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S. Yonezawa

Publications and source records attributed to S. Yonezawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pressure evolution of the normal- and superconducting-state properties of the line-nodal material CaSb$_2$ revealed by $^{123}$Sb nuclear quadrupole resonance

CaSb$_2$ is the Dirac line-nodal material that exhibits a superconducting (SC) transition at 1.7 K. In spite of its conventional SC state at ambient pressure, the transition temperature $T_{\mathrm{c}}$ shows a peak structure against hydrostatic pressure. We performed ac magnetic susceptibility and $^{123}$Sb nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements on single-crystalline CaSb$_2$ under pressures up to 2.08 GPa. $T_{\mathrm{c}}$ monotonically increased in this pressure region, which is consistent with a previous study. We observed continuous broadening of the NQR spectrum against pressure, which is a sign of unique compression behavior of the lattice. In the normal state, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/$T_1$ is proportional to temperature in all pressure values; typical of a metal. However, 1/$T_1T$ in the normal state is independent of pressure, indicating that the density of states at the Fermi energy $N(E_{\mathrm{F}})$, which is one of the parameters governing $T_{\mathrm{c}}$, is insensitive to pressure. From these results, we conclude that $N(E_{\mathrm{F}})$ does not govern the origin of the enhancement in $T_{\mathrm{c}}$. This is unusual for a weak electron-phonon coupling superconductor. In the SC state, we revealed that the SC gap becomes larger and more isotropic under pressure.

cond-mat.supr-con

Spontaneous superconducting diode effect in non-magnetic Nb/Ru/Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ topological junctions

Non-reciprocal electronic transport in a material occurs if both time reversal and inversion symmetries are broken. The superconducting diode effect (SDE) is an exotic manifestation of this type of behavior where the critical current for positive and negative currents are mismatched, as recently observed in some non-centrosymmetric superconductors with a magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate a SDE in non-magnetic Nb/Ru/Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ Josephson junctions without applying an external magnetic field. The cooling history dependence of the SDE suggests that time-reversal symmetry is intrinsically broken by the superconducting phase of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$. Applied magnetic fields modify the SDE dynamically by randomly changing the sign of the non-reciprocity. We propose a model for such a topological junction with a conventional superconductor surrounded by a chiral superconductor with broken time reversal symmetry.

cond-mat.supr-con

Current-induced superconducting anisotropy of Sr$\mathsf{_2}$RuO$\mathsf{_4}$

In the unconventional superconductor Sr$\mathsf{_2}$RuO$\mathsf{_4}$, unusual first-order superconducting transition has been observed in the low-temperature and high-field region, accompanied by a four-fold anisotropy of the in-plane upper critical magnetic field $H_{c2}$. The origin of such unusual $H_{c2}$ behavior should be closely linked to the debated superconducting symmetry of this oxide. Here, toward clarification of the unusual $H_{c2}$ behavior, we performed the resistivity measurements capable of switching in-plane current directions as well as precisely controlling the field directions. Our results reveal that resistive $H_{c2}$ under the in-plane current exhibits an additional two-fold anisotropy. By systematically analyzing $H_{c2}$ data taken under various current directions, we succeeded in separating the two-fold $H_{c2}$ component into the one originating from applied current and the other originating from certain imperfection in the sample. The former component, attributable to vortex flow effect, is weakened at low temperatures where $H_{c2}$ is substantially suppressed. The latter component is enhanced in the first order transition region, possibly reflecting a change in the nature of the superconducting state under high magnetic field.

cond-mat.supr-con

High-order Harmonic Generation and its Unconventional Scaling Law in the Mott-insulating $\rm{Ca_2RuO_4}$

Competition and cooperation among orders is at the heart of many-body physics in strongly correlated materials and leads to their rich physical properties. It is crucial to investigate what impact many-body physics has on extreme nonlinear optical phenomena, with the possibility of controlling material properties by light. However, the effect of competing orders and electron-electron correlations on highly nonlinear optical phenomena has not yet been experimentally clarified. Here, we investigated high-order harmonic generation from the Mott-insulating phase of Ca2RuO4. Changing the gap energy in Ca2RuO4 as a function of temperature, we observed a strong enhancement of high order harmonic generation at 50 K, increasing up to several hundred times compared to room temperature. We discovered that this enhancement can be well-reproduced by an empirical scaling law that depends only on the material gap energy and photon emission energy. Such scaling law cannot be explained by a simple two-band model under the single electron approximation. Our results suggest that the highly nonlinear optical response of strongly correlated materials is deeply coupled to their electron-electron correlations and resultant many-body electronic structure.

cond-mat.str-el

Anomalous anisotropic behaviour of spin-triplet proximity effect in Au/SrRuO$_3$/Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ junctions

Spin-polarized supercurrents can be generated with magnetic inhomogeneity at a ferromagnet/spin-singlet-superconductor interface. In such systems, complex magnetic inhomogeneity makes it difficult to functionalise the spin-polarized supercurrents. However, spin-polarized supercurrents in ferromagnet/spin-triplet-superconductor junctions can be controlled by angle between magnetization and spin of Copper pairs ($d$-vector), that can effectively be utilized in developing of a field of research known as superconducting spintronics. Recently, we found induction of spin-triplet correlation into a ferromagnet SrRuO$_3$ epitaxially deposited on a spin-triplet superconductor Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, without any electronic spin-flip scattering. Here, we present systematic magnetic field dependence of the proximity effect in Au/SrRuO$_3$/ Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ junctions. It is found that induced triplet correlations exhibit strong anisotropic field response. Such behaviour attributes to the rotation of the $d$-vector of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$. This anisotropic behaviour is in contrast with the vortex dynamic. Our results will stimulate study of interaction between ferromagnetism and unconventional superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con

Observation of superconducting gap spectra of long-range proximity effect in Au/SrTiO$_3$/SrRuO$_3$/Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ tunnel junctions

We observe an unconventional superconducting minigap induced into a ferromagnet SrRuO$_3$ from a spin-triplet superconductor Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ using a Au/SrTiO$_3$/SrRuO$_3$/Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ tunnel junction. Voltage bias differential conductance of the tunnel junctions exhibits V-shaped gap features around zero bias, corresponding to a decrease in the density-of-states with an opening of a superconducting minigap in SrRuO$_3$. Observation of a minigap at a surface of a 15~nm thick SrRuO$_3$ layers confirms the spin-triplet nature of induced superconductivity. The shape and temperature dependence of the gap features in the differential conductance indicate that the even-frequency $p$-wave correlations dominate, over odd-frequency $s$-wave correlations. Theoretical calculations support this $p$-wave scenario. Our work provides the density-of-states proof for $p$-wave Cooper pair penetration in a ferromagnet and significantly put forward our understanding of the $p$-wave spin-triplet proximity effect between spin-triplet superconductors and ferromagnets.

cond-mat.supr-con

Improved Single-Crystal Growth of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$

High-quality single crystals are essentially needed for the investigation of the novel bulk properties of unconventional superconductors. The availability of such crystals grown by the floating-zone method has helped to unveil the unconventional superconductivity of the layered perovskite Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, which is considered as a strong candidate of a topological spin-triplet superconductor. Yet, recent progress of investigations urges further efforts to obtain ultimately high-quality crystalline samples. In this paper, we focus on the method of preparation of feed rods for the floating-zone melting and report on the improvements of the crystal growth. We present details of the improved methods used to obtain crystals with superconducting transition temperatures $T_\mathrm{c}$ that are consistently as high as 1.4 K, as well as the properties of these crystals.

cond-mat.supr-con

Theory of tunneling spectroscopy of normal metal/ferromagnet/spin-triplet superconductor junctions

We study the tunneling conductance of a ballistic normal metal / ferromagnet / spin-triplet superconductor junction using the extended Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk formalism as a model for a $c$-axis oriented Au / SrRuO$_{3}$ / Sr$_{2}$RuO$_{4}$ junction. We compare chiral $p$-wave (CPW) and helical $p$-wave (HPW) pair potentials, combined with ferromagnet magnetization directions parallel and perpendicular to the interface. For fixed $θ_{M}$, where $θ_{M}$ is a direction of magnetization in the ferromagnet measured from the $c$-axis, the tunneling conductance of CPW and HPW clearly show different voltage dependencies. It is found that the cases where the $d$-vector is perpendicular to the magnetization direction (CPW with $θ_{M} = π/2$ and HPW with $θ_{M} = 0$) are identical. The obtained results serve as a guide to determine the pairing symmetry of the spin-triplet superconductor Sr$_{2}$RuO$_{4}$.

cond-mat.supr-con

Influence of carrier lifetime on quantum criticality and superconducting Tc of (TMTSF)_2ClO_4

This work presents and analyzes electrical resistivity data on the organic superconductor (TMTSF)$_2$ClO$_4$ and their anion substituted alloys (TMTSF)$_2$(ClO$_4$)$_{1-x}$(ReO$_4$)$_x$ along the least conducting $c^\star$ axis. Nonmagnetic disorder introduced by finite size domains of anion ordering on non Fermi liquid character of resistivity is investigated near the conditions of quantum criticality. The evolution of the $T$-linear resistivity term with anion disorder shows a limited decrease in contrast with the complete suppression of the critical temperature $T_c$ as expected for unconventional superconductivity beyond a threshold value of $x$. The resulting breakdown of scaling between both quantities is compared to the theoretical predictions of a linearized Boltzmann equation combined to the scaling theory of umklapp scattering in the presence of disorder induced pair-breaking for the carriers.

cond-mat.str-el

Multi-component order parameter superconductivity of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ revealed by topological junctions

Single crystals of the Sr$_2$RuO$_4$-Ru eutectic system are known to exhibit enhanced superconductivity at 3~K, in addition to the bulk superconductivity of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ at 1.5~K. The 1.5-K phase is believed to be a spin-triplet, chiral $p$-wave state with the multi-component order parameter, giving rise to chiral domain structure. In contrast, the 3-K phase is attributable to enhanced superconductivity of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ in the strained interface region between Ru inclusion of a few to tens of micrometers in size and the surrounding Sr$_2$RuO$_4$. We investigate the dynamic behavior of a topological junction, where a superconductor is surrounded by another superconductor. Specifically, we fabricated Nb/Ru/Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ topological superconducting junctions, in which the difference in phase winding between the $s$-wave superconductivity in Ru micro-islands induced from Nb and the superconductivity of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ mainly governs the junction behavior. Comparative results of the asymmetry, hysteresis and noise in junctions with different sizes, shapes, and configurations of Ru inclusions are explained by the chiral domain-wall motion in these topological junctions. Furthermore, a striking difference between the 1.5-K and 3-K phases is clearly revealed: the large noise in the 1.5-K phase sharply disappears in the 3-K phase. These results confirm the multi-component order-parameter superconductivity of the bulk Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, consistent with the chiral $p$-wave state, and the proposed non-chiral single-component superconductivity of the 3-K phase.

cond-mat.supr-con

Direct penetration of spin-triplet superconductivity into a ferromagnet in Au/SrRuO3/Sr2RuO4 junctions

Efforts have been ongoing to establish superconducting spintronics utilizing ferromagnet/superconductor heterostructures1. Previously reported devices are based on spin-singlet superconductors (SSCs), where the spin degree of freedom is lost. Spin-polarized supercurrent induction in ferromagnetic metals (FMs) is achieved even with SSCs, but only with the aid of interfacial complex magnetic structures, which severely affect information imprinted to the electron spin. Use of spin-triplet superconductors (TSCs) with active spins potentially overcomes this difficulty and further leads to novel functionalities. Here, we report spin-triplet superconductivity induction into a FM SrRuO3 from a leading TSC candidate Sr2RuO4, by fabricating microscopic devices using an epitaxial SrRuO3/Sr2RuO4 hybrid. The differential conductance, exhibiting Andreev-reflection features with multiple energy scales up to around half tesla, indicates the penetration of superconductivity over a considerable distance of 15 nm across the SrRuO3 layer without help of interfacial complex magnetism. This demonstrates the first FM/TSC device exhibiting the spin-triplet proximity effect.

cond-mat.supr-con

Inter-planar coupling dependent magnetoresistivity in high purity layered metals

The magnetic field-induced changes in the conductivity of metals are the subject of intense interest, both for revealing new phenomena and as a valuable tool for determining their Fermi surface. Here, we report a hitherto unobserved magnetoresistive effect in ultra-clean layered metals, namely a negative longitudinal magnetoresistance that is capable of overcoming their very pronounced orbital one. This effect is correlated with the inter-layer coupling disappearing for fields applied along the so-called Yamaji angles where the inter-layer coupling vanishes. Therefore, it is intrinsically associated with the Fermi points in the field-induced quasi-one-dimensional electronic dispersion, implying that it results from the axial anomaly among these Fermi points. In its original formulation, the anomaly is predicted to violate separate number conservation laws for left- and right-handed chiral- (e.g. Weyl) fermions. Its observation in PdCoO$_2$, PtCoO$_2$ and Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ suggests that the anomaly affects the transport of clean conductors, particularly near the quantum limit.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Anomalous switching in Nb/Ru/Sr2RuO4 topological junctions by chiral domain wall motion

A spontaneous symmetry breaking in a system often results in domain wall formation. The motion of such domain walls is utilized to realize novel devices like racetrack-memories, in which moving ferromagnetic domain walls store and carry information. Superconductors breaking time reversal symmetry can also form domains with degenerate chirality of their superconducting order parameter. Sr2RuO4 is the leading candidate of a chiral p-wave superconductor, expected to be accompanied by chiral domain structure. Here, we present that Nb/Ru/Sr2RuO4 topological superconducting-junctions, with which the phase winding of order parameter can be effectively probed by making use of real-space topology, exhibit unusual switching between higher and lower critical current states. This switching is well explained by chiral-domain-wall dynamics. The switching can be partly controlled by external parameters such as temperature, magnetic field and current. These results open up a possibility to utilize the superconducting chiral domain wall motion for future novel superconducting devices.

cond-mat.supr-con

Phonon anomaly and anisotropic superconducting gap in non-centrosymmetric Li2(Pd1-xPtx)3B

We report the systematic investigation of the specific heat of the noncentrosymmetric supercon- ductor Li2(Pd1-xPtx)3B as a function of x. There is a large deviation of the phononic specific heat from the conventional Debye specific heat for Pt-rich samples. In contrast with the fully-gapped con- ventional behavior for small x, a power-law temperature dependence of the electronic specific heat is observed even at x = 0.5. This results manifest a strongly-anisotropic or nodal superconducting gap even at x = 0.5 and a nodal superconducting gap for x >~ 0.9.

cond-mat.supr-con

Large spin-orbit splitting and weakly-anisotropic superconductivity revealed with single-crystalline noncentrosymmetric CaIrSi3

We report normal and superconducting properties of the Rashba-type noncentrosymmetric com- pound CaIrSi3, using single crystalline samples with nearly 100% superconducting volume fraction. The electronic density of states revealed by the hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy can be well explained by the relativistic first-principle band calculation. This indicates that strong spin-orbit interaction indeed affects the electronic states of this compound. The obtained H - T phase diagram exhibits only approximately 10% anisotropy, indicating that the superconducting properties are almost three dimensional. Nevertheless, strongly anisotropic vortex pinning is observed.

cond-mat.supr-con

Topological competition of superconductivity in Pb/Ru/Sr_2RuO_4 junctions

We devise a new proximity junction configuration where an s-wave superconductivity and the superconductivity of Sr2RuO4 interfere with each other. We reproducibly observe in such a Pb/Ru/Sr2RuO4 junction with a single Pb electrode that the critical current Ic drops sharply just below the bulk Tc of Sr2RuO4 and furthermore increases again below a certain temperature below Tc. In order to explain this extraordinary temperature dependence of Ic, we propose a competition effect involving topologically distinct superconducting phases around Ru inclusions. Thus, such a device may be called a "topological superconducting junction".

cond-mat.supr-con

Angular dependence of the upper critical field of Sr2RuO4

One of the remaining issues concerning the spin-triplet superconductivity of Sr2RuO4 is the strong limit of the in-plane upper critical field Hc2 at low temperatures. In this study, we clarified the dependence of Hc2 on the angle theta between the magnetic field and the ab plane at various temperatures, by precisely and accurately controlling the magnetic field direction. We revealed that, although the temperature dependence of Hc2 for |theta| > 5 is well explained by the orbital pair-breaking effect, Hc2(T) for |theta| < 5 is clearly limited at low temperatures. We also revealed that the Hc2 limit for |theta| < 5 is present not only at low temperatures, but also at temperatures close to Tc. These features may provide additional hints for clarifying the origin of the Hc2 limit. Interestingly, if the anisotropic ratio in Sr2RuO4 is assumed to depend on temperature, the observed angular dependence of Hc2 is reproduced better at lower temperature with an effective-mass model for an anisotropic three-dimensional superconductor. We discuss the observed behavior of Hc2 based on existing theories.

cond-mat.supr-con

Evidence for the Sr2RuO4 intercalations in the Sr3Ru2O7 region of the Sr3Ru2O7-Sr2RuO4 eutectic system

Although Sr3Ru2O7 has not been reported to exhibit superconductivity so far, ac susceptibility measurements revealed multiple superconducting transitions occurring in the Sr3Ru2O7 region cut from Sr3Ru2O7-Sr2RuO4 eutectic crystals. Based on various experimental results, some of us proposed the scenario in which Sr2RuO4 thin slabs with a few layers of the RuO2 plane are embedded in the Sr3Ru2O7 region as stacking faults and multiple superconducting transitions arise from the distribution of the slab thickness. To examine this scenario, we measured the resistivity along the ab plane (rho_ab) using a Sr3Ru2O7-region sample cut from the eutectic crystal, as well as along the c axis (rho_c) using the same crystal. As a result, we detected resistance drops associated with superconductivity only in rho_ab, but not in rho_c. These results support the Sr2RuO4 thin-slab scenario. In addition, we measured the resistivity of a single crystal of pure Sr3Ru2O7 with very high quality and found that pure Sr3Ru2O7 does not exhibit superconductivity down to 15 mK.

cond-mat.supr-con