arXiv subjects

Nikhlesh Singh Mehta

Publications and source records attributed to Nikhlesh Singh Mehta.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Topological surface states host superconductivity induced by the bulk condensate in YRuB$_2$

While the possibility of topological superconductivity (TSC) in hybrid heterostructures involving topologically nontrivial band structure and superconductors has been proposed, the realization of TSC in a single stoichiometric material is most desired for fundamental experimental investigation of TSC and its device applications. Bulk measurements on YRuB$_2$ detect a single superconducting gap of $\sim$ 1 meV. This is supported by our electronic structure calculations which also reveal the existence of topological surface states in the system. We performed surface-sensitive Andreev reflection spectroscopy on YRuB$_2$ and detected the bulk superconducting gap as well as another superconducting gap of $\sim$ 0.5 meV. From our analysis of electronic structure, we show that the smaller gap is formed in the topological surface states in YRuB$_2$ due to the proximity of the bulk superconducting condensate. Thus, in agreement with the past theoretical predictions, we present YRuB$_2$ as a unique system that hosts superconducting topological surface states.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Chiral anomaly and positive longitudinal magnetoresistance in the type-II Dirac semimetals $\it{A}_x$PdTe$_2$ (\textit{A} = Cu, Ag)

The Planar Hall effect (PHE) in topological materials has been a subject of great interest in recent years. Generally, it is understood to originate from the chiral-anomaly (CA) induced charge pumping between doubly degenerate Weyl nodes. However, the occurrence of PHE in the materials with positive and anisotropic orbital magnetoresistance has raised questions about CA being the sole origin of this effect. Here, we report the PHE, magnetoresistance, and thermal transport properties (Seebeck and Nernst coefficients) on the Ag intercalated PdTe$_2$. We observe positive longitudinal magnetoresistance, the linear field dependence of the amplitude of PHE, and a prolate pattern in the parametric plots. The planar Hall resistivity and anisotropic magnetoresitance fits well with theoretical study of CA being the origin of PHE. So, our observations are consistent with Weyl physics dominating the PHE in PdTe$_2$, Cu$_{0.05}$PdTe$_2$, and Ag$_{0.05}$PdTe$_2$. We further support our data with a theoretical model that reproduces the qualitative experimental features. In addition, we have calculated the Seebeck ($\it{S}$) and Nernst ($ν$) coefficients for PdTe$_2$ and Cu and Ag intercalated compounds. The estimated values of Fermi energy for the Cu and Ag intercalated compounds are respectively two times and three times larger than that of PdTe$_2$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Electrically controlled quantum transition to an anomalous metal in 2D

The mechanism through which superconductivity is destroyed upon controlled disordering often holds the key to understanding the mechanism of emergence of superconductivity. Here we demonstrate an $in$-$situ$ mechanism to control the fraction of disorder in a 2D superconductor. By controlling an electric field V$_G$, we created an assembly of segregated superconducting nano-islands and varied the inter-island distance to accomplish a quantum phase transition from a superconducting phase to a strange quantum anomalous metallic (QAM) phase at LaVO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ interfaces. In the QAM phase, the resistivity dropped below a critical temperature (T$_{CM}$) as if the system was approaching superconductivity, and then saturated, indicating the destruction of global phase coherence and the emergence of a phase where metal-like transport of Bosons (a Bose metal) becomes a possibility. The unprecedented control over the island size is obtained through the control of nanometer scale ferroelectric domains formed in the SrTiO$_3$ side of the interface due to a low-temperature structural phase transition.

cond-mat.supr-con↗