arXiv subjects

R. J. Cava

Publications and source records attributed to R. J. Cava.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Honeycomb-structure RuI3, a new quantum material related to α-RuCl3

The Kitaev model predicts that quantum spin liquids (QSLs) will form at low temperatures under certain special conditions, and materials hosting the QSL state are frequently sought. The layered honeycomb lattice material α-RuCl3 has emerged as a prime candidate for displaying the Kitaev QSL state. Here we describe a new polymorph of RuI3 with a layered honeycomb lattice structure, synthesized at moderately high pressures and stable under ambient conditions. Preliminary characterization reveals metallic, paramagnetic behavior, the absence of long-range magnetic order down to 0.35 K and an unusually large T-linear contribution to the heat capacity at low temperatures. We propose that this RuI3 phase, with a layered honeycomb lattice and strong spin-orbit coupling, provides a new route for the characterization of quantum materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Singular angular magnetoresistance and sharp resonant features in a high-mobility metal with open orbits, ReO3

We report high-resolution angular magnetoresistance (AMR) experiments performed on crystals of ReO$_3$ with high mobility (90,000 cm$^2$/Vs at 2 K) and extremely low residual resistivity (5-8 n$Ω$cm). The Fermi surface, comprised of intersecting cylinders, supports open orbits. The resistivity $ρ_{xx}$ in a magnetic field $B$ = 9 T displays a singular pattern of behavior. With $\bf E\parallel \hat{x}$ and $\bf B$ initially $\parallel\bf\hat{z}$, tilting $\bf B$ in the longitudinal $k_z$-$k_x$ plane leads to a steep decrease in $ρ_{xx}$ by a factor of 40. However, if $\bf B$ is tilted in the transverse $k_y$-$k_z$ plane, $ρ_{xx}$ increases steeply by a factor of 8. Using the Shockley tube integral approach, we show that, in ReO$_3$, the singular behavior results from the rapid conversion of closed to open orbits, resulting in opposite signs for AMR in orthogonal planes. The floor values of $ρ_{xx}$ in both AMR scans are identified with specific sets of open and closed orbits. Also, the "completion angle" $γ_c$ detected in the AMR is shown to be an intrinsic geometric feature that provides a new way to measure the Fermi radius $k_F$. However, additional sharp resonant features which appear at very small tilt angles in the longitudinal AMR scans are not explained by the tube integral approach.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Low-temperature high-frequency dynamic magnetic susceptibility of classical spin-ice Dy$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$

Radio-frequency (14.6 MHz) AC magnetic susceptibility, $χ^{\prime}_{AC}$, of \dytio\ was measured using a self-oscillating tunnel-diode resonator. Measurements were made with the excitation AC field parallel to the superimposed DC magnetic field up 5 T in a wide temperature range from 50 mK to 100 K. At 14.6 MHz a known broad peak of $χ^{\prime}_{AC}(T)$ from kHz - range audio-frequency measurements around 15~K for both [111] and [110] directions shifts to 45~K, continuing the Arrhenius activated behavior with the same activation energy barrier of $E_a \approx 230$~K. Magnetic field dependence of $χ^{\prime}_{AC}$ along [111] reproduces previously reported low-temperature two-in-two-out to three-in-one-out spin configuration transition at about 1~T, and an intermediate phase between 1 and 1.5~T. The boundaries of the intermediate phase show reasonable overlap with the literature data and connect at a critical endpoint of the first-order transition line, suggesting that these low-temperature features are frequency independent. An unusual upturn of magnetic susceptibility at $T \to 0$ was observed in magnetic fields between 1.5~T and 2~T for both magnetic field directions, before fully polarized configuration sets in above 2~T.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Beyond magnons in Nd2ScNbO7: An Ising pyrochlore antiferromagnet with all in all out order and random fields

We report the low temperature magnetic properties of Nd$^{3+}$ pyrochlore $\rm Nd_2ScNbO_7$. Susceptibility and magnetization show an easy-axis moment, and heat capacity reveals a phase transition to long range order at $T_N=371(2)$ mK with a fully recovered $ΔS = R \ln(2)$, 53\% of it recovered for $T>T_N$. Elastic neutron scattering shows a long-range all-in-all-out magnetic order with low-$Q$ diffuse elastic scattering. Inelastic neutron scattering shows a low-energy flat-band, indicating a magnetic Hamiltonian similar to $\rm Nd_2Zr_2O_7$. Nuclear hyperfine excitations measured by ultra-high-resolution neutron backscattering indicates a distribution of static electronic moments below $T_N$, which may be due to B-site disorder influencing Nd crystal electric fields. Analysis of heat capacity data shows an unexpected $T$-linear or $T^{3/2}$ term which is inconsistent with conventional magnon quasiparticles, but is consistent with fractionalized spinons or gapless local spin excitations. We use legacy data to show similar behavior in $\rm Nd_2Zr_2O_7$. Comparing local static moments also reveals a suppression of the nuclear Schottky anomaly in temperature, evidencing a fraction of Nd sites with nearly zero static moment, consistent with exchange-disorder-induced random singlet formation. Taken together, these measurements suggest an unusual fluctuating magnetic ground state which mimics a spin-liquid -- but may not actually be one.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Van der Waals Heterostructure Magnetic Josephson Junction

When two superconductors are connected across a ferromagnet, the spin configuration of the transferred Cooper pairs can be modulated due to magnetic exchange interaction. The resulting supercurrent can reverse its sign across the Josephson junction (JJ) [1-4]. Here we demonstrate Josephson phase modulation in van der Waals heterostructures when Cooper pairs from superconducting NbSe$_2$ tunnel through atomically thin magnetic insulator (MI) Cr$_2$Ge$_2$Te$_6$. Employing a superconducting quantum interference device based on MI JJs, we probe a doubly degenerate non-trivial JJ phase ($ϕ$) originating from the magnetic barrier. This $ϕ$-phase JJ is formed by momentum conserving tunneling of Ising Cooper pairs [5] across magnetic domains in the Cr$_2$Ge$_2$Te$_6$ barrier. The doubly degenerate ground states in MI JJs provide a two-level quantum system that can be utilized as a new disipationless component for superconducting quantum devices, including phase batteries [6], memories [7,8], and quantum Ratchets [9,10].

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Widely Spaced Planes of Magnetic Dimers in the Ba6Y2Rh2Ti2O17-δ Hexagonal Perovskite

We report the synthesis and initial characterization of Ba6Y2Rh2Ti2O17-δ, a previously unreported material with a hexagonal symmetry structure. Face-sharing RhO6 octahedra form triangular planes of Rh2O9 dimers that are widely separated in the perpendicular direction. The material displays a small effective magnetic moment, due to the Rh ions present, and a negative Curie-Weiss temperature. The charge transport and optical band gaps are very similar, near 0.16 eV. A large upturn in the heat capacity at temperatures below 1 K, suppressed by applied magnetic fields larger than {μ0H = 2 Tesla, is observed. A large T-linear term in the specific heat (γ=166 mJ/mol f.u-K2) is seen, although the material is insulating at low temperatures. These results suggest the possibility of a spin liquid ground state in this material.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Multi hole bands and quasi 2-dimensionality in Cr2Ge2Te6 studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

In the present work, we investigate the electronic structure of the two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnet Cr2Ge2Te6 by photoemission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Our results demonstrate the presence of multiple hole-type bands in the vicinity of the Fermi level indicating that the material can support high electrical conductivity by manipulating the chemical potential. Also, our photon energy dependent angle resolved photoemission experiment revealed that several of the hole bands exhibit weak dispersion with varied incident photon energy providing experimental signature for its two dimensionality. These findings can pave the way for further studies towards the application of Cr2Ge2Te6 in electronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Duality and domain wall dynamics in a twisted Kitaev chain

The Ising chain in transverse field is a paradigmatic model for a host of physical phenomena, including spontaneous symmetry breaking, topological defects, quantum criticality, and duality. Although the quasi-1D ferromagnet CoNb$_2$O$_6$ has been put forward as the best material example of the transverse field Ising model, it exhibits significant deviations from ideality. Through a combination of THz spectroscopy and theory, we show that CoNb$_2$O$_6$ in fact is well described by a different model with strong bond dependent interactions, which we dub the {\it twisted Kitaev chain}, as these interactions share a close resemblance to a one-dimensional version of the intensely studied honeycomb Kitaev model. In this model the ferromagnetic ground state of CoNb$_2$O$_6$ arises from the compromise between two distinct alternating axes rather than a single easy axis. Due to this frustration, even at zero applied field domain-wall excitations have quantum motion that is described by the celebrated Su-Schriefer-Heeger model of polyacetylene. This leads to rich behavior as a function of field. Despite the anomalous domain wall dynamics, close to a critical transverse field the twisted Kitaev chain enters a universal regime in the Ising universality class. This is reflected by the observation that the excitation gap in CoNb$_2$O$_6$ in the ferromagnetic regime closes at a rate precisely twice that of the paramagnet. This originates in the duality between domain walls and spin-flips and the topological conservation of domain wall parity. We measure this universal ratio `2' to high accuracy -- the first direct evidence for the Kramers-Wannier duality in nature.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Identifying candidate hosts for quantum defects via data mining

Atom-like defects in solid-state hosts are promising candidates for the development of quantum information systems, but despite their importance, the host substrate/defect combinations currently under study have almost exclusively been found serendipitously. Here we systematically evaluate the suitability of host materials by applying a combined four-stage data mining and manual screening process to all entries in the Materials Project database, with literature-based experimental confirmation of band gap values. We identify 580 viable host substrates for quantum defect introduction and use in quantum information systems. While this constitutes a significant increase in the number of known and potentially viable material systems, it nonetheless represents a significant (99.54%) reduction from the total number of known inorganic phases, and the application of additional selection criteria for specific applications will reduce their number even further. The screening principles outlined may easily be applied to previously unrealized phases and other technologically important materials systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Hexagonal Perovskites as Quantum Materials

Hexagonal oxide perovskites, in contrast to the more familiar perovskites, allow for face-sharing of metal-oxygen octahedra or trigonal prisms within their structural frameworks. This results in dimers, trimers, tetramers, or longer fragments of chains of face-sharing octahedra in the crystal structures, and consequently in much shorter metal-metal distances and lower metal-oxygen-metal bond angles than are seen in the more familiar perovskites. The presence of the face-sharing octahedra can have a dramatic impact on magnetic properties of these compounds, and dimer-based materials, in particular, have been the subjects of many quantum-materials-directed studies in materials physics. Hexagonal oxide perovskites are of contemporary interest due to their potential for geometrical frustration of the ordering of magnetic moments or orbital occupancies at low temperatures, which is especially relevant to their significance as quantum materials. As such, several hexagonal oxide perovskites have been identified as potential candidates for hosting the quantum spin liquid state at low temperatures. In our view, hexagonal oxide perovskites are fertile ground for finding new quantum materials. This review briefly describes the solid state chemistry of many of these materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Softening of breathing elastic mode and trigonal elastic mode in disordered pyrochlore magnet NaCaCo$_2$F$_7$

Cobalt pyrochlore fluoride NaCaCo$_2$F$_7$ is a disordered frustrated magnet composed of Co$^{2+}$ ions with an effective spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ magnetic moment and exhibits spin freezing below $T_f \sim$2.4 K. We perform ultrasound velocity measurements on a single crystal of the cubic NaCaCo$_2$F$_7$. The temperature dependence of the bulk modulus (the breathing elastic mode) exhibits Curie-type softening upon cooling below $\sim$20 K down to $T_f$, which is suppressed by the magnetic field. This Curie-type softening should be a precursor to the enhancement of the strength of exchange disorder via the spin-lattice coupling, which causes the spin freezing. In contrast to the magnetic-field-suppressed Curie-type softening in the bulk modulus, the trigonal shear modulus exhibits softening with a characteristic minimum upon cooling, which is enhanced by the magnetic field at temperatures below $\sim$20 K. This magnetic-field-enhanced elastic anomaly in the trigonal shear modulus suggests a coupling of the lattice to the dynamical spin-cluster state. For NaCaCo$_2$F$_7$, the observed elastic anomalies reveal an occurrence of magnetic-field-induced crossover from an isostructural lattice instability toward the spin freezing to a trigonal lattice instability arising from the emergent dynamical spin-cluster state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Long-range and local crystal structures of the Sr1-xCaxRuO3 Perovskites

The crystal structures of the Sr1-xCaxRuO3 perovskites are investigated using both long range and local structural probes. High resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction characterization at ambient temperature shows that the materials are orthorhombic to high precision, and we support previous work showing that Ca2+ substitution for Sr2+ primarily changes the tilting of rigid corner-sharing RuO6 octahedra at their shared oxygen vertices. X-ray pair distribution function analysis for SrRuO3, CaRuO3 and one intermediate composition show them to be locally monoclinic, and no long range or local phase transitions are observed between 80 and 300 K for materials with intermediate compositions. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the Sr/Ca distribution is random at the nanoscale. We plot magnetic characteristics such as the ferromagnetic Tc, Curie-Weiss theta, effective moment, and ambient temperature susceptibility vs. the octahedral tilt and unit cell volume.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Observation of an edge supercurrent in the Weyl superconductor MoTe$_2$

Edge supercurrents in superconductors have long been an elusive target. Interest in them has reappeared in the context of topological superconductivity. We report the observation of a robust edge supercurrent in the Weyl superconductor MoTe2. In a magnetic field B, fluxoid quantization generates a periodic modulation of the edge condensate observable as a "fast-mode" oscillation of the critical current Ic versus B. Remarkably, the fast-mode frequency is distinct from the conventional Fraunhofer oscillation displayed by the bulk supercurrent. We confirm that the fast mode frequency increases with crystal area as expected for an edge supercurrent. In addition, weak excitation branches are resolved which display an unusual broken symmetry.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Counterroating incommensurate magnetic order and strong quantum fluctuations in the honeycomb layers of $\rm NaNi_2BiO_6$

We report the magnetic structure and electronic properties of the honeycomb antiferromagnet $\rm NaNi_2BiO_{5.66}$. We find magnetic order with moments along the $c$ axis for temperatures below $T_{c1}=6.3(1)\>{\rm K}$ and then in the honeycomb plane for $T < T_{c2}=4.8(1)\>{\rm K}$ with a counterrotating pattern and an ordering wave vector ${\bf q}=(\frac{1}{3},\> \frac{1}{3},\> 0.15(1))$. Density functional theory and electron spin resonance indicate this is high-spin Ni$^{3+}$ magnetism near a high to low spin transition. The ordering wave vector, in-plane magnetic correlations, missing entropy, spin state, and superexchange pathways are all consistent with bond-dependent Kitaev-$Γ$-Heisenberg exchange interactions in $\rm NaNi_2BiO_{6-δ}$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

High entropy alloy superconductors -- status, opportunities and challenges

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are a recently-opened research area in materials science and condensed matter physics. Although 3d-metal-based HEAs have already been the subject of many investigations, studies of HEA superconductors, which tend to be based on 4d metals, are relatively fewer. Here we provide a short update of the progress made in studies of superconducting HEAs. We aim to summarize their current status and describe some of the key factors that appear to influence their superconducting transition temperatures and properties, including crystal structure, atomic makeup, valence electron count, molar volume and mixing entropy. Many opportunities and challenges remain for expanding our knowledge of HEA superconductors, finding new types of HEA superconductors, and their potential for applications; these are also briefly discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Homogenous reduced moment in a gapful scalar chiral kagome antiferromagnet

We present present a quantitative experimental investigation of the scalar chiral magnetic order with in $\rm{Nd_3Sb_3Mg_2O_{14}}$. Static magnetization reveals a net ferromagnetic ground state, and inelastic neutron scattering from the hyperfine coupled nuclear spin reveals a local ordered moment of 1.76(6) $μ_B$, just 61(2)% of the saturated moment size. The experiments exclude static disorder as the source of the reduced moment. A 38(1) $μ$eV gap in the magnetic excitation spectrum inferred from heat capacity rules out thermal fluctuations and suggests a multipolar explanation for the moment reduction. We compare $\rm{Nd_3Sb_3Mg_2O_{14}}$ to Nd pyrochlores and show that it is close to a moment fragmented state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Quantum Spin Liquids

Spin liquids are quantum phases of matter that exhibit a variety of novel features associated with their topological character. These include various forms of fractionalization - elementary excitations that behave as fractions of an electron. While there is not yet entirely convincing experimental evidence that any particular material has a spin liquid ground state, in the past few years, increasing evidence has accumulated for a number of materials suggesting that they have characteristics strongly reminiscent of those expected for a quantum spin liquid.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Magnetic interactions and spin dynamics in the bond-disordered pyrochlore fluoride NaCaCo$_2$F$_7$

We report high-frequency/high-field electron spin resonance (ESR) and high-field magnetization studies on single crystals of the bond-disordered pyrochlore NaCaCo$_2$F$_7$. Frequency- and temperature-dependent ESR investigations above the freezing temperature $T_f \sim 2.4$ K reveal the coexistence of two distinct magnetic phases. A cooperative paramagnetic phase, evidenced by a gapless excitation mode, is found as well as a spin-glass phase developing below 20 K which is associated with a gapped low-energy excitation. Effective $g$-factors close to 2 are obtained for both modes in line with pulsed high-field magnetization measurements which show an unsaturated isotropic behavior up to 58 T at 2 K. In order to describe the field-dependent magnetization in high magnetic fields, we propose an empirical model accounting for highly anisotropic ionic $g$-tensors expected for this material and taking into account the strongly competing interactions between the spins which lead to a frustrated ground state. As a detailed quantitative relation between effective $g$-factors as determined from ESR and the local $g$-tensors obtained by neutron scattering [Ross et al., Phys. Rev. B 93, 014433 (2016)] is still sought after, our work motivates further theoretical investigations of the low-energy excitations in bond-disordered pyrochlores.

cond-mat.str-el↗