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Ravi Prakash Singh

Publications and source records attributed to Ravi Prakash Singh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Giant enhancement in spin-to-charge conversion in Bi2Se3/NiFe heterostructure via interface engineering

Topological insulators provide a promising platform for spintronic applications owing to their spin-momentum-locked surface states and efficient spin-to-charge conversion. Among these, Bi2Se3 has been the subject of intensive investigation due to its large bulk bandgap and single Dirac cone band structure. However, spin-to-charge conversion strongly depends on the quality of the topological insulator/ferromagnet interface. Here, we investigate spin transport and spin-to-charge conversion in sputter-deposited Bi2Se3/Ti/NiFe heterostructures at room temperature. The topological insulator layer is deposited on a CMOS-compatible silicon substrate. Low-temperature magnetoresistance measurements are conducted to establish the existence of a surface conducting channel in the deposited topological insulator layer. Pure spin current is injected into the Bi2Se3 layer through the titanium spacer layer via spin pumping induced by the spin precession in microwave-driven ferromagnetic resonance of the ferromagnetic film. Spin pumping studies are carried out by varying the thickness of the Bi2Se3 layer. The Bi2Se3 thickness dependence of the Gilbert damping reveals a pronounced 55% enhancement at a thickness of 4 nm, consistent with the hybridization of the top and bottom surface states of the topological insulator layer. The spin Hall angle, a parameter that quantifies the spin-to-charge conversion efficiency, exhibits an approximately one-order-of-magnitude enhancement upon insertion of the Ti spacer compared with Bi2Se3/NiFe heterostructures without the spacer. The significant enhancement of the spin Hall angle is attributed to Ti, which inhibits interdiffusion between the Bi2Se3 and NiFe layers, thereby protecting the topological surface states. Our findings highlight the role of titanium spacers in topological spintronics applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Unconventional Superconductivity in the Chiral Topological Semimetal Ag2Pd3S

Chiral crystals provide a unique setting where broken inversion symmetry, strong spin-orbit coupling, and electronic topology intertwine, yet superconductivity in intrinsically chiral materials remains rare. Here, we report unconventional superconductivity in the chiral topological semimetal Ag$_2$Pd$_3$S, an enantiomorphic analog of natural mineral coldwellite, crystallizing in the right-handed space group $P4_132$. Bulk superconductivity with a transition temperature $T_C = 1.1(2)$ K is confirmed by electrical resistivity, magnetization, and specific-heat measurements. Muon spin rotation and relaxation ($μ$SR) experiments reveal a fully gapped superconducting state that spontaneously time-reversal symmetry (TRS) breaking establishing Ag$_2$Pd$_3$S as the first chiral topological semimetal superconductor exhibiting intrinsic TRS breaking. First-principles calculations uncover multiple multifold band crossings near the Fermi level, hosting Kramers-Weyl, double spin-1, and spin-3/2 quasiparticles with large topological charges. These unconventional fermions generate symmetry-protected topological surface states and underscore the nontrivial topology of the normal state. Symmetry analysis based on the Ginzburg-Landau theory suggests a loop-supercurrent-ordered superconducting state, yielding a full gap alongside spontaneous TRS breaking. The coexistence of TRS-breaking superconductivity and chiral multifold fermions identifies Ag$_2$Pd$_3$S as a platform for realizing intrinsic superconducting diode effects and chirality-induced spin selectivity, offering a transformative pathway toward dissipationless topological quantum technologies.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Discovery of Quasi One Dimensional Superconductivity in PtPb3Bi

Quasi one dimensional materials provide a compelling platform where reduced dimensionality stabilizes intertwined topological and superconducting phases. Here we report superconductivity in a new Bi based quasi 1D compound, PtPb3Bi, which hosts a nontrivial electronic structure. It exhibits type II superconductivity below 3.01(1) K. Heat capacity and transverse field muon spin rotation relaxation (muSR) measurements demonstrate a fully gapped isotropic s wave state with moderate electron phonon coupling, while zero field muSR confirms the preservation of time reversal symmetry (TRS). Transport measurements reveal low carrier mobility with diffusive normal state transport. Electronic structure calculations show strong dispersion along the quasi 1D direction and relatively flatter bands in the transverse plane, giving rise to pronounced Fermi surface nesting in the kx-ky plane. Consistent with this, the compound undergoes a charge density wave transition at 280(1) K. The flow of Wannier charge centers, together with surface state dispersion, establishes nontrivial band topology. These results identify PtPb3Bi as a new quasi 1D superconductor with nontrivial electronic structure and a promising candidate for topological superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Nanoscale Electronic Phase Separation Driven by Fe-site Ordering in Fe\textsubscript{5-x}GeTe\textsubscript{2}

Understanding how local structural order governs electronic correlations is essential for revealing the microscopic mechanism underlying emergent behavior in two-dimensional magnets. In the layered van der Waals ferromagnet Fe\textsubscript{5-x}GeTe\textsubscript{2}, intrinsic Fe-site disorder provides a natural platform to probe this interplay. Here, we establish a direct atomic scale correlation between Fe-site ordering and local electronic structure by combining high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy with density functional theory calculations. Scanning tunneling microscopy resolves two coexisting surface phases, a $\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3}$ superstructure associated with ordered Fe(1) configurations and an undistorted $1 \times 1$ hexagonal Te lattice in Fe(1)-deficient regions. Spatially resolved spectroscopy shows that the $\sqrt{3}$-ordered domains exhibit metallic behavior, whereas Fe(1) vacant areas display a suppressed density of states(DOS) near the Fermi level, indicative of pseudogapped electronic states. The nanoscale coexistence of these distinct electronic responses provides direct evidence of electronic phase separation driven by Fe-site ordering. First-principles calculations reveal that symmetry allowed hybridization between Fe 3d and Te 5p orbitals reconstructs the low-energy electronic structure, giving rise to the contrasting tunneling signatures of ordered and disordered phases. Bias-dependent local DOS simulations reproduce the experimentally observed contrast evolution and reveal that hybridization induced out of plane orbital character governs the spatial modulation of tunneling conductance. These results provide a microscopic framework linking atomic-scale structural order to nanoscale electronic inhomogeneity in van der Waals magnets.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Hourglass Dirac chains enable intrinsic topological superconductivity in nonsymmorphic silicides

Nonsymmorphic crystalline symmetries provide a robust route to symmetry-protected electronic topology, yet their role in stabilizing intrinsic topological superconductivity remains largely unexplored. Here, we report \ch{TaPtSi} as a new member of the superconducting nonsymmorphic silicide family, characterized via AC transport, magnetization, heat capacity, and muon spin rotation/relaxation ($μ$SR) measurements. Zero field $μ$SR reveals spontaneous internal magnetic fields below $T_{\rm c}$, establishing time reversal symmetry breaking in \ch{TaPtSi}. First principles calculations on \ch{TaPtSi} and its isostructural nonsymmorphic superconducting analogues reveal the presence of symmetry-protected hourglass dispersions. The "necks" of these dispersions form Dirac nodal rings and chains that reside near or intersect the Fermi level. Guided by Ginzburg Landau symmetry analysis, we identify an internally antisymmetric non unitary triplet pairing state as the unique ground state consistent with the experimental phenomenology. Based on Bogoliubov de Gennes calculations, we further demonstrate that this state supports Majorana surface modes, establishing its intrinsically topological nature. These results reveal a systematic route by which nonsymmorphic symmetry drives the interplay between hourglass Dirac chain topology and unconventional triplet pairing, positioning equiatomic silicides as a unified materials platform for intrinsic topological superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Topological and Planar Hall Effect in Monoclinic van der Waals Ferromagnet NbFeTe$_2$

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnets have emerged as a critical class of quantum materials for next-generation, low-dimensional spintronic devices. In this study, we report a comprehensive study of the transport properties of the layered soft ferromagnet $\text{NbFeTe}_2$. We report the first observation of the topological Hall effect (THE) and the planar Hall effect (PHE) in metallic $\text{NbFeTe}_2$. THE signatures persist up to 45 K, while PHE remains evident well above Curie temperature ($T_C$). The observed negative longitudinal magnetoresistance, along with the PHE, provides strong evidence for a nontrivial electronic band structure. The coexistence of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and a substantial THE: two key properties that are highly desirable for future spintronics applications, makes monoclinic vdW ferromagnetic $\text{NbFeTe}_2$ a promising platform to advance spintronics applications.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Observation of Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking in the Type-I Superconductor YbSb$_2$

The spontaneous breaking of time-reversal symmetry is a hallmark of unconventional superconductivity, typically observed in type-II superconductors. Here, we report evidence of time-reversal symmetry breaking in the type-I superconductor YbSb$_2$. Zero-field $μ$SR measurements reveal spontaneous internal magnetic fields emerging just below the superconducting transition, while transverse-field $μ$SR confirms a fully gapped type-I superconducting state. Our first-principles calculations identify YbSb$_2$ as a ${\mathbb Z}_2$ topological metal hosting a Dirac nodal line near the Fermi level. Symmetry analysis within the Ginzburg Landau framework indicates an internally antisymmetric nonunitary triplet (INT) state as the most probable superconducting ground state. Calculations based on an effective low-energy model further demonstrate that this INT state hosts gapless Majorana surface modes, establishing YbSb$_2$ as a topological superconductor. Our results highlight YbSb$_2$ as a unique material platform where type-I superconductivity coexists with triplet-pairing and nontrivial topology.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Probing the intermediate state of type-I superconductor SnAs using Muon Spin Spectroscopy

Superconductivity with non-trivial band topology provides a novel platform for exploring topological superconductivity and its quantum applications. A detailed microscopic understanding of the superconducting ground state in such materials is crucial. Here, we report the results of a muon spin rotation/relaxation study ($μ$SR) of the topologically non-trivial superconductor SnAs, which exhibits superconductivity below 3.74(1) \si{K}. Zero-field (ZF) $μ$SR data reveal that this system is a time-reversal invariant superconductor, and systematic transverse-field (TF) $μ$SR measurements unveil the type-I nature of the SnAs superconductor. We have established the superconducting phase diagram to understand the intermediate state of type-I superconductors. Moreover, ab \textit{initio} band structure and phonon calculations are performed, which correlate with the experimental characterization.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Spectroscopic evidence of Kondo resonance in 3$d$ van der Waals ferromagnets

Two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnets drive the advancement in spintronic applications and enable the exploration of exotic magnetism in low-dimensional systems. The entanglement of dual $-$ localized and itinerant $-$ nature of electrons lies at the heart of the correlated electron systems giving rise to exotic ground state properties such as complex magnetism, heavy fermionic behavior, Kondo lattice formation, \textit{etc}. Through temperature-dependent electronic structure of vdW ferromagnets, (Co$_{x}$Fe$_{1-x}$)$_{3}$GeTe$_{2}$, probed using high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory combined with dynamical mean field theory (DFT+DMFT), we provide direct evidence of the emergence of Kondo resonance peak driven by complex interplay between localized and itinerant electrons. In overall agreement with experimental electronic structure and magnetic properties, DFT+DMFT also reveals finite spin band splitting well beyond $T_{C}$. Core levels, valence band photoemission spectra together with DFT+DMFT spectral functions reveal insignificant change across $T_{C}$ indicating non-Stoner magnetism in (Co$_{x}$Fe$_{1-x}$)$_{3}$GeTe$_{2}$. Our results provide a way forward to the understanding of complex interplay between electronic structure, exotic magnetism and heavy fermionic behavior leading to Kondo scenerio in 3$d$ vdW ferromagnets.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Nonsymmorphic symmetry protected hourglass Dirac chain topology and conventional superconductivity in ZrIrGe

Ternary transition-metal germanide superconductors with nonsymmorphic symmetries offer promising platforms for symmetry-protected topological phases. In this work, we investigate ZrIrGe, which crystallizes in the nonsymmorphic TiNiSi-type structure. Electrical, magnetic, and specific heat measurements confirm bulk type-II superconductivity with a full gap and a transition temperature of 2.84(7) K, consistent with weak-coupling BCS behavior. First-principles calculations reveal hourglass-shaped bulk band dispersions and a Dirac chain composed of symmetry-protected fourfold-degenerate Dirac points, leading to drumhead-like surface states near the Fermi level. Additionally, ZrIrGe exhibits a nontrivial $\mathbb{Z}_2$ topological character, resulting in helical surface states that cross the Fermi level, making it a strong candidate for proximity-induced topological superconductivity. The coexistence of conventional superconductivity and topological band features establishes ZrIrGe as a rare stoichiometric system for exploring intrinsic topological superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Unraveling the role of disorder in the electronic structure of high entropy alloys

Disorder in high entropy alloys, arising from the random distribution of multiple elements, plays a crucial role in their novel properties desirable for various advanced engineering applications. We investigate the role of compositional and structural disorder on the electronic structure of osmium-based superconducting high entropy alloys, (Ru/Re)$_{0.35}$Os$_{0.35}$Mo$_{0.10}$W$_{0.10}$Zr$_{0.10}$, using photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT). Elemental and cumulative core level shifts are found to be commensurate with elemental electronegativities and valence electron counts (VEC), respectively. Valence band spectra together with DFT results indicate that the crystal structure plays an important role in deciding the electronic structure of these high entropy alloys. Through temperature dependent high-resolution spectra, we unveil strongly suppressed spectral density of states (SDOS) in the close vicinity of Fermi level. Energy and temperature dependence of the SDOS in accordance with Altshuler-Aronov theory confirms localization of charge carriers in the presence of strong intrinsic disorder. Computed electron-phonon coupling strength and superconducting transition temperature aligning reasonably well with experiments further shed light on phonon-mediated pairing mechanism and role of disorder in these systems. Our results provide a way forward to the understanding of superconducting high entropy alloys through strategic control of disorder, VEC and crystal structure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Layer-selective Cooper pairing in an alternately stacked transition metal dichalcogenide

Multigap superconductivity emerges when superconducting gaps form on distinct Fermi surfaces. Arising from locally overlapping atomic orbitals, multiple superconducting bands introduce a new internal degree of freedom in the material that, however, escapes external control due to their coexistence in real space in the known multigap superconductors. Here, we show that the layered superconductor 4Hb-TaSSe - composed of alternating trigonal (H) and octahedral (T) polymorph layers - is a multigap superconductor, featuring two weakly coupled superconducting condensates with distinct properties, spatially separated in alternating layers. Using high-resolution quasiparticle tunneling and Andreev reflection spectroscopy in the two polymorph layers, we identify two superconducting gaps that vary in size and internal structure. The intrinsic Cooper pairing in each polymorph is corroborated by the temperatures and magnetic fields at which the gaps open up, which differ in each polymorph layer and show opposing resilience to these parameters. This behavior enables selective external actuation upon the condensates. Our theoretical model based on ab-initio calculations reproduces key features of the observed superconducting gaps in the presence of finite interlayer hybridization and explains the unusually high critical field observed in the T-layer. Our results establish TMD polymorphs as platforms for engineering tunable multigap superconductors, offering new opportunities in layered superconducting device architectures.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Strongly correlated topological surface states in type-II Dirac semimetal NiTe$_{2}$

Nontrivial topology in type-II Dirac semimetal NiTe$_2$ leading to topologically protected surface states give rise to fascinating phenomena holding great promise for next-generation electronic and spintronic devices. Key parameters $-$ such as lattice parameter, disorder, vacancies, and electron correlation $-$ significantly influence the electronic structure and, subsequently, the physical properties. To resolve the discrepancy between the theoretical description and experimentally observed topological surface states, we comprehensively investigate the electronic structure of NiTe$_2$ using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory. Although the bulk electronic structure is found to be well-described within mean field approaches, an accurate description of topological surface states is obtained only by incorporating surface electronic correlation. We reveal that the strongly correlated surface states forming Dirac-like conical crossing much below Fermi level have hybridized Ni 3$d$ and Te 5$p$ character. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between electron correlation and band topology, broadening our understanding of many-body correlation effects on the topological surface states in quantum materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Ising superconductivity in bulk layered non-centrosymmetric 4H-NbSe2

Transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit multiple polymorphs that enable the exploration of diverse quantum states, including valley-selective spin polarization, the valley Hall effect, Ising superconductivity, and nontrivial topology. Monolayer 2$H$-NbSe$_2$ is a promising candidate for realizing Ising superconductivity due to its spin-split, out-of-plane spin-polarized states arising from inversion symmetry breaking and strong spin-orbit coupling. In contrast, bulk 2$H$-NbSe$_2$ retains inversion symmetry and lacks spin splitting, limiting its suitability for hosting Ising superconductivity. Here, we report the growth of high-quality single crystals of the acentric bulk superconducting polymorph, 4$H$-NbSe$_2$, which intrinsically breaks the inversion symmetry and supports valley-selective spin-polarized states. Magnetization and resistivity measurements reveal anisotropic superconductivity, with the in-plane upper critical field exceeding the Pauli limit, while out-of-plane fields suppress superconductivity more rapidly, before reaching the Pauli limit, which strongly suggests the presence of Ising pairing. First-principles calculations and symmetry analysis confirm significant valley-selective spin splitting with out-of-plane spin polarization, further supporting the emergence of Ising superconductivity in 4$H$-NbSe$_2$. These results establish 4$H$-NbSe$_2$ as a robust bulk platform to investigate Ising superconductivity and valley-selective phenomena in transition-metal dichalcogenides.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Topological superconductivity in hourglass Dirac chain metals (Ti, Hf)IrGe

Realizing topological superconductivity in stoichiometric materials is a key challenge in condensed matter physics. Here, we report the discovery of ternary germanide superconductors, $M$IrGe ($M$ = Ti, Hf), as prime candidates for topological superconductivity, predicted to exhibit nonsymmorphic symmetry-protected hourglass Dirac chains. Using comprehensive thermodynamic and muon-spin rotation/relaxation ($μ$SR) measurements, we establish these materials as conventional bulk type-II superconductors with transition temperatures of 2.24(5) K for TiIrGe and 5.64(4) K for HfIrGe, featuring a full gap and preserved time-reversal symmetry. First-principles calculations reveal striking topological features in $M$IrGe, including hourglass-shaped bulk dispersions and a Dirac chain -- a ring of fourfold-degenerate Dirac points protected by nonsymmorphic symmetry. Each Dirac point corresponds to the neck of the hourglass dispersion, while the Dirac chain gives rise to drumhead-like surface states near the Fermi level. Additionally, nontrivial $\mathbb{Z}_2$ topology leads to isolated Dirac surface states with helical spin textures that disperse across the Fermi level, forming an ideal platform for proximity-induced topological superconductivity. The coexistence of conventional bulk superconductivity, symmetry-protected hourglass topology, and helical spin-textured surface states establishes $M$IrGe as a rare and robust platform to realize topological superconductivity, opening new avenues for next-generation quantum technologies.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Unraveling effects of competing interactions and frustration in vdW ferromagnetic Fe3GeTe2 nanoflake devices

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) magnets and devices have garnered significant attention owing to the stabilization of long range magnetic order down to atomic limit, and the prospect for novel quantum devices with unique functionalities. To achieve this objective, clarification of magnetotransport properties and understanding of the relevant interactions with lowering of dimensions are of extreme importance. Here, the magnetotransport properties of few atomic layer Fe3GeTe2 and (Co0.25Fe0.75)3GeTe2 nanoflake devices have been investigated. Magnetotransport investigations with applied magnetic field along the easy-axis shows anomalous Hall effect, while that for applied magnetic field along the hard-axis reveals an unusual behaviour. Atomistic calculations considering the presence of antiferromagnetic, ferromagnetic and local symmetry-breaking interactions reveal critical role of magnetic frustration effect assisted by thermal fluctuations, leading to a non-zero scalar spin chirality manifesting in an unconventional Hall effect. The present result clarifies the underlying interactions in few-layer 2D vdW ferromagnetic material system, important for the understanding of non-collinear spin configurations in vdW magnets for 2D spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Anomalous Magneto-transport and Anisotropic Multigap Superconductivity in Architecturally Misfit Layered System (PbS)$_{1.13}$TaS$_2$

Misfit-layered compounds, naturally occurring bulk heterostructures, present a compelling alternative to artificially engineered ones, offering a unique platform for exploring correlated phases and quantum phenomena. This study investigates the magnetotransport and superconducting properties of the misfit compound (PbS)$_{1.13}$TaS$_2$, comprising alternating PbS and 1$H$-TaS$_2$ layers. It exhibits distinctive transport properties, including a prominent planar Hall effect and a four-fold oscillatory Butterfly-shaped anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR). Moreover, it shows multigap two-dimensional superconductivity with an exceptionally high in-plane upper critical field, exceeding the Pauli limit. The coexistence of unconventional superconductivity and anomalous transport - two distinct quantum phenomena, within the same material, suggests that misfit compounds provide an ideal platform for realizing quantum effects in the two-dimensional limit of bulk crystals. This opens the door to the development of simpler and more efficient quantum devices.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Observation of superconductivity in a nontrivial $\mathcal{Z}_2$ approximant quasicrystal

Superconductivity and nontrivial topology are highly sought-after phenomena in quantum materials. While many topological crystalline materials have been found to exhibit superconductivity, their presence in quasicrystals - materials with a unique aperiodic yet ordered structure - has remained largely unexplored. In this work, we report the discovery of superconductivity in a monoclinic approximant to the decagonal quasicrystal Al$_{13}$Os$_{4}$, that exhibits a high superconducting transition temperature and a nontrivial electronic structure. The resistivity, magnetization, specific heat, and $μ$SR measurements confirm superconductivity with a critical temperature of $\sim5.47$ K. Detailed electronic structure and symmetry analysis reveal nontrivial state with $\mathcal{Z}_{2}=1$ and spin-polarized conducting surface states. Importantly, we identify three-dimensional saddle point van Hove singularities with substantial flat energy dispersion at the Fermi level, which can enhance superconductivity. Our results highlight a rich interplay between superconductivity and nontrivial electronic states in Al$_{13}$Os$_{4}$, demonstrating it as a unique platform for exploring unconventional superconducting states in quasicrystalline materials.

cond-mat.supr-con↗