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James M. Valles Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to James M. Valles Jr..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

A strange metal in a bosonic system

Fermi liquid theory forms the basis for our understanding of the majority of metals, which is manifested in the description of transport properties that the electrical resistivity goes as temperature squared in the limit of zero temperature. However, the observations of strange metal states in various quantum materials, notably high-temperature superconductors, bring this spectacularly successful theoretical framework into crisis. When electron scattering rate 1/τ hits its limit, kBT/{\hbar} where {\hbar} is the reduced Planck's constant, T represents absolute temperature and kB denotes Boltzmann's constant, Planckian dissipation occurs and lends strange metals a surprising link to black holes, gravity, and quantum information theory. Here, we show the characteristic signature of strange metallicity arising unprecedentedly in a bosonic system. Our nanopatterned YBa2Cu3O7-δ(YBCO) film arrays reveal T-linear resistance as well as B-linear magnetoresistance over an extended temperature and magnetic field range in a quantum critical region in the phase diagram. Moreover, the slope of the T-linear resistance α_cp appears bounded by α_cp {\approx} h/2e^2 [1/T]_c^onset where T_c^onset is the temperature at which Cooper pairs form, intimating a common scale-invariant transport mechanism corresponding to Planckian dissipation.In contrast to fermionic systems where the temperature and magnetic field dependent scattering rates combine in quadrature of {\hbar}/τ {\approx} {\sqrt} (((k_B T)^2+(μ_B B)^2)), both terms linearly combine in the present bosonic system, i.e. {\hbar}/τ {\approx} (k_B T+[γμ]_B B), where γ is a constant. By extending the reach of strange metal phenomenology to a bosonic system, our results suggest that there is a fundamental principle governing their transport which transcends particle statistics.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Quantum coherence across bosonic superconductor-anomalous metal-insulator transitions

After decades of explorations, suffering from low critical temperature and subtle nature, whether a metallic ground state exists in a two-dimensional system beyond Anderson localization is still a mystery. Supremely, phase coherence could be the key that unlocks its intriguing nature. This work reveals how quantum phase coherence evolves across bosonic superconductor-metal-insulator transitions via magneto-conductance quantum oscillations in high-Tc superconducting films. A robust intervening anomalous metallic state characterized by both resistance and oscillation amplitude saturations in the low temperature regime is detected. By contrast, with decreasing temperature the oscillation amplitude monotonically grows on the superconducting side, but decreases at low temperatures on the insulating side. It suggests that the saturation of phase coherence plays a prominent role in the formation of this anomalous metallic state.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Magnetic Flux Periodic Response of Nano-perforated Ultrathin Superconducting Films

We have patterned a hexagonal array of nano-scale holes into a series of ultrathin, superconducting Bi/Sb films with transition temperatures 2.65 K $<T_{co} < $5 K. These regular perforations give the films a phase-sensitive periodic response to an applied magnetic field. By measuring this response in their resistive transitions, $R(T)$, we are able to distinguish regimes in which fluctuations of the amplitude, both the amplitude and phase, and the phase of the superconducting order parameter dominate the transport. The portion of $R(T)$ dominated by amplitude fluctuations is larger in lower $T_{co}$ films and thus, grows with proximity to the superconductor to insulator transition.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Ordered Nano-Crystal Arrays Spontaneously Form in Films Evaporated onto Nanopore Array Substrates

We present SEM images of films thermally evaporated onto Anodic Aluminum Oxide substrates that are patterned with a hexagonal array of 34 and 80 nm diameter holes spaced by 100 nm. Over a range of film thicknesses, Pb and Sn films spontaneously self assemble into an array of nano-crystals in registry with the underlying hole lattice. The development of the arrays with thickness indicates that surface energies drive coalescing grains to move over the holes. Materials that wet the substrate or whose grains do not coalesce at these substrate temperatures do not form arrays. We discuss some potential applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗