arXiv subjects

K. M. Shen

Publications and source records attributed to K. M. Shen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Role of Dirac nodal lines and strain on the high spin Hall conductivity of epitaxial IrO2 thin films

Since the discovery of a 'giant' spin Hall effect (SHE) in certain heavy metal elements there has been an intense effort to identify and develop new and technologically viable, heavy-metal-based thin film materials that could generate spin currents with even greater efficiency to exert spin-orbit torques (SOT) on adjacent ferromagnetic nanostructures. In parallel, there have been wide ranging fundamental studies of the spin currents that can arise from robust, intrinsic spin-orbit interaction (SOI) effects in more exotic systems including topological insulators, transition metal dichalcogenides with broken crystalline symmetry, Weyl and Dirac semimetals where gapless electronic excitations are protected by topology and symmetry. Here we experimentally study strong SOT from the topological semimetal IrO2 in (001) and (110) normal films, which exhibit distinctly different SHE strengths. Angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy studies have shown IrO2 exhibits Dirac nodal lines (DNL) in the band structure, which could enable a very high spin Hall conductivity (SHC). The (001) films exhibit exceptionally high damping like torque efficiency ranging from 0.45 at 293 K to 0.65 at 30 K which sets the lower bound of SHC that is ten times higher and of opposite sign than the theoretical prediction. We observe a substantial reduction of SHC in anisotropically strained (110) films, which suggests that the DNLs that are present in the (001) films and contribute to SHC, are disrupted and gapped due to the large anisotropic strain in (110) films, which in turn significantly lowers SHC. Very large value of SHC at room temperature of this Dirac semimetal could be very promising for the practical application.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Sub-THz momentum drag and violation of Matthiessen's rule in an ultraclean ferromagnetic SrRuO$_3$ metallic thin film

SrRuO$_3$, a ferromagnet with an approximately 160\,K Curie temperature, exhibits a $T^2$ dependent dc resistivity below $\approx$ 30 K. Nevertheless, previous optical studies in the infrared and terahertz range show non-Drude dynamics at low temperatures which seem to contradict a Fermi-liquid picture with long-lived quasiparticles. In this work, we measure the low-frequency THz range response of thin films with residual resistivity ratios, $ρ_{300K}/ ρ_{4K} \approx$ 74. Such low disorder samples allow an unprecedented look at the effects of electron-electron interactions on low-frequency transport. At temperatures below 30 K, we found both a very sharp zero-frequency mode which has a width narrower than $k_BT/\hbar$ as well as a broader zero frequency Lorentzian that has at least an order of magnitude larger scattering rate. Both features have temperature dependencies consistent with a Fermi-liquid with the wider feature explicitly showing a T$^2$ scaling. Such two -Drude transport sheds light on previous reports of the violation of Mathielssen's rule and extreme sensitivity to disorder in metallic ruthenates. We consider a number of possibilities for the origin of the two feature optical conductivity including multiband effects that arise from momentum conserving interband scattering and the approximate conservation of a pseudo-momentum that arises from quasi-1D Fermi surfaces.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Electronic and vibrational signatures of ruthenium vacancies in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ thin films

The synthesis of stoichiometric Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ thin films has been a challenge because of the high volatility of ruthenium oxide precursors, which gives rise to ruthenium vacancies in the films. Ru vacancies greatly affect the transport properties and electronic phase behavior of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, but their direct detection is difficult due to their atomic dimensions and low concentration. We applied polarized X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the oxygen K-edge and confocal Raman spectroscopy to Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ thin films synthesized under different conditions. The results show that these methods can serve as sensitive probes of the electronic and vibrational properties of Ru vacancies, respectively. The intensities of the vacancy-related spectroscopic features extracted from these measurements are well correlated with the transport properties of the films. The methodology introduced here can thus help to understand and control the stoichiometry and transport properties in films of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ and other ruthenates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Strain-Engineering Mott-Insulating La$_2$CuO$_4$

The transition temperature $T_\textrm{c}$ of unconventional superconductivity is often tunable. For a monolayer of FeSe, for example, the sweet spot is uniquely bound to titanium-oxide substrates. By contrast for La$_{2-\mathrm{x}}$Sr$_\mathrm{x}$CuO$_4$ thin films, such substrates are sub-optimal and the highest $T_\textrm{c}$ is instead obtained using LaSrAlO$_4$. An outstanding challenge is thus to understand the optimal conditions for superconductivity in thin films: which microscopic parameters drive the change in $T_\mathrm{c}$ and how can we tune them? Here we demonstrate, by a combination of x-ray absorption and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy, how the Coulomb and magnetic-exchange interaction of La$_2$CuO$_4$ thin films can be enhanced by compressive strain. Our experiments and theoretical calculations establish that the substrate producing the largest $T_\textrm{c}$ under doping also generates the largest nearest neighbour hopping integral, Coulomb and magnetic-exchange interaction. We hence suggest optimising the parent Mott state as a strategy for enhancing the superconducting transition temperature in cuprates.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Strain Control of Fermiology and Many-Body Interactions in Two-Dimensional Ruthenates

Here we demonstrate how the Fermi surface topology and quantum many-body interactions can be manipulated via epitaxial strain in the spin-triplet superconductor Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ and its isoelectronic counterpart Ba$_2$RuO$_4$ using oxide molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), \emph{in situ} angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), and transport measurements. Near the topological transition of the $γ$ Fermi surface sheet, we observe clear signatures of critical fluctuations, while the quasiparticle mass enhancement is found to increase rapidly and monotonically with increasing Ru-O bond distance. Our work demonstrates the possibilities for using epitaxial strain as a disorder-free means of manipulating emergent properties, many-body interactions, and potentially the superconductivity in correlated materials.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Quantifying electronic correlation strength in a complex oxide: a combined DMFT and ARPES study of LaNiO$_3$

The electronic correlation strength is a basic quantity that characterizes the physical properties of materials such as transition metal oxides. Determining correlation strengths requires both precise definitions and a careful comparison between experiment and theory. In this paper we define the correlation strength via the magnitude of the electron self-energy near the Fermi level. For the case of LaNiO$_3$, we obtain both the experimental and theoretical mass enhancements $m^\star/m$ by considering high resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements and density functional + dynamical mean field theory (DFT + DMFT) calculations. We use valence-band photoemission data to constrain the free parameters in the theory, and demonstrate a quantitative agreement between the experiment and theory when both the realistic crystal structure and strong electronic correlations are taken into account. These results provide a benchmark for the accuracy of the DFT+DMFT theoretical approach, and can serve as a test case when considering other complex materials. By establishing the level of accuracy of the theory, this work also will enable better quantitative predictions when engineering new emergent properties in nickelate heterostructures.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Formation and observation of a quasi-two-dimensional $d_{xy}$ electron liquid in epitaxially stabilized Sr$_{2-x}$La$_{x}$TiO$_{4}$ thin films

We report the formation and observation of an electron liquid in Sr$_{2-x}$La$_{x}$TiO$_4$, the quasi-two-dimensional counterpart of SrTiO$_3$, through reactive molecular-beam epitaxy and {\it in situ} angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The lowest lying states are found to be comprised of Ti 3$d_{xy}$ orbitals, analogous to the LaAlO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ interface and exhibit unusually broad features characterized by quantized energy levels and a reduced Luttinger volume. Using model calculations, we explain these characteristics through an interplay of disorder and electron-phonon coupling acting co-operatively at similar energy scales, which provides a possible mechanism for explaining the low free carrier concentrations observed at various oxide heterostructures such as the LaAlO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ interface.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Hierarchical spin-orbital polarisation of a giant Rashba system

The Rashba effect is one of the most striking manifestations of spin-orbit coupling in solids, and provides a cornerstone for the burgeoning field of semiconductor spintronics. It is typically assumed to manifest as a momentum-dependent splitting of a single initially spin-degenerate band into two branches with opposite spin polarisation. Here, combining polarisation-dependent and resonant angle-resolved photoemission measurements with density-functional theory calculations, we show that the two "spin-split" branches of the model giant Rashba system BiTeI additionally develop disparate orbital textures, each of which is coupled to a distinct spin configuration. This necessitates a re-interpretation of spin splitting in Rashba-like systems, and opens new possibilities for controlling spin polarisation through the orbital sector.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Interplay of Spin-Orbit Interactions, Dimensionality, and Octahedral Rotations in Semimetallic SrIrO$_3$

We employ reactive molecular-beam epitaxy to synthesize the metastable perovskite SrIrO$_{3}$ and utilize {\it in situ} angle-resolved photoemission to reveal its electronic structure as an exotic narrow-band semimetal. We discover remarkably narrow bands which originate from a confluence of strong spin-orbit interactions, dimensionality, and both in- and out-of-plane IrO$_6$ octahedral rotations. The partial occupation of numerous bands with strongly mixed orbital characters signals the breakdown of the single-band Mott picture that characterizes its insulating two-dimensional counterpart, Sr$_{2}$IrO$_{4}$, illustrating the power of structure-property relations for manipulating the subtle balance between spin-orbit interactions and electron-electron interactions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Non-Extensive Quantum Statistics with Particle - Hole Symmetry

Based on Tsallis entropy and the corresponding deformed exponential function, generalized distribution functions for bosons and fermions have been used since a while. However, aiming at a non-extensive quantum statistics further requirements arise from the symmetric handling of particles and holes (excitations above and below the Fermi level). Naive replacements of the exponential function or cut and paste solutions fail to satisfy this symmetry and to be smooth at the Fermi level at the same time. We solve this problem by a general ansatz dividing the deformed exponential to odd and even terms and demonstrate that how earlier suggestions, like the kappa- and q-exponential behave in this respect.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2014

Correlated vs. conventional insulating behavior in the Jeff=1/2 vs. 3/2 bands in the layered iridate Ba2IrO4

We employ molecular beam epitaxy to stabilize Ba2IrO4 thin films and utilize in situ angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to investigate the evolution of its electronic structure through the Neel temperature TN. Our measurements indicate that dispersions of the relativistic Jeff=1/2 and 3/2 bands exhibit an unusual dichotomy in their behavior through the Neel transition. Although the charge gap survives into the paramagnetic state, only the Jeff=1/2 state exhibits a strong temperature dependence and its gap softens with increasing temperature approaching TN, while the nearly fully occupied Jeff=3/2 state which remains nearby in energy exhibits negligible changes with temperature.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Topological Surface States and Superconductivity in [Tl$_4$](Tl$_{1-x}$Sn$_{x}$)Te$_3$ Perovskites

Materials with strong spin-orbit coupling have attracted attention following the prediction and subsequent discovery of strong two- and three-dimensional topological insulators in which a topological property of the bulk band structure of an insulator results in metallic surface states with Dirac-like dispersion. Here we report the discovery of Dirac-like surface states in the perovskite superconductor [Tl$_4$]TlTe$_3$ (Tl5Te3) and its non-superconducting tin-doped derivative, [Tl4](Tl$_{0.4}$Sn$_{0.6}$)Te$_3$, as observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations predict a single spin-orbit driven band parity inversion at the $Z$ point above the Fermi level of Tl5Te3, suggesting the surface states are protected by Z$_2$ topology. Calculations on [Tl$_4$]SnTe$_3$ show no parity inversions, implying that a topological transition from non-trivial to trivial must occur upon doping with tin, i.e., [Tl$_4$](Tl$_{1-x}$Sn$_{x}$)Te$_3$. Thus [Tl$_4$]{\it M}Te$_3$ perovskites are a possible new, non-trigonal class of Z$_2$ topological compounds. Additionally, as Tl5Te3 is a stoichiometric bulk superconductor, these perovskites are ideal materials in which to study the interplay between surface states and bulk superconductivity.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Quasiparticle Mass Enhancement and Temperature Dependence of the Electronic Structure of Ferromagnetic SrRuO3 Thin Films

We report high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission studies of epitaxial thin films of the correlated 4d transition metal oxide ferromagnet SrRuO3. The Fermi surface in the ferromagnetic state consists of well-defined Landau quasiparticles, exhibiting strong coupling to low-energy bosonic modes which contributes to the large effective masses observed by transport and thermodynamic measurements. Upon warming the material through its Curie temperature, we observe a substantial decrease in quasiparticle coherence, but negligible changes in the ferromagnetic exchange splitting, suggesting that local moments play an important role in the ferromagnetism in SrRuO3.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Spectroscopic evidence for polaronic behaviour of the strong spin-orbit insulator Sr$_3$Ir$_2$O$_7$

We investigate the bilayer Ruddlesden-Popper iridate Sr$_3$Ir$_2$O$_7$ by temperature-dependent angle-resolved photoemission. We find a narrow-gap correlated insulator, with spectral features indicative of a polaronic ground state, strikingly similar to that observed previously for the parent compounds of the cuprate superconductors. We additionally observe similar behaviour for the single-layer cousin Sr$_2$IrO$_4$, indicating that strong electron-boson coupling dominates the low-energy excitations of this exotic family of materials, and providing a microscopic link between the insulating ground states of the seemingly-disparate 3d cuprates and 5d iridates.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Formation and consequences of heavy d-electron quasiparticles in Sr3Ru2O7

We report angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of the quantum critical metal Sr3Ru2O7 revealing itinerant Ru 4d-states confined over large parts of the Brillouin zone to an energy range of < 6 meV, nearly three orders of magnitude lower than the bare band width. We show that this energy scale agrees quantitatively with a characteristic thermodynamic energy scale associated with quantum criticality and illustrate how it arises from the hybridization of light and strongly renormalized, heavy quasiparticle bands. For the largest Fermi surface sheet we find a marked k-dependence of the renormalization and show that it correlates with the Ru 4d - O 2p hybridization.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Temperature dependence of the electronic structure and Fermi-surface reconstruction of Eu(1-x)Gd(x)O through the ferromagnetic metal-insulator transition

We present angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of Eu(1-x)Gd(x)O through the ferromagnetic metal-insulator transition. In the ferromagnetic phase, we observe Fermi surface pockets at the Brillouin zone boundary, consistent with density functional theory, which predicts a half metal. Upon warming into the paramagnetic state, our results reveal a strong momentum-dependent evolution of the electronic structure, where the metallic states at the zone boundary are replaced by pseudogapped states at the Brillouin zone center due to the absence of magnetic long-range order of the Eu 4f moments.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Determination of total x-ray absorption coefficient using non-resonant x-ray emission

An alternative measure of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) called inverse partial fluorescence yield (IPFY) has recently been developed that is both bulk sensitive and free of saturation effects. Here we show that the angle dependence of IPFY can provide a measure directly proportional to the total x-ray absorption coefficient, $μ(E)$. In contrast, fluorescence yield (FY) and electron yield (EY) spectra are offset and/or distorted from $μ(E)$ by an unknown and difficult to measure amount. Moreover, our measurement can determine $μ(E)$ in absolute units with no free parameters by scaling to $μ(E)$ at the non-resonant emission energy. We demonstrate this technique with measurements on NiO and NdGaO$_3$. Determining $μ(E)$ across edge-steps enables the use of XAS as a non-destructive measure of material composition. In NdGaO$_3$, we also demonstrate the utility of IPFY for insulating samples, where neither EY or FY provide reliable spectra due to sample charging and self-absorption effects, respectively.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Polaronic metal in lightly doped high-Tc cuprates

We present a combined study of the angle-resolved-photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and quantum Monte Carlo simulations to propose a novel polaronic metallic state in underdoped cuprates. An approximation scheme is proposed to represent underdoped cuprates away from 1/2 filling, replacing the many-body Hamiltonian by that of a single polaron with effective electron-phonon interaction (EPI), that successfully explains many puzzles such as a large momentum-dependent dichotomy between nodal and anti-nodal directions, and an unconventional doping dependence of ARPES in the underdoped region.

cond-mat.str-el↗