arXiv subjects

Jiacai Nie

Publications and source records attributed to Jiacai Nie.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Superconducting dome and field-enhanced superconductivity of PLD synthesized Nd1-xEuxNiO2 thin films

We report on the synthesis of infinite-layer Nd1-xEuxNiO2 (0<x<0.7) thin films using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) followed by topotactic reduction with CaH2. Resistivity measurements on these films reveal a superconducting dome within the doping range 0.2<x<0.5, which is wider than that achieved by molecular beam epitaxy and comparable to that obtained by chemical synthesis. The x=0.3 PLD film exhibits the optimal superconducting transition temperature Tc~31 K, much higher than those grown by other vacuum epitaxial techniques. This result indicates that PLD is an ideal approach for fabricating high-quality, high-Tc Nd1-xEuxNiO2 superconducting films. Magneto-transport measurements reveal robust field-enhanced and re-entrant superconductivity in both underdoped and overdoped regimes. At low temperatures just above the onset Tc, the Hall resistance exhibits nonlinear behavior, which may originate from magnetic impurity scattering. These results highlight the crucial role of magnetic rare-earth Eu2+ ions in producing the exotic physical properties of the infinite-layer nickelates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Mapping electronic states of dual-parallel and symmetric zigzag grain boundaries of graphene on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

The grain boundaries (GBs) of a graphene surface were extensively studied because GBs with specific defect configurations result in the formation of new curved structures, which can be treated as new carbon allotropes. We studied the structures and electronic spectra of two periodic GBs in graphene on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surfaces using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/S). Our results demonstrated that a GB consisting of dual parallel periodic dislocation cores of pentagonal-heptagonal (5-7) carbon rings gives rise to an enhanced localized state at 0.45 eV above the Dirac point in graphene surfaces, which is attributed to van Hove singularities (VHSs). Moreover, the energy positions of the localized states are varied between 0.40 and 0.47 eV depending on the site and eventually decayed to 0.36 eV. The variation of the energy positions is induced by two parallel GBs because of the higher electron density at the GB as a defect center and the lower electron away from the GB. Another periodic GB with a symmetric zigzag structural feature induced VHSs at -0.038 and 0.12 eV near the Fermi level. Moreover, intervalley scattering was observed on both these GBs. This means that carrier concentration and thus, the conductance around the periodic GBs can be significantly enhanced by localized density of states. This finding suggests that graphene with a properly embedded ordered GB is promising for improving the performance of graphene-based electronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Observation of Quantum Griffiths Singularity and Ferromagnetism at Superconducting LaAlO3/SrTiO3(110) Interface

Diverse phenomena emerge at the interface between band insulators LaAlO3 and SrTiO3, such as superconductivity and ferromagnetism, showing an opportunity for potential applications as well as bringing fundamental research interests. Particularly, the two-dimensional electron gas formed at LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface offers an appealing platform for quantum phase transition from a superconductor to a weakly localized metal. Here we report the superconductor-metal transition in superconducting two-dimensional electron gas formed at LaAlO3/SrTiO3(110) interface driven by a perpendicular magnetic field. Interestingly, when approaching the quantum critical point, the dynamic critical exponent is not a constant but a diverging value, which is a direct evidence of quantum Griffiths singularity raised from quenched disorder at ultralow temperatures. Furthermore, the hysteretic property of magnetoresistance was firstly observed at LaAlO3/SrTiO3(110) interfaces, which suggests potential coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism.

cond-mat.supr-con↗