arXiv subjects

J. Hu

Publications and source records attributed to J. Hu.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Inhomogeneous superconductivity induced by interstitial Fe deintercalation in oxidizing-agent-annealed and HNO3-treated Fe1+y(Te1-xSex)

We have systematically investigated the annealing effect on the superconductivity of iron chalcogenide Fe1+y(Te1-xSex). The atmospheres used for annealing include O2, N2, I2 vapor, air and vacuum. We observed that annealing in O2, I2 and air could enhance superconductivity for the underdoped samples, consistent with the results reported in literatures. Interestingly, we found that annealing in N2 also leads to superconductivity enhancement, similar to the annealing effects of O2, I2 and air. However, vacuum annealing does not enhance superconductivity, which indicates that the enhanced superconductivity in O2-, N2-, I2- and air-annealed samples is not due to improved homogeneity. In addition, we have treated the underdoped samples with nitric acid, which is found to enhance superconductivity as well. Our analyses of these results support the argument that the superconductivity enhancement, caused either by annealing or nitric acid treatment, originates from the variation of interstitial Fe. The interstitial Fe, which is destructive to superconducting pairing, can be reduced by annealing in oxidation agents or nitric acid treatment. We also find that although N2-, O2- and air-annealed samples exhibit strong superconducting diamagnetism with -4pichi ~1 (chi, dc magnetic susceptibility) for some samples, their actual superconducting volume fraction probed by specific heat is low, ranging from 10% to 30% for 0.09 < x < 0.3, indicating that the superconductivity suppression remains significant even in annealed samples. The strong diamagnetism is associated with the superconducting shielding effect on the non-superconducting phase. We have also established the phase diagram of the annealed samples and compared it with that of the as-grown samples. The effect of annealing on the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity is discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Precision muon decay measurements and improved constraints on the weak interaction

The TWIST Collaboration has completed its measurement of the three muon decay parameters ρ, δ, and P_μξ. This paper describes our determination of ρ, which governs the shape of the overall momentum spectrum, and δ, which controls the momentum dependence of the parity-violating decay asymmetry. The results are ρ=0.74977\pm 0.00012(stat.)\pm 0.00023(syst.) and δ= 0.75049\pm 0.00021(stat.)\pm 0.00027(syst.). These are consistent with the value of 3/4 given for both parameters in the standard model, and each is over a factor of 10 more precise than the measurements published prior to TWIST. Our final results on ρ, δ, and P_μξhave been incorporated into a new global analysis of all available muon decay data, resulting in improved model-independent constraints on the possible weak interactions of right-handed particles.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Spin Hall Angle Quantification from Spin Pumping and Microwave Photoresistance

We present a method to quantify the spin Hall angle (SHA) with spin pumping and microwave photoresistance measurements. With this method, we separate the inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) from other unwanted effects for permalloy/Pt bilayers using out-of-plane microwave excitation. Through microwave photoresistance measurements, the in- and out-of-plane precessing angles of the magnetization are determined and enabled for the exact determination of the injected pure spin current. This method is demonstrated with an almost perfect Lorentz line-shape for the obtained ISHE signal and the frequency independent SHA value as predicted by theory. By varying the Pt thickness, the SHA and spin-diffusion length of Pt is quantified as 0.012 (0.001) and 8.3 (0.9) nm, respectively.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Magnetic structure of quasi-1D antiferromagnetic TaFe1+yTe3 with two-leg zigzag ladders

We report the magnetic structure of TaFe1+yTe3 single crystals by means of neutron diffraction measurements. TaFe1+yTe3 possesses a layered structure with a formation of two-leg zigzag ladders along the b-axis. We find that TaFe1+yTe3 undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at 178 K with Fe1 spins of the intra-ladders ferromagnetically aligned while spins of the inter-ladders antiferromagneitcally coupled. Furthermore, spins of the neighboring interstitial Fe2 (y) ions order parallel to the Fe1 spins of each ladder. These findings are distinct from the magnetic structure of the recently-discovered spin-ladder compound BaFe2Se3. TaFe1+yTe3 may serve as an interesting quasi-one dimensional ferromagnetic system.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2011

Friedel-like Oscillations from Interstitial Iron in Superconducting Fe1+yTe0.62Se0.38

Using polarized and unpolarized neutron scattering we show that interstitial Fe in superconducting Fe_{1+y}Te_{1-x}Se_x induces a magnetic Friedel-like oscillation that diffracts at Q_(in-plane)=(1/2,0) and involves >50 neighboring Fe sites. The interstitial >2 mu_B moment is surrounded by compensating ferromagnetic four spin clusters that may seed double stripe ordering in Fe_{1+y}Te. A semi-metallic 5-band model with (1/2,1/2) Fermi surface nesting and four fold symmetric super-exchange between interstitial Fe and two in-plane nearest neighbors largely accounts for the observed diffraction.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Precise measurement of parity violation in polarized muon decay

We present a new high precision measurement of parity violation in the weak interaction, using polarized muon decay. The TWIST collaboration has measured $P_μ^πξ$, where $P_μ^π$ is the polarization of the muon in pion decay and $ξ$ describes the intrinsic asymmetry in muon decay. We find $P_μ^πξ= 1.00084 \pm 0.00029\,(\textrm{stat.})_{-0.00063}^{+0.00165}\,(\textrm{syst.})$, in good agreement with the standard model prediction of $P_μ^π=ξ=1$. Our result is a factor of 7 more precise than the pre-TWIST value, setting new limits in left-right symmetric electroweak extensions to the standard model.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2011

How robust the global measurements of London penetration depth are: the case of Fe(Te$_{1-x}$,Se$_{x}$)

We report tunnel diode resonator measurements of in-plane London penetration depth, $λ(T)$, in optimally-doped single crystals of Fe(Te$_{0.58}$Se$_{0.42}$) with $T_c\sim$ 14.8 K. Systematic measurements were carried out for six samples with different size and surface roughness. The power-law behavior, $Δλ(T) = A T^n$ was found for all samples with the average exponent $n_{avg} = 2.3 \pm 0.1$ and the pre-factor $A_{avg} = 1.0 \pm 0.2$ nm/K$^{2.3}$. The average superfluid density is well described by the self-consistent two-gap $γ$ model resulting in $Δ_{_{I}}(0)/k_B T_c$ = 1.93 and $Δ_{_{II}}(0)/k_B T_c$ = 0.9. By analyzing the data obtained on samples of different size and deliberately introduced surface roughness, it is concluded that the calibration procedure used to obtain $λ(T)$ from the measured TDR frequency shift is quite robust and the uncertainty in sample dimensions and the nature of surface roughness play only minor role. The exponent $n$, directly related to the superconducting gap structure, remains virtually unchanged. The calibration - dependent pre-factor $A$ shows some variation, but stays within reasonable margin ruling out some recent suggestions that surface conditions can significantly affect the results. Our results confirm that precision global measurements provide the most objective information regarding temperature - dependent London penetration depth.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Reevaluation of the $^{14}$O($α$,p)$^{17}$F Resonant Reaction Rate

The reaction rates of the key stellar reaction of $^{14}$O($α$,p)$^{17}$F have been reevaluated. It is thought that the previous 1$^-$ assignment for the 6.15-MeV state is incorrect by a careful reanalysis of the previous experimental data [J. Gómez del Campo {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 86}, 43 (2001)]. Most probably, the 6.286-MeV state is the key 1$^-$ state and the 6.15-MeV state is a 2$^-$ one, and hence the resonance at $E_x$=6.286 MeV ($J^π$=1$^-$) actually dominates the reaction rates in the temperature region of astrophysical interests. The newly calculated reaction rates for the $^{14}$O($α$,p)$^{17}$F reaction are quite different from the previous ones, for instance, it's only about 1/6 of the previous value around 0.4 GK, while it's about 2.4 times larger than the previous value around 2 GK. The astrophysical implications have been briefly discussed based on the present conclusions.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Interfacial nanostructure induced spin-reorientation transition in Ni/Fe/Ni/W(110)

We investigated the mechanism of the spin-reorientation transition (SRT) in the Ni/Fe/Ni/W(110) system using in situ low-energy electron microscopy, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements, and first principles electronic structure calculations. We discovered that the growth of Fe on a flat Ni film on a W (110) crystal resulted in the formation of nanosized particles, instead of a uniform monolayer of Fe as commonly assumed. This interfacial nanostructure leads to a change of the system's dimensionality from two dimensional- to three dimensional-like, which simultaneously weakens the dipolar interaction and enhances the spin-orbit coupling in the system and drives the observed SRT.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2011

Calorimetric Evidence of Strong-Coupling Multiband Superconductivity in Fe(Te0.57Se0.43) Single Crystal

We have investigated the specific heat of optimally-doped iron chalcogenide superconductor Fe(Te0.57Se0.43) with a high-quality single crystal sample. The electronic specific heat Ce of this sample has been successfully separated from the phonon contribution using the specific heat of a non-superconducting sample (Fe0.90Cu0.10)(Te0.57Se0.43) as a reference. The normal state Sommerfeld coefficient gamma_n of the superconducting sample is found to be ~ 26.6 mJ/mol K^2, indicating intermediate electronic correlation. The temperature dependence of Ce in the superconducting state can be best fitted using a double-gap model with 2Delta_s(0)/kBTc = 3.92 and 2Delta_l(0)/kBTc = 5.84. The large gap magnitudes derived from fitting, as well as the large specific heat jump of Delta_Ce(Tc)/gamma_n*Tc ~ 2.11, indicate strong-coupling superconductivity. Furthermore, the magnetic field dependence of specific heat shows strong evidence for multiband superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

New Experimental Constraints for the Standard Model from Muon Decay

The TWIST Collaboration has completed a new measurement of the energy-angle spectrum of positrons from the decay of highly polarized muons. A simultaneous measurement of the muon decay parameters ρ, δ, and (P_μ)ξ tests the Standard Model (SM) in a purely leptonic process and provides improved limits for relevant extensions to the SM. Specifically, for the generalized left-right symmetric model |(g_R/g_L)ζ|<0.020 and (g_L/g_R)m_2> 578 GeV/c^2, both 90% C.L.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2010

Investigation of excited states in $^{18}$Ne via resonant elastic scattering of $^{17}$F+p and its astrophysical implication in the stellar reaction of $^{14}$O($α$,$p$)$^{17}$F

Properties of proton resonances in $^{18}$Ne have been investigated efficiently by utilizing a technique of proton resonant elastic scattering with a $^{17}$F radioactive ion (RI) beam and a thick proton target. A 4.22~MeV/nucleon $^{17}$F RI beam was produced via a projectile-fragmentation reaction, and subsequently separated by a Radioactive Ion Beam Line in Lanzhou ({\tt RIBLL}). Energy spectra of the recoiled protons were measured by two sets of $Δ$E-E silicon telescope at center-of-mass scattering angles of $θ_{c.m.}$$\approx$175${^\circ}$$\pm$5${^\circ}$, $θ_{c.m.}$$\approx$152${^\circ}$$\pm$8${^\circ}$, respectively. Several proton resonances in $^{18}$Ne were observed, and their resonant parameters have been determined by an $R$-matrix analysis of the differential cross sections in combination with the previous results. The resonant parameters are related to the reaction-rate calculation of the stellar $^{14}$O($α$,$p$)$^{17}$F reaction, which was thought to be the breakout reaction from the hot CNO cycles into the $rp$-process in x-ray bursters. Here, $J^π$=(3$^-$, 2$^-$) are tentatively assigned to the 6.15-MeV state which was thought the key 1$^-$ state previously. In addition, a doublet structure at 7.05 MeV are tentatively identified, and its contribution to the resonant reaction rate of $^{14}$O($α$,$p$)$^{17}$F could be enhanced by at least factors of about 4$\sim$6 in comparison with the previous estimation involving only a singlet. The present calculated resonant rates are much larger than those previous values, and it may imply that this breakout reaction could play a crucial role under x-ray bursters conditions.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2010

Calibration of the TWIST high-precision drift chambers

A method for the precise measurement of drift times for the high-precision drift chambers used in the TWIST detector is described. It is based on the iterative correction of the space-time relationships by the time residuals of the track fit, resulting in a measurement of the effective drift times. The corrected drift time maps are parametrised individually for each chamber using spline functions. Biases introduced by the reconstruction itself are taken into account as well, making it necessary to apply the procedure to both data and simulation. The described calibration is shown to improve the reconstruction performance and to extend significantly the physics reach of the experiment.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2010

Blind analysis results of the TWIST experiment

The TRIUMF Weak Interaction Symmetry Test (TWIST) experiment was designed to test the standard model at high precision in the purely leptonic decay of polarized muons. A general four-fermion interaction model is used to describe the muon decay. TWIST measures three of the four muon decay parameters of this model, $ρ$, $δ$ and $P_μ^π ξ$, from the shape of the momentum-angle spectrum. The results of this model independent approach are compared to the standard model predictions and used to constrain new physics. Our collaboration has finalized the blind analysis of the final experimental data taken in 2006 and 2007. This analysis mostly reached our goal of a precision of an order of magnitude improvement over the pre-TWIST measurements.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2010

From (pi, 0) magnetic order to superconductivity with (pi, pi) magnetic resonance in Fe1.02(Te1-xSex)

The iron chalcogenide Fe1+y(Te1-xSex) is structurally the simplest of the Fe-based superconductors. Although the Fermi surface is similar to iron pnictides, the parent compound Fe1+yTe exhibits antiferromagnetic order with in-plane magnetic wave-vector (pi, 0). This contrasts the pnictide parent compounds where the magnetic order has an in-plane magnetic wave-vector (pi, pi) that connects hole and electron parts of the Fermi surface. Despite these differences, both the pnictide and chalcogenide Fe-superconductors exhibit superconducting spin resonances around (pi, pi), suggesting a common symmetry for their superconducting order parameter. A central question in this burgeoning field is therefore how (pi, pi) superconductivity can emerge from a (pi, 0) magnetic instability. Here, we report that the magnetic soft mode evolving from the (pi, 0)-type magnetic long-range order is associated with weak charge carrier localization. Bulk superconductivity occurs only as the magnetic mode at (pi, pi) becomes dominant upon doping. Our results suggest a common magnetic origin for superconductivity in iron chalcogenide and pnictide superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Reexamination of reaction rates for a key stellar reaction of $^{14}$O($α$,p)$^{17}$F

The reaction rates of the key stellar reaction of $^{14}$O($α$,p)$^{17}$F have been reexamined. The previous conclusion, the 6.15-MeV state ($J^π$=1$^-$) dominating this reaction rate, has been overthrown by a careful reanalysis of the previous experimental data [J. Gómez del Campo {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 86}, 43 (2001)]. According to the present $R$-matrix analysis, the previous 1$^-$ assignment for the 6.15-MeV state is definitely wrong. Most probably, the 6.286-MeV state is the 1$^-$ state and the 6.15-MeV state is a 3$^-$ one, and hence the resonance at $E_x$=6.286 MeV ($J^π$=1$^-$) dominates the reaction rates in the temperature region of astrophysical interests. The newly calculated reaction rates for the $^{14}$O($α$,p)$^{17}$F reaction are quite different from the previous ones, for instance, it's only about 1/6 of the previous value around 0.4 GK, while it's about 2.4 times larger than the previous value around 2 GK. The astrophysical implications have been discussed based on the present conclusions.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

London penetration depth and superfluid density in single crystals of Fe(Te,Se) and Fe(Te,S) superconductors

The in-plane London penetration depth, $λ(T)$, was measured in single crystals of the iron-chalcogenide superconductors Fe$_{1.03}$(Te$_{0.63}$Se$_{0.37}$) and Fe$_{1.06}$(Te$_{0.88}$S$_{0.14}$) by using a radio-frequency tunnel diode resonator. As is also the case for the iron-pnictides, these iron-chalcogenides exhibit a nearly quadratic temperature variation of $λ(T)$ at low temperatures. The absolute value of the penetration depth in the $T \to 0$ limit was determined for Fe$_{1.03}$(Te$_{0.63}$Se$_{0.37})$ by using an Al coating technique, giving $λ(0)\approx560 \pm 20$ nm. The superfluid density $ρ_s(T)=λ^2(0)/λ^2(T)$ was fitted with a self-consistent two-gap $γ-$model. While two different gaps are needed to describe the full-range temperature variation of $ρ_s(T)$, a non-exponential behavior at low temperatures requires additional factors, such as scattering and/or significant gap anisotropy.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Charge carrier localization induced by excess Fe in the Fe1+y(Te,Se) superconductor system

We have investigated the effect of Fe nonstoichiometry on properties of the Fe1+y(Te, Se) superconductor system by means of resistivity, Hall coefficient, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements. We find that the excess Fe at interstitial sites of the (Te, Se) layers not only suppresses superconductivity, but also results in a weakly localized electronic state. We argue that these effects originate from the magnetic coupling between the excess Fe and the adjacent Fe square planar sheets, which favors a short-range magnetic order.

cond-mat.supr-con↗