arXiv subjects

J. Chang

Publications and source records attributed to J. Chang.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Pressure-Induced Rotational Symmetry Breaking in URu$_2$Si$_2$

Phase transitions and symmetry are intimately linked. Melting of ice, for example, restores translation invariance. The mysterious hidden order (HO) phase of URu$_2$Si$_2$ has, despite relentless research efforts, kept its symmetry breaking element intangible. Here we present a high-resolution x-ray diffraction study of the URu$_2$Si$_2$ crystal structure as a function of hydrostatic pressure. Below a critical pressure threshold $p_c\approx3$ kbar, no tetragonal lattice symmetry breaking is observed even below the HO transition $T_{HO}=17.5$ K. For $p>p_c$, however, a pressure-induced rotational symmetry breaking is identified with an onset temperatures $T_{OR}\sim 100$ K. The emergence of an orthorhombic phase is found and discussed in terms of an electronic nematic order that appears unrelated to the HO, but with possible relevance for the pressure-induced antiferromagnetic (AF) phase. Existing theories describe the HO and AF phases through an adiabatic continuity of a complex order parameter. Since none of these theories predicts a pressure-induced nematic order, our finding adds an additional symmetry breaking element to this long-standing problem.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Composable block solvers for the four-field double porosity/permeability model

The objective of this paper is twofold. First, we propose two composable block solver methodologies to solve the discrete systems that arise from finite element discretizations of the double porosity/permeability (DPP) model. The DPP model, which is a four-field mathematical model, describes the flow of a single-phase incompressible fluid in a porous medium with two distinct pore-networks and with a possibility of mass transfer between them. Using the composable solvers feature available in PETSc and the finite element libraries available under the Firedrake Project, we illustrate two different ways by which one can effectively precondition these large systems of equations. Second, we employ the recently developed performance model called the Time-Accuracy-Size (TAS) spectrum to demonstrate that the proposed composable block solvers are scalable in both the parallel and algorithmic sense. Moreover, we utilize this spectrum analysis to compare the performance of three different finite element discretizations (classical mixed formulation with H(div) elements, stabilized continuous Galerkin mixed formulation, and stabilized discontinuous Galerkin mixed formulation) for the DPP model. Our performance spectrum analysis demonstrates that the composable block solvers are fine choices for any of these three finite element discretizations. Sample computer codes are provided to illustrate how one can easily implement the proposed block solver methodologies through PETSc command line options.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2018

Three-Dimensional Fermi Surface of Overdoped La-Based Cuprates

We present a soft x-ray angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of the overdoped high-temperature superconductors La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ and La$_{1.8-x}$Eu$_{0.2}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$. In-plane and out-of-plane components of the Fermi surface are mapped by varying the photoemission angle and the incident photon energy. No $k_z$ dispersion is observed along the nodal direction, whereas a significant antinodal $k_z$ dispersion is identified. Based on a tight-binding parametrization, we discuss the implications for the density of states near the van-Hove singularity. Our results suggest that the large electronic specific heat found in overdoped La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ can not be assigned to the van-Hove singularity alone. We therefore propose quantum criticality induced by a collapsing pseudogap phase as a plausible explanation for observed enhancement of electronic specific heat.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Two-dimensional type-II Dirac fermions in layered oxides

Relativistic massless Dirac fermions can be probed with high-energy physics experiments, but appear also as low-energy quasi-particle excitations in electronic band structures. In condensed matter systems, their massless nature can be protected by crystal symmetries. Classification of such symmetry-protected relativistic band degeneracies has been fruitful, although many of the predicted quasi-particles still await their experimental discovery. Here we reveal, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, the existence of two-dimensional type-II Dirac fermions in the high-temperature superconductor La$_{1.77}$Sr$_{0.23}$CuO$_4$. The Dirac point, constituting the crossing of $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$ bands, is found approximately one electronvolt below the Fermi level ($E_\mathrm{F}$) and is protected by mirror symmetry. If spin-orbit coupling is considered, the Dirac point degeneracy is lifted and the bands acquire a topologically non-trivial character. In certain nickelate systems, band structure calculations suggest that the same type-II Dirac fermions can be realised near $E_\mathrm{F}$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

High magnetocaloric efficiency of a NiFe/NiCu/CoFe/MnIr multilayer in a small magnetic field

The isothermal magnetic entropy changes are studied in Ni80Fe20/Ni67Cu33/Co90Cu10/Mn80Ir20 stacks at temperatures near the Curie point of the Ni67Cu33 spacer by applying magnetic fields in a few tens of Oersted. Such low fields were sufficient for toggling magnetic moments in the soft ferromagnetic (FM) layer (Ni80Fe20). It is found out that this switching provides the magnetic entropy change, which is up to 20 times larger than that achievable in a single Ni67Cu33 film subjected to such low fields. Our finding holds promise to be utilized in the magnetocaloric devices that would be based on FM/PM/FM heterostructures and would operate with moderate magnetic fields.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Spin-Orbital Excitations in Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$ Revealed by Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering

The strongly correlated insulator Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$ is considered as a paradigmatic realization of both spin-orbital physics and a band-Mott insulating phase, characterized by orbitally selective coexistence of a band and a Mott gap. We present a high-resolution oxygen $K$-edge resonant inelastic X-ray scattering study of the antiferromagnetic Mott insulating state of Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$. A set of low-energy ($\sim$80 and 400 meV) and high-energy ($\sim$1.3 and 2.2 eV) excitations are reported that show strong incident light polarization dependence. Our results strongly support a spin-orbit coupled band-Mott scenario and explore in detail the nature of its exotic excitations. Guided by theoretical modelling, we interpret the low-energy excitations as a result of composite spin-orbital excitations. Their nature unveil the intricate interplay of crystal-field splitting and spin-orbit coupling in the band-Mott scenario. The high-energy excitations correspond to intra-atomic singlet-triplet transitions at an energy scale set by the Hund's coupling. Our findings give a unifying picture of the spin and orbital excitations in the band-Mott insulator Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Pseudogap temperature $T^\star$ of cuprate superconductors from the Nernst effect

We use the Nernst effect to delineate the boundary of the pseudogap phase in the temperature-doping phase diagram of cuprate superconductors. New data for the Nernst coefficient $ν(T)$ of YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{y}$ (YBCO), La$_{1.8-x}$Eu$_{0.2}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ (Eu-LSCO) and La$_{1.6-x}$Nd$_{0.4}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ (Nd-LSCO) are presented and compared with previous data including La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ (LSCO). The temperature $T_ν$ at which $ν/T$ deviates from its high-temperature behaviour is found to coincide with the temperature at which the resistivity deviates from its linear-$T$ dependence, which we take as the definition of the pseudogap temperature $T^\star$- in agreement with gap opening detected in ARPES data. We track $T^\star$ as a function of doping and find that it decreases linearly vs $p$ in all four materials, having the same value in the three LSCO-based cuprates, irrespective of their different crystal structures. At low $p$, $T^\star$ is higher than the onset temperature of the various orders observed in underdoped cuprates, suggesting that these orders are secondary instabilities of the pseudogap phase. A linear extrapolation of $T^\star(p)$ to $p=0$ yields $T^\star(p\to 0)\simeq T_N(0)$, the Néel temperature for the onset of antiferromagnetic order at $p=0$, suggesting that there is a link between pseudogap and antiferromagnetism. With increasing $p$, $T^\star(p)$ extrapolates linearly to zero at $p\simeq p_{\rm c2}$, the critical doping below which superconductivity emerges at high doping, suggesting that the conditions which favour pseudogap formation also favour pairing. We also use the Nernst effect to investigate how far superconducting fluctuations extend above $T_{\rm c}$, as a function of doping, and find that a narrow fluctuation regime tracks $T_{\rm c}$, and not $T^\star$. This confirms that the pseudogap phase is not a form of precursor superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Direct detection of a break in the teraelectronvolt cosmic-ray spectrum of electrons and positrons

High energy cosmic ray electrons plus positrons (CREs), which lose energy quickly during their propagation, provide an ideal probe of Galactic high-energy processes and may enable the observation of phenomena such as dark-matter particle annihilation or decay. The CRE spectrum has been directly measured up to $\sim 2$ TeV in previous balloon- or space-borne experiments, and indirectly up to $\sim 5$ TeV by ground-based Cherenkov $γ$-ray telescope arrays. Evidence for a spectral break in the TeV energy range has been provided by indirect measurements of H.E.S.S., although the results were qualified by sizeable systematic uncertainties. Here we report a direct measurement of CREs in the energy range $25~{\rm GeV}-4.6~{\rm TeV}$ by the DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) with unprecedentedly high energy resolution and low background. The majority of the spectrum can be properly fitted by a smoothly broken power-law model rather than a single power-law model. The direct detection of a spectral break at $E \sim0.9$ TeV confirms the evidence found by H.E.S.S., clarifies the behavior of the CRE spectrum at energies above 1 TeV and sheds light on the physical origin of the sub-TeV CREs.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Charge-Stripe Order and Superconductivity in $\mathrm{Ir_{1-x}Pt_xTe_2}$

A combined resistivity and hard x-ray diffraction study of superconductivity and charge ordering in $\mathrm{Ir_{1-x}Pt_xTe_2}$, as a function of Pt substitution and externally applied hydrostatic pressure, is presented. Experiments are focused on samples near the critical composition $x_c\sim 0.045$ where competition and switching between charge order and superconductivity is established. We show that charge order as a function of pressure in $\mathrm{Ir_{0.95}Pt_{0.05}Te_{2}}$ is preempted - and hence triggered - by a structural transition. Charge ordering appears uniaxially along the short crystallographic (1,0,1) domain axis with a $\mathrm{(\frac{1}{5},0,\frac{1}{5})}$ modulation. Based on these results we draw a charge-order phase diagram and discuss the relation between stripe ordering and superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

A scalable variational inequality approach for flow through porous media models with pressure-dependent viscosity

Mathematical models for flow through porous media typically enjoy the so-called maximum principles, which place bounds on the pressure field. It is highly desirable to preserve these bounds on the pressure field in predictive numerical simulations, that is, one needs to satisfy discrete maximum principles (DMP). Unfortunately, many of the existing formulations for flow through porous media models do not satisfy DMP. This paper presents a robust, scalable numerical formulation based on variational inequalities (VI), to model non-linear flows through heterogeneous, anisotropic porous media without violating DMP. VI is an optimization technique that places bounds on the numerical solutions of partial differential equations. To crystallize the ideas, a modification to Darcy equations by taking into account pressure-dependent viscosity will be discretized using the lowest-order Raviart-Thomas (RT0) and Variational Multi-scale (VMS) finite element formulations. It will be shown that these formulations violate DMP, and, in fact, these violations increase with an increase in anisotropy. It will be shown that the proposed VI-based formulation provides a viable route to enforce DMP. Moreover, it will be shown that the proposed formulation is scalable, and can work with any numerical discretization and weak form. Parallel scalability on modern computational platforms will be illustrated through strong-scaling studies, which will prove the efficiency of the proposed formulation in a parallel setting. Algorithmic scalability as the problem size is scaled up will be demonstrated through novel static-scaling studies. The performed static-scaling studies can serve as a guide for users to be able to select an appropriate discretization for a given problem size.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2017

A performance spectrum for parallel computational frameworks that solve PDEs

Important computational physics problems are often large-scale in nature, and it is highly desirable to have robust and high performing computational frameworks that can quickly address these problems. However, it is no trivial task to determine whether a computational framework is performing efficiently or is scalable. The aim of this paper is to present various strategies for better understanding the performance of any parallel computational frameworks for solving PDEs. Important performance issues that negatively impact time-to-solution are discussed, and we propose a performance spectrum analysis that can enhance one's understanding of critical aforementioned performance issues. As proof of concept, we examine commonly used finite element simulation packages and software and apply the performance spectrum to quickly analyze the performance and scalability across various hardware platforms, software implementations, and numerical discretizations. It is shown that the proposed performance spectrum is a versatile performance model that is not only extendable to more complex PDEs such as hydrostatic ice sheet flow equations, but also useful for understanding hardware performance in a massively parallel computing environment. Potential applications and future extensions of this work are also discussed.

cs.MS↗

arXiv2017

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer mission

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE), one of the four scientific space science missions within the framework of the Strategic Pioneer Program on Space Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a general purpose high energy cosmic-ray and gamma-ray observatory, which was successfully launched on December 17th, 2015 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The DAMPE scientific objectives include the study of galactic cosmic rays up to $\sim 10$ TeV and hundreds of TeV for electrons/gammas and nuclei respectively, and the search for dark matter signatures in their spectra. In this paper we illustrate the layout of the DAMPE instrument, and discuss the results of beam tests and calibrations performed on ground. Finally we present the expected performance in space and give an overview of the mission key scientific goals.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2017

Damped spin excitations in a doped cuprate superconductor with orbital hybridization

A resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) study of overdamped spin-excitations in slightly underdoped La$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$CuO$_4$ (LSCO) with $x=0.12$ and $0.145$ is presented. Three high-symmetry directions have been investigated: (1) the antinodal $(0,0)\rightarrow (1/2,0)$, (2) the nodal $(0,0)\rightarrow (1/4,1/4)$ and (3) the zone boundary direction $(1/2,0)\rightarrow (1/4,1/4)$ connecting these two. The overdamped excitations exhibit strong dispersions along (1) and (3), whereas a much more modest dispersion is found along (2). This is in strong contrast to the undoped compound La$_{2}$CuO$_4$ (LCO) for which the strongest dispersions are found along (1) and (2). The $t-t^{\prime}-t^{\prime\prime}-U$ Hubbard model used to explain the excitation spectrum of LCO predicts $-$ for constant $U/t$ $-$ that the dispersion along (3) scales with $(t^{\prime}/t)^2$. However, the diagonal hopping $t^{\prime}$ extracted on LSCO using single-band models is low ($t^{\prime}/t\sim-0.16$) and decreasing with doping. We therefore invoked a two-orbital ($d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$) model which implies that $t^{\prime}$ is enhanced. This effect acts to enhance the zone-boundary dispersion within the Hubbard model. We thus conclude that hybridization of $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$ states has a significant impact on the zone-boundary dispersion in LSCO.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Pressure tuning of structure, superconductivity and novel magnetic order in the Ce-underdoped electron-doped cuprate T'-Pr_1.3-xLa_0.7Ce_xCuO_4 (x = 0.1)

High-pressure neutron powder diffraction, muon-spin rotation and magnetization studies of the structural, magnetic and the superconducting properties of the Ce-underdoped superconducting (SC) electron-doped cuprate system T'-Pr_1.3-xLa_0.7Ce_xCuO_4 with x = 0.1 are reported. A strong reduction of the lattice constants a and c is observed under pressure. However, no indication of any pressure induced phase transition from T' to T structure is observed up to the maximum applied pressure of p = 11 GPa. Large and non-linear increase of the short-range magnetic order temperature T_so in T'-Pr_1.3-xLa_0.7Ce_xCuO_4 (x = 0.1) was observed under pressure. Simultaneously pressure causes a non-linear decrease of the SC transition temperature T_c. All these experiments establish the short-range magnetic order as an intrinsic and a new competing phase in SC T'-Pr_1.2La_0.7Ce_0.1CuO_4. The observed pressure effects may be interpreted in terms of the improved nesting conditions through the reduction of the in-plane and out-of-plane lattice constants upon hydrostatic pressure.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Variational inequality approach to enforce the non-negative constraint for advection-diffusion equations

Predictive simulations are crucial for the success of many subsurface applications, and it is highly desirable to obtain accurate non-negative solutions for transport equations in these numerical simulations. In this paper, we propose a computational framework based on the variational inequality (VI) which can also be used to enforce important mathematical properties (e.g., maximum principles) and physical constraints (e.g., the non-negative constraint). We demonstrate that this framework is not only applicable to diffusion equations but also to non-symmetric advection-diffusion equations. An attractive feature of the proposed framework is that it works with with any weak formulation for the advection-diffusion equations, including single-field formulations, which are computationally attractive. A particular emphasis is placed on the parallel and algorithmic performance of the VI approach across large-scale and heterogeneous problems. It is also shown that QP and VI are equivalent under certain conditions. State-of-the-art QP and VI solvers available from the PETSc library are used on a variety of steady-state 2D and 3D benchmarks, and a comparative study on the scalability between the QP and VI solvers is presented. We then extend the proposed framework to transient problems by simulating the miscible displacement of fluids in a heterogeneous porous medium and illustrate the importance of enforcing maximum principles for these types of coupled problems. Our numerical experiments indicate that VIs are indeed a viable approach for enforcing the maximum principles and the non-negative constraint in a large-scale computing environment. Also provided are Firedrake project files as well as a discussion on the computer implementation to help facilitate readers in understanding the proposed framework.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2016

Hallmarks of Hund's coupling in the Mott insulator Ca$_2$RuO$_4$

A paradigmatic case of multi-band Mott physics including spin-orbit and Hund's coupling is realised in Ca$_2$RuO$_4$. Progress in understanding the nature of this Mott insulating phase has been impeded by the lack of knowledge about the low-energy electronic structure. Here we provide -- using angle-resolved photoemission electron spectroscopy -- the band structure of the paramagnetic insulating phase of Ca$_2$RuO$_4$ and show how it features several distinct energy scales. Comparison to a simple analysis of atomic multiplets provides a quantitative estimate of the Hund's coupling $J=0.4$ eV. Furthermore, the experimental spectra are in good agreement with electronic structure calculations performed with Dynamical Mean-Field Theory. The crystal field stabilisation of the d$_{xy}$ orbital due to $c$-axis contraction is shown to be important in explaining the nature of the insulating state. It is thus a combination of multiband physics, Coulomb interaction and Hund's coupling that generates the Mott insulating state of Ca$_2$RuO$_4$. These results underscore the importance of Hund's coupling in the ruthenates and related multiband materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Large-scale Optimization-based Non-negative Computational Framework for Diffusion Equations: Parallel Implementation and Performance Studies

It is well-known that the standard Galerkin formulation, which is often the formulation of choice under the finite element method for solving self-adjoint diffusion equations, does not meet maximum principles and the non-negative constraint for anisotropic diffusion equations. Recently, optimization-based methodologies that satisfy maximum principles and the non-negative constraint for steady-state and transient diffusion-type equations have been proposed. To date, these methodologies have been tested only on small-scale academic problems. The purpose of this paper is to systematically study the performance of the non-negative methodology in the context of high performance computing (HPC). PETSc and TAO libraries are, respectively, used for the parallel environment and optimization solvers. For large-scale problems, it is important for computational scientists to understand the computational performance of current algorithms available in these scientific libraries. The numerical experiments are conducted on the state-of-the-art HPC systems, and a single-core performance model is used to better characterize the efficiency of the solvers. Our studies indicate that the proposed non-negative computational framework for diffusion-type equations exhibits excellent strong scaling for real-world large-scale problems.

math.NA↗

arXiv2016

Doping-induced vertical line nodes in the superconducting gap of the iron arsenide K-Ba122 from directional thermal conductivity

The thermal conductivity k of the iron-arsenide superconductor K-Ba122 was measured down to 50 mK in a magnetic field up to 15 T, for a heat current parallel and perpendicular to the tetragonal c axis. In the range from optimal doping (x ~ 0.4) down to x = 0.16, there is no residual linear term in k(T) at T = 0, showing that there are no nodes in the superconducting gap anywhere on the Fermi surface. Upon crossing below x = 0.16, a large residual linear term suddenly appears, signaling the onset of nodes in the superconducting gap, most likely vertical line nodes running along the c axis. We discuss two scenarios: 1) accidental nodes in an s-wave gap, resulting from a strong modulation of the gap around the Fermi surface, in which minima deepen rapidly with underdoping; 2) a phase transition from a nodeless s-wave state to a d-wave state, in which nodes are imposed by symmetry.

cond-mat.supr-con↗