arXiv subjects

Hirofumi Sakakibara

Publications and source records attributed to Hirofumi Sakakibara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Theoretical study of superconductivity in freestanding infinite-layer nickelate membranes under pressure: mitigation of excess correlation enhances $T_c$

We theoretically investigate a freestanding membrane of infinite-layer nickelate Nd$_{0.85}$Sr$_{0.15}$NiO$_2$ under pressure by constructing a seven-orbital effective model based on first-principles calculations. By performing the fluctuation exchange (FLEX) approximation, we demonstrate that the seven-orbital model explains a monotonic increase in $T_c$ reported in a recent experiment. This enhancement of superconductivity is attributed to the mitigation of excessively strong electron correlations caused by exceptionally low valence of Ni atom. Furthermore, we examine the dynamical stability of the crystal structure under pressure through phonon calculation.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Theoretical study on ambient pressure superconductivity in La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ thin films : structural analysis, model construction, and robustness of $s\pm$-wave pairing

We theoretically study ambient pressure superconductivity in thin films of La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$. We construct model Hamiltonians adopting the crystal structure theoretically determined by fixing the in-plane lattice constant to those substrates examined in the experiment. We also construct a model based on the experimentally determined lattice structure. To the models obtained, we apply the fluctuation exchange approximation, which takes into account the full momentum and frequency dependencies of the Green function and the pairing interaction. We find that the electronic structure, including the presence/absence of the so-called $γ$-pocket (the Fermi surface originating from the top of the $d_{3z^2-r^2}$ bonding band) depends on the crystal structure adopted and/or the presence/absence of $+U$ correction in the band structure calculation. Nonetheless, $s\pm$-wave pairing symmetry remains robust regardless of these details in the band structure. The robustness of the $s\pm$-wave pairing mainly owes to the fact that it is mediated by finite energy spin fluctuations, which are insensitive to the details of the Fermi surface topology and give rise to a nearly-momentum-independent gap function for the interlayer $d_{3z^2-r^2}$ pairing in the orbital representation. On the other hand, $T_c$ being halved from that of the pressurized bulk can only be understood by adopting the model with small $|t_{\perp}|$ derived from the experimentally determined crystal structure, at least within the present FLEX approach, although there may remain some other possibilities beyond this approach for the origin of the reduced $T_c$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Hierarchical structure of primary and hybridization-induced superconducting correlations in bilayer nickelates

High-pressure superconductivity in the bilayer nickelate La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$, with a transition temperature approaching 80 K, has stimulated intense debate regarding its microscopic origin. Although an $s_{\pm}$ gap symmetry has been widely proposed, the electronic degrees of freedom responsible for pairing remain unsettled. Here we investigate a bilayer two-orbital Hubbard model using the variational Monte Carlo method and reveal a hierarchical pairing structure in bilayer nickelates. The primary pairing interaction originates from the bonding--antibonding splitting of the Ni $3d_{z^2}$ orbitals, while orbital hybridization redistributes superconducting correlations to the $d_{x^2-y^2}$ channel despite its weak intrinsic pairing interaction. This distinction between the origin of pairing and resulting superconducting correlations explains why the two orbital channels exhibit comparable long-range correlations. The resulting $s_{\pm}$ state is robust against changes in Fermi-surface topology. These results reconcile apparently competing theoretical scenarios and provide a comprehensive understanding, highlighting the distinctive role of orbital hybridization in multilayer correlated superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Theoretical proposal of superconductivity in hole-doped reduced bilayer nickelate La3Ni2O6: a manifestation of orbital-space bilayer model with incipient bands

A correspondence exists between the multi-orbital Hubbard model and the bilayer Hubbard model, in which superconductivity is optimized in an incipient-band regime in both cases. In the multi-orbital system, the orbital level offset $ΔE$ plays a role analogous to the interlayer hopping in bilayer systems, and superconductivity is enhanced for large $ΔE$. We refer to such a multi-orbital model as an orbital-space bilayer model (OSBM). In this study, we theoretically propose that a reduced bilayer nickelate La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_6$ can be a candidate for a superconductor described by OSBM when an appropriate amount of holes is doped. By constructing a tight-binding model based on first-principles calculations, a large $ΔE$ between the Ni $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and the other $d$ orbitals is obtained due to the absence of outer apical oxygens. Furthermore, our fluctuation exchange approximation calculations indicate the emergence of $s\pm$-wave superconductivity driven by interorbital interactions in an incipient-band situation, where the superconducting gap function changes its sign between the $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and other $d$ orbital bands. We also investigate the energetic and dynamical stability of the crystal structure under atomic substitution and pressure. Although La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ and La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_6$ share a similar chemical formula, our study shows that an entirely different pairing mechanism can take place in the latter.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Theoretical study on the possibility of high $T_c$ s$\pm$-wave superconductivity in the heavily hole-doped infinite layer nickelates

We theoretically propose a possibility of realizing high $T_c$ superconductivity having $s\pm$-wave symmetry in the heavily hole-doped infinite layer nickelates La$_{1-x}$Sr$_x$NiO$_2$. We consider situations where the original $P4/mmm$ symmetry of LaNiO$_2$ is maintained even for a significant amount of Sr substitution by growing thin films on substrates having tetragonal symmetry. Considering such cases is indeed justified by our phonon calculations. For electron configurations somewhat close to $d^8$, the interaction between the $d_{x^2-y^2}$ band and the other $3d$ bands that lie just below the Fermi level results in an enhancement of superconductivity where the sign of the gap function is reversed between the former and the latter bands. The strong enhancement of superconductivity can be attributed to the large energy level offset between $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and other orbitals due to the absence of the apical oxygens, as has been pointed out in previous studies.

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arXiv2025

Theoretical study of the crystal structure of the bilayer nickel oxychloride Sr$_3$Ni$_2$O$_5$Cl$_2$ and analysis of possible unconventional superconductivity

The discovery of superconductivity under high pressure with $T_c$ exceeding 80 K in a bilayer nickelate La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ has led to a strong desire to realize similar high $T_c$ phenomena at ambient pressure. As one possible path toward realizing superconductivity at ambient pressure, we here propose to consider Sr$_3$Ni$_2$O$_5$Cl$_2$ as a possible candidate. In this study, we theoretically investigate the electronic structure of Sr$_3$Ni$_2$O$_5$Cl$_2$ and its structural stability. Our phonon calculation shows that this compound with the $I4/mmm$ tetragonal structure is dynamically stable even at ambient pressure. The characteristic crystal field in this compound lowers the Ni-$d_{3z^2-r^2}$ orbital energy, by which the Ni-$d_{3z^2-r^2}$ orbital becomes rather closer to the half-filling in Sr$_3$Ni$_2$O$_5$Cl$_2$ than La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$. As a result, we find that superconductivity is enhanced even though a relatively strong orbital hybridization between the $t_{2g}$ and $e_g$ orbitals is somewhat detrimental for superconductivity. We also check the formation enthalpy, which shows that the high-pressure synthesis can be a good way to actually produce Sr$_3$Ni$_2$O$_5$Cl$_2$. We find that Sr$_3$Ni$_2$O$_5$Cl$_2$ is a promising new candidate of bilayer-nickelate superconductors, which can possess even higher $T_c$ than pressurized La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$, at ambient pressure.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Pair correlations of the hybridized orbitals in a ladder model for the bilayer nickelate La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$

To clarify the nature of high-temperature superconductivity in the bilayer nickelate La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ under pressure, we investigate, using the density-matrix renormalization group method, the pair correlations in the two-orbital $t$-$J$ ladder model. While the interchain-intraorbital pair correlations exhibit a slow power-law decay in both orbitals, the interorbital pair correlation also develops strongly enough to be comparable with the intraorbital correlations. These intra and interorbital pair correlations are enhanced by Hund's coupling, but more importantly, the interorbital pair correlation develops even when interorbital pairing glue mediated by Hund's coupling is absent. Our finding suggests that the pair correlation in the present system develops as a hybridized two-orbital entity, which may have some implications on the superconductivity in the bilayer nickelate.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Possible high $T_c$ Superconductivity in La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ under High Pressure through Manifestation of a Nearly-Half-Filled Bilayer Hubbard Model

Inspired by a recent experiment showing that La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ exhibits high $T_c$ superconductivity under high pressure, we theoretically revisit the possibility of superconductivity in this material. We find that superconductivity can take place which is essentially similar to that of the bilayer Hubbard model consisting of the Ni $3d_{3z^2-r^2}$ orbitals. Although the coupling with the $3d_{x^2-y^2}$ orbitals degrades superconductivity, $T_c$ can still be high enough to understand the experiment thanks to the very high $T_c$ reached in the bilayer Hubbard model.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Theoretical analysis on the possibility of superconductivity in a trilayer Ruddlesden-Popper nickelate La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ under pressure and its experimental examination: comparison with La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$

We study the possibility of superconductivity in a trilayer Ruddlesden-Popper nickelate La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ under pressure both theoretically and experimentally, making comparison with the recently discovered high $T_c$ superconductor La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$, a bilayer nickelate. Through DFT calculations, we find that a structural phase transition from monoclinic to tetragonal takes place around 10 - 15 GPa. Using the tetragonal crystal structure, we theoretically investigate the possibility of superconductivity, where a combination of fluctuation exchange approximation and linearized Eliashberg equation is applied to a six-orbital model constructed from first principles band calculation. The obtained results suggests that La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ may also become superconducting under high pressure with $T_c$ comparable to some cuprates, although it is not as high as La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$. We also perform experimental studies using our polycrystalline samples of La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_{7.01}$ and La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{9.99}$. The superconducting transition of La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_{7.01}$, with a maximum onset $T_c$ of 67.0 K at a pressure of 26.5 GPa, is confirmed by a drop in the electrical resistance, as well as the magnetic field dependence of the resistance. Quite interestingly, similar temperature and magnetic field dependencies of the resistance are observed also for La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{9.99}$, where a drop in the resistance is observed at lower temperatures compared to La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_{7.01}$, under pressures of 32.8 GPa and above. Given the theoretical expectation, the reduction in the resistance can most likely be attributed to the occurrence of superconductivity in La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{9.99}$. The temperature at which the resistance deviates from a linear behavior, considered as the onset $T_c$, monotonically increases up to 23 K at 79.2 GPa, which is opposite to the pressure dependence of $T_c$ in La3Ni2O7.01.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Pair correlations in the two-orbital Hubbard ladder: Implications on superconductivity in the bilayer nickelate La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$

Motivated by high-temperature superconductivity in pressurized La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$, we investigate the pair correlations in the two-orbital Hubbard ladder, which consists of the nearly half-filled and nearly quarter-filled orbitals. By employing the density matrix renormalization group method, we demonstrate that the pair correlation exhibits a power-law decay against the distance while the spin correlation decays exponentially. The decay exponent of the pair correlation of the nearly half-filled orbital is comparable to the exponent of the quasi-long-range superconducting correlation in the doped single-orbital Hubbard ladder, which suggests the importance of the $d_{3z^2-r^2}$ orbital in La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Monte Carlo study of cuprate superconductors in a four-band $d$-$p$ model: Role of orbital degrees of freedom

Understanding the complex phase diagram of cuprate superconductors is a long-standing challenging problem. Recent studies have shown that orbital degrees of freedom, both Cu $e_g$ orbitals and O $p$ orbitals, are a key ingredient for a unified understanding of cuprate superconductors, including the material dependence. Here we investigate a four-band $d$-$p$ model derived from the first-principles calculations with the variational Monte Carlo method, which allows us to elucidate competing orders on an equal footing. The obtained results can consistently explain the doping dependence of superconductivity, antiferromagnetic and stripe phases, phase separation in the underdoped region, and also novel magnetism in the heavily-overdoped region. Our four-band $d$-$p$ model with neighbouring intersite interactions is a minimal model to describe the phase diagram comprehensively. The presence of $p$ orbitals is critical to the charge-stripe features, which induce two types of stripe phases with $s'$-wave and $d$-wave bond stripe. On the other hand, the presence of $d_{z^2}$ orbital is indispensable to material dependence of the superconducting transition temperature ($T_{\mathrm{c}}$), and enhances local magnetic moment as a source of novel magnetism in the heavily-overdoped region as well. These findings beyond one-band description could provide a major step toward a full explanation of unconventional normal state and high $T_{\mathrm{c}}$ in cuprate supercondutors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Unified description of cuprate superconductors using four-band $d$-$p$ model

In the 35 years since the discovery of cuprate superconductors, we have not yet reached a unified understanding of their properties, including their material dependence of the superconducting transition temperature $T_{\text{c}}$. The preceding theoretical and experimental studies have provided an overall picture of the phase diagram, and some important parameters for the $T_{\text{c}}$, such as the contribution of the Cu $d_{z^2}$ orbital to the Fermi surface and the site-energy difference $Δ_{dp}$ between the Cu $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and O $p$ orbitals. However, they are somewhat empirical and limited in scope, always including exceptions, and do not provide a comprehensive view of the series of cuprates. Here we propose a four-band $d$-$p$ model as a minimal model to study material dependence in cuprates. Using the variational Monte Carlo method, we theoretically investigate the phase diagram for the La$_2$CuO$_4$ and HgBa$_2$CuO$_4$ systems and the correlation between the key parameters and the superconductivity. Our results comprehensively account for the empirical correlation between $T_{\text{c}}$ and model parameters, and thus can provide a guideline for new material design. We also show that the effect of the nearest-neighbor $d$-$d$ Coulomb interaction $V_{dd}$ is actually quite important for the stability of superconductivity and phase competition.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Bond-length distributions classified by coordination environments

We have analyzed bond-length distributions between cations and anions for crystal structures in the crystallographic open database (www.crystallography.net/cod/). The distributions are classified by the coordination environments of cations, which are determined by a tool named as Chemenv (Acta Cryst. (2020). B76, 683-695).

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

A finite electric-field approach to evaluate the vertex correction for the screened Coulomb interaction in the quasiparticle self-consistent GW method

We apply the quasiparticle self-consistent GW method (QSGW) to slab models of ionic materials, LiF, KF, NaCl, MgO, and CaO, under electric field. Then we obtain the optical dielectric constants E(Slab) from the differences of the slopes of the electrostatic potential in the bulk and vacuum regions. Calculated E(Slab) show very good agreements with experiments. For example, we have E(Slab)=2.91 for MgO, in agreement with the experimental value E(Experiment)=2.96. This is in contrast to E(RPA)=2.37, which is calculated in the random-phase approximation for the bulk MgO in QSGW. After we explain the difference between the quasiparticle-based perturbation theory and the Greens function based perturbation theory, we interpret the large difference E(Slab)-E(RPA)=2.91-2.37 as the contribution from the vertex correction of the proper polarization which determines the screened Coulomb interaction W. Our result encourages the theoretical development of self-consistent G0W approximation along the line of QSGW self-consistency, as was performed by Shishkin, Marsman and Kresse [Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 246403(2007)].

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Model construction and a possibility of cuprate-like pairing in a new d9 nickelate superconductor (Nd,Sr)NiO2

Effective models are constructed for a newly discovered superconductor (Nd,Sr)NiO2, which has been considered as a possible nickelate analogue of the cuprates owing to the d9 electron configuration. Estimation of the effective interaction, which turns out to require a multiorbital model that takes account of all the orbitals involved on the Fermi surface, shows that the effective interactions are significantly larger than in the cuprates. A fluctuation exchange study for the model indicates that dx2-y2-wave superconductivity is likely to occur as in the cuprates, where the transition temperature in the nickelate can be lower from the cuprates due to the larger interaction and narrower bandwidth.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Model-mapped random phase approximation to evaluate superconductivity in the fluctuation exchange approximation from first principles

We have applied the model-mapped RPA [H. Sakakibara et al., J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 86, 044714 (2017)] to the cuprate superconductors La2CuO4 and HgBa2CuO4, resulting two-orbital Hubbard models. All the model parameters are determined based on first-principles calculations. For the model Hamiltonians, we perform fluctuation exchange calculation. Results explain relative height of Tc observed in experiment for La2CuO4 and HgBa2CuO4. In addition, we give some analyses for the interaction terms in the model, especially comparisons with those of the constrained RPA.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Model-mapped RPA for determining the effective Coulomb interaction

We present a new method to obtain interaction part of a model Hamiltonian from the result of the first-principles calculation. The effective interaction contained in the model is determined based on the random phase approximation (RPA). In contrast to previous methods such as projected RPA or constrained RPA, the new method takes into account the long-range part of the polarization effect when determining the interaction in the model. After we discuss problems in previous RPA methods, we will give the formulation of the new method, and show how it works for the single-band Hubbard model of HgBa$_2$CuO$_4$.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Direct theoretical evidence for weaker correlations in electron-doped and Hg-based hole-doped cuprates

Many important questions for high-$T_c$ cuprates are closely related to the insulating nature of parent compounds. While there has been intensive discussion on this issue, all arguments rely strongly on, or are closely related to, the correlation strength of the materials. Clear understanding has been seriously hampered by the absence of a direct measure of this interaction, traditionally denoted by $U$. Here, we report a first-principles estimation of $U$ for several different types of cuprates. The $U$ values clearly increase as a function of the inverse bond distance between apical oxygen and copper. Our results show that the electron-doped cuprates are less correlated than their hole-doped counterparts, which supports the Slater picture rather than the Mott picture. Further, the $U$ values significantly vary even among the hole-doped families. The correlation strengths of the Hg-cuprates are noticeably weaker than that of La$_2$CuO$_4$. Our results suggest that the strong correlation enough to induce Mott gap may not be a prerequisite for the high-$T_c$ superconductivity.

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