arXiv subjects

P. Gegenwart

Publications and source records attributed to P. Gegenwart.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Na2IrO3 as a spin-orbit-assisted antiferromagnetic insulator with a 340 meV gap

We study Na2IrO3 by ARPES, optics, and band structure calculations in the local-density approximation (LDA). The weak dispersion of the Ir 5d-t2g manifold highlights the importance of structural distortions and spin-orbit coupling (SO) in driving the system closer to a Mott transition. We detect an insulating gap Δ_gap = 340 meV which, at variance with a Slater-type description, is already open at 300 K and does not show significant temperature dependence even across T_N ~ 15 K. An LDA analysis with the inclusion of SO and Coulomb repulsion U reveals that, while the prodromes of an underlying insulating state are already found in LDA+SO, the correct gap magnitude can only be reproduced by LDA+SO+U, with U = 3 eV. This establishes Na2IrO3 as a novel type of Mott-like correlated insulator in which Coulomb and relativistic effects have to be treated on an equal footing.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Crystal field splitting and correlation effect on the electronic structure of A2IrO3

The electronic structure of the honeycomb lattice iridates Na2IrO3 and Li2IrO3 has been investigated using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS). Crystal-field split d-d excitations are resolved in the high-resolution RIXS spectra. In particular, the splitting due to non-cubic crystal fields, derived from the splitting of j_eff=3/2 states, is much smaller than the typical spin-orbit energy scale in iridates, validating the applicability of j_eff physics in A2IrO3. We also find excitonic enhancement of the particle-hole excitation gap around 0.4 eV, indicating that the nearest-neighbor Coulomb interaction could be large. These findings suggest that both Na2IrO3 and Li2IrO3 can be described as spin-orbit Mott insulators, similar to the square lattice iridate Sr2IrO4.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Optical properties of the iron-pnictide analog BaMn2As2

We have investigated the infrared and Raman optical properties of BaMn2As2 in the ab-plane and along the c-axis. The most prominent features in the infrared spectra are the Eu and A2u phonon modes which show clear TO-LO splitting from the energy loss function analysis. All the phonon features we observed in infrared and Raman spectra are consistent with the calculated values. Compared to the iron-pnictide analog AFe2As2, this compound is much more two-dimensional in its electronic properties. For E || c-axis, the overall infrared reflectivity is insulating like. Within the ab-plane the material exhibits a semiconducting behavior. An energy gap 2Δ=48 meV can be clearly identified below room temperature.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Electron spin resonance in Eu based Fe pnictides

The phase diagrams of EuFe$_{2-x}$Co$_x$As$_2$ $(0 \leq x \leq 0.4)$ and EuFe$_2$As$_{2-y}$P$_y$ $(0 \leq y \leq 0.43)$ are investigated by Eu$^{2+}$ electron spin resonance (ESR) in single crystals. From the temperature dependence of the linewidth $ΔH(T)$ of the exchange narrowed ESR line the spin-density wave (SDW) $(T < T_{\rm SDW})$ and the normal metallic regime $(T > T_{\rm SDW})$ are clearly distinguished. At $T > T_{\rm SDW}$ the isotropic linear increase of the linewidth is driven by the Korringa relaxation which measures the conduction-electron density of states at the Fermi level. For $T < T_{\rm SDW}$ the anisotropy probes the local ligand field, while the coupling to the conduction electrons disappears. With increasing substitution $x$ or $y$ the transition temperature $T_{\rm SDW}$ decreases linearly accompanied by a linear decrease of the Korringa-relaxation rate from 8 Oe/K at $x=y=0$ down to 3 Oe/K at the onset of superconductivity at $x \approx 0.2$ or at $y \approx 0.3$, above which it remains nearly constant. Comparative ESR measurements on single crystals of the Eu diluted SDW compound Eu$_{0.2}$Sr$_{0.8}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ and superconducting (SC) Eu$_{0.22}$Sr$_{0.78}$Fe$_{1.72}$Co$_{0.28}$As$_2$ corroborate the leading influence of the ligand field on the Eu$^{2+}$ spin relaxation in the SDW regime as well as the Korringa relaxation in the normal metallic regime. Like in Eu$_{0.5}$K$_{0.5}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ a coherence peak is not detected in the latter compound at $T_{\rm c}=21$ K, which is in agreement with the expected complex anisotropic SC gap structure.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Relevance of the Heisenberg-Kitaev model for the honeycomb lattice iridates A_2IrO_3

Combining thermodynamic measurements with theoretical density functional and thermodynamic calculations we demonstrate that the honeycomb lattice iridates A2IrO3 (A = Na, Li) are magnetically ordered Mott insulators where the magnetism of the effective spin-orbital S = 1/2 moments can be captured by a Heisenberg-Kitaev (HK) model with Heisenberg interactions beyond nearest-neighbor exchange. Experimentally, we observe an increase of the Curie-Weiss temperature from θ= -125 K for Na2IrO3 to θ= -33 K for Li2IrO3, while the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature remains roughly the same T_N = 15 K for both materials. Using finite-temperature functional renormalization group calculations we show that this evolution of θ, T_N, the frustration parameter f = θ/T_N, and the zig-zag magnetic ordering structure suggested for both materials by density functional theory can be captured within this extended HK model. Combining our experimental and theoretical results, we estimate that Na2IrO3 is deep in the magnetically ordered regime of the HK model (α\approx 0.25), while Li2IrO3 appears to be close to a spin-liquid regime (0.6 < α< 0.7).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Signatures of quantum criticality in hole-doped and chemically pressurized EuFe_2As_2 single crystals

We study the effect of hole-doping and chemical pressure (isovalent doping) in single crystals of K$_x$Eu$_{1-x}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ and EuFe$_2$(As$_{1-y}$P$_y$)$_2$, respectively, by measurements of the thermopower, $S(T)$, and electrical resistivity, $ρ(T)$. The evolution of $S(T)$ upon doping indicates drastic changes of the electronic configuration at critical values $x_{\mathrm{cr}}=0.3$ and $y_{\mathrm{cr}}=0.21$, respectively, as the spin-density-wave transition is completely suppressed and superconductivity (SC) emerges. For the case of chemical pressure, the comparison with published ARPES measurements indicates a Lifshitz transition at $y_{cr}$. The temperature dependences $S(T)/T\propto \log T$ and $Δρ\propto T$ observed in the normal state above the SC transition suggest quantum criticality in both systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Momentum dependent ultrafast electron dynamics in antiferromagnetic EuFe2As2

Employing the momentum-sensitivity of time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy we demonstrate the analysis of ultrafast single- and many-particle dynamics in antiferromagnetic EuFe2As2. Their separation is based on a temperature-dependent difference of photo-excited hole and electron relaxation times probing the single particle band and the spin density wave gap, respectively. Reformation of the magnetic order occurs at 800 fs, which is four times slower compared to electron-phonon equilibration due to a smaller spin-dependent relaxation phase space.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Magnetism and superconductivity in Eu0.2Sr0.8(Fe0.86Co0.14)2As2 probed by 75As NMR

We report bulk superconductivity (SC) in Eu$_{0.2}$Sr$_{0.8}$(Fe$_{0.86}$Co$_{0.14}$)$_{2}$As$_{2}$ single crystals by means of electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements with $T$$_{\mathrm{c}}$ $\simeq$ 20 K with an antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering of Eu$^{2+}$ moments at $T$$_{\mathrm{N}}$ $\simeq$ 2.0 K in zero field. $^{75}$As NMR experiments have been performed in the two external field directions (H$\|ab$) and (H$\|c$). $^{75}$As-NMR spectra are analyzed in terms of first order quadrupolar interaction. Spin-lattice relaxation rates (1/$T_{1}$) follow a $T^{3}$ law in the temperature range 4.2-15 K. There is no signature of Hebel-Slichter coherence peak just below the SC transition indicating a non s-wave or s$_{\pm}$ type of superconductivity. The increase of 1/$T_{1}T$ with lowering the temperature in the range 160-18 K following $\frac{C}{T+θ}$ law reflecting 2D AFM spin fluctuations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Symmetry-breaking lattice distortion in Sr_3Ru_2O_7

The electronic nematic phase of Sr$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$ is investigated by high-resolution in-plane thermal expansion measurements in magnetic fields close to 8 T applied at various angles $Θ$ off the c-axis. At $Θ<10^\circ$ we observe a very small ($10^{-7}$) lattice distortion which breaks the four-fold in-plane symmetry, resulting in nematic domains with interchanged $a$- and b-axis. At $Θ\gtrsim 10^\circ$ the domains are almost fully aligned and thermal expansion indicates an area-preserving lattice distortion of order $2\times 10^{-6}$ which is likely related to orbital ordering. Since the system is located in the immediate vicinity to a metamagnetic quantum critical end point, the results represent the first observation of a structural relaxation driven by quantum criticality.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Long range magnetic ordering in Na$_2$IrO$_3$

We report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the magnetic structure of the honeycomb lattice magnet Na$_2$IrO$_3$, a strong candidate for a realization of a gapless spin-liquid. Using resonant x-ray magnetic scattering at the Ir L$_3$-edge, we find 3D long range antiferromagnetic order below T$_N$=13.3 K. From the azimuthal dependence of the magnetic Bragg peak, the ordered moment is determined to be predominantly along the {\it a}-axis. Combining the experimental data with first principles calculations, we propose that the most likely spin structure is a novel "zig-zag" structure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2010

Electron-phonon coupling and momentum-dependent electron dynamics in EuFe2As2 using time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

The Fe pnictide parent compound EuFe2As2 exhibits a strongly momentum dependent carrier dynamics around the hole pocket at the center of the Brillouin zone. The very different dynamics of electrons and holes cannot be explained solely by intraband scattering and interband contributions have to be considered. In addition, three coherently excited modes at frequencies of 5.6, 3.1 and 2.4 THz are observed. An estimate of the electron-phonon coupling parameter reveals lambda < 0.5, suggesting a limited importance of e-ph coupling to superconductivity in Fe pnictides.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Optical investigations of the chemical pressurized EuFe2(As1-xPx)2: an s-wave superconductor with strong interband interaction

Superconducting EuFe2(As0.82P0.18)2 single crystals are investigated by infrared spectroscopy in a wide frequency range. Below Tc=28K a superconducting gap forms at 2Δ_{0} = 9.5 meV = 3.8 k_B T_c causing the reflectivity to sharply rise to unity at low frequency. In the range of the gap the optical conductivity can be perfectly described by BCS theory with an $s$-wave gap and no nodes. From our analysis of the temperature dependent conductivity and spectral weight at T>T_c, we deduce an increased interband coupling between hole- and electron-sheets on the Fermi surface when $T$ approaches T_c.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Magnetic fluctuations and superconductivity in Fe pnictides probed by electron spin resonance

The electron spin resonance absorption spectrum of Eu^{2+} ions serves as a probe of the normal and superconducting state in Eu_{0.5}K_{0.5}Fe_2As_2. The spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T_1^{\rm ESR} obtained from the ESR linewidth exhibits a Korringa-like linear increase with temperature above T_C evidencing a normal Fermi-liquid behavior. Below 45 K deviations from the Korringa-law occur which are ascribed to enhanced magnetic fluctuations within the FeAs layers upon approaching the superconducting transition. Below T_C the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T_1^{\rm ESR} follows a T^{1.5}-behavior without the appearance of a coherence peak.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Dissimilarities between the electronic structure of chemically doped and chemically pressurized iron pnictides from an angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study

We have studied the electronic structure of EuFe2As2-xPx using high resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Upon substituting As with the isovalent P, which leads to a chemical pressure and to superconductivity, we observe a non-rigid-band like change of the electronic structure along the center of the Brillouin zone (BZ): an orbital and kz dependent increase or decrease in the size of the hole pockets near the Gamma - Z line. On the other hand, the diameter of the Fermi surface cylinders at the BZ corner forming electron pockets, hardly changes. This is in stark contrast to p and n-type doped iron pnictides where, on the basis of ARPES experiments, a more rigid-band like behavior has been proposed. These findings indicate that there are different ways in which the nesting conditions can be reduced causing the destabilization of the antiferromagnetic order and the appearance of the superconducting dome.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Spin glass like behavior in the novel layered material Na_2IrO_3

We have synthesized the novel material Na_2IrO_3 and studied its structure, transport, magnetic, and thermal properties using powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), electrical resistivity, isothermal magnetization M versus magnetic field H, static χand dynamic χ_ac magnetic susceptibility versus temperature T, and heat capacity C versus T measurements. Na_2IrO_3 crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c (No. 15) structure which is made up of Na and NaIr_2O_6 layers alternately stacked along the c axis. From a Rietveld refinement of the PXRD pattern we identify atomic disorder arising from a mixing of Ir and Na sites within the NaIr_2O_6 layers. The χdata in H = 1 T shows Curie-Weiss behavior at high T > 100 K with an effective moment μ_eff = 1.82(1) μ_B indicating an effective spin S_eff = 1/2 on the Ir^{4+} moments. A Weiss temperature θ= - 62(1) K indicates substantial antiferromagnetic interactions between these S_eff = 1/2, Ir^{4+} moments. The χdata in low field show a sharp cusp at T_g = 5.5 K and there is a bifurcation between zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) data below this T. The χ_ac data also show a sharp cusp at T_g = 5.5 K at a frequency f = 1 Hz which moves to higher temperatures with increasing f. We did not observe any anomaly at T_g in our C measurements and only a broad shoulder was observed at a much higher T = 12 K. Our results indicate that in Na_2IrO_3, a spin-glass like state occurs below the freezing temperature T_g = 5.5 K and this freezing most likely arises either from structural disorder or geometrical magnetic frustration.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Antiferromagnetic Mott insulating state in single crystals of the hexagonal lattice material Na2IrO3

We have synthesized single crystals of Na_2IrO_3 and studied their structure, transport, magnetic, and thermal properties using powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), electrical resistivity, isothermal magnetization M versus magnetic field H, magnetic susceptibility χversus temperature T, and heat capacity C versus T measurements. Na_2IrO_3 crystallizes in the monoclinic \emph{C2/c} (No. 15) type structure which is made up of Na and NaIr_2O_6 layers alternately stacked along the c axis. The χ(T) data show Curie-Weiss behavior at high T > 200K with an effective moment μ_eff = 1.82(1) μ_B indicating an effective spin S_eff = 1/2 on the Ir^4+ moments. A large Weiss temperature θ= - 116(3)K indicates substantial antiferromagnetic interactions between these S_eff = 1/2, Ir^4+ moments. Sharp anomalies in χ(T) and C(T) data indicate that Na_2IrO_3 undergoes a transition into a long-range antiferromagnetically ordered state below T_N = 15 K. The magnetic entropy at T_N is only about 20% of what is expected for S_eff = 1/2 moment ordering. The reduced entropy and the small ratio T_N/θ\approx 0.13 suggest geometrical magnetic frustration and/or low-dimensional magnetic interactions in Na_2IrO_3. In plane resistivity measurements show insulating behavior. This together with the local moment magnetism indicates that bulk Na_2IrO_3 is a Mott insulator.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Universal signatures of the metamagnetic quantum critical endpoint: Application to CeRu2Si2

A quantum critical endpoint related to a metamagnetic transition causes distinct signatures in the thermodynamic quantities of a compound. We argue that, irrespective of the microscopic details of the considered material, the diverging differential susceptibility combined with the Ising symmetry of the endpoint give rise to a number of characteristic metamagnetic phenomena. In the presence of a magnetoelastic coupling, one finds a correspondence of susceptibility, magnetostriction and compressibility and, as a result, a pronounced crystal softening, a diverging Grueneisen parameter, a sign change of thermal expansion alpha(H), and a minimum in the specific heat coefficient gamma(H). We illustrate these signatures and their relation on the metamagnetic crossover at 8 T in the prototypical heavy-fermion system CeRu2Si2.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Evidence for a Non-Fermi-Liquid Phase in Ge-Substituted YbRh2Si2

The canonical view of heavy fermion quantum criticality assumes a single quantum critical point separating the paramagnet from the antiferromagnet. However, recent experiments on Yb-based heavy fermion compounds suggest the presence of non-Fermi liquid behavior over a finite zero-temperature region. Using detailed susceptibility and transport measurements we show that the classic quantum critical system, Ge-substituted YbRh2Si2, also displays such behavior. We advance arguments that this is not due to a disorder-smeared quantum critical point, but represents a new class of metallic phase.

cond-mat.str-el↗