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Hai-Hu Wen

Publications and source records attributed to Hai-Hu Wen.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Physical properties revealed by transport measurements on superconducting Nd$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_{2}$ thin films

The newly found superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelate superconducting films has attracted much attention, because their crystalline and electronic structures are similar to high-$T_c$ cuprate superconductors. The upper critical field can provide much information on superconductivity, but detailed experimental data are still lacking in these films. Here we present temperature and angle dependence of resistivity measured under different magnetic fields ($H$) in Nd$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_{2}$ thin films. The onset superconducting transition occurs at about 16.2 K at 0 T. Temperature dependent upper critical fields determined by using a criterion very close to the onset transition show a clear negative curvature near the critical transition temperature, which is explained as the consequence of the paramagnetically limited effect on superconductivity. The temperature dependent anisotropy of the upper critical field is obtained from resistivity data, which yields a value decreasing from 3 to 1.2 with lowering temperature. This can be explained by a variable contribution from the orbital limit effect on upper critical field. The angle dependent resistivity at a fixed temperature and different magnetic fields cannot be scaled to one curve, which deviates from the prediction of the anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau theory. However, at low temperatures, the increased resistivity by magnetic field can be scaled by the parameter $H^β|\cosθ|$ ($1<β<6$) with $θ$ the angle enclosed between $c$-axis and the applied magnetic field. As the first detailed study on the upper critical field of the nickelate thin films, our results clearly indicate a small anisotropy and paramagnetically limited effect of superconductivity in nickelate superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Van Hove Singularity Arising from Mexican-Hat-Shaped Inverted Bands in the Topological Insulator Sn-doped Bi$_{1.1}$Sb$_{0.9}$Te$_{2}$S

The optical properties of Sn-doped Bi$_{1.1}$Sb$_{0.9}$Te$_{2}$S, the most bulk-insulating topological insulator thus far, have been examined at different temperatures over a broad frequency range. No Drude response is detected in the low-frequency range down to 30~cm$^{-1}$, corroborating the excellent bulk-insulating property of this material. Intriguingly, we observe a sharp peak at about 2\,200~cm$^{-1}$ in the optical conductivity at 5~K. Further quantitative analyses of the line shape and temperature dependence of this sharp peak, in combination with first-principles calculations, suggest that it corresponds to a van Hove singularity arising from Mexican-hat-shaped inverted bands. Such a van Hove singularity is a pivotal ingredient of various strongly correlated phases.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Unconventional superconductivity induced by suppressing an iron-selenium based Mott insulator CsFe4-xSe4

There are several FeSe based superconductors, including the bulk FeSe, monolayer FeSe thin film, intercalated KxFe2-ySe2 and Li1-xFexOHFeSe, etc. Their normal states all show metallic behavior. The key player here is the FeSe layer which exhibits the highest superconducting transition temperature in the form of monolayer thin film. Recently a new FeSe based compound, CsFe4-xSe4 with the space group of Bmmm was found. Interestingly the system shows a strong insulator-like behavior although it shares the same FeSe planes as other relatives. Density functional theory calculations indicate that it should be a metal, in sharp contrast with the experimental observations. Here we report the emergence of unconventional superconductivity by applying pressure to suppress this insulator-like behavior. At ambient pressure, the insulator-like behavior cannot be modeled as a band insulator, but can be described by the variable-range-hopping model for correlated systems. Furthermore, the specific heat down to 400 mK has been measured and a significant residual coefficient gamma_0=C/T|T->0 is observed, which contrasts the insulator-like state and suggests some quantum freedom of spin dynamics. By applying pressure the insulator-like behavior is gradually suppressed and the system becomes a metal, finally superconductivity is achieved at about 5.1 K. The superconducting transition strongly depends on magnetic field and applied current, indicating a fragile superfluid density. Our results suggest that the superconductivity is established by diluted Cooper pairs on top of a strong correlation background in CsFe4-xSe4.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Two superconducting components with different symmetries in Nd1-xSrxNiO2 films

The pairing mechanism in cuprates remains as one of the most challenging issues in the field of condensed matter physics. The unique 3d9 electron orbital of the Cu2+ ionic states in cuprates is supposed to be the major player for the occurrence of superconductivity. Recently, superconductivity at about 9-15 K was discovered in infinite layer thin films of nickelate Nd1-xSrxNiO2 (x=0.1-0.2) which is believed to have the similar 3d9 orbital electrons. The key issue concerned here is about the superconducting gap function. Here we report the first set data of single particle tunneling measurements on the superconducting nickelate thin films. We find predominantly two types of tunneling spectra, one shows a V-shape feature which can be fitted very well by a d-wave gap function with gap maximum of about 3.9 meV, another one exhibits a full gap of about 2.35 meV. Some spectra demonstrate mixed contributions of these two components. Our results suggest that the newly found Ni-based superconductors play as close analogs to cuprates, and thus demonstrate the commonality of unconventional superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Contrasting physical properties of the trilayer nickelates Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ and Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_8$

We report the crystal structures and physical properties of trilayer nickelates Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ and Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_8$. Measurements of magnetization and electrical resistivity display contrasting behaviors in the two compounds. Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ shows a paramagnetic metallic behavior with a metal to metal phase transition($T^{\ast}$) at about 162 K, as revealed by both magnetic susceptibility and resistivity. Further magnetoresistance and Hall coefficient results show a negative magnetoresistance at low temperatures and the carrier type of Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ is dominated by hole-type charge carriers. The significant enhancement of Hall coefficient and resistivity below $T^{\ast}$ suggest that effective charge carrier density decreases when cooling through the transition temperature. In contrast, Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_8$ shows an insulating behavior despite small value of resistivity at room temperature. The compound shows paramagnetic behavior, with the similar magnetic moments as in Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ derived from the Curie-Weiss fitting. This may suggest that the magnetic moments in both systems are contributed by the Nd ions. By applying pressures up to about 49 GPa, the insulating behavior is still present and becomes even stronger. Our results suggest that the different Ni configurations ($Ni^{1+/2+}$ or $Ni^{2+/3+}$) and competition between localized and itinerant electrons may account for the contrasting behaviors in trilayer nickelates Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ and Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_8$.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Twofold symmetry of proximity-induced superconductivity in Bi$_{2}$Te$_{3}$/Bi$_{2}$Sr$_{2}$CaCu$_{2}$O$_{8+δ}$ heterostructures revealed by scanning tunneling microscopy

We observe proximity-induced superconductivity in the \textit{in situ} prepared heterostructures constructed by topological insulator Bi$_{2}$Te$_{3}$ thin films and high-temperature cuprate superconductors Bi$_{2}$Sr$_{2}$CaCu$_{2}$O$_{8+δ}$. The superconducting gap maximum is about 7.6 meV on the surface of Bi$_{2}$Te$_{3}$ thin films with a thickness of two quintuple layers, and the gap value decreases with an increase in the film thickness. Moreover, the quasiparticle interference data show a clear evidence of a twofold symmetric superconducting gap with gap minima along one pair of the principal crystalline axes of Bi$_{2}$Te$_{3}$. This gap form is consistent with the $Δ_{4y}$ notation of the topological superconductivity proposed in such systems. Our results provide fruitful information of the possible topological superconductivity induced by the proximity effect in high-temperature superconducting cuprates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Superconductivity in Sm-doped 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene

We report the discovery of superconductivity at about 4.3 K in the samarium doped 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene. By using a solid state reaction method, the samarium doped 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene samples are successfully synthesized. These samples are characterized by magnetization, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope(SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) measurements. The X-ray diffractions reveal that the sample crystallizes in a space group of $P2/m$. The magnetization measurements reveal a superconducting transition at about 4.3 K. However, the superconducting shielding fraction is only about 1%, which is similar to the previous reports of the superconductivity in other aromatic hydrocarbons. Magnetization hysteresis loops (MHLs) of the sample show that it is a typical type-II superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Low temperature specific heat of 12442-type KCa_2Fe_4As_4F_2 single crystals

Low-temperature specific heat (SH) is measured for the 12442-type KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ single crystal under different magnetic fields. A clear SH jump with the height of $ΔC/T|_{T_c}$ = 130 mJ/mol K$^2$ is observed at the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$. It is found that the electronic SH coefficient $Δγ(H)$ quickly increases when the field is in the low-field region below 3 T and then considerably slows down the increase with a further increase in the field, which indicates a rather strong anisotropy or multi-gap feature with a small minimum in the superconducting gap(s). The temperature-dependent SH data indicates the presence of the $T^2$ term, which supplies further information and supports the picture with a line-nodal gap structure. Moreover, the onset point of the SH transition remains almost unchanged under the field as high as 9 T, which is similar to that observed in cuprates, and placed this system in the middle between the BCS limit and the Bose-Einstein condensation.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Absence of superconductivity in bulk Nd$_{1-x}$Sr$_x$NiO$_2$

Recently superconductivity at 9 - 15 K was discovered in an infinite-layer nickelate (Nd$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_2$ films), which has received enormous attention. Since the $Ni^{1+}$ ionic state in NdNiO$_2$ may have the $3d^9$ outer-shell electronic orbit which resembles that of the cuprates, it is very curious to know whether superconductivity discovered here has similar mechanism as that in the cuprates. By using a three-step method, we successfully synthesize the bulk samples of Nd$_{1-x}$Sr$_x$NiO$_2$ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4). The X-ray diffractions reveal that all the samples contain mainly the infinite layer phase of 112 with some amount of segregated Ni. This has also been well proved by the SEM image and the EDS composition analysis. The resistive measurements on the Sr doped samples show insulating behavior without the presence of superconductivity. Temperature dependence of the magnetic moment under high magnetic fields exhibits a Curie-Weiss law feature with the paramagnetic moment of about 2$μ_B$/f.u.. By applying pressure on Nd$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_2$ up to about 50.2 GPa, we find that the strong insulating behavior at ambient pressure is significantly suppressed, but superconductivity has not been observed either. Since the lattice constants derived from our XRD data are very close to those of the reported superconducting films, we argue that the superconductivity in the reported film may not originate from the expected Nd$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$NiO$_2$, but arise from the interface or the stress effect.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Decoupling of itinerant and localized $d$-orbital electrons in the compound Sc$_{0.5}$Zr$_{0.5}$Co

By using the arc-melting method, we successfully synthesized the compound Sc$_{0.5}$Zr$_{0.5}$Co with the space group of $Pm$-$3m$. Both the resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal a phase transition at about 86 K. This transition might be attributed to the establishment of an antiferromagnetic order. The magnetization hysteresis loop measurements in wide temperature region show a weak ferromagnetic feature, which suggests a possible canted arrangement of the magnetic moments. Bounded by the phase transition temperature, the resistivity at ambient pressure shows a change from Fermi liquid behavior to a super-linear behavior as temperature increases. By applying pressures up to 32.1 GPa, the transition temperature does not show a clear change and no superconductivity is observed above 2 K. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm the existence of the antiferromagnetic order and reveal a gap between the spin-up and spin-down $d$-orbital electrons. This kind of behavior may suggest that the antiferromagnetic order in this compound originates from the localized $d$-electrons which do not contribute to the conductance. Thus the itinerant and localized $d$-orbital electrons in the compound are decoupled.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Multiband superconductivity and possible nodal gap in RbCr$_{3}$As$_{3}$ revealed by Andreev reflection and single-particle tunneling measurements

By measuring point-contact Andreev reflection (PCAR) spectra in the newly discovered chromium-based quasi-one-dimensional superconductor RbCr$_{3}$As$_{3}$, we find clear evidence of two superconducting components, i.e., one having a gap value of about 1.8 meV and another with a gap value of about 5 meV. Since the current injection may have components in both the direction parallel and perpendicular to the [(Cr$_{3}$As$_{3}$)$^{-}$]$_\infty$ chains in the PCAR measurements, it naturally explains the two-component feature observed in this multi-band superconductor. Detailed analysis shows that the larger gap may have an $s$-wave nature. We then carry out the single-particle tunneling measurements based on a scanning tunneling spectroscope by using the needle-like sample as the tip, and in this case the measured current is mainly parallel to the [(Cr$_{3}$As$_{3}$)$^{-}$]$_\infty$ chains. The single-particle tunneling spectra show only one gap feature with a gap value of about 1.8 meV. Fitting to the single particle tunneling spectra indicates that the gap should have a large anisotropy or even node(s). We argue that the absence of the larger gap may be related to the direction of the injecting current. Therefore, our combined experiments show the multiband superconductivity with one gap being nodal or highly anisotropic.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Observation and characterization of the zero energy conductance peak in the vortex core state of FeTe$_{0.55}$Se$_{0.45}$

The search for the Majorana fermions in condensed matter physics has attracted much attention, partially because they may be used for the fault-tolerant quantum computation. It has been predicted that the Majorana zero mode may exist in the vortex core of topological superconductors. Recently, many iron-based superconductors are claimed to exhibit a topologically nontrivial surface state, including Fe(Te,Se). Some previous experiments through scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) have found zero-bias conductance peaks (ZBCP) within the vortex cores of Fe(Te,Se). However, our early experimental results have revealed the Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon (CdGM) discrete quantum levels in about 20% vortices. In many other vortices, we observed a dominant peak locating near zero bias. Here we show further study on the vortex core state of many more vortices in FeTe$_{0.55}$Se$_{0.45}$. In some vortices, if we take a certain criterion of bias voltage window near zero energy, we indeed see a zero energy mode. Some vortices exhibit zero energy bound state peaks with relatively symmetric background, which cannot be interpreted as the CdGM discrete states. The probability for vortices showing the ZBCP lowers down with the increase of magnetic field. Meanwhile it seems that the presence and absence of the ZBCP has no clear relationship with the Te/Se ratio on the surface. Temperature dependence of the spectra reveals that the ZBCP becomes weakened with increasing temperature and disappears at about 4 K. Our results provide a confirmed supplementary to the early claimed zero energy modes within the vortex cores of Fe(Te,Se). Detailed characterization of these zero energy modes versus magnetic field, temperature and spatial distribution of Te/Se will help to clarify its origin.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Zero-Energy Modes on Superconducting Bismuth Islands Deposited on Fe(Te,Se)

Topological superconductivity is one of the frontier research directions in condensed matter physics. One of the unique elementary excitations in topological superconducting state is the Majorana fermion (mode) which is its own antiparticle and obeys the non-Abelian statistics, and thus useful for constructing the fault-tolerant quantum computing. The evidence for Majorana fermions (mode) in condensed matter state is now quickly accumulated. Here we report the easily achievable zero-energy mode on the tunneling spectra on Bi islands deposited on the Fe(Te,Se) superconducting single crystals. We interpret this result as the consequence of proximity effect induced topological superconductivity on the Bi islands with strong spin-orbital coupling effect. The zero-energy mode is argued to be the signature of the Majorana modes in this size confined system.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Accurate determination of the Fermi surface of tetragonal FeS via quantum oscillation measurements and quasiparticle self-consistent \textit{GW} calculations

We perform de Haas-van Alphen measurements and quasiparticle self-consistent \textit{GW} (QS\textit{GW}) calculations on FeS. The calculated Fermi surface (FS) consists of two hole and two electron cylinders. We observe all the eight predicted FS cross sections experimentally. With momentum-independent band-energy adjustments of less than 0.1 eV, the maximum deviation between the calculated and observed cross sections is less than 0.2\% of the Brillouin zone area for $B \parallel c$. The carrier density is $\sim$0.5 carriers/Fe. The mass enhancements are nearly uniform across the FS cylinders and moderate, $\sim$2. The absence of a third hole cylinder with $d_{xy}$ character is favorable for the formation of a nodal superconducting gap.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Comparative study of vortex dynamics in CaKFe4As4 and Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 single crystals

We investigate the vortex dynamics in two typical hole doped iron based superconductors CaKFe$_4$As$_4$ (CaK1144) and Ba$_{0.6}$K$_{0.4}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ (BaK122) with similar superconducting transition temperatures. It is found that the magnetization hysteresis loop exhibits a clear second peak effect in BaK122 in wide temperature region while it is absent in CaK1144. However, a second peak effect of critical current density versus temperature is observed in CaK1144, which is however absent in BaK122. The different behaviors of second peak effect in BaK122 and CaK1144 may suggest distinct origins of vortex pinning in different systems. Magnetization and its relaxation have also been measured by using dynamical and conventional relaxation methods for both systems. Analysis and comparison of the two distinct systems show that the vortex pinning is stronger and the critical current density is higher in BaK122 system. It is found that the Maley's method can be used and thus the activation energy can be determined in BaK122 by using the time dependent magnetization in wide temperature region, but this is not applicable in CaK1144 systems. Finally we present the different regimes with distinct vortex dynamics in the field-temperature diagram for the two systems.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Synergy and competition between superconductivity and antiferromagnetism in FeSe under pressure

Temperature dependence of resistivity under high pressures with magnetic fields parallel and perpendicular to the FeSe planes are measured in FeSe single crystals. It is found that the structural transition (nematic) temperature is suppressed by pressure and ends at around $P$ = 1.18 GPa. Below around 0.85 GPa, the superconducting transition shows a narrow width with no indication of antiferromagnetic order. While above this pressure, the superconducting transition temperature drops slightly forming a small dome of superconducting region with the maximum $T_c$ at around 0.825 GPa. Furthermore, just above this pressure, the superconducting transition exhibits an unusual large transition width which reaches about 6-8 K. This wide transition width is an intrinsic feature and does not change with magnetic field. In the high pressure region above 1.18 GPa, just accompanying the onset of superconducting transition, an upturn of resistivity immediately occurs, which is attributed to the formation of an antiferromagnetic order. This closely attached behavior of superconductivity and antiferromagnetic order indicates that these two orders have a synergy feature. Near the critical pressure 0.825 GPa and below, our data illustrate that an antiferromagnetic order emerges when superconductivity is suppressed. From the weak influence of magnetic field to the antiferromagnetic order, we conclude that it exists already below the small superconducting dome in the low pressure region. This shows a competing feature between superconductivity and antiferromagnetic order. Our results show duality features, namely synergy and competition between superconductivity and antiferromagnetic order under pressure in FeSe.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Direct visualization of sign reversal s^+- superconducting gaps in FeTe0.55Se0.45

In many unconventional superconductors, the pairing of electrons is driven by the repulsive interaction, which leads to the sign reversal of superconducting gaps along the Fermi surfaces (FS) or between them. However, to measure this sign change is not easy and straightforward. It is known that, in superconductors with sign reversal gaps, non-magnetic impurities can break Cooper pairs leading to the quasiparticle density of states in the superconducting state. The standing waves of these quasiparticles will interfere each other leading to the quasiparticle interference (QPI) pattern which carries the phase message reflecting also the superconducting gap structure. Based on the recently proposed defect-bound-state QPI technique, we explore the applicability of this technique to a typical iron based superconductor FeTe$_{0.55}$Se$_{0.45}$ with roughly equivalent gap values on the electron and hole pockets connected by the wave vector q_2=(0,π). It is found that, on the negative energy side, with the energy slightly below the gap value, the phase reference quantity $|g(q,-E)|\cos(θ_{q,+E}-θ_{q,-E}) becomes negative and the amplitude is strongly enhanced with the scattering vector q_2, but that corresponding to the scattering between the electron-electron pockets, namely q_3=(π,π), keeps all positive. This is well consistent with the theoretical expectation of the s^+- pairing gap and thus serves as a direct visualization of the sign reversal gaps. This experimental observation is also supported by the theoretical calculations with the Fermi surface structure and s^+- pairing gap.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Directly visualizing the sign change of d-wave superconducting gap in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ by phase-referenced quasiparticle interference

The superconducting state is achieved by the condensation of Cooper pairs and is protected by the superconducting gap. The pairing interaction between the two electrons of a Cooper pair determines the superconducting gap function. Thus, it is very pivotal to detect the gap structure for understanding the mechanism of superconductivity. In cuprate superconductors, it has been well established that the superconducting gap may have a d-wave function Δ = Δ_0cos2θ. This gap function has an alternative sign change by every pi/2 in the momentum space when the in-plane azimuthal angle theta is scanned. It is very hard to visualize this sign change. Early experiments for recommending or proving this d-wave gap function were accomplished by the specially designed phase sensitive measurements based on the Josephson effect. Here we report the measurements of scanning tunneling spectroscopy in one of the model cuprate system Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ and conduct the analysis of phase-referenced quasiparticle interference (QPI). Due to the unique quasiparticle excitations in the superconducting state of cuprate, we have seen the seven basic scattering vectors that connect each pair of the terminals of the banana-shaped contour of constant quasiparticle energy (CCE). The phase-referenced QPI clearly visualizes the sign change of the d-wave gap. Our results illustrate a very effective way for determining the sign change of unconventional superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗