arXiv subjects

R. Arpaia

Publications and source records attributed to R. Arpaia.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Differentiation of Site-Specific Symmetry Breaking Orders in Y$_{1-x}$Pr$_x$Ba$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+y}$

Solid matter is classified through symmetry of ordering phenomena. Experimentally, this approach is straightforward, except when distinct orderings occur with identical or almost identical symmetry breaking. Here we show that the cuprate system Y$_{1-x}$Pr$_x$Ba$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+y}$ hosts two distinct orderings with almost identical translational symmetry breaking. Only when applying site-sensitive resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS), charge ordering can be conclusively differentiated from a super-lattice structure. These two orderings occur with almost the same in-plane symmetry but manifest at different atomic sites and display different temperature dependence. Differentiating these orders provides an important clue to the anomalous behavior of PrBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$ within the 123-series of high-temperature superconductors. We conclude that the symmetry breaking at the Pr-site is unfavorable for superconducting pairing.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Signature of quantum criticality in cuprates by charge density fluctuations

The universality of the strange metal phase in many quantum materials is often attributed to the presence of a quantum critical point (QCP), a zero-temperature phase transition ruled by quantum fluctuations. In cuprates, where superconductivity hinders direct QCP observation, indirect evidence comes from the identification of fluctuations compatible with the strange metal phase. Here we show that the recently discovered charge density fluctuations (CDF) possess the right properties to be associated to a quantum phase transition. Using resonant x-ray scattering, we studied the CDF in two families of cuprate superconductors across a wide doping range (up to $p$=0.22). At $p^*\approx$0.19, the putative QCP, the CDF intensity peaks, and the characteristic energy $Δ$ is minimum, marking a wedge-shaped region in the phase diagram indicative of a quantum critical behavior, albeit with anomalies. These findings strengthen the role of charge order in explaining strange metal phenomenology and provide insights into high-temperature superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Tuning the ground state of cuprate high-critical-temperature superconducting thin films by nanofaceted substrates

Anisotropic transport properties have been assessed in a number of cuprate superconductors, providing evidence for a nematic state. Here, we analyze recent experimental data for ultrathin YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-x}$ (YBCO) films, where nematicity is induced via strain engineering, leading to a suppression of charge density wave scattering along the orthorhombic a-axis and a concomitant enhancement of strange metal behavior along the b-axis. It is shown that the anisotropic properties strongly depend on the substrate, which we characterize by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Based on the AFM data, we provide a microscopic model that can account for the absence (presence) of nematicity and the resulting transport properties in films grown on SrTiO$_3$ (MgO) substrates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Doping dependence of the upper critical field in untwinned YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ thin films

We report on measurements of the doping dependence of the upper critical field $H_{c,2}$ in 50 nm thick YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ films. The films are untwinned and are characterized by a small in-plane compressive strain. We find that the $H_{c,2}$ shows a strong decrease in the underdoped region of the phase diagram, in agreement with what has been measured in relaxed single crystals. The origin of the decrease of $H_{c,2}$ in the underdoped regime is discussed within a scenario where charge density wave order competes with superconductivity. This demonstrates the potential of using thin films for studying the phase diagram of high-$T_c$ materials under strain.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Charge and spin order dichotomy in NdNiO$_2$ driven by SrTiO$_3$ capping layer

Superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates holds exciting analogies with that of cuprates, with similar structures and $3d$-electron count. Using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) we studied electronic and magnetic excitations and charge density correlations in Nd$_{1-x}$Sr$_{x}$NiO$_2$ thin films with and without an SrTiO$_3$ capping layer. We observe dispersing magnons only in the capped samples, progressively dampened at higher doping. In addition, we detect an elastic resonant scattering peak in the uncapped $x=0$ compound at wave vector (1/3,0), remindful of the charge order signal in hole doped cuprates. The peak weakens at $x=0.05$ and disappears in the superconducting $x=0.20$ film. The uncapped samples also present a higher degree of Ni$3d$-Nd$5d$ hybridization and a smaller anisotropy of the Ni$3d$ occupation with respect to the capped samples. The role of the capping on the possible hydrogen incorporation or on other mechanisms responsible for the electronic reconstruction far from the interface remains to be understood.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Restored strange metal phase through suppression of charge density waves in underdoped YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$

The normal state of optimally doped cuprates is dominated by the "strange metal" phase that shows a linear temperature ($T$) dependence of the resistivity persisting down to the lowest $T$. For underdoped cuprates this behavior is lost below the pseudogap temperature $T^*$, where Charge Density Waves (CDW) together with other intertwined local orders characterize the ground state. Here we show that the $T$-linear resistivity of highly strained, ultrathin and underdoped YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ films is restored when the CDW amplitude, detected by Resonant Inelastic X-ray scattering, is suppressed. This observation points towards an intimate connection between the onset of CDW and the departure from $T$-linear resistivity in underdoped cuprates. Our results illustrate the potential of using strain control to manipulate the ground state of quantum materials.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Strange metal behaviour from charge density fluctuations in cuprates

Besides the mechanism responsible for high critical temperature superconductivity, the grand unresolved issue of the cuprates is the occurrence of a strange metallic state above the so-called pseudogap temperature $T^*$. Even though such state has been successfully described within a phenomenological scheme, the so-called Marginal Fermi-Liquid theory, a microscopic explanation is still missing. However, recent resonant X-ray scattering experiments identified a new class of charge density fluctuations characterized by low characteristic energies and short correlation lengths, which are related to the well-known charge density waves. These fluctuations are present over a wide region of the temperature-vs-doping phase diagram and extend well above $T^*$. Here we investigate the consequences of charge density fluctuations on the electron and transport properties and find that they can explain the strange metal phenomenology. Therefore, charge density fluctuations are likely the long-sought microscopic mechanism underlying the peculiarities of the metallic state of cuprates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Evolution of spin excitations from bulk to monolayer FeSe

The discovery of enhanced superconductivity (SC) in FeSe films grown on SrTiO3 (FeSe/STO) has revitalized the field of Fe-based superconductors. In the ultrathin limit, the superconducting transition temperature Tc is increased by almost an order of magnitude, raising new questions on the pairing mechanism. As in other unconventional superconductors, antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations have been proposed as a candidate to mediate SC in this system. Thus, it is essential to study the evolution of the spin dynamics of FeSe in the ultrathin limit to elucidate their relationship with superconductivity. Here, we investigate and compare the spin excitations in bulk and monolayer FeSe grown on STO using high-resolution resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) calculations. Despite the absence of long-range magnetic order, bulk FeSe displays dispersive magnetic excitations reminiscent of other Fe-pnictides. Conversely, the spin excitations in FeSe/STO are gapped, dispersionless, and significantly hardened relative to the bulk counterpart. By comparing our RIXS results with simulations of a bilayer Hubbard model, we connect the evolution of the spin excitations to the Fermiology of the two systems. The present study reveals a remarkable reconfiguration of spin excitations in FeSe/STO, which is essential to understand the role of spin fluctuations in the pairing mechanism.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Properties of Grooved Dayem Bridge based YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices and Magnetometers

The transport properties of a YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) based on grooved Dayem bridge weak links are studied as a function of temperature: at high temperatures ($60~$K$<T<T_\mathrm{c}=89$~K) the weak links show properties similar to SNS junctions, while at temperatures below 60~K the weak links behave like short Dayem bridges. Using these devices, we have fabricated SQUID magnetometers with galvanically coupled in-plane pick-up loops: at $T=77$~K, magnetic field white noise levels as low as $63$~fT/$\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ have been achieved.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Dynamical charge density fluctuations pervading the phase diagram of a Cu-based high-Tc superconductor

Charge density waves are a common occurrence in all families of high critical temperature superconducting cuprates. Although consistently observed in the underdoped region of the phase diagram and at relatively low temperatures, it is still unclear to what extent they influence the unusual properties of these systems. Using resonant x-ray scattering we carefully determined the temperature dependence of charge density modulations in (Y,Nd)Ba$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ for three doping levels. We discovered short-range dynamical charge density fluctuations besides the previously known quasi-critical charge density waves. They persist up to well above the pseudogap temperature T*, are characterized by energies of few meV and pervade a large area of the phase diagram, so that they can play a key role in shaping the peculiar normal-state properties of cuprates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Influence of Topological Edge States on the Properties of Al/Bi2Se3/Al Hybrid Josephson Devices

In superconductor-topological insulator-superconductor hybrid junctions, the barrier edge states are expected to be protected against backscattering, to generate unconventional proximity effects, and, possibly, to signal the presence of Majorana fermions. The standards of proximity modes for these types of structures have to be settled for a neat identification of possible new entities. Through a systematic and complete set of measurements of the Josephson properties we find evidence of ballistic transport in coplanar Al-Bi2Se3-Al junctions that we attribute to a coherent transport through the topological edge state. The shunting effect of the bulk only influences the normal transport. This behavior, which can be considered to some extent universal, is fairly independent of the specific features of superconducting electrodes. A comparative study of Shubnikov - de Haas oscillations and Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy gave an experimental signature compatible with a two dimensional electron transport channel with a Dirac dispersion relation. A reduction of the size of the Bi2Se3 flakes to the nanoscale is an unavoidable step to drive Josephson junctions in the proper regime to detect possible distinctive features of Majorana fermions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Improved nanopatterning for YBCO nanowires approaching the depairing current

An improved nanopatterning procedure has been developed to obtain YBCO nanowires with cross sections as small as 50x50 nm^2, protected by an Au capping layer. To probe the effective role of the Au protecting layer, we have measured the current-voltage characteristics and the resistive transition in temperature of the nanowires. Critical current densities up to 10^8 A/cm^2 have been achieved at T=4.2 K, approaching the theoretical depairing current limit. The resistance, measured as a function of temperature close to Tc, has been fitted with a thermal activated phase slip model, including the effect of the gold layer. The extracted values of the superconducting coherence length and of the London penetration depth give current densities consistent with the measured ones. These results cannot be achieved with same nanowires, without the Au capping layer.

cond-mat.supr-con↗