arXiv subjects

J. P. Rodriguez

Publications and source records attributed to J. P. Rodriguez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Flat Electron Bands with Bad Valley Quantum Numbers in Twisted Bi-Layer Graphene

We compute the energy spectrum of a nearest-neighbor electron hopping model for bi-layer graphene at commensurate twist angles. Specifically, we focus on the simplest bi-layer lattices, with moire patterns that have no subcells. The electron hopping hamiltonian is analyzed in momentum space, both by degenerate perturbation theory and by exact numerical calculation. We find that the degeneracy in energy along the edge of the moire Brillouin zone due to the two valley quantum numbers is noticeably broken in the flat central bands at the magic twist angle. A mechanism for the appearance of flat central bands themselves at the magic twist angle is also revealed. It is due to maximal level repulsion. The mechanism relies on the assumption that the phase factor for the AA hamiltonian matrix element for inter-graphene-sheet hopping at the middle of the edge of the moire Brillouin zone has a phase equal to half the twist angle. This assumption is confirmed in the case of uniform AA hopping in between the two sheets of graphene, in the limit of large moire unit cells.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Superconductivity by Hidden Spin Fluctuations in Electron-Doped Iron Selenide

Berg, Metlitski and Sachdev, Science 338, 1606 (2012), have shown that the exchange of hidden spin fluctuations by conduction electrons with two orbitals can result in high-temperature superconductivity in copper-oxide materials. We introduce a similar model for high-temperature iron-selenide superconductors that are electron doped. Conduction electrons carry the minimal 3d xz and 3d yz iron-atom orbitals. Low-energy hidden spin fluctuations at the checkerboard wavevector Q_AF result from nested Fermi surfaces at the center and at the corner of the unfolded (one-iron) Brillouin zone. Magnetic frustration from super-exchange interactions via the selenium atoms stabilize hidden spin fluctuations at Q_AF versus true spin fluctuations. At half filling, Eliashberg theory based purely on the exchange of hidden spin fluctuations reveals a Lifshitz transition to electron/hole Fermi surface pockets at the corner of the folded (two-iron) Brillouin zone, but with vanishing spectral weights. The underlying hidden spin-density wave groundstate is therefore a Mott insulator. Upon electron doping, Eliashberg theory finds that the spectral weights of the hole Fermi surface pockets remain vanishingly small, while the spectral weights of the larger electron Fermi surface pockets become appreciable. This prediction is therefore consistent with the observation of electron Fermi surface pockets alone in electron-doped iron selenide by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Eliashberg theory also finds an instability to S+- superconductivity at electron doping, with isotropic Cooper pairs that alternate in sign between the visible electron Fermi surface pockets and the faint hole Fermi surface pockets. Comparison with the isotropic energy gaps observed in electron-doped iron selenide by ARPES and by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is consistent with short-range hidden magnetic order.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Spin Resonances in Iron-Selenide High-Tc Superconductors by Proximity to Hidden Spin Density Wave

Recent inelastic neutron scattering studies by Pan et al., Nature Communications 8, 123 (2017), find evidence for spin excitations at energies above the quasi-particle gap in an iron-selenide high-Tc superconductor. The momenta of the spin excitations form a diamond around the checkerboard wavevector, Q_AF, that is associated with the square lattice of iron atoms that makes up the system. It has been suggested that such a "hollowed-out" spin-excitation spectrum is due to hidden Neel order. We study such a hidden spin-density wave (hSDW) state that results from nested Fermi surfaces at the center and at the corner of the unfolded Brillouin zone. It emerges within mean field theory from an extended Hubbard model over a square lattice of iron atoms that contain the minimal d_xz and d_yz orbitals. Opposing Neel order exists over the isotropic d+ = d_xz + i d_yz and d- = d_xz - i d_yz orbitals. The dynamical spin susceptibility of the hSDW is computed within the random phase approximation, at perfect nesting. Unobservable Goldstone modes that disperse acoustically are found at Q_AF. A threshold is found in the spectrum of observable spin excitations that forms a "floating ring" at Q_AF also. The ring threshold moves down in energy toward zero with increasing Hund's Rule coupling, while it moves up in energy with increasing magnetic frustration. Comparison with the normal-state features of the spin-excitation spectrum shown by electron-doped iron selenide is made. Also, recent predictions of a Lifshitz transition from the nested Fermi surfaces to Fermi surface pockets at the corner of the folded Brillouin zone will be discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Quantum-Critical Spin-Density Waves in Iron-Selenide High-Tc Superconductors

Hidden spin-density waves (hSDW) with Neel ordering vector (pi,pi) have been proposed recently as parent groundstates to electron-doped iron-selenide superconductors. Doping such groundstates can result in visible electron-type Fermi surface pockets and faint hole-type Fermi surface pockets at the corner of the folded Brillouin zone. A Cooper pair instability that alternates in sign between the electron-type and the hole-type Fermi surfaces has recently been predicted. The previous is due to the interaction of electrons and holes with hidden spin fluctuations connected with hSDW order that is near a quantum-critical point. Quantum criticality is tuned in by increasing the strength of Hund's Rule from the hSDW state. We find that the exchange of hidden spin fluctuations by electrons/holes in the critical hSDW state results in asymptotic freedom. In particular, the strength of spin-flip interactions becomes weaker and weaker on length scales that are shorter and shorter compared to the range of hSDW order. We then argue that string states that connect well-separated particle/hole excitations in the hSDW are robust. This suggests a picture where the hole degrees of freedom mentioned previously are confined.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Prediction of Antiferromagnetism in Barium Chromium Phosphide Confirmed after Synthesis

We have carried out density-functional theory (DFT) calculations for the chromium pnictide BaCr2P2, which is structurally analogous to BaFe2As2, a parent compound for iron-pnictide superconductors. Evolutionary methods combined with DFT predict that the chromium analog has the same crystal structure as the latter. DFT also predicts Neel antiferromagnetic order on the chromium sites. Comparison with a simple electron-hopping model over a square lattice of chromium atoms suggests that it is due to residual nesting of the Fermi surfaces. We have confirmed the DFT predictions directly after the successful synthesis of polycrystalline samples of BaCr2P2. X-ray diffraction recovers the predicted crystal structure to high accuracy, while magnetic susceptibility and specific-heat measurements are consistent with a transition to an antiferromagnetically ordered state below T_N ~ 60 K.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Particle-Hole Transformation in Strongly-Doped Iron-Based Superconductors

An exact particle-hole transformation is discovered in a local-moment model for a single layer of heavily electron-doped FeSe. The model harbors hidden magnetic order between the iron d_xz and d_yz orbitals at the wavenumber (pi,pi). It potentially is tied to the magnetic resonances about the very same Neel ordering vector that have been recently discovered in intercalated FeSe. Upon electron doping, the local-moment model successfully accounts for the electron-pocket Fermi surfaces observed experimentally at the corner of the two-iron Brillouin zone in electron-doped FeSe, as well as for isotropic Cooper pairs. Application of the particle-hole transformation predicts a surface-layer iron-based superconductor at strong hole doping that exhibits high T_c, and that shows hole-type Fermi-surface pockets at the center of the two-iron Brillouin zone.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Isotropic Cooper Pairs with Emergent Sign Changes in Single-Layer Iron Superconductor

We model a single layer of heavily electron-doped FeSe by spin-1/2 moments over a square lattice of iron atoms that include the 3d xz and 3d yz orbitals, at strong on-site Coulomb repulsion. Above half filling, we find emergent hole bands below the Fermi level at the center of the one-iron Brillouin zone in a half metal state characterized by hidden magnetic order and by electron-type Fermi surface pockets at wavenumbers that double the unit cell along the principal axes. "Replicas" of the emergent hole bands exist at lower energy in the two-iron Brillouin zone. Exact calculations with two mobile electrons find evidence for isotropic Cooper pairs that alternate in sign between the electron bands and the emergent hole bands.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Collective Mode at Lifshitz Transition in Iron-Pnictide Superconductors

We obtain the exact low-energy spectrum of two mobile holes in a t-J model for an isolated layer in an iron-pnictide superconductor. The minimum d xz and d yz orbitals per iron atom are included, with no hybridization between the two. After tuning the Hund coupling to a putative quantum critical point (QCP) that separates a commensurate spin-density wave from a hidden-order antiferromagnet at half filling, we find an s-wave hole-pair groundstate and a d-wave hole-pair excited state. Near the QCP, both alternate in sign between hole Fermi surface pockets at the Brillouin zone center and emergent electron Fermi surface pockets at momenta that correspond to commensurate spin-density waves (cSDW). The dependence of the energy splitting with increasing Hund coupling yields evidence for a true QCP in the thermodynamic limit near the putative one, at which the s-wave and d-wave Cooper pairs are degenerate. A collective s-to-d-wave oscillation of the macroscopic superconductor that couples to orthorhombic shear strain is also identified. Its resonant frequency is predicted to collapse to zero at the QCP in the limit of low hole concentration. This implies degeneracy of Cooper pairs with s, d and s+id symmetry in the corresponding quantum critical state. We argue that the critical state describes Cooper pairs in hole-doped iron superconductors at the Lifshitz transition, where electron bands first rise above the Fermi level. We thereby predict that the s-to-d-wave collective mode observed by Raman spectroscopy in Ba1-xKxFe2As2 at optimal doping should also be observed at higher doping near the Lifshitz transition.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Emergent Nesting of the Fermi Surface from Local-Moment Description of Iron-Pnictide High-Tc Superconductors

We uncover the low-energy spectrum of a t-J model for electrons on a square lattice of spin-1 iron atoms with 3dxz and 3dyz orbital character by applying Schwinger-boson-slave-fermion mean-field theory and by exact diagonalization of one hole roaming over a 4 x 4 x 2 lattice. Hopping matrix elements are set to produce hole bands centered at zero two-dimensional (2D) momentum in the free-electron limit. Holes can propagate coherently in the t-J model below a threshold Hund coupling when long-range antiferromagnetic order across the d+ = 3d(x+iy)z and d- = 3d(x-iy)z orbitals is established by magnetic frustration that is off-diagonal in the orbital indices. This leads to two hole-pocket Fermi surfaces centered at zero 2D momentum. Proximity to a commensurate spin-density wave (cSDW) that exists above the threshold Hund coupling results in emergent Fermi surface pockets about cSDW momenta at a quantum critical point (QCP). This motivates the introduction of a new Gutzwiller wavefunction for a cSDW metal state. Study of the spin-fluctuation spectrum at cSDW momenta indicates that the dispersion of the nested band of one-particle states that emerges is electron-type. Increasing Hund coupling past the QCP can push the hole-pocket Fermi surfaces centered at zero 2D momentum below the Fermi energy level, in agreement with recent determinations of the electronic structure of mono-layer iron-selenide superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Fermi surfaces of iron-pnictide high-Tc superconductors from the limit of local magnetic moments

A 2-orbital t-J model over the square lattice that describes low-energy electronic excitations in iron-pnictide high-Tc superconductors is analyzed with Schwinger-boson-slave-fermion meanfield theory and by exact numerical diagonalization on a finite system. A quantum critical point (QCP) is identified that separates a commensurate spin-density wave (cSDW) state at strong Hund's rule coupling from a hidden half-metal state at weak Hund's rule coupling when inter-orbital hole hopping is suppressed. Low-energy spinwaves that disperse anisotropically from cSDW momenta are predicted at the QCP. Nested Fermi surfaces similar to those observed experimentally in iron-pnictide materials are also predicted in such case.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Magnetic excitations in ferro-pnictide materials controlled by a quantum critical point into hidden order

The two-orbital J1-J2 model that describes a square lattice of frustrated spin-1 iron atoms is analyzed within the linear spin-wave approximation and by exact diagonalization over a 4x4 cluster. A quantum critical point (QCP) is identified that separates hidden magnetic order at weak Hund's rule coupling from a commensurate spins density wave (cSDW) at strong Hund's rule coupling. Although the moment for cSDW order is small at the QCP, the critical linear spin-wave spectrum shows strong low-energy excitations centered at the wavenumbers that correspond to cSDW order. These disperse anisotropically. A fit to the magnetic excitation spectrum of ferro-pnictide materials obtained recently by inelastic neutron scattering measurements notably accounts for the absence of softening at the wavenumber that corresponds to Neel order.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Comparatively High In-Field Critical Current in Type-II Superconductors from Heterogeneous Columnar Pins: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Theoretical work predicts that the strong dependence of Tc on pure shear strain within the a-b plane of optimally doped YBa2Cu3O{7-delta} results in heterogenous columnar pins of vortex lines about dislocation lines and about nano-columns inclusions aligned in parallel to the c axis. The critical current of a rigid vortex lattice driven by the Lorentz force in the presence of such clusters of pin/antipin lines is computed using two-dimensional (2D) collective pinning theory and by numerical simulation of the corresponding 2D vortex dynamics. Both theory and computer calculation find that the antipin component of the heterogenous columnar pins contributes substantially to the net in-field critical current.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Low ordered magnetic moment by off-diagonal frustration in undoped parent compounds to iron-based high-Tc superconductors

A Heisenberg model over the square lattice recently introduced by Si and Abrahams to describe local-moment magnetism in the new class of Fe-As high-Tc superconductors is analyzed in the classical limit and on a small cluster by exact diagonalization. In the case of spin-1 iron atoms, large enough Heisenberg exchange interactions between neighboring spin-1/2 moments on different iron 3d orbitals that frustrate true magnetic order lead to hidden magnetic order that violates Hund's rule. It accounts for the low ordered magnetic moment observed by elastic neutron diffraction in an undoped parent compound to Fe-As superconductors. We predict that low-energy spin-wave excitations exist at wavenumbers corresponding to either hidden Neel or hidden ferromagnetic order.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Emergence of dissipative structures in current-carrying superconducting wires

We discuss the emergence of a spontaneous temperature and critical current spatial modulation in current-carrying high temperature superconducting wire. The modulation of the critical current along the wire on a scale of 3 - 10 mm forces a fraction of the transport current to crisscross the resistive interface between the superconducting film and normal metal stabilizer attached to it. This generates additional heat that allows such a structure to be self sustainable. Stability and the conditions for experimental observation of this phenomenon are also discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

In-Field Critical Current of Type-II Superconductors Caused by Strain from Nano-scale Columnar Inclusions

The results of a linear elasticity analysis yields that nano-rod inclusions aligned along the c axis of a thin film of YBa2Cu3O{7-delta}, such as BaZrO3 and BaSnO3, squeeze that matrix by pure shear. The sensitivity of the superconducting critical temperature in that material to the latter implies that the phase boundary separating the nano-rod inclusion from the superconductor acts as a collective pinning center for the vortex lattice that appears in external magnetic field. A dominant contribution to the in-field critical current can result. The elasticity analysis also finds that the growth of nano-rod inclusions can be weakly metastable when the inclusion is softer than the matrix.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Critical Current of Type-II Superconductors in a Broken Bose Glass State

The tilt modulus of a defective Abrikosov vortex lattice pinned by material line defects is computed using the boson analogy. It tends to infinity at long wavelength, which yields a Bose glass state that is robust to the addition of weak point-pinning centers, and which implies a restoring force per vortex line for rigid translations about mechanical equilibrium that is independent of magnetic field. It also indicates that the Bose glass state breaks into pieces along the direction of the correlated pinning centers if the latter have finite length. The critical current is predicted to crossover from two dimensional to three dimensional behavior as a function of sample thickness along the correlated pinning centers in such case. That crossover notably can occur at a film thickness that is much larger than that expected from point pins of comparable strength. The above is compared to the dependence on thickness shown by the critical current in certain films of high-temperature superconductors currently being developed for wire technology.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Anomalous Nernst Effect in the Vortex-Liquid Phase of High-Temperature Superconductors by Layer Decoupling

Linear diamagnetism is predicted in the vortex-liquid phase of layered superconductors at temperatures just below the mean-field phase transition on the basis of a high-temperature analysis of the corresponding frustrated XY model. The diamagnetic susceptibility, and the Nernst signal by implication, is found to vanish with temperature as (T_c0 - T)^3 in the vicinity of the meanfield transition at T_c0. Quantitative agreement with recent experimental observations of a diamagnetic signal in the vortex-liquid phase of high-temperature superconductors is obtained.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Long-Range Order of Vortex Lattices Pinned by Point Defects in Layered Superconductors

How the vortex lattice orders at long range in a layered superconductor with weak point pinning centers is studied through a duality analysis of the corresponding frustrated XY model. Vortex-glass order emerges out of the vortex liquid across a macroscopic number of weakly coupled layers in perpendicular magnetic field as the system cools down. Further, the naive magnetic-field scale determined by the Josephson coupling between adjacent layers is found to serve as an upperbound for the stability of any possible conventional vortex lattice phase at low temperature in the extreme type-II limit.

cond-mat.supr-con↗