arXiv subjects

Louis-Pierre Regnault

Publications and source records attributed to Louis-Pierre Regnault.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Spin-Excitations Anisotropy in the Bilayer Iron-Based Superconductor CaKFe$_4$As$_4$

We use polarized inelastic neutron scattering to study the spin-excitations anisotropy in the bilayer iron-based superconductor CaKFe$_4$As$_4$ ($T_c$ = 35 K). In the superconducting state, both odd and even $L-$modulations of spin resonance have been observed in our previous unpolarized neutron scattering experiments (T. Xie {\it et al.} Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 120}, 267003 (2018)). Here we find that the high-energy even mode ($\sim 18$ meV) is isotropic in spin space, but the low-energy odd modes consist of a $c-$axis polarized mode around 9 meV along with another partially overlapped in-plane mode around 12 meV. We argue that such spin anisotropy is induced by the spin-orbit coupling in the spin-vortex-type fluctuations of this unique compound. The spin anisotropy is strongly affected by the superconductivity, where it is weak below 6 meV in the normal state and then transferred to higher energy and further enhanced in the odd mode of spin resonance below $T_c$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

40-tesla pulsed-field cryomagnet for single crystal neutron diffraction

We present the first long-duration and high duty cycle 40-tesla pulsed-field cryomagnet addressed to single crystal neutron diffraction experiments at temperatures down to 2 K. The magnet produces a horizontal field in a bi-conical geometry, $\pm$15 and $\pm$30° upstream and downstream of the sample, respectively. Using a 1.15MJ mobile generator, magnetic field pulses of 100 ms length are generated in the magnet, with a rise time of 23 ms and a repetition rate of 6-7 pulses per hour at 40 T. The setup was validated for neutron diffraction on the CEA-CRG three-axis spectrometer IN22 at the ILL.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Neutron spin resonance in the 112-type iron-based superconductor

We use inelastic neutron scattering to study the low-energy spin excitations of 112-type iron pnictide Ca$_{0.82}$La$_{0.18}$Fe$_{0.96}$Ni$_{0.04}$As$_{2}$ with bulk superconductivity below $T_c=22$ K. A two-dimensional spin resonance mode is found around $E=$ 11 meV, where the resonance energy is almost temperature independent and linearly scales with $T_c$ along with other iron-based superconductors. Polarized neutron analysis reveals the resonance is nearly isotropic in spin space without any $L$ modulations. Due to the unique monoclinic structure with additional zigzag arsenic chains, the As $4p$ orbitals contribute to a three-dimensional hole pocket around $Γ$ point and an extra electron pocket at $X$ point. Our results suggest that the energy and momentum distribution of spin resonance does not directly response to the $k_z$ dependence of fermiology, and the spin resonance intrinsically is a spin-1 mode from singlet-triplet excitations of the Cooper pairs in the case of weak spin-orbital coupling.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Helical bunching and symmetry lowering inducing multiferroicity in Fe langasites

The chiral Fe-based langasites represent model systems of triangle-based frustrated magnets with a strong potential for multiferroicity. We report neutron scattering measurements for the multichiral Ba3MFe3Si2O14 (M = Nb, Ta) langasites revealing new important features of the magnetic order of these systems: the bunching of the helical modulation along the c-axis and the in-plane distortion of the 120{\textdegree} Fe-spin arrangement. We discuss these subtle features in terms of the microscopic spin Hamiltonian, and provide the link to the magnetically-induced electric polarization observed in these systems. Thus, our findings put the multiferroicity of this attractive family of materials on solid ground.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Distinct itinerant spin-density waves and local-moment antiferromagnetism in an intermetallic ErPd$_2$Si$_2$ single crystal

Identifying the nature of magnetism, itinerant or localized, remains a major challenge in condensed-matter science. Purely localized moments appear only in magnetic insulators, whereas itinerant moments more or less co-exist with localized moments in metallic compounds such as the doped-cuprate or the iron-based superconductors, hampering a thorough understanding of the role of magnetism in phenomena like superconductivity or magnetoresistance. Here we distinguish two antiferromagnetic modulations with respective propagation wave vectors of $Q_{\pm}$ = ($H \pm 0.557(1)$, 0, $L \pm 0.150(1)$) and $Q_\text{C}$ = ($H \pm 0.564(1)$, 0, $L$), where $\left(H, L\right)$ are allowed Miller indices, in an ErPd$_2$Si$_2$ single crystal by neutron scattering and establish their respective temperature- and field-dependent phase diagrams. The modulations can co-exist but also compete depending on temperature or applied field strength. They couple differently with the underlying lattice albeit with associated moments in a common direction. The $Q_{\pm}$ modulation may be attributed to localized 4\emph{f} moments while the $Q_\text{C}$ correlates well with itinerant conduction bands, supported by our transport studies. Hence, ErPd$_2$Si$_2$ represents a new model compound that displays clearly-separated itinerant and localized moments, substantiating early theoretical predictions and providing a unique platform allowing the study of itinerant electron behavior in a localized antiferromagnetic matrix.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Neutron scattering studies on URu2Si2

This paper is aiming to review some of the neutron scattering studies performed on URu2Si2 in Grenoble. This compound has been studied for a quarter of century because of a so-called hidden order ground state visible by most of the bulk experiments but almost invisible by microscopic probes like neutrons, muons NMR or x-ray. We stress on some aspects that were not addressed previously. Firstly, the comparison of the cell parameters in the 1-2-2 systems seems to point that the magnetic properties of URu2Si2 are leading by an U4+ electronic state. Secondly, a compilation of the different studies of the tiny antiferromagnetic moment indicates that the tiny antiferromagnetic moment has a constant value which may indicate that it is not necessary extrinsic. We also present the last development on the magnetic form factor measurement in which the magnetic density rotates when entering in the hidden order state. To end, the thermal dependence of the two most intense magnetic excitation at Q0=(1,0,0) and Q1=(0.6,0,0) seems to indicate two different origins or processes for these excitations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Magneto- to electro-active transmutation of spin waves in ErMnO3

The low energy dynamical properties of the multiferroic hexagonal perovskite ErMnO3 have been studied by inelastic neutron scattering as well as terahertz and far infrared spectroscopies on synchrotron source. From these complementary techniques, we have determined the magnon and crystal field spectra and identified a zone center magnon only excitable by the electric field of an electromagnetic wave. Using comparison with the isostructural YMnO3 compound and crystal field calculations, we propose that this dynamical magnetoelectric process is due to the hybridization of a magnon with an electro-active crystal field transition.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

In-plane spin excitation anisotropy in the paramagnetic phase of NaFeAs

We use unpolarized and polarized inelastic neutron scattering to study low-energy spin excitations in NaFeAs, which exhibits a tetragonal-to-orthorhombic lattice distortion at $T_s\approx 58$ K followed by a collinear antiferromagnetic (AF) order below $T_N\approx 45$ K. In the AF ordered state ($T T_s$), spin excitations become more isotropic. Since similar magnetic anisotropy is also observed in the paramagnetic tetragonal phase of superconducting BaFe$_{1.904}$Ni$_{0.096}$As$_2$, our results suggest that the spin excitation anisotropy in superconducting iron pnictides originates from similar anisotropy already present in their parent compounds.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Spin excitation anisotropy as a probe of orbital ordering in the paramagnetic tetragonal phase of superconducting BaFe1.904Ni0.096As2

We use polarized neutron scattering to demonstrate that in-plane spin excitations in electron doped superconducting BaFe1.904Ni0.096As2 (Tc=19.8 K) change from isotropic to anisotropic in the tetragonal phase well above the antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering and tetragonal-to-orthorhombic lattice distortion temperatures (Tn=Ts=33 K) without an uniaxial pressure. While the anisotropic spin excitations are not sensitive to the AF order and tetragonal-to-orthorhombic lattice distortion, superconductivity induces further anisotropy for spin excitations along the [1,1,0] and [1,-1,0] directions. These results indicate that the spin excitation anisotropy is a probe of the electronic anisotropy or orbital ordering in the tetragonal phase of iron pnictides.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Magnetic anisotropy in hole-doped superconducting Ba 0.67K 0.33Fe 2As2 probed by polarized inelastic neutron scattering

We use polarized inelastic neutron scattering (INS) to study spin excitations of optimally hole-doped superconductor Ba$_{0.67}$K$_{0.33}$Fe$_2$As$_{2}$ ($T_c=38$ K). In the normal state, the imaginary part of the dynamic susceptibility, $χ^{\prime\prime}(Q,ω)$, shows magnetic anisotropy for energies below $\sim$7 meV with c-axis polarized spin excitations larger than that of the in-plane component. Upon entering into the superconducting state, previous unpolarized INS experiments have shown that spin gaps at $\sim$5 and 0.75 meV open at wave vectors $Q=(0.5,0.5,0)$ and $(0.5,0.5,1)$, respectively, with a broad neutron spin resonance at $E_r=15$ meV. Our neutron polarization analysis reveals that the large difference in spin gaps is purely due to different spin gaps in the c-axis and in-plane polarized spin excitations, resulting resonance with different energy widths for the c-axis and in-plane spin excitations. The observation of spin anisotropy in both opitmally electron and hole-doped BaFe$_2$As$_2$ is due to their proximity to the AF ordered BaFe$_2$As$_2$ where spin anisotropy exists below $T_N$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Study of the magnetic properties of URu2Si2 under uniaxial stress by neutron scattering

The aim of this study is to compare the magnetic behavior of URu2Si2 under uniaxial stress along the a-axis with the behavior under hydrostatic pressure. Both are very similar, but uniaxial stress presents a critical stress σxa smaller (0.33(5)GPa) than the hydrostatic critical pressure px =0.5 GPa where the ground state switches from HO (hidden order) to AF (antiferromagnetic) ground state. From these critical values and from Larmor neutron diffraction (LND), we conclude that the magnetic properties are governed by the shortest U-U distance in the plane (a lattice parameter). Under stress, the orthorhombic unit cell stays centered. A key point shown by this study is the presence of a threshold for the uniaxial stress along the a-axis before the appearance of the large AF moment which indicates no-mixture of order parameter (OP) between the HO ground state and the AF one as under hydrostatic pressure. The two most intense longitudinal magnetic excitations at Q0=(1,0,0) and Q1=(0.6,0,0) were measured in the HO state: the excitation at Q0 decreases in energy while the excitation at Q1 increases in energy with the uniaxial stress along the a-axis. The decrease of the energy of the excitation at Q0 seems to indicate a critical energy gap value of 1.2(1) meV at σxa. A similar value was derived from studies under hydrostatic pressure at px.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

In-plane magnetic field effect on the neutron spin resonance in optimally doped FeSe$_{0.4}$Te$_{0.6}$ and BaFe$_{1.9}$Ni$_{0.1}$As$_{2}$ superconductors

We use inelastic neutron scattering to study the effect of an in-plane magnetic field on the magnetic resonance in optimally doped superconductors FeSe$_{0.4}$Te$_{0.6}$ ($T_c=14$ K) and BaFe$_{1.9}$Ni$_{0.1}$As$_{2}$ ($T_c=20$ K). While the magnetic field up to 14.5 Tesla does not change the energy of the resonance, it particially suppresses $T_c$ and the corresponding superconductivity-induced intensity gain of the mode. However, we find no direct evidence for the field-induced spin-1 Zeeman splitting of the resonance. Therefore, it is still unclear if the resonance is the long-sought singlet-triplet excitation directly coupled to the superconducting electron Cooper pairs.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Precise study of the resonance at Q0=(1,0,0) in URu2Si2

New inelastic neutron scattering experiments have been performed on URu2Si2 with special focus on the response at Q0=(1,0,0), which is a clear signature of the hidden order (HO) phase of the compound. With polarized inelastic neutron experiments, it is clearly shown that below the HO temperature (T0 = 17.8 K) a collective excitation (the magnetic resonance at E0 \approx 1.7 meV) as well as a magnetic continuum co-exist. Careful measurements of the temperature dependence of the resonance lead to the observation that its position shifts abruptly in temperature with an activation law governed by the partial gap opening and that its integrated intensity has a BCS-type temperature dependence. Discussion with respect to recent theoretical development is made.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Resonance as a probe of the electron superconducting gap in BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2

The discovery of high-transition temperature (high-Tc) superconductivity near antiferromagnetism in iron arsenides raised the possibility of an unconventional superconducting mechansim1-8. The observation of clear Fermi surfaces and nodeless superconducting gaps by angle resolved photoemission9-12 suggests that electron pairing in these materials may be mediated by quasiparticle excitations between sign reversed hole and electron Fermi pockets5-8. Although the presence of a 'resonance' in the spin excitation spectrum found by inelastic neutron scattering13-17 is consistent with this picture18-20, there has been no direct evidence connecting the resonance to the superconducting gap energy. Here we show that for the optimally electron doped BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2 (Tc =20 K, Fig. 1c) iron arsenide superconductor, application of a magnetic field that suppresses the superconductivity and superconducting gap energy also reduces the intensity and energy of the resonance. These results suggest that the energy of the resonance is proportional to the electron pairing energy, and thus indicate that spin fluctuations are intimately related to the mechanism of superconductivity in iron arsenides.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Quantum spin correlations through the superconducting-normal phase transition in electron-doped superconducting Pr0.88LaCe0.12CuO4-d

The quantum spin fluctuations of the S = 1/2 Cu ions are important in determining the physical properties of the high-transition temperature (high-Tc) copper oxide superconductors, but their possible role in the electron pairing for superconductivity remains an open question. The principal feature of the spin fluctuations in optimally doped high-Tc superconductors is a well defined magnetic resonance whose energy (Er) tracks Tc (as the composition is varied) and whose intensity develops like an order parameter in the superconducting state. We show that the suppression of superconductivity and its associated condensation energy by a magnetic field in the electron-doped high-Tc superconductor, Pr0.88LaCe0.12CuO4-d (Tc = 24 K), is accompanied by the complete suppression of the resonance and the concomitant emergence of static antiferromagnetic (AF) order. Our results demonstrate that the resonance is intimately related to the superconducting condensation energy, and thus suggest that it plays a role in the electron pairing and superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗