arXiv subjects

Reza Nourafkan

Publications and source records attributed to Reza Nourafkan.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Superconductivity in Correlated Multi-Orbital Systems with Spin-Orbit Coupling: Coexistence of Even- and Odd-Frequency Pairing and the Case of Strontium Ruthenate

The superconducting order parameter of strontium ruthenate is the center of a lasting puzzle calling for theoretical studies that include the seldom-considered effects of spin-orbit coupling and the frequency-dependence of the order parameters. Here we generalize the frequency-dependent theory of superconductivity mediated by spin and charge fluctuations to include spin-orbit coupling in multi-orbital systems and we characterize the superconducting states using the spin-parity-orbital-time $SPOT$ quantum numbers, group theory, and phase distributions in the complex plane. We derive a pseudospin formulation that maps the inter-pseudospin sector of the normal state Eliashberg equation to a pseudospin-diagonal one. Possible superconducting order parameters for strontium ruthenate are obtained starting from a realistic density-functional-theory normal state. We find that spin-orbit coupling leads to ubiquitous entanglement of spin and orbital quantum numbers, along with notable mixing between even- and odd-frequency correlations. We propose a phase diagram obtained from the temperature dependence of the leading and subleading symmetries in the pseudospin-orbital basis. An accidental degeneracy between leading inter-pseudospin symmetries in strontium ruthenate, B$_{1g}^+$ and A$_{2g}^-$, could resolve apparent experimental contradictions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Frequency-dependent Inter-pseudospin Solutions to Superconducting Strontium Ruthenate

The lasting puzzle of the superconducting order parameter of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ calls for theoretical studies that include seldom-considered effects. Here we include spin-orbit coupling effects on the electronic structure and then solve the linearized Eliashberg equation in a pseudospin basis, including the possibility that spin and charge fluctuations induce frequency-dependent superconducting order parameters. We find that spin-orbit coupling mixes even and odd contributions in orbital, spin and frequency spaces and that leading inter-pseudospin symmetries, B$_{1g}^+$ and A$_{2g}^-$, have intra-orbital components respectively even and odd in Matsubara frequency. An accidental degeneracy between these could resolve apparent experimental contradictions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Superconducting Symmetries of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ from First-Principles Electronic Structure

Although correlated electronic-structure calculations explain very well the normal state of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, its superconducting symmetry is still unknown. Here we construct the spin and charge fluctuation pairing interactions based on its correlated normal state. Correlations significantly reduce ferromagnetic in favor of antiferromagnetic fluctuations and increase inter-orbital pairing. From the normal-state Eliashberg equations, we find spin-singlet $d$-wave pairing close to magnetic instabilities. Away from these instabilities, where charge fluctuations increase, we find two time-reversal symmetry-breaking spin-triplets: an odd-frequency $s$-wave, and a doubly-degenerate inter-orbital pairing between $d_{xy}$ and ($d_{yz},d_{xz}$).

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Bad metallic transport in a cold atom Fermi-Hubbard system

Charge transport is a revealing probe of the quantum properties of materials. Strong interactions can blur charge carriers resulting in a poorly understood "quantum soup". Here we study the conductivity of the Fermi-Hubbard model, a testing ground for strong interaction physics, in a clean quantum system - ultracold $^6$Li in a 2D optical lattice. We determine the charge diffusion constant in our system by measuring the relaxation of an imposed density modulation and modeling its decay hydrodynamically. The diffusion constant is converted to a resistivity, which exhibits a linear temperature dependence and exceeds the Mott-Ioffe-Regel limit, two characteristic signatures of a bad metal. The techniques we develop here may be applied to measurements of other transport quantities, including the optical conductivity and thermopower.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2011

Competition between reduced delocalization and charge transfer effects for a two-band Hubbard model

We use the embedding approach for a dynamical mean-field method to investigate the electronic properties of a semi-infinite two band Hubbard model at half- and quarter-filling. Two effects determine the degree of correlation at the surface: first, there will charge transfer between the surface and the bulk, and, secondly, electrons at the surface are less delocalized due to the reduced coordination number. We determine the result of these two effects and compute the quasiparticle weight. It is shown that depletion of charge from the surface to the bulk at quarter-filling competes with enhanced correlation effects; the net result is that at quarter-filling the quasi particle weight at the surface is approximately equal to the bulk quasi particle weight. Only when the charge transfer approaches zero at large interaction strengths does the quasi particle weight at the surface become lower than that in the bulk.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Surface effects in doping a Mott insulator

The physics of doping a Mott insulator is investigated in the presence of a solid-vacuum interface. Using the embedding approach for dynamical mean field theory we show that the change in surface spectral evolution in a doped Mott insulator is driven by a combination of charge transfer effects and enhanced correlation effects. Approaching a Mott insulating phase from the metallic side, we show that a dead layer forms at the surface of the solid, where quasiparticle amplitudes are exponentially suppressed. Surface correlation and charge transfer effects can be strongly impacted by changes of the hopping integrals at the surface.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Metallic surface of a bipolaronic insulator

We investigate the possibility that the surface of a strongly coupled electron-phonon system behaves differently from the bulk when the relevant parameters are inhomogeneous due to the presence of the interface. We consider parameter variations which make the surface either more metallic or more insulating than the bulk. While it appears impossible to stabilize a truly insulating surface when the bulk is metallic, the opposite situation can be realized. A metallic surface can indeed be decoupled from a bipolaronic insulator realized in the bulk.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Surface Polaron Formation in the Holstein model

The effect of a solid-vacuum interface on the properties of a strongly coupled electron-phonon system is analyzed using dynamical mean-field theory to solve the Holstein model in a semi-infinite cubic lattice. Polaron formation is found to occur more easily (i.e., for a weaker electron-phonon coupling) on the surface than in the bulk. On the other hand, the metal-insulator transition associated to the binding of polarons takes place at a unique critical strength in the bulk and at the surface.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Single bipolaronic Transition in Jahn-Teller Model

We investigate the bipolaronic crossover and the pairing transition for a two-orbital model with Jahn-Teller coupling to a two-fold degenerate phonon mode. The evolution from weak to strong coupling is reminiscent of the behavior of the single-band Holstein model: The polaron crossover in which the electrons and phonons become strongly entangled occurs for a weaker coupling than the binding of bipolarons, which gives rise to a metal-insulator transition. Interestingly, a single bipolaronic transition takes place also when the two bands have significantly different bandwidths, as opposed to the case of repulsive Hubbard-like interactions for which an orbital-selective Mott transition has been reported. This behavior is related to the inter-orbital nature of the Jahn-Teller coupling.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Phase diagram of Holstein-Kondo lattice model at half-filling

We study the Kondo lattice model which is modified by the Holstein term, involving both the Kondo exchange coupling and the electron-phonon coupling constants, characterized by $J$ and $g$, respectively. The model is solved by employing the dynamical mean-field theory in conjunction with exact diagonalization technique. A zero temperature phase diagram of symmetry unbroken states at half filling is mapped out which exhibits an interplay between the two interactions and accounts for both spin and charge fluctuations. When the Kondo exchange coupling is dominant the system is in Kondo insulator state. Increasing $g$ for small values of $J$ leads to a Kondo insulator-metal transition. Upon further enhancement of $g$ a transition to the bipolaronic insulating phase takes place. Also a small region with non-Fermi liquid behavior is found near the Kondo insulator-metal transition.

cond-mat.str-el↗