arXiv subjects

R. Tao

Publications and source records attributed to R. Tao.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Superconductivity across Lifshitz transition and anomalous insulating state in surface K-dosed (Li0.8Fe0.2OH)FeSe

In the iron-based superconductors, understanding the relation between superconductivity and electronic structure upon doping is crucial for exploring the pairing mechanism. Recently it was found that in iron selenide (FeSe), enhanced superconductivity (Tc over 40K) can be achieved via electron doping, with the Fermi surface only comprising M-centered electron pockets. Here by utilizing surface potassium dosing, scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we studied the electronic structure and superconductivity of (Li0.8Fe0.2OH)FeSe in the deep electron-doped regime. We find that a Γ-centered electron band, which originally lies above the Fermi level (EF), can be continuously tuned to cross EF and contribute a new electron pocket at Γ. When this Lifshitz transition occurs, the superconductivity in the M-centered electron pocket is slightly suppressed; while a possible superconducting gap with small size (up to ~5 meV) and a dome-like doping dependence is observed on the new Γ electron pocket. Upon further K dosing, the system eventually evolves into an insulating state. Our findings provide new clues to understand superconductivity versus Fermi surface topology and the correlation effect in FeSe-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Surface electronic structure and evidence of plain s-wave superconductivity in (Li0.8Fe0.2)OHFeSe

(Li0.8Fe0.2)OHFeSe is a newly-discovered intercalated iron-selenide superconductor with a Tc above 40 K, which is much higher than the Tc of bulk FeSe (8 K). Here we report a systematic study of (Li0.8Fe0.2)OHFeSe by low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We observed two kinds of surface terminations, namely FeSe and (Li0.8Fe0.2)OH surfaces. On the FeSe surface, the superconducting state is fully gapped with double coherence peaks, and a vortex core state with split peaks near EF is observed. Through quasi-particle interference (QPI) measurements, we clearly observed intra- and inter-pocket scatterings in between the electron pockets at the M point, as well as some evidence of scattering that connects gamma and M points. Upon applying magnetic field, the QPI intensity of all the scattering channels are found to behave similarly. Furthermore, we studied impurity effects on the superconductivity by investigating intentionally introduced impurities and intrinsic defects. We observed that magnetic impurities such as Cr adatoms can induce in-gap states and suppress superconductivity. However, nonmagnetic impurities such as Zn adatoms do not induce visible in-gap states. Meanwhile, we show that Zn adatoms can induce in-gap states in thick FeSe films, which is believed to have an (s+-)wave pairing symmetry. Our experimental results suggest it is likely that (Li0.8Fe0.2)OHFeSe is a plain s-wave superconductor, whose order parameter has the same sign on all Fermi surface sections.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Signature of high temperature superconductivity in electron doped Sr2IrO4

Sr2IrO4 was predicted to be a high temperature superconductor upon electron doping since it highly resembles the cuprates in crystal structure, electronic structure and magnetic coupling constants. Here we report a scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) study of Sr2IrO4 with surface electron doping by depositing potassium (K) atoms. At the 0.5-0.7 monolayer (ML) K coverage, we observed a sharp, V-shaped gap with about 95% loss of density of state (DOS) at EFand visible coherence peaks. The gap magnitude is 25-30 meV for 0.5-0.6 ML K coverage and it closes around 50 K. These behaviors exhibit clear signature of superconductivity. Furthermore, we found that with increased electron doping, the system gradually evolves from an insulating state to a normal metallic state, via a pseudogap-like state and possible superconducting state. Our data suggest possible high temperature superconductivity in electron doped Sr2IrO4, and its remarkable analogy to the cuprates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

From The Quantum Hall Effect To Topological Insulators

The integral and fractional quantum Hall effects are among the most important discoveries in condensed matter physics in 1980s. The main results can be summarized in the conductance matrix. When the filling factor is an integer or some fractional value, the conductance is quantized. This quantization is related to the first Chern number. The novel properties of the quantum Hall system raised an important question: Can we have such important quantum properties in other systems? Especially, can we find a quantum system without magnetic field but maintaining the same properties in its conductance matrix? This is really the starting point for the topological insulators, too. This issue was first discussed in our paper, published in Physical Review B, 1987. Here, we re-post this paper and want to emphasize that the physics discussed in our paper is general and profound. The essence of quantum Hall effect can be generalized to many quantum systems, either fermion system or boson system. If the quantum system has discrete energy spectrum and depends on two or more periodic parameters, the response coefficient will be the same as the conductance of quantum Hall effect, dissipation free for the longitudinal ones and quantized for off-diagonal ones.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Giant two-phonon Raman scattering from nanoscale NbC precipitates in Nb

High purity niobium (Nb), subjected to the processing methods used in the fabrication of superconducting RF cavities, displays micron-sized surface patches containing excess carbon. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy measurements are presented which reveal the presence of nanoscale NbC coherent precipitates in such regions. Raman backscatter spectroscopy on similar surface regions exhibit spectra consistent with the literature results on bulk NbC but with significantly enhanced two-phonon scattering. The unprecedented strength and sharpness of the two-phonon signal has prompted a theoretical analysis, using density functional theory (DFT), of phonon modes in NbC for two different interface models of the coherent precipitate. One model leads to overall compressive strain and a comparison to ab-initio calculations of phonon dispersion curves under uniform compression of the NbC shows that the measured two-phonon peaks are linked directly to phonon anomalies arising from strong electron-phonon interaction. Another model of the extended interface between Nb and NbC, studied by DFT, gives insight into the frequency shifts of the acoustic and optical mode density of states measured by first order Raman. The exact origin of the stronger two-phonon response is not known at present but it suggests the possibility of enhanced electron-phonon coupling in transition metal carbides under strain found either in the bulk NbC inclusions or at their interfaces with Nb metal. Preliminary tunneling studies using a point contact method show some energy gaps larger than expected for bulk NbC.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Structure of polydisperse inverse ferrofluids: Theory and computer simulation

By using theoretical analysis and molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the structure of colloidal crystals formed by nonmagnetic microparticles (or magnetic holes) suspended in ferrofluids (called inverse ferrofluids), by taking into account the effect of polydispersity in size of the nonmagnetic microparticles. Such polydispersity often exists in real situations. We obtain an analytical expression for the interaction energy of monodisperse, bidisperse, and polydisperse inverse ferrofluids. Body-centered tetragonal (bct) lattices are shown to possess the lowest energy when compared with other sorts of lattices and thus serve as the ground state of the systems. Also, the effect of microparticle size distributions (namely, polydispersity in size) plays an important role in the formation of various kinds of structural configurations. Thus, it seems possible to fabricate colloidal crystals by choosing appropriate polydispersity in size.

cond-mat.soft↗