arXiv subjects

S. Sridhar

Publications and source records attributed to S. Sridhar.

105 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv1997

Microwave properties of $(Pr_xY_{1-x})Ba_2Cu_3O_{7-δ}$ : Influence of magnetic scattering

We report measurements of the surface impedance $Z_s=R_s+iX_s$ of $(Pr_xY_{1-x})Ba_2Cu_3O_{7-δ}$, $(x=0,0.15,0.23,0.3,0.4,0.5)$. Increasing $Pr$ concentration leads to some striking results not observed in samples doped by non-magnetic constituents. The three principal features of the $R_s(T)$ data - multiple structure in the transition, a high residual resistance and, at high $Pr$ concentrations, an upturn of the low $T$ data, are all characteristic of the influence of magnetic scattering on superconductivity, and appear to be common to materials where magnetism and superconductivity coexist. The low $T$ behavior of $λ(T)$ appears to change from $T$ to $T^4$ at large $Pr$ doping, and provides evidence of the influence of magnetic pairbreaking of the $Pr$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv1997

Systematics of two-component superconductivity in $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{6.95}$ from microwave measurements of high quality single crystals

Systematic microwave surface impedance measurements of YBCO single crystals grown in $BaZrO_3$ crucibles reveal new properties that are not directly seen in similar measurements of other YBCO samples. Two key observations obtained from complex conductivity are: a new normal conductivity peak at around 80K and additional pairing below 65K. High pressure oxygenation of one of the crystals still yields the same results ruling out any effect of macroscopic segregation of O-deficient regions. A single complex order parameter cannot describe these data, and the results suggest at least two superconducting components. Comparisons with model calculations done for various decoupled two-component scenarios (i.e. s+d, d+d) are presented. Systematics of three single crystals show that the 80K quasiparticle peak is correlated with the normal state inelastic scattering rate. Close to Tc, the data follow a mean-field behavior. Overall, our results strongly suggest the presence of multiple pairing temperature and energy scales in $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{6.95}$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv1997

Observation of coherent Josephson response in the non-linear ab-plane microwave impedance of $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{6.95}$ single crystals

We report novel non-linear phenomena in the $ab$-plane microwave impedance of $YBaCu_{2}O_{7-δ}$ single crystals. The $R_s$ vs. $H_{rf}$ data are well described by the non-linear RSJ model : $\dotϕ+\sin ϕ=i_{rf}\cos ωt$. The entire crystal behaves like a single Josephson junction. The extraordinary coherence of the data suggests an intrinsic mechanism.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv1997

New features in the microwave response of YBCO crystals: Evidence for a multi-component order parameter

New features are reported in precision measurements of the complex microwave conductivity of high quality $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{6.95}$ crystals grown in $BaZrO_{3}$ crucibles. A third peak in the normal conductivity, $σ_{1}(T)$, at around $80K$, and enhanced pair conductivity $σ_{2}(T)$ below $\sim 65K$ are observed. The data are inconsistent with a single order parameter, and instead are indicative of multi-component superconductivity. Overall, these results point to the presence of multiple pairing interactions in $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{6.95}$ and also provide a natural explanation to account for the low temperature $35K$ conductivity peak observed in all $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{6.95}$ crystals.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv1997

Three dimensional, axisymmetric cusps without chaos

We construct three dimensional axisymmetric, cuspy density distributions, whose potentials are of Stäckel form in parabolic coordinates. As in Sridhar and Touma (1997), a black hole of arbitrary mass may be added at the centre, without destroying the Stäckel form of the potentials. The construction uses a classic method, originally due to Kuzmin (1956), which is here extended to parabolic coordinates. The models are highly oblate, and the cusps are "weak", with the density, $ρ\propto 1/r^k$, where $0<k<1$.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

MHD Turbulence Revisited

Kraichnan (1965) proposed that MHD turbulence occurs as a result of collisions between oppositely directed Alfvén wave packets. Recent work has generated some controversy over the nature of non linear couplings between colliding Alfvén waves. We find that the resolution to much of the confusion lies in the existence of a new type of turbulence, intermediate turbulence, in which the cascade of energy in the inertial range exhibits properties intermediate between those of weak and strong turbulent cascades. Some properties of intermediate MHD turbulence are: (i) in common with weak turbulent cascades, wave packets belonging to the inertial range are long lived; (ii) however, components of the strain tensor are so large that, similar to the situation in strong turbulence, perturbation theory is not applicable; (iii) the breakdown of perturbation theory results from the divergence of neighboring field lines due to wave packets whose perturbations in velocity and magnetic fields are localized, but whose perturbations in displacement are not; (iv) 3--wave interactions dominate individual collisions between wave packets, but interactions of all orders $n\geq 3$ make comparable contributions to the intermediate turbulent energy cascade; (v) successive collisions are correlated since wave packets are distorted as they follow diverging field lines; (vi) in common with the weak MHD cascade, there is no parallel cascade of energy, and the cascade to small perpendicular scales strengthens as it reaches higher wave numbers; (vii) For an appropriate weak excitation, there is a natural progression from a weak, through an intermediate, to a strong cascade.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Cusps without chaos

We present cuspy, non-axisymmetric, scale-free mass models of discs, whose gravitational potentials are of Stäckel form in parabolic coordinates. A black hole may be added at the centre, without in any way affecting the Stäckel form; the dynamics in these potentials is, of course, fully integrable. The surface density, $Σ_{disc}\propto 1/r^γ$, where $0 <γ< 1$ corresponds to steep cusps for which the central force diverges. Thus cusps, black holes, and non-axisymmetry are not a sure recipe for chaos, as is generally assumed. A new family of orbits, lens orbits, emerges to replace the box orbits of models of elliptical galaxies that have constant-density cores. Loop orbits are conspicuous by their absence. Both lenses and boxlets (the other family of orbits), can be elongated in the direction of the density distribution, a property that is favourable for the construction of non-axisymmetric, self-consistent equilibrium models of elliptical galaxies.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Critical State Flux Penetration and Linear Microwave Vortex Response in YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x} Films

The vortex contribution to the dc field (H) dependent microwave surface impedance Z_s = R_s+iX_s of YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x} thin films was measured using suspended patterned resonators. Z_s(H) is shown to be a direct measure of the flux density B(H) enabling a very precise test of models of flux penetration. Three regimes of field-dependent behavior were observed: (1) Initial flux penetration occurs on very low field scales H_i(4.2K) 100Oe, (2) At moderate fields the flux penetration into the virgin state is in excellent agreement with calculations based upon the field-induced Bean critical state for thin film geometry, parametrized by a field scale H_s(4.2K) J_c*d 0.5T, (3) for very high fields H >>H_s, the flux density is uniform and the measurements enable direct determination of vortex parameters such as pinning force constants α_p and vortex viscosity η. However hysteresis loops are in disagreement with the thin film Bean model, and instead are governed by the low field scale H_i, rather than by H_s. Geometric barriers are insufficient to account for the observed results.

supr-con↗

arXiv1996

Nonlinear Response of HTSC Thin Film Microwave Resonators in an Applied DC Magnetic Field

The non-linear microwave surface impedance of patterned YBCO thin films, was measured using a suspended line resonator in the presence of a perpendicular DC magnetic field of magnitude comparable to that of the microwave field. Signature of the virgin state was found to be absent even for relatively low microwave power levels. The microwave loss was initially found to decrease for small applied DC field before increasing again. Also, non-linearities inherent in the sample were found to be substantially suppressed at low powers at these applied fields. These two features together can lead to significant improvement in device performance.

supr-con↗

arXiv1996

Comments on "Vortex Glass and Lattice Melting Transitions in a YNi_2B_2C Single Crystal"

Recently, Mun et.al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., 76, 2790 (1996)) have published their results on single crystal YNi_2B_2C, claiming that their experimental observations can be explained in terms of formation of Vortex Glass and Lattice melting. Our experiments, carried out on samples obtained from the SAME source, reveal a much richer phase diagram and span wider regions of experimental parameter space than Mun et. al. that encompasses most of their observations. We speculate that this material has anomalous intrinsic properties and the results cannot be explained by simple models about the flux lattice.

supr-con↗

arXiv1996

Vortex Response and Critical Fields observed via rf penetration depth measurements on the superconductor YNi_2B_2C

Measurements of the rf penetration depth λ(T,H,θ) are used to study the superconducting order parameter, vortex dynamics in the mixed state and delineate critical fields in the borocarbide superconductor YNi_2B_2C. The lower critical field has an anomalous T dependence, H_{c1}(T)=1.12[1-(T/T_c)] kOe, which is however consistent with independent superfluid density measurements at microwave frequencies. The vortex response is dominated by viscous flux flow, indicative of extremely weak pinning, and is parametrized by a field scale H_{c2,eff}. The angular dependence of the vortex contribution λ(θ) is in good agreement with the Coffey-Clem model. Structure is seen in the depairing transition in the vicinity of the upper critical field, with the existence of well-defined critical fields H_{c2a}, H_{c2b} and H_{c2c}, with the vortex field scale H_{c2,eff} closest to H_{c2b}. Overall the measurements indicate that YNi_2B_2C has a rich and unusual field dependence of its transport parameters.

supr-con↗

arXiv1995

Spatial Correlation in Quantum Chaotic Systems with Time-reversal Symmetry: Theory and Experiment

The correlation between the values of wavefunctions at two different spatial points is examined for chaotic systems with time-reversal symmetry. Employing a supermatrix method, we find that there exist long-range Friedel oscillations of the wave function density for a given eigenstate, although the background wavefunction density fluctuates strongly. We show that for large fluctuations, once the value of the wave function at one point is known, its spatial dependence becomes highly predictable for increasingly large space around this point. These results are compared with the experimental wave functions obtained from billiard-shaped microwave cavities and very good agreement is demonstrated.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1995

Microwave Surface Impedance of YBCO:123 crystals: Experiment and comparison to a d-wave model

We present measurements of the microwave surface resistance Rs and the penetration depth lambda of YBCO:123 crystals. At low T obeys lambda(T) a polynomial behavior, while Rs displays a characteristic non-monotonic T-dependence. A detailed comparison of the experimental data is made to a model of d-wave superconductivity which includes both elastic and inelastic scattering. While the model reproduces the general features of the experimental data, three aspects of the parameters needed are worth noting. The elastic scattering rate required to fit the data is much smaller than measured from the normal state, the scattering phase shifts have to be close to pi/2 and a strong coupling value of the gap parameter 2Δ(0)/kTc = 6 is needed. On the experimental side the uncertainties regarding the material parameters lambda(0) and Rs,res(0) further complicate a quantitative comparison. For one sample does Rs,res(0) agree with the intrinsic value which results from the d-wave model.

supr-con↗

arXiv1995

Microwave Properties of Borocarbide Superconductors LnNi2B2C (Ln = Y, Er, Tm, Ho)

We report measurements of the microwave surface impedance of the borocarbide family of superconductors LnNi2B2C (Ln=Y, Er, Tm, Ho). The experiments enable direct measurements of the superfluid density, and are particularly sensitive to the influence of magnetic pairbreaking. In HoNi2B2C the antiferromagnetic transition is clearly observed at zero field, and leads to a drastic reduction of the superfluid density, which recovers at lower temperatures. In ErNi2B2C the antiferromagnetic transition is not seen in zero field data. Magnetic effects are responsible for anomalies in the low temperature surface impedance below approximately 4K in HoNi2B2C and TmNi2B2C. The temperature dependence of the microwave impedance disagrees with simple BCS calculations.

supr-con↗

arXiv1995

Experimental studies of Chaos and Localization in Quantum Wavefunctions

Wavefunctions in chaotic and disordered quantum billiards are studied experimentally using thin microwave cavities. The chaotic wavefunctions display universal density distributions and density auto-correlations in agreement with expressions derived fro m a 0-D nonlinear $σ$-model of supersymmetry, which coincides with Random Matrix Theory. In contrast, disordered wavefunctions show deviations from this universal behavior due to Anderson localization. A systematic behavior of the distribution function is studied as a function of the localization length, and can be understood in the framework of a 1-D version of the nonlinear $σ$-model.

chao-dyn↗