arXiv subjects

Shouzheng Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Shouzheng Liu.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Density functional theory based investigation of heavy fermion band candidates in triplet superconductor UTe2

The compound UTe2 is of great recent interest as a spin triplet superconductor that is thought to realize a topologically nontrivial superconducting order parameter. Though UTe2 is considered to be a heavy fermion material, only light-electron Fermi surfaces have been compellingly identified, while a possible heavy electron Fermi surface near the momentum space Z-point has been the subject of more speculative and incongruent interpretations based on density functional theory (DFT+U) and experimental measurements. Here we explore the DFT+U band structure within a tight binding model framework to identify emergence mechanisms for heavy fermion Fermi surfaces. Applying a Gutzweiller-like renormalization term to f-electron kinetics is found to distort the lowest energy f electron band from a saddle point to a local minimum at the Z-point, introducing a shallow Fermi pocket and greatly improving compatibility with recent experiments.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Identifying f-electron symmetries of UTe2 with O-edge resonant inelastic X-ray scattering

The recent discovery of spin-triplet superconductivity emerging from a non-magnetic parent state in UTe$_2$ has stimulated great interest in the underlying mechanism of Cooper pairing. Experimental characterization of short-range electronic and magnetic correlations is vital to understanding these phenomena. Here we use resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and atomic multiplet-based modeling to shed light on the active debate between 5$f^2$6$d^1$-based models with singlet crystal field states versus 5$f^3$-based models that predict atomic Kramers doublets and much greater 5$f$ itinerancy. The XAS and RIXS data are found to agree strongly with predictions for an 5$f^2$6$d^1$-like valence electron configuration with weak intra-dimer magnetic correlations, and provide new context for interpreting recent investigations of the electronic structure and superconducting pairing mechanism.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

$c$-axis transport in UTe$_{2}$: Evidence of Three Dimensional Conductivity Component

We study the temperature dependence of electrical resistivity for currents directed along all crystallographic axes of the spin-triplet superconductor UTe$_{2}$. We focus particularly on an accurate determination of the resistivity along the $c$-axis ($ρ_c$) by using a generalized Montgomery technique that allows extraction of crystallographic resistivity components from a single sample. In contrast to expectations from the observed highly anisotropic band structure, our measurement of the absolute values of resistivities in all current directions reveals a surprisingly nearly isotropic transport behavior at temperatures above Kondo coherence, with $ρ_c \sim ρ_b \sim 2ρ_a$, that evolves to reveal qualitatively distinct behaviors on cooling. The temperature dependence of $ρ_c$ exhibits a peak at a temperature much lower than the onset of Kondo coherence observed in $ρ_a$ and $ρ_b$, consistent with features in magnetotransport and magnetization that point to a magnetic origin. A comparison to the temperature-dependent evolution of the scattering rate observed in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments provides important insights into the underlying electronic structure necessary for building a microscopic model of superconductivity in UTe$_{2}$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Fourier-based methods for removing mesh anomalies from angle resolved photoemission spectra

Recent improvements to spatial resolution in angle-resolved photo-emission spectroscopy (ARPES) have made it common to perform measurements with a very brief dwell time, for the purpose of mapping the spectral function over large surface regions. However, rapid measurement modalities can suffer a grid-like intensity modulation due to a wire mesh that is typically placed in front of the ARPES detector to block stray electrons. Here, we explore Fourier-based methods that can effectively remove this artifact, and improve the quality of ARPES images obtained in rapid scanning modes. An open source software package is provided containing implementations of demonstrated algorithms.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Mapping out the emergence of topological features in the highly alloyed topological Kondo insulators Sm$_{1-x}M_x$B$_6$ ($M$=Eu, Ce)

SmB6 is a strongly correlated material that has been attributed as a topological insulator and a Kondo insulator. Recent studies have found the topological surface states and low temperature insulating character to be profoundly robust against magnetic and non-magnetic impurities. Here, we use angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy to chart the evolution of topologically-linked electronic structure features versus magnetic doping and temperature in Sm$_{1-x}$M$_x$B$_6$ (M=Eu, Ce). Topological coherence phenomena are observed out to unprecedented ~30% Eu and 50% Ce concentrations that represent extreme nominal hole and electron doping, respectively. Theoretical analysis reveals that a recent re-designation of the topologically inverted band symmetries provides a natural route to reconciling the persistence of topological surface state emergence even as the insulating gap is lost through decoherence.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Low energy band structure and symmetries of UTe2 from angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy

The compound UTe2 has recently been shown to realize spin triplet superconductivity from a non-magnetic normal state. This has sparked intense research activity, including theoretical analyses that suggest the superconducting order parameter to be topologically nontrivial. However, the underlying electronic band structure is a critical factor for these analyses, and remains poorly understood. Here, we present high resolution angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) measurements covering multiple planes in the 3D Brillouin zone of UTe2, revealing distinct Fermi-level features from two orthogonal quasi-one dimensional light electron bands and one heavy band. The electronic symmetries are evaluated in comparison with numerical simulations, and the resulting picture is discussed as a platform for unconventional many-body order.

cond-mat.str-el↗