arXiv subjects

Haifeng Du

Publications and source records attributed to Haifeng Du.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Magnetic skyrmion braids

Filamentary textures can take the form of braided, rope-like superstructures in nonlinear media such as plasmas and superfluids. The formation of similar superstructures in solids has been predicted, for example from flux lines in superconductors. However, their observation has proved challenging. Here, we use electron microscopy and numerical methods to reveal braided superstructures of magnetic skyrmions in thin crystals of B20-type FeGe. Their discovery opens the door to applications of rich topological landscapes of geometric braids in magnetic solids.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Creation of a Chiral Bobber Lattice in Helimagnet-Multilayer Heterostructures

A chiral bobber is a localized three-dimensional magnetization configuration, terminated by a singularity. Chiral bobbers coexist with magnetic skyrmions in chiral magnets, lending themselves to new types of skyrmion-complementary bits of information. However, the on-demand creation of bobbers, as well as their direct observation remained elusive. Here, we introduce a new mechanism for creating a stable chiral bobber lattice state via the proximity of two skyrmion species with comparable size. This effect is experimentally demonstrated in a Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$/[Ta/CoFeB/MgO]$_4$ heterostructure in which an exotic bobber lattice state emerges in the phase diagram of Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$. To unambiguously reveal the existence of the chiral bobber lattice state, we have developed a novel characterization technique, magnetic truncation rod analysis, which is based on resonant elastic x-ray scattering.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

An Adaptive Networks Model to Simulate Consensus Formation Driven by Social Identity Recognition

Models of the consensus of the individual state in social systems have been the subject of recent researches in the physics literature. We investigate how network structures coevolve with the individual state under the framework of social identity theory. And we propose an adaptive network model to achieve state consensus or local structural adjustment of individuals by evaluating the homogeneity among them. Specifically, the similarity threshold significantly affects the evolution of the network with different initial conditions, and thus there emerges obvious community structure and polarization. More importantly, there exists a critical point of phase transition, at which the network may evolve into a significant community structure and state-consistent group.

cs.SI↗

arXiv2020

Very large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in two-dimensional Janus manganese dichalcogenides and its application to realize skyrmion states

The Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI), which only exists in noncentrosymmetric systems, is responsible for the formation of exotic chiral magnetic states. The absence of DMI in most two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials is due to their intrinsic inversion symmetry. Here, using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that significant DMI can be obtained in a series of Janus monolayers of manganese dichalcogenides MnXY in which the difference between X and Y on the opposites sides of Mn breaks the inversion symmetry. In particular, the DMI amplitudes of MnSeTe and MnSTe are comparable to those of state-of-the-art ferromagnet/heavy metal (FM/HM) heterostructures. In addition, by performing Monte Carlo simulations, we find that at low temperatures the ground states of the MnSeTe and MnSTe monolayers can transform from ferromagnetic states with worm-like magnetic domains into the skyrmion states by applying external magnetic field. At increasing temperature, the skyrmion states starts fluctuating above 50 K before an evolution to a completely disordered structure at higher temperature. The present results pave the way for new device concepts utilizing chiral magnetic structures in specially designed 2D ferromagnetic materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Recognition of Fermi-arc states through the magnetoresistance quantum oscillations in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 nanoplates

The disjointed Fermi-arcs in Weyl semimetals can intertwine with chiral bulk modes and participate in unusual closed magnetic orbits in the presence of a vertical magnetic field. Here we carry out the quantum oscillation study of such unusual Weyl magnetic orbits in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2, a close cousin of Weyl semimetals. We find that extra two-dimensional (2D) quantum oscillations emerge at high field, which superimpose on 3D bulk background and can be attributed to the Weyl magnetic orbits, when the thickness of nanoplates is smaller than the mean free path of the electrons. Further evidence of the 2D quantum oscillations from the Weyl magnetic orbits is provided by the nonlocal detection, which demonstrates an alternative way to study the quantum transport properties of Fermi-arcs under magnetic field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Probing the Chiral Anomaly by Planar Hall Effect in Three-dimensional Dirac Semimetal Cd3As2 Nanoplates

Searching for exotic transport properties in new topological state of matters is an active topic. One of the most fascinating achievements is the chiral anomaly in recently discovered Weyl semimetals (WSMs), which is manifested as a negative longitudinal magnetoresistance (LMR) in the presence of a magnetic field B parallel to an electric field E. Another predicted key effect closely related to the chiral anomaly is the planar Hall effect (PHE), which has not been identified in WSMs so far. Here we carried out the planar Hall measurements on Cd3As2 nanoplates, and found that, accompanied by the large negative LMR, a PHE with non-zero transverse voltage can be developed while tilting the in-plane magnetic field B away from the electric field E. Further experiments reveal that both the PHE and the negative LMR can be suppressed synchronously by increasing the temperature, but still visible at room temperature, indicating the same origin of these two effects. The observation of PHE in Cd3As2 nanoplates gives another transport evidence for the chiral anomaly and provides a deep insight into the chiral charge pumping in Weyl Fermions system.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Tricritical point and phase diagram based on critical scaling in monoaxial chiral helimagnet Cr1/3NbS2

In this work, the magnetism of the single crystal Cr$_{1/3}$NbS$_{2}$, which exhibits chiral magnetic soliton lattice (CSL) state, is investigated. The magnetization displays strong magnetic anisotropy when the field is applied perpendicularly and parallel to the $c$-axis in low field region ($H<H_{S}$, $H_{S}$ is the saturation field). The critical exponents of Cr$_{1/3}$NbS$_{2}$ are obtained as $β=$ 0.370(4), $γ=$ 1.380(2), and $δ=$ 4.853(6), which are close to the theoretical prediction of three-dimensional Heisenberg model. Based on the scaling equation and the critical exponents, the $H-T$ phase diagram in the vicinity of the phase transition is constructed, where two critical points are determined. One is a tricritical point which locates at the intersection between the CSL, forced ferromagnetic (FFM), and paramagnetic (PM) states. The other one is a critical point situated at the boundaries between CSL, helimagnetic (HM), and PM states.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2017

Field induced topological phase transition from a three-dimensional Weyl semimetal to a two-dimensional massive Dirac metal in ZrTe5

Symmetry protected Dirac semimetals can be transformed into Weyl semimetals by breaking the protecting symmetry, leading to many exotic quantum phenomena such as chiral anomaly and anomalous Hall effect. Here we show that, due to the large Zeeman g factor and small band width along b-axis in Dirac semimetal ZrTe5, a magnetic field of about 8 T along b-axis direction may annihilate the Weyl points and open up a two-dimensional (2D) Dirac mass gap, when the Zeeman splitting exceeds the band width along b-axis. This is manifested by a sharp drop of magnetoresistance (MR) above 8 T, which is probably due to additional carriers induced by the orbital splitting of the zeroth Landau level associated with the 2D Dirac point, which is descendant of the original Weyl points. Further evidence of the additional carriers is provided by the Hall effect and different anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) in low and high field regions. Our experiment reveals a probable topological quantum phase transition of field induced Weyl points annihilation in Dirac semimetal ZrTe5 and gives an alternative explanation for the drop of MR at high field.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Direct imaging of a zero-field target skyrmion and its polarity switch in a chiral magnetic nanodisk

A target skyrmion is a flux-closed spin texture that has two-fold degeneracy and is promising as a binary state in next generation universal memories. Although its formation in nanopatterned chiral magnets has been predicted, its observation has remained challenging. Here, we use off-axis electron holography to record images of target skyrmions in a 160-nm-diameter nanodisk of the chiral magnet FeGe. We compare experimental measurements with numerical simulations, demonstrate switching between two stable degenerate target skyrmion ground states that have opposite polarities and rotation senses and discuss the observed switching mechanism.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Experimental observation of magnetic bobbers for a new concept of magnetic solid-state memory

The use of chiral skyrmions, which are nanoscale vortex-like spin textures, as movable data bit carriers forms the basis of a recently proposed concept for magnetic solid-state memory. In this concept, skyrmions are considered to be unique localized spin textures, which are used to encode data through the quantization of different distances between identical skyrmions on a guiding nanostripe. However, the conservation of distances between highly mobile and interacting skyrmions is difficult to implement in practice. Here, we report the direct observation of another type of theoretically-predicted localized magnetic state, which is referred to as a chiral bobber (ChB), using quantitative off-axis electron holography. We show that ChBs can coexist together with skyrmions. Our results suggest a novel approach for data encoding, whereby a stream of binary data representing a sequence of ones and zeros can be encoded via a sequence of skyrmions and bobbers. The need to maintain defined distances between data bit carriers is then not required. The proposed concept of data encoding promises to expedite the realization of a new generation of magnetic solid-state memory.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Extremely large magnetoresistance in a topological semimetal candidate pyrite PtBi2

While pyrite-type PtBi2 with face-centered cubic structure has been predicted to be a three-dimensional (3D) Dirac semimetal, experimental study on its physical properties remains absent. Here we report the angular-dependent magnetoresistance (MR) measurements of PtBi2 single-crystal under high magnetic fields. We observed extreme large unsaturated magnetoresistance (XMR) up to 11.2 million percent at T = 1.8 K in a magnetic field of 33 T, which surpasses the previously reported Dirac materials, such as WTe2, LaSb and NbP. The crystals exhibit an ultrahigh mobility and significant Shubnikov-de Hass (SdH) quantum oscillations with nontrivial Berry's phase. Analysis of Hall resistivity indicates that the XMR can be ascribed to the nearly compensated electron and hole. Our experimental results associated with the ab initio calculations suggest that pyrite PtBi2 is a topological semimetal candidate which might provide a platform for exploring topological materials with XMR in noble metal alloys.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Thickness-tuned transition of band topology in ZrTe5 nanosheets

We report thickness-tuned electrical transport and Hall resistivity in highly anisotropic three-dimensional Dirac semimetal ZrTe5 nanosheets. We find that when the thickness of the nanosheet is blow about 40 nm, the system takes a clear transition from topological semimetal with two bands carriers to a single band with conventional hole carriers. The resistivity peak temperature T* decreases systematically with decreasing thickness down to about 40 nm, then shifts up with the further decrease of the thickness. Analysis of the data below 40 nm indicates that the hole carriers completely dominate the transport in the entire temperature range, regardless of the temperature being below or above T*. By further tracking the carrier density, we find that the Fermi level shifts consecutively downward from conduction band to the valence band as decreasing the thickness. Our experiments unambiguously reveal a highly thickness-tuned transition of band topology in ZrTe5 nanosheets.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Superconductivity and Charge Density Wave in ZrTe$_{3-x}$Se$_{x}$

Charge density wave (CDW), the periodic modulation of the electronic charge density, will open a gap on the Fermi surface that commonly leads to decreased or vanishing conductivity. On the other hand superconductivity, a commonly believed competing order, features a Fermi surface gap that results in infinite conductivity. Here we report that superconductivity emerges upon Se doping in CDW conductor ZrTe$_{3}$ when the long range CDW order is gradually suppressed. Superconducting critical temperature $T_c(x)$ in ZrTe$_{3-x}$Se$_x$ (${0\leq}x\leq0.1$) increases up to 4 K plateau for $0.04$$\leq$$x$$\leq$$0.07$. Further increase in Se content results in diminishing $T_{c}$ and filametary superconductivity. The CDW modes from Raman spectra are observed in $x$ = 0.04 and 0.1 crystals, where signature of ZrTe$_{3}$ CDW order in resistivity vanishes. The electronic-scattering for high $T_{c}$ crystals is dominated by local CDW fluctuations at high temperures, the resistivity is linear up to highest measured $T=300K$ and contributes to substantial in-plane anisotropy.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Weak localization effect in topological insulator micro flakes grown on insulating ferrimagnet BaFe12O19

Many exotic physics anticipated in topological insulators require a gap to be opened for their topologica surface states by breaking time reversal symmetry. The gap opening has been achieved by doping magnetic impurities, which however inevitably create extra carriers and disorder that undermine the electronic transport. In contrast, the proximity to a ferromagnetic/ferrimagnetic insulator may improve the device quality, thus promises a better way to open the gap while minimizing the side-effects. Here, we grow thin single-crystal Sb1.9Bi0.1Te3 micro flakes on insulating ferrimagnet BaFe12O19 by using the van der Waals epitaxy technique. The micro flakes show a negative magnetoresistance in weak perpendicular fields below 50 K, which can be quenched by increasing temperature. The signature implies the weak localization effect as its origin, which is absent in intrinsic topological insulators, unless a surface state gap is opened. The surface state gap is estimated to be 10 meV by using the theory of the gap-induced weak localization effect. These results indicate that the magnetic proximity effect may open the gap for the topological surface attached to BaM insulating ferrimagnet. This heterostructure may pave the way for the realization of new physical effects as well as the potential applications of spintronics devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Transport evidence for the three-dimensional Dirac semimetal phase in ZrTe5

Topological Dirac semimetal is a newly discovered class of materials and has attracted intense attentions. This material can be viewed as a three-dimensional (3D) analogue of graphene and has linear energy dispersion in bulk, leading to a range of exotic transport properties. Here we report direct quantum transport evidence of 3D Dirac semimetal phase of layered material ZrTe5 by angular dependent magnetoresistance measurements under high magnetic fields up to 31 Tesla. We observed very clear negative longitudinal magnetoresistance induced by chiral anomaly under the condition of the magnetic field aligned only along the current direction. Pronounced Shubnikov-de Hass (SdH) quantum oscillations in both longitudinal magnetoresistance and transverse Hall resistance were observed, revealing anisotropic light cyclotron masses and high mobility of the system. In particular, a nontrivial π-Berry phase in the SdH gives clear evidence for 3D Dirac semimetal phase. Furthermore, we observed clear Landau Level splitting under high magnetic field, suggesting possible splitting of Dirac point into Weyl points due to broken time reversal symmetry. Our results indicate that ZrTe5 is an ideal platform to study 3D massless Dirac and Weyl fermions in a layered compound.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Edge-Mediated Skyrmion Chain and Its Collective Dynamics in a Confined Geometry

The emergence of a topologically nontrivial vortex-like magnetic structure, the magnetic skyrmion, has launched new concepts for memory devices. There, extensive studies have theoretically demonstrated the ability to encode information bits by using a chain of skyrmions in one-dimensional nanostripes. Here, we report the first experimental observation of the skyrmion chain in FeGe nanostripes by using high resolution Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. Under an applied field normal to the nanostripes plane, we observe that the helical ground states with distorted edge spins would evolves into individual skyrmions, which assemble in the form of chain at low field and move collectively into the center of nanostripes at elevated field. Such skyrmion chain survives even as the width of nanostripe is much larger than the single skyrmion size. These discovery demonstrates new way of skyrmion formation through the edge effect, and might, in the long term, shed light on the applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Electrical Probing of Field-Driven Cascading Quantized Transitions of Skyrmion Cluster States in MnSi Nanowires

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically stable whirlpool-like spin textures that offer great promise as information carriers for future ultra-dense memory and logic devices1-4. To enable such applications, particular attention has been focused on the skyrmions properties in highly confined geometry such as one dimensional nanowires5-8. Hitherto it is still experimentally unclear what happens when the width of the nanowire is comparable to that of a single skyrmion. Here we report the experimental demonstration of such scheme, where magnetic field-driven skyrmion cluster (SC) states with small numbers of skyrmions were demonstrated to exist on the cross-sections of ultra-narrow single-crystal MnSi nanowires (NWs) with diameters, comparable to the skyrmion lattice constant (18 nm). In contrast to the skyrmion lattice in bulk MnSi samples, the skyrmion clusters lead to anomalous magnetoresistance (MR) behavior measured under magnetic field parallel to the NW long axis, where quantized jumps in MR are observed and directly associated with the change of the skyrmion number in the cluster, which is supported by Monte Carlo simulations. These jumps show the key difference between the clustering and crystalline states of skyrmions, and lay a solid foundation to realize skyrmion-based memory devices that the number of skyrmions can be counted via conventional electrical measurements.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Evidence of topological two-dimensional metallic surface states in thin bismuth nanoribbons

Understanding of the exotic quantum phenomena in bulk bismuth beyond its ultraquantum limit still remains controversial and gives rise to a renewed interest. The focus of the issues is whether these quantum properties have a conventional bulk nature or just the surface effect due to the significant spin-orbital interaction and in relation to the Bi-based topological insulators. Here, we present angular-dependent magnetoresistance (AMR) measurements on single-crystal bismuth nanoribbons of different thickness with magnetic fields up to 31 T. In thin nanoribbons with thickness of ~40 nm, a two-fold rational symmetry of the low field AMR spectra and two sets of 1/2-shifted (i.e. γ=1/2) Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) quantum oscillations with exact two- dimensional (2D) character were obtained. However, when the thickness of the ribbon increases, a 3D bulk-like SdH oscillations with γ=0 and a four-fold rotational symmetry of the AMR spectra appear. These results unambiguously provided the first transport evidence of the topological 2D metallic surface states in thinner nanoribbons with an insulating bulk. Our observations provide a promising pathway to understand the quantum phenomena in Bi arising from the surface states.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗