arXiv subjects

N. P. Ong

Publications and source records attributed to N. P. Ong.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

The anomalous Hall Effect and magnetoresistance in the layered ferromagnet Fe_{1/4}TaS_2: the inelastic regime

The large magnetic anisotropy in the layered ferromagnet Fe_{1/4}TaS_2 leads to very sharp reversals of the magnetization $\bf M$ at the coercive field. We have exploited this feature to measure the anomalous Hall effect (AHE), focussing on the AHE conductivity $σ^A_{xy}$ in the inelastic regime. At low temperature T (5-50 K), $σ^A_{xy}$ is T-independent, consistent with the Berry-phase/Karplus-Luttinger theory. Above 50 K, we extract an inelastic AHE conductivity $σ^{in}_{xy}$ that scales as the square of $Δρ$ (the T dependent part of the resistivity $ρ$). The term $σ^{in}_{xy}$ clarifies the T dependence and sign-reversal of the AHE coefficient R_s(T). We discuss the possible ubiquity of $σ^{in}_{xy}$ in ferromagnets, and ideas for interpreting its scaling with $(Δρ)^2$. Measurements of the magnetoresistance (MR) reveal a rich pattern of behavior vs. T and field tilt-angle. We show that the 2 mechanisms, the anisotropic MR effect and field-suppression of magnons, account for the intricate MR behavior, including the bow-tie features caused by the sharp reversals in $\bf M$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Anomalous thermopower and Nernst effect in $\rm CeCoIn_5$: entropy-current loss in precursor state

The heavy-electron superconductor CeCoIn$_5$ exhibits a puzzling precursor state above its superconducting critical temperature at $T_c$ = 2.3 K. The thermopower and Nernst signal are anomalous. Below 15 K, the entropy current of the electrons undergoes a steep decrease reaching $\sim$0 at $T_c$. Concurrently, the off-diagonal thermoelectric current $α_{xy}$ is enhanced. The delicate sensitivity of the zero-entropy state to field implies phase coherence over large distances. The prominent anomalies in the thermoelectric current contrast with the relatively weak effects in the resistivity and magnetization.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

The structures and thermoelectric properties of the infinitely adaptive series (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n

The structures and thermoelectric properties of the (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n homologous series, derived from stacking hexagonal Bi2 and Bi2Te3 blocks, are reported. The end-members of this series are metallic Bi and semiconducting Bi2Te3; nine members of the series have been studied. The structures form an infinitely adaptive series and a unified structural description based on a modulated structure approach is presented. The as-synthesized samples have thermopowers (S) that vary from n-type for Bi2Te3 to p-type for phases rich in Bi2 blocks but with some Bi2Te3 blocks present, to n-type again for Bi metal. The thermoelectric power factor (S2/rho) is highest for Bi metal (43 muW/K2 cm at 130 K), followed by Bi2Te3 (20 muW/K2 cm at 270 K), while Bi2Te (m:n = 5:2) and Bi7Te3 (m:n = 15:6) have 9 muW/K2 cm (at 240 K) and 11 muW/K2 (at 270 K), respectively. The results of doping studies with Sb and Se into Bi2Te are reported.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

Online Supplementary Material: Low temperature vortex liquid in $\rm La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO_4$

We report here the supplementary material for Ref. [1]. Using torque magnetometry, we measured the magnetization anisotropy of 7 crystals of $\rm La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO_4$ (LSCO). In optimally-doped cuprates, the bulk susceptibility is dominated by the paramagnetic van-Vleck orbital term $χ_{orb}$ which has a significant anisotropy ($χ^{orb}_c>χ^{orb}_{ab}$) that changes weakly with $T$ (subscripts $c$ and ${ab}$ identify quantities measured with $\bf H||c$ and $\bf H\perp c$, respectively). Moreover, in the lightly-doped regime, the paramagnetic spin susceptibilities $χ^s_c$ and $χ^s_{ab}$ become significantly large below the interval 40-60 K. However, the spin susceptibility is very nearly isotropic (except below 10 K where its anisotropy becomes measurable). Against the large orbital and spin terms, the weak diamagnetic signal is very difficult to resolve using standard bulk magnetometry in lightly-doped cuprates. By contrast, torque magnetometry selectively detects the orbital diamagnetism generated by supercurrents confined to the CuO$_2$ layers while ignoring the large spin contribution when it is isotropic. The orbital van-Vleck contribution is also detected, but as a ``background'' that is $H$-linear to intense fields and only mildly $T$ dependent.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Reply to Comment

Our experiments \cite{Wang05,Li05,Wang06} persuade us that the Meissner transition at $T_c$ in hole-doped cuprates is driven by the loss of long-range phase coherence caused by singular phase fluctuations, a scenario at odds with the mean-field (MF), Gaussian Ginzburg Landau (GGL) approach advocated by Cabo, Mosquiera and Vidal \cite{Cabo}.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Low temperature vortex liquid in $\rm La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO_4$

In the cuprates, the lightly-doped region is of major interest because superconductivity, antiferromagnetism, and the pseudogap state \cite{Timusk,Lee,Anderson} come together near a critical doping value $x_c$. These states are deeply influenced by phase fluctuations \cite{Emery} which lead to a vortex-liquid state that surrounds the superconducting region \cite{WangPRB01,WangPRB06}. However, many questions \cite{Doniach,Fisher,FisherLee,Tesanovic,Sachdev} related to the nature of the transition and vortex-liquid state at very low tempera- tures $T$ remain open because the diamagnetic signal is difficult to resolve in this region. Here, we report torque magnetometry results on $\rm La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO_4$ (LSCO) which show that superconductivity is lost at $x_c$ by quantum phase fluctuations. We find that, in a magnetic field $H$, the vortex solid-to-liquid transition occurs at field $H_m$ much lower than the depairing field $H_{c2}$. The vortex liquid exists in the large field interval $H_m \ll H_{c2}$, even in the limit $T\to$0. The resulting phase diagram reveals the large fraction of the $x$-$H$ plane occupied by the quantum vortex liquid.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

A hidden constant in the anomalous Hall effect of a high-purity magnet MnSi

Measurements of the Hall conductivity in MnSi can provide incisive tests of theories of the anomalous Hall (AH) effect, because both the mean-free-path and magnetoresistance (MR) are unusually large for a ferromagnet. The large MR provides an accurate way to separate the AH conductivity $σ_{xy}^A$ from the ordinary Hall conductivity $σ_{xy}^N$. Below the Curie temperature $T_C$, $σ_{xy}^A$ is linearly proportional to $ M$ (magnetization) with a proportionality constant $S_H$ that is independent of both $T$ and $H$. In particular, $S_H$ remains a constant while $σ_{xy}^N$ changes by a factor of 100 between 5 K and $T_C$. We discuss implications of the hidden constancy in $S_H$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Sharp switching of the magnetization in Fe1/4TaS2

Anisotropic magneto-transport measurements are reported on Fe1/4TaS2 single crystals grown by vapor transport. Both the magnetization and resistivity are extremely anisotropic, with the magnetic moments aligned parallel to the c crystallographic direction. Fe1/4TaS2 orders ferromagnetically below TC = 160 K and displays very sharp hysteresis loops in the ordered state for H||c. The corresponding magnetoresistance is negative, and it qualitatively reproduces the features observed in the M(H) data, by showing a sharp drop around the critical field Hs for the moment reversal. The magnetization switching time shows an unusual increase with increasing temperature. For field applied within the ab plane, the magnetization remains small and linear in field up to 5 T, and the magnetoresistance is positive and quadratic in field, with no visible hysteresis. The squareness of the H||c M(H) loops and the high critical field for the magnetization switch (Hs = 3.7 T at T = 2 K) allow us to classify Fe1/4TaS2 as a strong ferromagnet.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Density and well width dependences of the effective mass of twodimensional holes in (100) GaAs quantum wells measured by cyclotron resonance at microwave frequencies

Cyclotron resonance at microwave frequencies is used to measure the band mass (m_b) of the two-dimensional holes (2DH's) in carbon-doped (100) GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs heterostructures. The measured m_b shows strong dependences on both the 2DH density(p) and the GaAs quantum well width (W). For a fixed W, in the density range (0.4x10^11 to 1.1x10^11 cm^-2) studied here, m_b increases with p, consistent with previous studies of the 2DHs on the (311)A surface. For a fixed p = 1.1x10^11 cm^-2, mb increases from 0.22 m_e at W = 10 nm to 0.50 m_e at W = 30 nm, and saturates around 0.51 m_e for W > 30 nm.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Magnetization, Nernst effect and vorticity in the cuprates

Nernst and magnetization experiments reveal the existence of a large region of the cuprate phase diagram above the $T_c$ curve in which vorticity and weak diamagnetism exist without phase coherence. We discuss the implication that the transition at $T_c$ is caused by the loss of long-range phase coherence caused by spontaneous vortex creation. Below $T_c$, these measurements provide an estimate of the depairing field $H_{c2}$ which is found to be very large (40-100 T depending on doping). We discuss the high-field Nernst and magnetization results, binding energy, and the phase diagram of hole-doped cuprates. Some new magnetization results on the vortex liquid in very underdoped LSCO in the limit $T\to 0$ are reported as well.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Anisotropic properties of the layered superconductor Cu0.07TiSe2

The anisotropic superconducting properties of single crystals of Cu0.07TiSe2 were studied by measurements of magnetization and electrical resistivity. TC is around 3.9 K, and the measured upper critical field (Hc2) values are ~1.25 T and 0.8 T, for applied field parallel and perpendicular to the TiSe2 planes, respectively. The anisotropy ratio gamma_anis = H^ab_c2 / H^c_c2 is close to 1.6 and nearly temperature independent. The lower critical field (Hc1) values are much smaller (~ 32 Oe for H||ab and 17 Oe for H||c); demagnetizing corrections for field perpendicular to the thin plate crystals are required for the determination of H^c_c1. The anisotropy of the critical fields is described well by the anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory, and the characteristic GL parameters are determined and discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Thermal-Hall conductivity and long-lived quasiparticles in CeCoIn$_5$

In CeCoIn$_5$, the thermal conductivity $κ_{xx}$ and Hall conductivity $κ_{xy}$ below $T_c$ display large anomalies below $T_c$. The strong suppression of the anomalies in weak fields implies the existence of long-lived quasiparticles. We also discuss briefly the Wiedemann-Franz ratio and the existence of a strongly field-dependent spin-fluctuation heat current.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Depairing field, onset temperature and the nature of the transition in cuprates

The depairing (upper critical) field $H_{c2}$ in hole-doped cuprates has been inferred from magnetization curves $M$-$H$ measured by torque magnetometry in fields $H$ up to 45 T. We discuss the implications of the results for the pair binding energy, the Nernst onset temperature, fluctuations and the nature of the Meissner transition at $T_c$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Ferromagnetism below 10 K in Mn doped BiTe

Ferromagnetism is observed below 10 K in [Bi0.75Te0.125Mn0.125]Te. This material has the BiTe structure, which is made from the stacking of two Te-Bi-Te-Bi-Te blocks and one Bi-Bi block per unit cell. Crystal structure analysis shows that Mn is localized in the Bi2 blocks, and is accompanied by an equal amount of TeBi anti-site occupancy in the Bi2Te3 blocks. These TeBi anti-site defects greatly enhance the Mn solubility. This is demonstrated by comparison of the [Bi1-xMnx]Te and [Bi1-2xTexMnx]Te series; in the former, the solubility is limited to x = 0.067, while the latter has xmax = 0.125. The magnetism in [Bi1-xMnx]Te changes little with x, while that for [Bi1-2xTexMnx]Te shows a clear variation, leading to ferromagnetism for x > 0.067. Magnetic hysteresis and the anomalous Hall Effect are observed for the ferromagnetic samples.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Superconductivity in Cu_xTiSe_2

Charge density waves (CDWs) are periodic modulations of the conduction electron density in solids. They are collective states that arise from intrinsic instabilities often present in low dimensional electronic systems. The layered dichalcogenides are the most well-studied examples, with TiSe_2 one of the first CDW-bearing materials known. The competition between CDW and superconducting collective electronic states at low temperatures has long been held and explored, and yet no chemical system has been previously reported where finely controlled chemical tuning allows this competition to be studied in detail. Here we report how, upon controlled intercalation of TiSe_2 with Cu to yield Cu_xTiSe_2, the CDW transition is continuously suppressed, and a new superconducting state emerges near x = 0.04, with a maximum T_c of 4.15 K found at x = 0.08. Cu_xTiSe_2 thus provides the first opportunity to study the CDW to Superconductivity transition in detail through an easily-controllable chemical parameter, and will provide new insights into the behavior of correlated electron systems.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Large enhancement of the thermopower in Na$_x$CoO$_2$ at high Na doping

Research on the oxide perovskites has uncovered electronic properties that are strikingly enhanced compared with those in conventional metals. Examples are the high critical temperatures of the cuprate superconductors and the colossal magnetoresistance in the manganites. The conducting layered cobaltate $\rm Na_xCoO_2$ displays several interesting electronic phases as $x$ is varied including water-induced superconductivity and an insulating state that is destroyed by field. Initial measurements showed that, in the as-grown composition, $\rm Na_xCoO_2$ displays moderately large thermopower $S$ and conductivity $σ$. However, the prospects for thermoelectric cooling applications faded when the figure of merit $Z$ was found to be small at this composition (0.6$ $0.75, $S$ undergoes an even steeper enhancement. At the critical doping $x_p\sim$ 0.85, $Z$ (at 80 K) reaches values $\sim$40 times larger than in the as-grown crystals. We discuss prospects for low-temperature thermoelectric applications.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Crystal Structure and Elementary Properties of NaxCoO2 (x = 0.32, 0.5, 0.6, 0.75, and 0.92) in the Three-Layer NaCoO2 Family

The crystal structures of the NaxCoO2 phases based on three-layer NaCoO2, with x=0.32, x=0.51, x=0.60, x=0.75 and x=0.92, determined by powder neutron diffraction, are reported. The structures have triangular CoO2 layers interleaved by sodium ions, and evolve with variation in Na content in a more complex way than has been observed in the two-layer NaxCoO2 system. The highest and lowest Na containing phases studied (x=0.92 and x=0.32) are trigonal, with three CoO2 layers per cell and octahedral Na ion coordination. The intermediate compositions have monoclinic structures. The x=0.75 compound has one CoO2 layer per cell, with Na in octahedral coordination and an incommensurate superlattice. The x=0.6 and x=0.5 phases are also single-layer, but the Na is found in trigonal prismatic coordination. The magnetic behavior of the phases is similar to that observed in the two-layer system. Both the susceptibility and the electronic contribution to the specific heat are largest for x=0.6.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Field-enhanced diamagnetism in intense magnetic field in the pseudogap state of the cuprate $\rm Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+δ}

In hole-doped cuprates, Nernst experiments imply that the superconducting state is destroyed by spontaneous creation of vortices which destroy phase coherence. Using torque magnetometry on $\rm Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+δ}$, we uncover a field-enhanced diamagnetic signal $M$ above the transition temperature $T_c$ that increases with applied field to 32 Tesla and scales just like the Nernst signal. The magnetization results above $T_c$ distinguish $M$ from conventional amplitude fluctuations, and strongly support the vortex scenario for the loss of phase coherence at $T_c$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗