arXiv subjects

Hidetomo Usui

Publications and source records attributed to Hidetomo Usui.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Enhanced power factor and reduced Lorenz number in the Wiedemann--Franz law due to pudding mold type band structures

We study the relationship between the shape of the electronic band structure and the thermoelectric properties. In order to study the band shape dependence of the thermoelectric properties generally, we first adopt models with band structures having the dispersion $E({\bf k}) \sim |{\bf k}|^n$ with $n = 2, 4$ and 6. We consider one, two- and three dimensional systems, and calculate the thermoelectric properties using the Boltzmann equation approach within the constant quasi-particle lifetime approximation. $n = 2$ corresponds to the usual parabolic band structure, while the band shape for $n = 4, 6$ has a flat portion at the band edge, so that the density of states diverges at the bottom of the band. We call this kind of band structure the "pudding mold type band". $n \ge 4$ belong to the pudding mold type band, but since the density of states diverges even for $n= 2$ in one dimensional system, this is also categorized as the pudding mold type. Due to the large density of states and the rapid change of the group velocity around the band edge, the spectral conductivity of the pudding mold type band structures becomes larger than that of the usual parabolic band structures. It is found that the pudding mold type band has a coexistence of large Seebeck coefficient and large electric conductivity, and small Lorenz number in the Wiedemann--Franz law due to the specific band shape. We also find that the low dimensionality of the band structure can contribute to large electronic conductivity and hence a small Lorenz number. We conclude that the pudding mold type band, especially in low dimensional systems, can enhance not only the power factor but also the dimensionless figure of merit due to stronger violation of the Wiedemann--Franz law.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Finite energy spin fluctuation as a pairing glue in systems with coexisting electron and hole bands

We study, within the fluctuation exchange approximation, the spin-fluctuation-mediated superconductivity in Hubbard-type models possessing electron and hole bands, and compare them with a model on a square lattice with a large Fermi surface. In the square lattice model, superconductivity is more enhanced for better nesting for a fixed band filling. By contrast, in the models with electron and hole bands, superconductivity is optimized when the Fermi surface nesting is degraded to some extent, where finite energy spin fluctuation around the nesting vector develops. The difference lies in the robustness of the nesting vector, namely, in models with electron and hole bands, the wave vector at which the spin susceptibility is maximized is fixed even when the nesting is degraded, whereas when the Fermi surface is large, the nesting vector varies with the deformation of the Fermi surface. We also discuss the possibility of realizing in actual materials the bilayer Hubbard model, which is a simple model with electron and hole bands, and is expected to have a very high T_c.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Charge/quadrupole fluctuations and gap anisotropy in BiS$_2$-based superconductors

Recent angle-resolved spectroscopy in BiS$_2$-based superconductors has indicated that the superconducting gap amplitude possesses remarkable anisotropy and/or a sign change on a small Fermi pocket around $X$ point. It implies a possibility of an unconventional pairing state. Here we study the gap anisotropy in superconductivity mediated by inherent charge/quadrupole fluctuations in an extended Hubbard model, which includes inter-site interaction between Bi and S atoms. The first-principles downfolded band structure is composed of Bi $6p_x/p_y$ and S $3p_x/p_y$ orbitals on a BiS$_2$ single layer. Evaluating the linearized gap equation, we find that the ferroic charge/quadrupole fluctuation driven by the inter-site interaction leads to a fully-gapped $d_{x^2-y^2}$-wave pairing state, in which the gap amplitude has sizable anisotropy on the Fermi surface.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Temperature- and doping-dependent roles of valleys in thermoelectric performance of SnSe: a first-principles study

We theoretically investigate how each orbital and valley play a role for high thermoelectric performance of SnSe. In the hole-doped regime, two kinds of valence band valleys contribute to its transport properties: one is the valley near the U-Z line, mainly consisting of the Se-$p_z$ orbitals, and the other is the one along the $Γ$-Y line, mainly consisting of the Se-$p_y$ orbitals. Whereas the former valley plays a major role in determining the transport properties at room temperature, the latter one also offers comparable contribution and so the band structure exhibits multi-valley character by increasing the temperature. In the electron-doped regime, the conduction band valley around the $Γ$ point solely contributes to the thermoelectric performance, where the quasi-one-dimensional electronic structure along the $a$-axis is crucial. This study provides an important knowledge for the thermoelectric properties of SnSe, and will be useful for future search of high-performance thermoelectric materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Intrinsic Phase Diagram of Superconductivity in the BiCh2-based System Without In-plane Disorder

We have investigated the crystal structure and physical properties of LaO1-xFxBiSSe to reveal the intrinsic superconductivity phase diagram of the BiCh2-based layered compound family. From synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinements with anisotropic displacement parameters, we clearly found that the in-plane disorder in the BiSSe layer was fully suppressed for all x. In LaO1-xFxBiSSe, metallic conductivity and superconductivity are suddenly induced by electron doping even at x = 0.05 and 0.1 with a monoclinic structure. In addition, x (F concentration) dependence of the transition temperature (Tc) for x = 0.2-0.5 with a tetragonal structure shows an anomalously flat phase diagram. With these experimental facts, we have proposed the intrinsic phase diagram of the ideal BiCh2-based superconductors with less in-plane disorder.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Observation of a Hidden Hole-Like Band Approaching the Fermi Level in K-Doped Iron Selenide Superconductor

One of the ultimate goals of the study of iron-based superconductors is to identify the common feature that produces the high critical temperature (Tc). In the early days, based on a weak-coupling viewpoint, the nesting between hole- and electron-like Fermi surfaces (FSs) leading to the so-called $s\pm$ state was considered to be one such key feature. However, this theory has faced a serious challenge ever since the discovery of alkali-metal-doped FeSe (AFS) superconductors, in which only electron-like FSs with a nodeless superconducting gap are observed. Several theories have been proposed, but a consistent understanding is yet to be achieved. Here we show experimentally that a hole-like band exists in KxFe2-ySe2, which presumably forms a hole-like Fermi surface. The present study suggests that AFS can be categorized in the same group as iron arsenides with both hole- and electron-like FSs present. This result provides a foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the superconductivity in iron-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Theoretical aspects of the study on the new bismuth chalcogenide based superconductors

We review theoretical aspects of the studies on the recently discovered BiCh2 (Ch=chalcogen) based superconductors. We first focus on the electronic band structure, the Fermi surface and their correlation with the lattice structure. We then discuss the phonon features and the issue of the lattice instability. Finally, we survey the phonon-mediated as well as the unconventional pairing mechanisms that have been proposed so far.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Theoretical study on the correlation between the spin fluctuation and $T_c$ in the isovalent-doped 1111 iron-based superconductors

Motivated by recent experiments on isovalent-doped 1111 iron-based superconductors LaFeAs$_{1-{x}}$P$_{x}$O$_{1-{y}}$F$_{y}$ and the theoretical study that followed, we investigate, within the five orbital model, the correlation between the spin fluctuation and the superconducting transition temperature, which exhibits a double dome feature upon varying the Fe-As-Fe bond angle. Around the first dome with higher $T_c$, the low energy spin fluctuation and $T_c$ are not tightly correlated because the finite energy spin fluctuation also contributes to superconductivity. On the other hand, the strength of the low-energy spin fluctuation originating from the $d_{xz/yz}$ orbital is correlated with $T_c$ in the second dome with lower $T_c$. These calculation results are consistent with recent NMR study, and hence strongly suggest that the pairing in the iron-based superconductors is predominantly caused by the multi-orbital spin fluctuation.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Origin of the non-monotonic variance of Tc in the 1111 iron based superconductors with isovalent doping

Motivated by recent experimental investigations of the isovalent doping iron-based superconductors LaFe(AsxP1-x)O1-yFy and NdFe(AsxP1-x)O1-yFy we theoretically study the correlation between the local lattice structure, the Fermi surface, the spin fluctuation-mediated superconductivity, and the composition ratio. In the phosphides, the dXZ and dYZ orbitals barely hybridize around the Gamma point to give rise to two intersecting ellipse shape Fermi surfaces. As the arsenic content increases and the Fe-As-Fe bond angle is reduced, the hybridization increases, so that the two bands are mixed to result in concentric inner and outer Fermi surfaces, and the orbital character gradually changes to dxz and dyz, where x-y axes are rotated by 45 degrees from X-Y. This makes the orbital matching between the electron and hole Fermi surfaces better and enhances the spin fluctuation within the dxz/yz orbitals. On the other hand, the hybridization splits the two bands, resulting in a more dispersive inner band. Hence, there is a trade-off between the density of states and the orbital matching, thereby locally maximizing the dxz/yz spin fluctuation and superconductivity in the intermediate regime of As/P ratio. The consistency with the experiment strongly indicate the importance of the spin fluctuation played in this series of superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Soft x-ray photoemission study of new BiS$_{2}$-layered superconductor LaO$_{1-x}$F$_{x}$BiS$_{2}$

We use core level and valence band soft x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (SXPES) to investigate electronic structure of new BiS$_{2}$ layered superconductor LaO$_{1-x}$F$_{x}$BiS$_{2}$. Core level spectra of doped samples show a new spectral feature at the lower binding energy side of the Bi 4${f}$ main peak, which may be explained by core-hole screening with metallic states near the Fermi level ($E_{\rm F}$). Experimental electronic structure and its ${x}$ dependence (higher binding energy shift of the valence band as well as appearance of new states near $E_{\rm F}$ having dominant Bi 6${p}$ character) were found to be consistent with the predictions of band structure calculations in general. Noticeable deviation of the spectral shape of the states near $E_{\rm F}$ from that of calculations might give insight into the interesting physical properties. These results provide first experimental electronic structure of the new BiS$_{2}$ layered superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Model of the Electronic Structure of Electron-Doped Iron-Based Superconductors: Evidence for Enhanced Spin Fluctuations by Diagonal Electron Hopping

We present a theoretical understanding of the superconducting phase diagram of the electron-doped iron pnictides. We show that, besides the Fermi surface nesting, a peculiar motion of electrons, where the next nearest neighbor (diagonal) hoppings between iron sites dominate over the nearest neighbor ones, plays an important role in the enhancement of the spin fluctuation and thus superconductivity. In the highest $T_c$ materials, the crossover between the Fermi surface nesting and this "prioritized diagonal motion" regime occurs smoothly with doping, while in relatively low $T_c$ materials, the two regimes are separated and therefore results in a double dome $T_c$ phase diagram.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Orbital mixture effect on the Fermi surface-$T_c$ correlation in the cuprate superconductors --- bilayer vs single layer

By constructing $d_{x^2-y^2}-d_{z^2}$ two-orbital models from first principles, we have obtained a systematic correlation between the Fermi surface warping and the evaluated $T_c$ for various bilayer as well as single-layer cuprates. This reveals that smaller mixture of the $d_{z^2}$ orbital component on the Fermi surface leads to both of larger Fermi surface warping and higher $T_c$. The theoretical correlation strikingly resembles a systematic plot for the experimentally observed $T_c$ against the Fermi surface warping due to Pavarini {\it et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 87}, 047003 (2001)], and the present result unambiguously indicates that the $d_{z^2}$ mixture is a key factor that determines $T_c$ in the cuprates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Theoretical expectation of large Seebeck effect in PtAs$_2$ and PtP$_2$

Motivated by a recent observation of good thermoelectric properties in %a %pyrite material PtSb$_2$, we theoretically study related pyrites %materials in an attempt to %find a %better thermoelectric material. %Our aim is to seek for a material which overcomes the suppression of the Seebeck coefficient at high temperatures.% in PtSb$_2$. We find that PtAs$_2$ and PtP$_2$ are good candidates, where a larger band gap than in PtSb$_2$ combined with the overall flatness of the band top gives rise to a monotonically increasing Seebeck coefficient up to high temperatures. This expectation has been confirmed quite recently for hole doped PtAs$_2$, where a very large power factor of $\sim$ 65$μ$W/cmK$^2$ at T=440 K is observed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Switching of intra-orbital spin excitations in electron-doped iron pnictide superconductors

We investigate the doping dependence of the magnetic excitations in two-superconducting-dome-system LaFeAsO1-xDx. Using inelastic neutron scattering, spin fluctuations at different wavenumbers were observed under both superconducting domes around x = 0.1 and 0.4, but vanished at x = 0.2 corresponding to the Tc valley. Theoretical calculations indicate that the characteristic doping dependence of spin fluctuations is rationally explained as a consequence of the switching of the two intra-orbital nestings within Fe-3dYZ, ZX and 3dX2-Y2 by electron doping. The present results imply that the multi-orbital nature plays an important role in the doping and / or material dependence of the Tc of the iron pnictide superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Robust spin fluctuations and $s\pm$ pairing in the heavily electron doped iron-based superconductors

We theoretically study the spin fluctuation and superconductivity in La1111 and Sm1111 iron-based superconductors for a wide range of electron doping. When we take into account the band structure variation by electron doping, the hole Fermi surface originating from the $d_{X^2-Y^2}$ orbital turns out to be robust against electron doping, and this gives rise to large spin fluctuations and consequently $s\pm$ pairing even in the heavily doped regime. The stable hole Fermi surface is larger for Sm1111 than for La1111, which can be considered as the origin of the apparent difference in the phase diagram.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Minimum model and its theoretical analysis for superconducting materials with BiS$_2$ layers

We perform first principles band calculation of the newly discovered superconductor LaO$_{1-x}$F$_x$BiS$_2$, and study the lattice structure and the fluorine doping dependence of the gap between the valence and conduction bands. We find that the distance between La and S as well as the fluorine doping significantly affects the band gap. On the other hand, the four orbital model of the BiS$_2$ layer shows that the lattice structure does not affect this portion of the band. Still, the band gap can affect the carrier concentration in the case of light electron doping, which in turn should affect the transport properties.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Two-orbital view on the origin of the material dependence of Tc in the single-layer cuprates

Using the dx2-y2+dz2 two orbital model of the high Tc cuprates obtained from the first-principle calculation, we show that the material dependence of the Fermi surface shape can be understood by the degree of the mixture between the dx2-y2$ and the dz2 orbitals. We explain, through investigating the tightbinding hopping integrals, why some cuprates have square shaped Fermi surface, while others have more rounded ones. From this viewpoint, we explain the experimentally observed correlation between the curvature of the Fermi surface and Tc.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Understanding the re-entrant superconducting phase diagram of an iron-pnictide Ca$_4$Al$_2$O$_6$Fe$_2$(As$_{1-x}$P$_x$)$_2$

Recently, a very rich phase diagram has been obtained for an iron-based superconductor Ca4Al2O6Fe2(As1-xPx)2. It has been revealed that nodeless (x=0) and nodal (x = 1) superconductivity are separated by an antiferromagnetic phase. Here we study the origin of this peculiar phase diagram using a five orbital model constructed from first principles band calculation, and applying the fluctuation exchange approximation assuming spin fluctuation mediated pairing. Based on the calculation results, we propose a scenario where the frustration in momentum space degrades superconductivity in the intermediate x regime, while antiferromangetism takes place due to a very good nesting. In order to see whether the present theoretical scenario is consistent with the actual nature of the competition between superconductivity and antiferromagnetism, we also perform hydrostatic pressure experiment for Ca4Al2O6Fe2(As1-xPx)2. In the intermediate x regime where antiferromagnetism occurs at ambient pressure, applying hydrostatic pressure smears out the antiferromagnetic transition, but superconductivity does not take place. This supports our scenario that superconductivity is suppressed by the momentum space frustration in the intermediate x regime, apart from the presence of the antiferromangnetism.

cond-mat.supr-con↗