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Qing-Ping Ding

Publications and source records attributed to Qing-Ping Ding.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A d-Electron Heavy-Fermion-Like Superconductor with Frustration-Induced Flat Bands

Heavy-fermion superconductors are mostly associated with f-electron materials with Kondo lattices, while known d-electron heavy-fermion-like systems are often linked to orbital-selective local moments, Hund-metal physics, or a charge-density-wave mechanism. Here we report Mo4PtGa17, a noncentrosymmetric itinerant d-electron superconductor with a geometrically frustrated breathing-pyrochlore Mo lattice. Thermodynamic, transport and NMR measurements reveal heavy-fermion-like behavior superconductivity and dominant ferromagnetic spin fluctuations near a ferromagnetic instability. Theoretical calculations identify nearly flat bands, van Hove singularities and Kramers nodal lines near the Fermi energy, derived intrinsically from Mo-4d states and are robust against on-site electronic correlations. These results suggest that the geometrically frustrated lattice in Mo4PtGa17 generates an intriguing electronic structure that enhances the density of states, spin susceptibility and quasiparticle mass. Mo4PtGa17 therefore identifies a unique route to heavy-fermion-like superconductivity in d-electron materials through geometrical frustration, different from the previously reported systems.

cond-mat.str-el

Superlinear Temperature-Dependent Resistivity and Structural Phase Transition in BaNi$_2$P$_4$

The mechanism of anomalous superlinear temperature-dependent resistivity, $\rho (T)$, in the metallic unconventional clathrate BaNi$_2$P$_4$ was studied by examining its evolution with artificial disorder induced by low-temperature ($\sim$ 20 K) 2.5 MeV electron irradiation. We find a dominant effect of the tetragonal-orthorhombic transition at $T_s$ ($ \sim$373 to 378 K, depending on heat cycle rate and direction) on $\rho (T)$, with standard metallic $T-$linear resistivity above the transition and anomalous behavior in the orthorhombic phase below. The transition is accompanied by the formation of structural domains and a notable (about 4~K) hysteresis in the magnetization and resistivity measurements, clearly showing its first order character. Matthiessen rule is obeyed both above and below the transition, suggesting negligible changes in the electronic structure. This conclusion is supported by the smooth evolution of the Hall effect through the transition. The Hall number is in good agreement with band structure calculations both above and below the transition. The transition temperature is notably suppressed with electron irradiation. Raman scattering at temperatures above room temperature find softening of local Ba vibration mode in the orthorhombic phase on approaching the transition. $^{31}P$ NMR line splits in the orthorhombic phase, suggesting a partial shift of the Ba atom from the central position in the cage. We suggest that local Ba rattling leads to enhanced residual contribution to resistivity in the high temperature tetragonal phase, the decay of which is responsible for the anomalous temperature-dependent resistivity in the orthorhombic phase.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Pressure-Stabilized MnSb$_2$ with Complex Incommensurate Magnetic Order

Marcasite-type compounds have been proposed as promising hosts of exotic magnetic quantum states, yet experimental realizations in stoichiometric, disorder-free systems remain limited. Here, we report the high-pressure stabilization and magnetic characterization of MnSb$_2$, a marcasite-type compound that is thermodynamically metastable under ambient pressure. Single crystals were synthesized using a cubic multi-anvil press, and powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirm the orthorhombic $Pnnm$ structure. These crystals are stable at ambient pressure for a long time up to between 450-500 K. Heat-capacity measurements reveal phase transitions at approximately 220 K and 118 K. Neutron diffraction uncovers an unconventional magnetic ground state below 220 K. Magnetic powder neutron diffraction refinements reveal possible multiple magnetic configurations that provide comparably acceptable fits to the experimental data. While most solutions are consistent with a spin-density-wave (SDW) description, helical models systematically yield inferior agreement factors. Across a broad range of models, the Mn ordered moment reaches a maximum value of approximately 2 $\mu_B$ and remains predominantly collinear, with minimal canting along the $c$-axis. At 200 K, the magnetic propagation vector is $q$ = (0, 0.3975, 0.3783); upon cooling, the $b$ component increases toward 0.5, reflecting a temperature-dependent evolution of the modulation. The need for modification of the magnetic model between high and low temperatures further highlights the complex and strongly temperature-dependent nature of the magnetic order in this system. These results establish MnSb$_2$ as a pressure-stabilized marcasite magnet with a highly tunable, complex magnetic ground state and a compelling stoichiometric platform for exploring unconventional magnetic behavior, including potential altermagnetism.

cond-mat.str-el

Enhancement of antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations in UTe$_2$ under pressure revealed by $^{125}$Te NMR

Characterizing magnetic fluctuations is one of the keys to understanding the origin of superconductivity in the spin-triplet superconductor UTe$_2$ which exhibits two superconducting (SC) phases (SC1 and SC2) under pressure: SC1 where a superconducting transition temperature of $T_{\rm c}$ decreases with pressure while $T_{\rm c}$ of SC2 rises with pressure. Previously, D. Ambika et al. [Phys. Rev. B 105, L220403 (2022)] have reported the possible coexistence of ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin fluctuations in UTe$_2$ under pressure from their nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. To delve the relationship between the magnetic fluctuations and the two SC phases, we have carried out detailed $^{125}$Te NMR measurements on a single crystal of UTe$_2$ with $T_{\rm c}$ = 1.6 K at various pressures ranging from 0 to 2.05 GPa. By comparing the temperature $T$ dependence of nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rates divided by temperature 1/$T_1T$ with that of the Knight shift $K$ for magnetic fields along the $a$, $b$, and $c$ directions, we evidence the enhancement of AFM spin fluctuations with increasing pressure. Based on the results, we suggest that FM spin fluctuations are more favorable for SC1 and AFM spin fluctuations are crucial for SC2. Our findings will inspire further study on this material to understand the peculiar SC phases in detail.

cond-mat.supr-con

Hidden symmetry-breaking in a kagome Ising ferromagnet

Kagome metals can host unconventional electronic phenomena that emerge from their frustrated lattice geometry and associated band topology. Correlated electronic orders, such as charge-density waves and superconductivity, are observed to intertwine with subtle time-reversal symmetry breaking whose microscopic origin is not currently understood. Here, we provide evidence for such time-reversal symmetry breaking in the kagome metal TbV$_6$Sn$_6$ arising from staggered magnetic moments within the kagome layers. TbV$_6$Sn$_6$ consists of metallic V kagome layers separated by Tb triangular layers that host Ising ferromagnetic order. Deep in the ferromagnetic state, the Tb Ising doublet ground state should display a single, dispersionless spin-flip excitation. Instead, inelastic neutron scattering reveals two sharp excitations associated with inequivalent Tb sites, demonstrating that a symmetry-broken phase coexists with Ising ferromagnetism. No additional structural or magnetic phase transitions are detected, and first-principles calculations rule out lattice distortions as the origin of the splitting. We attribute this effect to time-reversal symmetry breaking encoded by small V moments that couple to the Tb sublattice and leave a measurable spectral fingerprint. Our results establish rare-earth local moment spectroscopy as a sensitive probe of subtle broken symmetries and highlight an unexpected interplay between kagome magnetism and rare-earth local moment magnetism.

cond-mat.str-el

Role of Nematic Fluctuations on Superconductivity in FeSe$_{0.47}$Te$_{0.53}$ Revealed by NMR under Pressure

The relationship between antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin fluctuations (SF), nematic fluctuations, and superconductivity (SC) has been central to understanding the pairing mechanism in iron-based superconductors (IBSCs). Iron chalcogenides, which hold the simplest crystal structure in IBSCs, provide a good platform to investigate the relationship. Here, we report $^{77}$Se and $^{125}$Te nuclear magnetic resonance studies of FeSe$_{0.47}$Te$_{0.53}$, which is located close to a nematic quantum critical point (QCP), under pressures up to 1.35 GPa. Both the superconducting critical temperature and AFMSF were found to be enhanced under pressure, which suggests a correlation between SC and AFMSF in FeSe$_{0.47}$Te$_{0.53}$. However, the contribution of AFMSF to SC in FeSe$_{0.47}$Te$_{0.53}$ was found to be much less compared to that in FeSe$_{1-x}$S$_{x}$, suggesting that nematic fluctuations play a dominant role in the SC in FeSe$_{1-x}$Te$_{x}$ around the nematic QCP.

cond-mat.supr-con

Slow ferromagnetic fluctuations in the kagome metal Sc$_3$Mn$_3$Al$_7$Si$_5$ revealed by $^{27}$Al NMR

Static and dynamical magnetic and electronic properties of the kagome metal Sc$_3$Mn$_3$Al$_7$Si$_5$ have been investigated by $^{27}$Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The temperature dependence of Knight shift ($K$) shows a similar temperature dependence of the DC magnetic susceptibility $\chi$ except for the low-temperature region below $\sim$ 50 K where $K$ is almost constant while $\chi$ keeps increasing, which suggests that the increase in $\chi$ at low temperatures is not intrinsic. $^{27}$Al spin-lattice relaxation rate divided by temperature ($1/T_1T$) is found to be constant, confirming the metallic state of Sc$_3$Mn$_3$Al$_7$Si$_5$ from a microscopic point of view. Based on a Korringa ratio analysis using the $T_1$ and $K$ data, ferromagnetic spin fluctuations are found to dominate in Sc$_3$Mn$_3$Al$_7$Si$_5$. These fluctuations are suggested to be very slow with frequencies on the order of kilohertz or lower.

cond-mat.str-el

Inhomogeneous magnetic ordered state and evolution of magnetic fluctuations in Sr(Co1-xNix)2P2 revealed by 31P NMR

SrCo$_2$P$_2$ with a tetragonal structure is known to be a Stoner-enhanced Pauli paramagnetic metal being nearly ferromagnetic. Recently Schmidt et al. [Phys. Rev. B 108, 174415 (2023)] reported that a ferromagnetic ordered state is actually induced by a small Ni substitution for Co of $x$ = 0.02 in Sr(Co$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_2$P$_2$ where antiferromagnetic ordered phase also appears by further Ni-substitution with $x = 0.06-0.35$. Here, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on $^{31}$P nuclei, we have investigated how the magnetic properties change by the Ni substitution in Sr(Co$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_2$P$_2$ from a microscopic point of view, especially focusing on the evolution of magnetic fluctuations with the Ni substitution and the characterization of the magnetically ordered states. The temperature dependences of $^{31}$P spin-lattice relaxation rate divided by temperature ($1/T_1T$) and Knight shift ($K$) for SrCo$_2$P$_2$ are reasonably explained by a model where a double-peak structure for the density of states near the Fermi energy is assumed. Based on a Korringa ratio analysis using the $T_1$ and $K$ data, ferromagnetic spin fluctuations are found to dominate in the ferromagnetic Sr(Co$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_2$P$_2$ as well as the antiferromagnets where no clear antiferromagnetic fluctuations are observed. We also found the distribution of the ordered Co moments in the magnetically ordered states from the analysis of the $^{31}$P NMR spectra exhibiting a characteristic rectangular-like shape.

cond-mat.str-el

Ground-state properties of the double trillium lattice antiferromagnet KBaCr$_2$(PO$_4$)$_3$

Trillium lattices formed by corner-shared triangular units are the platform for magnetic frustration in three dimensions. Herein, we report structural and magnetic properties of the Cr-based double trillium lattice material KBaCr$_2$(PO$_4$)$_3$ studied by x-ray diffraction, magnetization, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and $^{31}$P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements complemented by density-functional band-structure calculations. Heat capacity and $^{31}$P NMR measurements reveal the magnetic transition at $T_{\rm N1} \simeq 13.5$ K in zero field followed by another transition at $T_{\rm N2} \simeq 7$ K in weak applied fields. The NMR sublattice magnetization confirms that the transition at $T_{\rm N1}$ is 3D in nature. The $^{31}$P spin-lattice relaxation rate in the ordered state follows the $T^3$ behavior indicative of the two-magnon Raman process. The spin lattice of KBaCr$_2$(PO$_4$)$_3$ comprises two crystallographically nonequivalent ferromagnetic sublattices that are coupled antiferromagnetically, thus eliminating frustration in this trillium network.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Static and dynamic magnetic properties of the spin-5/2 triangle lattice antiferromagnet Na3Fe(PO4)2 studied by 31P NMR

$^{31}$P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements have been carried out to investigate the magnetic properties and spin dynamics of Fe$^{3+}$ ($S$ = 5/2) spins in the two-dimensional triangular lattice (TL) compound Na$_3$Fe(PO$_4$)$_2$. The temperature ($T$) dependence of nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rates ($1/T_1$) shows a clear peak around Néel temperature, $T_{\rm N} = 10.9$~K, corresponding to an antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition. From the temparature dependence of NMR shift ($K$) above $T_{\rm N}$, an exchange coupling between Fe$^{3+}$ spins was estimated to be $J/k_{\rm B}\simeq 1.9$~K using the spin-5/2 Heisenberg isotropic-TL model. The temperature dependence of $1/T_1T$ divided by the magnetic susceptibility ($χ$), $1/T_1Tχ$, above $T_{\rm N}$ proves the AFM nature of spin fluctuations below $\sim$ 50 K in the paramagnetic state. In the magnetically ordered state below $T_{\rm N}$, the characteristic rectangular shape of the NMR spectra is observed, indicative of a commensurate AFM state in its ground state. The strong temperature dependence of 1/$T_1$ in the AFM state is well explained by the two-magnon (Raman) process of the spin waves in a 3D antiferromagnet with a spin-anisotropy energy gap of 5.7 K. The temperature dependence of sublattice magnetization is also well reproduced by the spin waves. Those results indicate that the magnetically ordered state of Na$_3$Fe(PO$_4$)$_2$ is a conventional 3D AFM state, and no obvious spin frustration effects were detected in its ground state.

cond-mat.str-el

Deformed spin-$\frac12$ square lattice in antiferromagnetic NaZnVOPO$_4$(HPO$_4$)

We report the structural and magnetic properties of a new spin-$\frac12$ antiferromagnet NaZnVOPO$_4$(HPO$_4$) studied via x-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, high-field magnetization, specific heat, and $^{31}$P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, as well as density-functional band-structure calculations. While thermodynamic properties of this compound are well described by the $J_1-J_2$ square-lattice model, \textit{ab initio} calculations suggest a significant deformation of the spin lattice. From fits to the magnetic susceptibility we determine the averaged nearest-neighbor and second-neighbor exchange couplings of $\bar J_1\simeq -1.3$ K and $\bar J_2\simeq 5.6$ K, respectively. Experimental saturation field of 15.3\,T is consistent with these estimates if 20\% spatial anisotropy in $J_1$ is taken into account. Specific heat data signal the onset of a magnetic long-range order at $T_{\rm N} \simeq 2.1$ K, which is further supported by a sharp peak in the NMR spin-lattice relaxation rate. The NMR spectra mark the superposition of two P lines due to two noneqivalent P sites where the broad line with the strong hyperfine coupling and short $T_1$ is identified as the P(1) site located within the magnetic planes, while the narrow line with the weak hyperfine coupling and long $T_1$ is designated as the P(2) site located between the planes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Possible Coexistence of Antiferromagnetic and Ferromagnetic Spin Fluctuations in the Spin-triplet Superconductor UTe2 Revealed by 125Te NMR under Pressure

A spin-triplet superconducting state mediated by ferromagnetic (FM) spin fluctuations has been suggested to occur in the newly discovered heavy-fermion superconductor UTe$_2$. However, the recent neutron scattering measurements revealed the presence of antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin fluctuations in UTe$_2$. Here, we report the $^{125}$Te nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of a single-crystal UTe$_2$, suggesting the coexistence of FM and AFM spin fluctuations in UTe$_2$. Owing to the two different Te sites in the compound, we conclude that the FM spin fluctuations are dominant within ladders and the AFM spin fluctuations originate from the inter-ladder magnetic coupling. Although AFM spin fluctuations exist in the system, the FM spin fluctuations in the ladders may play an important role in the appearance of the spin-triplet superconducting state of UTe$_2$.

cond-mat.supr-con

Quasi-one-dimensional uniform spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ Heisenberg antiferromagnet KNaCuP$_2$O$_7$ probed by $^{31}$P and $^{23}$Na NMR

We present the structural and magnetic properties of KNaCuP$_2$O$_7$ investigated via x-ray diffraction, magnetization, specific heat, and $^{31}$P NMR and $^{23}$Na NMR measurements and complementary electronic structure calculations. The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility and $^{31}$P NMR shift could be modeled very well by the uniform spin-$1/2$ Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain model with nearest-neighbour interaction $J/k_{\rm B}\simeq 58.7$ K. The corresponding mapping using first principles electronic structure calculations leads to $J^{\rm DFT}/k_{\rm B} \simeq 59$ K with negligibly small inter-chain couplings ($J^{\prime}/k_{\rm B}$, $J^{\prime \prime}/k_{\rm B} < 0.1$ K), further confirming that the system is indeed an one-dimensional uniform spin-$1/2$ Heisenberg antiferromagnet. The temperature-dependent unit cell volume could be described well using the Debye approximation with a Debye temperature of $Θ_{\rm D} \simeq 294$ K, consistent with the heat capacity data. The diverging trend of the NMR spin-lattice relaxation rates ($^{31}1/T_1$ and $^{23}1/T_1$) imply the onset of a magnetic long-range-ordering at very low temperatures supporting the anticipated $T_{\rm N} \simeq 0.38$ K from the inter-chain couplings. Moreover, the NMR spin-lattice relaxation rates show the dominant contributions from uniform ($q=0$) and staggered ($q = \pm π/a$) spin fluctuations in the high and low temperature regimes, respectively mimicking one-dimensionality of the spin-lattice. We have also demonstrated that $^{31}1/T_1$ in high temperatures varies linearly with $1/\sqrt{H}$ reflecting the effect of spin diffusion on the dynamic susceptibility. Further, the inter-chain frustration also substantially impede the magnetic ordering rendering the spin-lattice a perfect one-dimensional uniform spin-$1/2$ Heisenberg antiferromagnet over a wide temperature range.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

First-order phase transition to a nonmagnetic ground state in nonsymmorphic NbCrP

We report the discovery of a first-order phase transition at around 125 K in NbCrP, which is a nonsymmorphic crystal with Pnma space group. From the resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements using the crystals made by the Sn-flux method, the high-temperature (HT) phase is characterized to be metallic with a non-negligible magnetic anisotropy. The low-temperature (LT) phase is also found to be a nonmagnetic metallic state with a crystal of lower symmetry. In the LT phase, the spin susceptibility is reduced by ~30 % from that in the HT phase, suggesting that the phase transition is triggered by the electronic instability. The possible origin of the phase transition in NbCrP is discussed based on the electronic structure by comparing with those in other nonsymmorphic compounds RuP and RuAs.

cond-mat.str-el

Spontaneously polarized half-gapped superconductivity

Nonunitary superconductivity is a rare and striking phenomenon in which spin up and spin down electrons segregate into two different quantum condensates. Because they support topological excitations, such superconductors are being seriously considered for potential quantum information applications. We report the discovery of nonunitary spin-triplet superconductivity in UTe2, featuring the high transition temperature of 1.6 K and a remarkably large and anisotropic upper critical field exceeding 40 T. In this unusual superconducting state, electrons with parallel spins pair, yet only half of the available electrons participate, yielding a spin-polarized condensate that coexists with a spin-polarized metal. The superconducting order parameter, which breaks both gauge and time reversal symmetries, arises from strong ferromagnetic fluctuations, placing UTe2 as the paramagnetic end member of the ferromagnetic superconductor series. This discovery yields a new platform for encoding information using topological excitations and for manipulation of spinpolarized currents.

cond-mat.supr-con

NMR studies of the incommensurate helical antiferromagnet EuCo2P2 : determination of the antiferromagnetic propagation vector

Recently Ding et al. [Phys. Rev. B 95, 184404 (2017)] reported that their nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study on EuCo$_2$As$_2$ successfully characterized the antiferromagnetic (AFM) propagation vector of the incommensurate helix AFM state, showing that NMR is a unique tool for determination of the spin structures in incommensurate helical AFMs. Motivated by this work, we have carried out $^{153}$Eu, $^{31}$P and $^{59}$Co NMR measurements on the helical antiferromagnet EuCo$_2$P$_2$ with an AFM ordering temperature $T_{\rm N}$ = 66.5 K. An incommensurate helical AFM structure was clearly confirmed by $^{153}$Eu and $^{31}$P NMR spectra on single crystalline EuCo$_2$P$_2$ in zero magnetic field at 1.6 K and its external magnetic field dependence. Furthermore, based on $^{59}$Co NMR data in both the paramagnetic and the incommensurate AFM states, we have determined the model-independent value of the AFM propagation vector k = (0, 0, 0.73 $\pm$ 0.09)2$π$/$c$ where $c$ is the $c$-axis lattice parameter. The temperature dependence of k is also discussed.

cond-mat.str-el

Anisotropies and Homogeneities of Superconducting Properties in Iron-Platinum-Arsenide Ca10(Pt3As8)(Fe1.79Pt0.21As2)5

We report a study on the anisotropy of superconducting properties in single crystalline Ca10(Pt4-δAs8)(Fe1.79Pt0.21As2)5 with Tc ~13.6 K. Under a field of 5 Oe, the sample reaches fully-diamagnetic state at ~10 K for H//c, and ~8 K for H//ab, indicating the presence of slight inhomogeneities. The magnetization measurements reveal fish-tail effect in the hysteresis loop for both H//c and H//ab. Averaged critical current densities at low magnetic fields along the c-axis and ab-plane Jc(H//c) and Jc(H//ab) at 5 K are estimated to be 0.9*10^5 and 0.7*10^5 A/cm2, respectively. Resistive transitions under magnetic field show broadening, which is consistent with a relatively large anisotropy of upper critical field. Magneto-optical images reveal homogenous current flow within the ab-plane.

cond-mat.supr-con

Magnetic and transport properties of iron-platinum arsenide Ca10(Pt4-δAs8)(Fe2-xPtxAs2)5 single crystal

We report superconducting properties of single crystalline Ca10(Pt4-δAs8)(Fe2-xPtxAs2)5 by X-ray diffraction, magnetization, resistivity, and magneto-optical imaging measurements. The magnetization measurements reveal fish-tail hysteresis loop and relatively high critical current density Jc ~ 0.8\times105 A/cm2 at low temperatures. The exponential temperature dependence of Jc, which arises from nonlinear effective flux-creep activation energy, has been observed. Upper critical field determined by resistive transition shows a relatively large anisotropy. The magneto-optical images reveal homogenous current flow within the crystal.

cond-mat.supr-con