupling. The title compound is argued to be a possible candidate to host superconductivity.

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Cluster spin-glass ground state in quasi-one-dimensional KCr$_{3}$As$_{3}$

We report structural and physical properties of a new quasi-one-dimensional Cr-based compound, KCr$_{3}$As$_{3}$, which is prepared by potassium deintercalation from the superconductive K$_{2}$Cr$_{3}$As$_{3}$. KCr$_{3}$As$_{3}$ adopts the TlFe$_{3}$Te$_{3}$-type structure with space group $P6_{3}$/$m$ (No. 176). The high-temperature magnetic susceptibility obeys the Curie-Weiss law with an effective magnetic moment of 0.68 $μ_{\mathrm{B}}$/Cr. Below 56 K the susceptibility deviates from the high-temperature Curie-Weiss behavior, coinciding with the rapid increase in resistivity, which suggests formation of spin clusters. The short-range spin correlations are also supported by the specific-heat data. The title material does not exhibit bulk superconductivity; instead, it shows a cluster spin-glass state below $\sim$ 5 K.

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Coexistence of superconductivity and complex 4$f$ magnetism in Eu$_{0.5}$Ce$_{0.5}$BiS$_{2}$F

EuBiS$_{2}$F is a self-doped superconductor due to the mixed valence of Eu. Here we report that, with the Ce substitution for Eu by 50 at.\%, the material exhibits ferromagnetic ordering at 8 K for the Ce-4$f$ moment, superconductivity at 2.2 K in the BiS$_2$ layers, and possibly antiferromagnetic ordering at 2.1 K for the Eu-4$f$ spins. The Eu valence is essentially divalent with the Ce incorporation. We tentatively interpret the coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity by considering different Bi-6$p$ orbitals that are responsible for superconductivity itself and for mediating the ferromagnetic interaction, respectively. We argue that the antiferromagnetic ordering of the Eu-4$f$ spins is most likely due to a magnetic dipole-dipole interaction.

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NMR Investigation of the Quasi One-dimensional Superconductor K$_{2}$Cr$_{3}$As$_{3}$

We report $^{75}$As NMR measurements on the new quasi one-dimensional superconductor K$_{2}$Cr$_{3}$As$_{3}$ ($T_{c} \sim 6.1$~K) [J.\ K.\ Bao et al., Phys. Rev. X {\bf 5}, 011013 (2015)]. We found evidence for strong enhancement of Cr spin fluctuations above $T_c$ in the [Cr$_{3}$As$_{3}$]$_{\infty}$ double-walled subnano-tubes based on the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate $1/T_{1}$. The power law temperature dependence, $1/T_{1}T \sim T^{-γ}$ ($γ\sim 0.25$), is consistent with the Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid. Moreover, absence of the Hebel-Slichter coherence peak of $1/T_{1}$ just below $T_{c}$ suggests unconventional nature of superconductivity.

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Unconventional superconductivity in quasi-one-dimensional Rb$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$

Following the discovery of superconductivity in quasi-one-dimensional K$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$ containing [(Cr$_3$As$_3$)$^{2-}$]$_{\infty}$ chains [J. K. Bao et al., arXiv: 1412.0067 (2014)], we succeeded in synthesizing an analogous compound, Rb$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$, which also crystallizes in a hexagonal lattice. The replacement of K by Rb results in an expansion of $a$ axis by 3\%, indicating a weaker interchain coupling in Rb$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$. Bulk superconductivity emerges at 4.8 K, above which the normal-state resistivity shows a linear temperature dependence up to 35 K. The estimated upper critical field at zero temperature exceeds the Pauli paramagnetic limit by a factor of two. Furthermore, the electronic specific-heat coefficient extrapolated to zero temperature in the mixed state increases with $\sqrt{H}$, suggesting existence of nodes in the superconducting energy gap. Hence Rb$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$ manifests itself as another example of unconventional superconductor in the Cr$_3$As$_3$-chain based system.

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Superconductivity in quasi-one-dimensional K$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$ with significant electron correlations

We report the discovery of bulk superconductivity (SC) at 6.1 K in a quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) chromium pnictide K$_2$Cr$_3$As$_3$ which contains [(Cr$_3$As$_3$)$^{2-}$]$_{\infty}$ double-walled subnano-tubes with face-sharing Cr$_{6/2}$ (As$_{6/2}$) octahedron linear chains in the inner (outer) wall. The material has a large electronic specific-heat coefficient of 70$\sim$75 mJ K$^{-2}$ mol$^{-1}$, indicating significantly strong electron correlations. Signature of non-Fermi liquid behavior is shown by the linear temperature dependence of resistivity in a broad temperature range from 7 to 300 K. Unconventional SC is preliminarily manifested by the estimated upper critical field exceeding the Pauli limit by a factor of three to four. The title compound represents a rare example that possibly unconventional SC emerges in a Q1D system with strong electron correlations.

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Multiband superconductivity in Ta$_4$Pd$_3$Te$_{16}$ with anisotropic gap structure

We carried out the measurements of magnetoresistance, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat on crystals of the low-dimensional transition metal telluride Ta$_4$Pd$_3$Te$_{16}$. Our results indicate that Ta$_4$Pd$_3$Te$_{16}$ is an anisotropic type-II superconductor with the extracted Ginzburg-Landau parameter $κ_{\text{GL}}=$ 84. The upper critical field $H_{c2}$($T$) shows a linear dependence at low temperature and the anisotropy of $H_{c2}$($T$) is strongly $T$-dependent, both of which indicate a multiband scenario. A detailed analysis reveals that the electronic specific heat $C_{\text{el}}$($T$) can be consistently described by a two-gap ($s$+$d$ waves) model from the base temperature $T/T_c\sim$ 0.12 up to $T_c$. Our data suggests multiband superconductivity in Ta$_4$Pd$_3$Te$_{16}$ with anisotropic gap structure.

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Superconductivity in quasi-one-dimensional Cs2Cr3As3 with large interchain distance

Since the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity (SC) in quasi-two-dimensional copper oxides, a few layered compounds, which bear similarities to the cuprates, have also been found to host unconventional SC. Our recent observation of SC at 6.1 K in correlated electron material K2Cr3As3 (J. K. Bao et al., arXiv: 1412.0067) represents an obviously different paradigm, primarily because of its quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) nature. The new material is structurally featured by the (Cr3As3)2- double-walled subnano-tubes composed of face-sharing Cr6/2 (As6/2) octahedron linear chains, which are well separated by columns of K+ counterions. Later, an isostructural superconducting Rb2Cr3As3 was synthesized, thus forming a new superconducting family. Here we report the third member, Cs2Cr3As3, which possesses the largest interchain distance. SC appears below 2.2 K. Similar to the former two sister compounds, Cs2Cr3As3 exhibits a non-Fermi liquid behavior with a linear temperature dependence of resistivity in the normal state, and a high upper critical field beyond the Pauli limit as well, suggesting common unconventional SC in the Q1D Cr-based material.

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