arXiv subjects

S. Kimura

Publications and source records attributed to S. Kimura.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Non-trivial surface states of samarium hexaboride at the (111) surface

The peculiar metallic electronic states observed in the Kondo insulator, samarium hexaboride (SmB$_6$), has stimulated considerable attention among those studying non-trivial electronic phenomena. However, experimental studies of these states have led to controversial conclusions mainly to the difficulty and inhomogeneity of the SmB$_6$ crystal surface. Here, we show the detailed electronic structure of SmB$_6$ with angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of the three-fold (111) surface where only two inequivalent time-reversal-invariant momenta (TRIM) exist. We observe the metallic two-dimensional state was dispersed across the bulk Kondo gap. Its helical in-plane spin polarisation around the surface TRIM suggests that SmB$_6$ is topologically non-trivial, according to the topological classification theory for weakly correlated systems. Based on these results, we propose a simple picture of the controversial topological classification of SmB$_6$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Development of an "$α$-ToF" detector for correlated measurement of atomic masses and decay properties

We have developed a novel detector, referred to as an "$α$-ToF detector", for correlated measurements of atomic masses and decay properties of low-yield, short-lived radioactive isotopes using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. By correlating measured time-of-flight signals with decay events, it will be possible to suppress background events and obtain accurate, high-precision mass values even in cases of very low event rates. An offline test of the $α$-ToF detector has shown that the time-of-flight detection efficiency for 5.48~MeV $α$-rays is more than 90\% and yields a time resolution of 251.5(68)~ps and an energy resolution of 141.1(9)~keV. Using a two-dimensional spectrum of the correlated $α$-ray energy and time-of-flight, the $α$-rays from mixed $α$ sources could be fairly well resolved.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Temperature dependence of the electronic structure of A-site ordered perovskite CaCu$_3$Ti$_4$O$_{12}$: Angle-integrated and -resolved photoemission studies

We have investigated the electronic structure of A-site ordered CaCu$_3$Ti$_4$O$_{12}$ as a function of temperature by using angle-integrated and -resolved photoemission spectroscopies. Intrinsic changes of the electronic structure have been successfully observed in the valence band region by the careful consideration of charging effects. The obtained photoemission results have revealed that the intensity of the nearly non-dispersive Cu 3$d$-O 2$p$ hybridized bands at the binding energy of $\sim$2 eV increases with decreasing temperature from 300 to 120 K. This suggests that the density of the localized states, caused by the strong correlation effects, enhances as temperature decreases.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Pressure-tuning the quantum spin Hamiltonian of the triangular lattice antiferromagnet Cs$_2$CuCl$_4$

Quantum triangular-lattice antiferromagnets are important prototype systems to investigate phenomena of the geometrical frustration in condensed matter. Apart from highly unusual magnetic properties, they possess a rich phase diagram (ranging from an unfrustrated square lattice to a quantum spin liquid), yet to be confirmed experimentally. One major obstacle in this area of research is the lack of materials with appropriate (ideally tuned) magnetic parameters. Using Cs$_2$CuCl$_4$ as a model system, we demonstrate an alternative approach, where, instead of the chemical composition, the spin Hamiltonian is altered by hydrostatic pressure. The approach combines high-pressure electron spin resonance and magnetization measurements, allowing us not only to quasi-continuously tune the exchange parameters, but also to accurately monitor them. Our experiments indicate a substantial increase of the exchange coupling ratio from 0.3 to 0.42 at a pressure of 1.8 GPa, revealing a number of emergent field-induced phases.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Temperature-driven modification of surface electronic structure on bismuth, a topological border material

Single crystalline bismuth (Bi) is known to have a peculiar electronic structure which is very close to the topological phase transition. The modification of the surface states of Bi depending on the temperature are revealed by angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES). At low temperature, the upper branch of the surface state merged to the projected bulk conduction bands around the $\bar{M}$ point of the surface Brillouin zone (SBZ). In contrast, the same branch merged to the projected bulk valence bands at high temperature (400 K). Such behavior could be interpreted as a topological phase transition driven by the temperature, which might be applicable for future spin-thermoelectric devices. We discuss the possible mechanisms to cause such transition, such as the thermal lattice distortion and electron-phonon coupling.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Giant Rashba splitting of quasi-1D surface states on Bi/InAs(110)-(2$\times$1)

Electronic states on the Bi/InAs(110)-(2$\times$1) surface and its spin-polarized structure are revealed by angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES), spin-resolved ARPES, and density-functional-theory calculation. The surface state showed quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) dispersion and a nearly metallic character; the top of the hole-like surface band is just below the Fermi level. The size of the Rashba parameter ($α_{\rm R}$) reached quite a large value ($\sim$5.5 eVÅ). The present result would provide a fertile playground for further studies of the exotic electronic phenomena in 1D or Q1D systems with the spin-split electronic states as well as for advanced spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

New mass anchor points for neutron-deficient heavy nuclei from direct mass measurements of radium and actinium isotopes

The masses of the exotic isotopes $^{210-214}$Ac and $^{210-214}$Ra have been measured with a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. These isotopes were obtained in flight as fusion-evaporation products behind the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II at RIKEN. The new direct mass measurements serve as an independent and direct benchmark for existing $α$-$γ$ spectroscopy data in this mass region. Further, new mass anchor points are set for U and Np nuclei close to the $N=126$ shell closure for a future benchmark of the $Z=92$ sub-shell for neutron-deficient heavy isotopes. Our mass results are in general in good agreement with the previously indirectly-determined mass values. Together with the measurement data, reasons for possible mass ambiguities from decay-data links between ground states are discussed.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

First direct mass measurements of nuclides around $Z=100$ with a Multireflection Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrograph

The masses of $^{246}$Es, $^{251}$Fm and the transfermium nuclei $^{249-252}$Md, and $^{254}$No, produced by hot- and cold-fusion reactions, in the vicinity of the deformed $N=152$ neutron shell closure, have been directly measured using a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. The masses of $^{246}$Es and $^{249,250,252}$Md were measured for the first time. Using the masses of $^{249,250}$Md as anchor points for $α$ decay chains, the masses of heavier nuclei, up to $^{261}$Bh and $^{266}$Mt, were determined. These new masses were compared with theoretical global mass models and demonstrated to be in good agreement with macroscopic-microscopic models in this region. The empirical shell gap parameter $δ_{2n}$ derived from three isotopic masses was updated with the new masses and corroborate the existence of the deformed $N=152$ neutron shell closure for Md and Lr.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Atomic masses of intermediate-mass neutron-deficient nuclei with relative uncertainty down to 35-ppb via multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph

High-precision mass measurements of $^{63}$Cu, $^{64-66}$Zn, $^{65}$Ga, $^{65-67}$Ge, $^{67}$As, $^{78,81}$Br, $^{80}$Rb, and $^{79}$Sr were performed utilizing a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph combined with the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II. In the case of $^{65}$Ga, a mass uncertainty of 2.1 keV, corresponding to a relative precision of $δm / m = 3.5\times10^{-8}$, was obtained and the mass value is in excellent agreement with the 2016 Atomic Mass Evaluation. For $^{67}$Ge and $^{81}$Br, where masses were previously deduced through indirect measurements, discrepancies with literature values were found. The feasibility of using this device for mass measurements of nuclides more neutron-deficient side, which have significant impact on the $rp$-process pathway, is discussed.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Spin dynamics in the high-field phases of volborthite

We report single-crystal 51V NMR studies on volborthite Cu3V2O7(OH)2 2H2O, which is regarded as a quasi-two-dimensional frustrated magnet with competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. In the 1/3 magnetization plateau above 28 T, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 indicates an excitation gap with a large effective g factor in the range of 4.6-5.9, pointing to magnon bound states. Below 26 T where the gap has closed, the NMR spectra indicate small internal fields with a Gaussian-like distribution, whereas 1/T1 shows a power-law-like temperature dependence in the paramagnetic state, which resembles a slowing down of spin fluctuations associated with magnetic order. We discuss the possibility of an exotic spin state caused by the condensation of magnon bound states below the magnetization plateau.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Spin-polarized quasi 1D state with finite bandgap on the Bi/InSb(001) surface

One-dimensional (1D) electronic states were discovered on 1D surface atomic structure of Bi fabricated on semiconductor InSb(001) substrates by angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES). The 1D state showed steep, Dirac-cone-like dispersion along the 1D atomic structure with a finite direct bandgap opening as large as 150 meV. Moreover, spin-resolved ARPES revealed the spin polarization of the 1D unoccupied states as well as that of the occupied states, the orientation of which inverted depending on the wave vector direction parallel to the 1D array on the surface. These results reveal that a spin-polarized quasi-1D carrier was realized on the surface of 1D Bi with highly efficient backscattering suppression, showing promise for use in future spintronic and energy-saving devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

In-gas-cell laser spectroscopy for magnetic dipole moment of $^{199}$Pt toward $N=$ 126

Magnetic dipole moment and mean-square charge radius of $^{199}$Pt ($I^π=$ 5/2$^-$) have been evaluated for the first time from the investigation of the hyperfine splitting of the $λ_1=$ 248.792 nm transition by in-gas-cell laser ionization spectroscopy. Neutron-rich nucleus $^{199}$Pt was produced by multi-nucleon transfer reaction at the KISS where the nuclear spectroscopy in the vicinity of $N=$ 126 is planed from the aspect of an astrophysical interest as well as the nuclear structure. Measured magnetic dipole moment $+$0.63(13)$μ_{\rm N}$ is consistent with the systematics of those of nuclei with $I^π=$ 5/2$^-$. The deformation parameter $|<β_2^2>^{1/2}|$ evaluated from the isotope shift indicates the gradual shape change to spherical shape of platinum isotopes with increasing neutron number toward $N=$ 126.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

Slater to Mott crossover in the metal to insulator transition of Nd2Ir2O7

We present an angle-resolved photoemission study of the electronic structure of the three-dimensional pyrochlore iridate Nd2Ir2O7 through its magnetic metal-insulator transition. Our data reveal that metallic Nd2Ir2O7 has a quadratic band, touching the Fermi level at the Gamma point, similarly to that of Pr2Ir2O7. The Fermi node state is, therefore, a common feature of the metallic phase of the pyrochlore iridates. Upon cooling below the transition temperature, this compound exhibits a gap opening with an energy shift of quasiparticle peaks like a band gap insulator. The quasiparticle peaks are strongly suppressed, however, with further decrease of temperature, and eventually vanish at the lowest temperature, leaving a non-dispersive flat band lacking long-lived electrons. We thereby identify a remarkable crossover from Slater to Mott insulators with decreasing temperature. These observations explain the puzzling absence of Weyl points in this material, despite its proximity to the zero temperature metal-insulator transition.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Model-independent determination of the astrophysical S-factor in laser-induced fusion plasmas

In this work, we present a new and general method for measuring the astrophysical S-factor of nuclear reactions in laser-induced plasmas and we apply it to d(d,n)$^{3}$He. The experiment was performed with the Texas Petawatt laser, which delivered 150-270 fs pulses of energy ranging from 90 to 180 J to D$_{2}$ or CD$_{4}$ molecular clusters. After removing the background noise, we used the measured time-of-flight data of energetic deuterium ions to obtain their energy distribution. We derive the S-factor using the measured energy distribution of the ions, the measured volume of the fusion plasma and the measured fusion yields. This method is model-independent in the sense that no assumption on the state of the system is required, but it requires an accurate measurement of the ion energy distribution especially at high energies and of the relevant fusion yields. In the d(d,n)$^{3}$He and $^{3}$He(d,p)$^{4}$He cases discussed here, it is very important to apply the background subtraction for the energetic ions and to measure the fusion yields with high precision. While the available data on both ion distribution and fusion yields allow us to determine with good precision the S-factor in the d+d case (lower Gamow energies), for the d+$^3$He case the data are not precise enough to obtain the S-factor using this method. Our results agree with other experiments within the experimental error, even though smaller values of the S-factor were obtained. This might be due to the plasma environment differing from the beam target conditions in a conventional accelerator experiment.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

Quadratic Fermi Node in a 3D Strongly Correlated Semimetal

Strong spin-orbit coupling fosters exotic electronic states such as topological insulators and superconductors, but the combination of strong spin-orbit and strong electron-electron interactions is just beginning to be understood. Central to this emerging area are the 5d transition metal iridium oxides. Here, in the pyrochlore iridate Pr2Ir2O7, we identify a nontrivial state with a single point Fermi node protected by cubic and time-reversal symmetries, using a combination of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first principles calculations. Owing to its quadratic dispersion, the unique coincidence of four degenerate states at the Fermi energy, and strong Coulomb interactions, non-Fermi liquid behavior is predicted, for which we observe some evidence. Our discovery implies that Pr2Ir2O7 is a parent state that can be manipulated to produce other strongly correlated topological phases, such as topological Mott insulator, Weyl semi-metal, and quantum spin and anomalous Hall states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

First Online Mass Measurements of Isobar Chains via Multi-Reflection Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrograph Coupled with GARIS-II

Using a mulit-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph (MRTOF-MS) located after a gas cell coupled with the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II, the masses of several heavy nuclei have been directly and precisely measured. The nuclei were produced via fusion-evaporation reactions and separated from projectile-like and target-like particles using GARIS-II before being stopped in a helium-filled gas cell. Time-of-flight spectra for three isobar chains, 205Fr-205Rn-205At-205Po, 206Fr-206Rn-206At and 201Rn-201At-201Po-201Bi, were observed. Precision atomic mass values were determined for 205,206Fr, 201At, and 201Po.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

Thermal and chaotic distributions of plasma in laser driven Coulomb explosions of deuterium clusters

In this work we explore the possibility that the motion of the deuterium ions emitted from Coulomb cluster explosions is chaotic enough to resemble thermalization. We analyze the process of nuclear fusion reactions driven by laser-cluster interactions in experiments conducted at the Texas Petawatt laser facility using a mixture of D2+3He and CD4+3He cluster targets. When clusters explode by Coulomb repulsion, the emission of the energetic ions is nearly isotropic. In the framework of cluster Coulomb explosions, we analyze the energy distributions of the ions using a Maxwell- Boltzmann (MB) distribution, a shifted MB distribution (sMB) and the energy distribution derived from a log-normal (LN) size distribution of clusters. We show that the first two distributions reproduce well the experimentally measured ion energy distributions and the number of fusions from d-d and d-3He reactions. The LN distribution is a good representation of the ion kinetic energy distribution well up to high momenta where the noise becomes dominant, but overestimates both the neutron and the proton yields. If the parameters of the LN distributions are chosen to reproduce the fusion yields correctly, the experimentally measured high energy ion spectrum is not well represented. We conclude that the ion kinetic energy distribution is highly chaotic and practically not distinguishable from a thermalized one.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2015

Electronic structure of Mott-insulator CaCu3Ti4O12: Photoemission and inverse photoemission study

We have performed the photoemission and inverse photoemission experiments to elucidate the origin of Mott insulating states in A-site ordered perovskite CaCu$_3$Ti$_4$O$_{12}$ (CCTO). Experimental results have revealed that Cu 3$d$-O 2$p$ hybridized bands, which are located around the Fermi level in the prediction of the local-density approximation (LDA) band calculations, are actually separated into the upper Hubbard band at $\sim$ 1.5 eV and the lower Hubbard band at $\sim$ $-$1.7 eV with a band gap of $\sim$ 1.5-1.8 eV. We also observed that Cu 3$d$ peak at $\sim$ $-$3.8 eV and Ti 3$d$ peak at $\sim$ 3.8 eV are further away from each other than as indicated in the LDA calculations. In addition, it is found that the multiplet strucutre around $-$9 eV includes a considerable number of O 2$p$ states. These observations indicate that the Cu 3$d$ and Ti 3$d$ electrons hybridized with the O 2$p$ states are strongly correlated, which originates in the Mott-insulating states of CCTO.

cond-mat.str-el↗