arXiv subjects

Navinder Singh Bathinda

Publications and source records attributed to Navinder Singh Bathinda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

40 years of cuprate high-Tc superconductors: a perspective on theories

An attempt is made to give a brief but coherent account of the situation of the theoretical ideas in addressing the mechanism of superconductivity in cuprate high-Tc superconductors. Specifically, the idea of superconductivity from repulsive interactions is discussed as it is gaining ground since the `consensus' paper was written in 2015\cite{kei}. The challenges it faces is also discussed. Three main schools of thought are presented, and an experimental result of 2022 pertaining to Anderson's super-exchange mechanism is also discussed. An updated list of Anderson's ``dogmas" is also presented, as after year 2000, many other universally applicable experimental facts has been discovered. The ``dogmas" are universal facts which are distilled from a variety of complex experimental results, and highlights the key findings that seems to be central to the mechanism of superconductivity in cuprates. These are discussed as a commemoration of 40 years of high-Tc cuprate research.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Statistical Mechanics of Paraparticles

Quantum mechanics broadly classifies the particles into two categories: $(1)$ fermions and $(2)$ bosons. Fermions are half-integer spin particles, obeying Pauli's exclusion principle and Fermi-Dirac statistics. Whereas bosons are integer spin particles, not obeying Pauli's exclusion principle, and obeying Bose-Einstein statistics. However, there are two exceptions to this standard case: first, anyons, which exist in 2-dimensional systems, and secondly, paraparticles, which can exist in any dimension. Paraparticles follow their non-trivial parastatistics, obeying their generalised exclusion principle. In this paper, we provide a detailed review of the foundations of paraparticle statistics established in \cite{wang2025particle}. We extend this work further and then derive an important expression for the heat capacity of paraparticles for a specific case, which would provide a handle for the experimental detection of paraparticles in appropriate systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2025

Kaganov-Lifshitz-Tanatarov theory for tilted Dirac-cone materials: anisotropic heating from uniform light

We point out that in the tilted Dirac cone materials the non-equilibrium (hot) electron relaxation with phonons is anisotropic in the Brillouin zone. It means that there is a preferential heating of the lattice degrees of freedom in the specific directions of the Brillouin zone, in particular, in the direction opposite to the tilt velocity in the model considered by us. This observation will have novel consequences: (1) With pump-probe spectroscopy applied to a given tilted Dirac cone material an anisotropic relaxation would lead to a transient anisotropic heating which can further lead to a transient Seebeck effect as transient thermal gradients would exist in the specific directions of the BZ, and (2) this direction of anisotropic heating can be controlled by controlling the direction of the tilt velocity which can be externally tuned by the application of an external pressure. We foresee novel applications of this effect in ultrafast sensor applications involving transient heating effects. This is equivalent to inducing a transient Seebeck effect by just shinning light on a tilted Dirac cone material!

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Polarizability of a Wigner crystal

We present a calculation of the imaginary part of the polarizability of a Wigner crystal using the Fluctuation-Dissipation theorem. The oscillations of the localized electrons about their equilibrium positions are treated in the harmonic approximation and the electric dipole-moment -- dipole-moment correlator is computed by a normal mode expansion. The amplitudes and phases of the different normal modes are assumed to be statistically independent. In the first case, polarizability is computed in the high temperature limit, $k_B T>>\hbar Ω_W$ (here, $Ω_W$ is the Wigner frequency, analogous to the Debye frequency of the phonon case). In the second case, a general expression (valid both at high and low temperature limits) is obtained using a phenomenological damping model. The connection between our general expression and that of the Lorentz oscillator model is discussed. It turns out that the Wigner crystal would be transparent for applied frequencies greater than the Wigner frequency. A standard ellipsometry set-up can test the predictions of the theory.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

One Rudolf Peierls' surprise: the quantum-to-classical transition in the context of solid-state physics

In solid state physics, it is an unsaid (tacit) assumption that the Bloch theorem is applicable to a crystal lattice even if it is of the macroscopic dimensions, provided periodicity is maintained. However, in a realistic situation, electrons in a periodic potential of ions constitute an open quantum system and are subjected to decoherence and dissipation. A natural question arises: up to what distances electrons in a periodic potential can be considered as constituting an effective closed quantum system? And what is the cause of decoherence? To answer some of these questions, the seminal theory of Ovchinnikov and Erikhman of decoherence due to ionic motion is revisited and an oversight of the authors is corrected. Correct conditions for decoherence to occur are worked out. Length scale up to which the motion of ions remains coherent is also calculated. Finally, a realistic physical picture is discussed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

On the T-linear resistivity of cuprates: theory

By partitioning the electronic system of the optimally doped cuprates in two electronic components: (1) mobile electrons on oxygen sub-lattice; and (2) localized spins on copper sub-lattice, and considering the scattering of mobile electrons (on oxygen sub-lattice) via generation of paramagnons in the localized sub-system (copper spins), we ask what should be the electron-paramagnon coupling matrix element $M_q$ so that T-linear resistivity results. This 'reverse engineering approach' leads to $|M_q|^2 \sim \frac{1}{q^2+ξ(T)^{-2}}$. We comment how can such exotic coupling emerge in 2D systems where short range magnetic fluctuations resides. In other words, the role of quantum criticality is found to be crucial. And the T-linear behaviour of resistivity demands that the magnetic correlation length scales as $ξ(T)\propto\frac{1}{T}$, which seems to be a reasonable assumption in the quantum critical regime of cuprates (that is, near optimal doping where T-linear resistivity is observed).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

New plasmon-like mode in PdTe$_{2}$: Raman scattering and memory function study

PdTe$_2$ is a type II Dirac semimetal that has garnered significant attention due to its intriguing electronic and topological properties. Here, we report temperature dependent Raman scattering study of PdTe$_2$ in the temperature range from 10 K to 300 K. Our study reveals emergence of a new unreported peak below 100 K, centered around 250 cm$^{-1}$. We argue that the new mode is not a phonon mode because the Raman spectra calculated using Density Functional Theory shows only two intense peaks at 85 $ cm^{-1}$ and 128 $cm^{-1}$. To ascertain the origin of this new peak, we constructed a microscopic model of electrons coupling to a single plasmon mode at 250 $cm^{-1}$ and using the memory function formalism, we obtained that the Raman relaxation rate is linear in frequency. We also performed phenomenological analysis of the Raman response from the experimental data and computed frequency dependent Raman relaxation rate, which is also found to exhibit a linear dependence on frequency. With the congruence of our theoretical and phenomenological results we could ascertain that the new mode observed at low temperatures is indeed a plasmon-like mode. Further, phonon frequencies and line widths of the two phonon modes exhibit anomalous behavior above 100 K.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

V. J. Emery and P. W. Anderson's views and related issues regarding the basics of cuprates: a re-look

In 1991, V. J. Emery in his important review article entitled "Some aspects of the theory of high temperature superconductors"\cite{emery1} argued against the Zhang-Rice reduction of three-band to an effective one-band model. In his words "...therefore it seems that the simple $t-J$ model does not account for the properties of high temperature superconductors". Over approximately 35 years after the initial debates\cite{debates} much has happened in the field pertaining to this topic. Even though it is one of the most discussed issue, a comprehensive account and the required resolution are lacking. Connected to the debate over one-band versus three-band models is another discussion: the one-component versus two-component model for cuprates. The two-component model is most strongly advocated by Barzykin and Pines\cite{bp}. In this article the author attempts a perspective and a re-look on some of these issues. After an analysis of a large body of literature, author finds that V. J. Emery's criticism of the Zhang-Rice reduction was correct. Many central experimental features of cuprates cannot be rationalized within the one-band model, and Johnston-Nakano scaling is one such example. Other examples are also discussed. Author introduces a simple-minded toy model to illustrate the core issues involved.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

DFT Investigations of Major Defects in Quartz Crystal: Implications for Luminescence and ESR Dosimetry and Dating

Quartz is extensively used for luminescence and ESR dosimetry as well as dating. These techniques use inherent defects introduced in quartz crystal during its crystallization in nature. The defect comprises both intrinsic as well as extrinsic defects. These defects give important luminescence properties to quartz but are not yet well understood from a theoretical perspective. Specifically, in case of luminescence dosimetry the nature of traps and their involvement in luminescence production is not exactly known. Thus, present work attempts to understand the basic physics of defects and their implication for luminescence and ESR techniques via Density Functional Theory (DFT) modelling. The work uses DFT to model the presence of some possible major impurities in quartz. Several interesting novel results are obtained that will have implications for ongoing research in Luminescence and ESR methods. The DFT modelling suggested that Oxygen deficiency in quartz crystal results in the formation of both electron and hole trapping centres. However, it is observed that these centres can be passivated by the introduction of charge compensating OH or H ions. Further, it is found that peroxy defects can be formed in the presence of either excess Oxygen or due to the absence of Silicon (Si4+), however, the nature of the traps formed in both cases is different. Besides these intrinsic defects, Al and Fe are the major impurities which are observed as defects in quartz. The modelling of these impurities suggested that negligible change in DOS is observed for Al defect and Fe generally forms a recombination centre or hole trap. In addition to these, there are several interesting first-time observations that are not reported and will be helpful for progressing luminescence and ESR dosimetry research.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Hot (non-equilibrium) electron relaxation: A review of the ultra-fast phenomena in metals and superconductors (PART I)

The famous Two-Temperature Model (TTM) used extensively in the investigations of energy relaxation in photo-excited systems originated in the seminal work of M. I. Kaganov, I. M. Lifshitz, and L. V. Tanatarov (KLT) in 1957. The idea that with an ultra short laser pulse a temporal (transient) state of electrons in a metal can be created in which electrons after absorbing energy from the laser pulse heat up and their temperature becomes substantially greater than that of lattice was originated in the work of S. I. Anisimov, B. L. Kapeliovich, and T. L. Perel'man in 1974. The heated electron sub-system ("hot" electrons) loses its energy to phonon sub-system via electron-phonon scattering (relaxation) and thermodynamic equilibrium re-establishes over a time scale of a few pico-seconds (psecs) in metals. This field saw great developments in the 1980s and 1990s with the advent of femto-second (fsec) pump-probe spectroscopy. And from 2000 onwards focus shifted from non-equilibrium phenomena in simple metals to that in more complex systems including strongly correlated systems such as high Tc cuprate superconductors. In 1987, P. B. Allen re-visits the calculations of KLT and re-writes the electron-phonon heat transfer coefficient $α$ in terms of a very important parameter in the theory of superconductivity. Year 2000 onwards, field saw the development of models that go beyond the original TTM. Very recently, field enters into atto-second domain. In this article, author attempts a rigorous and concise account of the entire development of this very fascinating area of research including a summary of the current research in this field.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Unifying principle for Hall coefficient in systems near magnetic instability

Typically, Hall coefficient of materials near magnetic instabilities exhibits pronounced temperature dependence. To explore the reasons involved, we studied the temperature dependence of Hall coefficient in $Cr_{1-x}V_x$, $V_{2-y}O_3$ and some high-$T_c$ superconducting cuprates. We argue that it can be rationalized using the following unifying principle:\textit{ When a system is near a magnetic instability and temperature is reduced towards the instability, there is a progressive "loss" of carriers (progressive "tying down" of electrons) as they participate in long-lived and long-ranged magnetic correlations.} In other words, magnetic correlations grow in space and are longer-lived as temperature is reduced towards the magnetic instability. This is the mechanism behind reduced carrier density with reducing temperature and leads to an enhancement of the Hall coefficient. This unifying principle is implemented and quantitative analysis is done using the Gor'kov Teitel'baum Thermal Activation (GTTA) model. We also show that the Hall angle data can be understood using one relaxation time (in contrast to the "two-relaxation" times idea of Anderson) by taking into consideration of temperature dependence of carrier density. This unifying principle is shown to be working in above studied systems, but authors believe that it is of much more general validity.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

A review: The Gor'kov-Teitel'baum thermal activation model for cuprates

While closing their famous paper entitled "Pseudogap: friend or foe of high-Tc?" Norman, Pines, and Kallin underlined that before we have a microscopic theory, we must have a consistent phenomenology. This was in 2005. As it turns out in 2006 a phenomenological theory of the pseudogap state was proposed by Gor'kov and Teitel'baum. This originated from their careful analysis of the Hall effect data, and it has been very successful model as numerous investigations over the years has shown. In this mini-review the essence of the idea of Gor'kov and Teitel'baum is presented. The pseudogap obtained by them from the Hall effect data agrees very well with that obtained from the ARPES data. This famous Gor'kov-Teitel'baum Thermal Activation model (in short GTTA model) not only presents a consistent phenomenology of the pseudogap state but also it rationalizes the Hall angle data and it presents a strong case against the famous "two-relaxation times" idea of Anderson and collaborators.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Drude's lesser known error of a factor of two and Lorentz's correction

As is well known, Paul Drude put forward the very first quantitative theory of electrical conduction in metals in 1900. He could successfully account for the Wiedemann-Franz law which states that the ratio of thermal to electrical conductivity divided by temperature is a constant called the Lorenz number. As it turns out, in Drude's derivation, there is a lucky cancellation of two errors. Drude's under-estimate (by an order of 100) of the value of square of the average electron velocity compensated his over-estimate of the electronic heat capacity (by the same order of 100). This compensation or cancellation of two errors lead to a value of the Lorenz number very close to its experimental value. This is well known. There is another error of a factor of two which Drude made when he calculated two different relaxation times for heat conductivity and electrical conductivity. In this article we highlight how and why this error occurred in Drude's derivation and how it was removed 5 years later (that is in 1905) by Hendrik Lorentz when he used the Boltzmann equation and a single relaxation time. This article is of pedagogical value and may be useful to undergraduate/graduate students learning solid state physics.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2024

Homemade kit for demonstrating Barkhausen Effect

This paper presents an innovative and cost-effective approach to understanding the Barkhausen effect through the design and implementation of an educational kit. The Barkhausen effect, characterized by Barkhausen noise (BN) during magnetization changes in soft magnetic materials, is explored for its application in probing hysteresis properties and magnetization dynamics. The study investigates scaling properties, categorizing ferromagnetic materials based on scaling exponents. The primary contribution is the introduction of a practical and accessible kit for hands-on Barkhausen Effect demonstrations, revolutionizing the educational experience. This kit enables students to not only comprehend the intricacies of BN but also calculate the scaling constant ($τ$) for Soft Iron samples. The paper demonstrates the successful construction of the kit, its signal amplification capabilities, and data collection accuracy, showcasing its potential for widespread educational use.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2024

Pseudogap in $Sr_{2-x}La_{x}IrO_{4}$: Gor'kov-Teitel'baum thermal activation model

Recently, Hall effect measurements are done on Lanthanum doped Strontium Iridate $Sr_{2-x}La_{x}IrO_{4}$ which is 5d analogue of cuprates \cite{hsu2023carrier}. Hall effect measurements show that the effective carrier density $n_{H}$ exhibits a crossover from $n_{H} \sim x$ to $n_{H} \sim 1+x$ near $x\simeq 0.16$ . This is very similar to that found in cuprates around $p\simeq0.19$. It is proposed that a pseudogap (PG) state in $Sr_{2-x}La_{x}IrO_{4}$ exists and is ending at $x\simeq 0.16$ \cite{hsu2023carrier}. However, PG boundary (in doping-temperature phase diagram) remains unknown. In this work, we apply a very successfull the Gor'kov-Teitel'baum Thermal Activation (GTTA) model to $Sr_{2-x}La_{x}IrO_{4}$ and obtain its PG phase boundary and draw an updated phase diagram. Our results agree with previously known signatures of PG phase in this system \cite{seo2017infrared,de2015collapse}. Using results from GTTA model we also obtain the evolution of "Fermi arcs" in this system as a function %of both doping and temperature for doping concentration $x\simeq0.08$ which are in qualitative agreement with the reported results.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Review cuprates -- Anderson's unhappy electrons and their fate

In cuprates, as doping $p$ is reduced from the overdoped side through the quantum critical point $p^*$, a transition in Hall number density of carriers is observed, in which this number of carriers reduces from $1+p$ holes per copper site to $p$ holes per copper site. The connection of this $1+p$ to $p$ transition with pseudogap and with superconductivity is discussed. A "panoramic" view or a "broad-brush" discussion is presented in which Anderson's "unhappy" electrons take on a central stage.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Tunable phase transitions in half-Heusler TbPtBi compound

We report various phase transitions in half-Heusler TbPtBi compound using Density Functional Theory (DFT). Specifically, inclusion of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) leads to band inversion resulting in transition from the metallic to the topological semimetallic phase. However, in presence of SOC, there is a phase transition from the topological semimetal to the trivial semimetal when the material is subjected to compressive strain ($\lt -7\%$). Subsequently, under further increase of compressive strain ($\ge -7\%$), we find an opening of a direct band gap at the $Γ$ point, driving the system from the trivial semimetallic to the semiconducting state with changes in the sequence of bands. In the absence of SOC, only transition from the metallic to the semiconducting phase is noticed. Under tensile strain, the TbPtBi compound maintains its phase as in the unstrained condition but with an increase in the hole pocket at the Fermi level, both in the absence and presence of SOC. These tunable phase transitions (especially as a fraction of strain) make this compound very promising for application in various quantum devices such as highly sensitive strain gauges.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Is the problem of Cuprate high-$T_c$ superconductivity a solved problem?

The recent experimental verification of the charge-transfer superexchange mechanism as the microscopic pairing mechanism of high-$T_c$ cuprate superconductivity by Seamus Davis and collaborators\cite{sea} is a tour de force! The correct model for cuprates is the three band Emery model in which oxygen p-orbitals are explicitly taken into account. The doped holes go into these oxygen p-orbitals where they undergo charge-transfer superexchange with unpaired electrons in copper d orbitals. This charge transfer superexchange is the key which leads to bound pairs and superconductivity. In the experimental verification\cite{sea}, the system chosen is $Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+x}$. What is achieved is the direct functional dependence of the local electron pair density ($n_P(r)$) on local charge transfer energy ($\ep_{pd}(r)$) using state of the art single-electron and electron-pair (Josephson) scanning tunneling microscopy. The quantitative functional dependence of $n_P(r)$ on $\ep_{pd}(r)$ matches with that indicated and deduced by theory\cite{t1,t2,t3,t4,t5,t6,t7,t8,t9,t10}. The verdict of the experiment settles the debates on the microscopic mechanisms of the cuprate superconductivity in the clear favor of charge-transfer superexchange mechanism. We discuss this development in brief, and present a simple minded approach to the essence of cuprate superconductivity. We discuss what is settled now, and what is not settled yet. A "theoretical minimum" of the high-$T_c$ problem is also discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗