arXiv subjects

Steffen Wirth

Publications and source records attributed to Steffen Wirth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Two lock-in amplifiers based $3\omega$ technique: a practical guide for thermal conductivity experiments in bulk samples

The accurate determination of thermal conductivity $\kappa(T)$ in bulk materials at room temperature and above is crucial for evaluating their compatibility for specific applications. The 3$\omega$ technique is an established methodology for studying the thermal conductivity of thin films, becoming particularly suitable in the case of bulk specimens for $T\gtrsim$300K, where standard stationary techniques require significant corrections for radiative losses. Although this method has been employed in several works, it remains not widely adopted because its implementation demands considerable sophistication, including experiment design, thin film deposition techniques, and choices of the geometry of the current/heat transducer, electronics, and analytical treatment of the signals. Based on a critical review of the technique's key technical aspects, this work provides practical support for a rapid and user-friendly implementation, from the design phase through to execution and analysis. We release a Python-based graphical user interface that supports a quantitative estimation of the investigated temperature profiles based on the geometrical parameters (width/length) of the deposited transducer (heater/thermometer metal line) before an experiment, guaranteeing an optimal design of the experimental conditions for each given material under scrutiny.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Robust Magnetic Polaron Percolation in the Antiferromagnetic CMR System EuCd$_2$P$_2$

Antiferromagnetic EuCd$_2$P$_2$ has attracted considerable attention due to its unconventional (magneto)transport properties. At a temperature $T_{\rm peak}$ significantly above the magnetic ordering temperature $T_\textrm{N} = 11\,$K a large peak in resistivity is observed which gets strongly suppressed in magnetic field, resulting in a colossal magnetoresistance (CMR), for which magnetic fluctuations and the formation of ferromagnetic clusters have been proposed as underlying mechanisms. Employing a selection of sensitive probes including fluctuation spectroscopy and third-harmonic resistance, Hall effect, AC susceptibility and $\mu$SR measurements, allows for a direct comparison of electronic and magnetic properties on multiple time scales. We find compelling evidence for the formation and percolation of magnetic polarons, which explains the CMR of the system. Large peaks in the weakly-nonlinear transport and the resistance noise power spectral density at zero magnetic field signify an inhomogeneous, percolating electronic system below $T^\ast \approx 2\,T_\textrm{N}$ with a percolation threshold at $T_{\rm peak}$. In magnetic fields, the onset of large negative MR in the paramagnetic regime occurs at a universal critical magnetization similar to ferromagnetic CMR materials. The size of the magnetic polarons at the percolation threshold is estimated to $\sim 1 - 2\,$nm. The mechanism of magntic cluster formation and percolation in EuCd$_2$P$_2$ appears to be rather robust despite large variations in carrier concentration and likely is relevant for other Eu-based antiferromagnetic CMR systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Realizing a topological diode effect on the surface of a topological Kondo insulator

Introducing the concept of topology into material science has sparked a revolution from classic electronic and optoelectronic devices to topological quantum devices. The latter has potential for transferring energy and information with unprecedented efficiency. Here, we demonstrate a topological diode effect on the surface of a three-dimensional material, SmB6, a candidate topological Kondo insulator. The diode effect is evidenced by pronounced rectification and photogalvanic effects under electromagnetic modulation and radiation at radio frequency. Our experimental results and modeling suggest that these prominent effects are intimately tied to the spatially inhomogeneous formation of topological surface states (TSS) at the intermediate temperature. This work provides a manner of breaking the mirror symmetry (in addition to the inversion symmetry), resulting in the formation of pn-junctions between puddles of metallic TSS. This effect paves the way for efficient current rectifiers or energy-harvesting devices working down to radio frequency range at low temperature, which could be extended to high temperatures using other topological insulators with large bulk gap.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Nematic state of the FeSe superconductor

We study the crystal structure of the tetragonal iron selenide FeSe and its nematic phase transition to the low-temperature orthorhombic structure using synchrotron x-ray and neutron scattering analyzed in both real and reciprocal space. We show that in the local structure the orthorhombic distortion associated with the electronically driven nematic order is more pronounced at short length scales. It also survives up to temperatures above 90 K where reciprocal-space analysis suggests tetragonal symmetry. Additionally, the real-space pair distribution function analysis of the synchrotron x-ray diffraction data reveals a tiny broadening of the peaks corresponding to the nearest Fe-Fe, nearest Fe-Se, and the next-nearest Fe-Se bond distances as well as the tetrahedral torsion angles at a short length scale of 20 angström. This broadening appears below 20 K and is attributed to a pseudogap. However, we did not observe any further reduction in local symmetry below orthorhombic down to 3 K. Our results suggest that the superconducting gap anisotropy in FeSe is not associated with any symmetry-lowering short-range structural correlations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Heavy-electron quantum criticality and single-particle spectroscopy

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) have become indispensable tools in the study of correlated quantum materials. Both probe complementary aspects of the single-particle excitation spectrum. Taken together, ARPES and STM have the potential to explore properties of the electronic Green's function, a central object of many-body theory. This review explicates this potential with a focus on heavy-electron quantum criticality, especially the role of Kondo destruction. A discussion on how to probe the Kondo destruction effect across the quantum-critical point using ARPES and STM measurements is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the question of how to distinguish between the signatures of the initial onset of hybridization-gap formation, which is the "high-energy" physics to be expected in all heavy-electron systems, and those of Kondo destruction, which characterizes the low-energy physics and, hence, the nature of quantum criticality. Recent progress and possible challenges in the experimental investigations are surveyed, the STM and ARPES spectra for several quantum-critical heavy-electron compounds are compared, and the prospects for further advances are outlined.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Comment on "Tuning low-energy scales in YbRh$_2$Si$_2$ by non-isoelectronic substitution and pressure"

In Ref. 1, Schubert et al. [Phys. Rev. Research 1, 032004 (2019)] reported measurements of the isothermal magnetoresistance of Fe- and Ni-substituted YbRh$_2$Si$_2$, based on which they raised questions about the Kondo destruction description for the magnetic field-induced quantum critical point (QCP) of pristine YbRh$_2$Si$_2$. Here we make three points. Firstly, as shown by studies on pristine YbRh$_2$Si$_2$ in Paschen et al. and Friedemann et al., isothermal crossed-field and single-field Hall effect measurements are necessary to ascertain the evolution of the Fermi surface across this QCP. Because Schubert et al. did not carry out such measurements, their results on Fe- and Ni-substituted YbRh$_2$Si$_2$ cannot be used to assess the validity of the Kondo destruction picture neither for substituted nor for pristine YbRh$_2$Si$_2$. Secondly, when referring to the data of Friedemann et al. on the isothermal crossover of YbRh$_2$Si$_2$, they did not recognize the implications of the crossover width, quantified by the full width at half maximum (FWHM), being linear in temperature, with zero offset, over about $1.5$ decades in temperature, from 30 mK to 1 K. Finally, in claiming deviations of Hall crossover FWHM data of Friedemann et al. from the above linear-in-$T$ dependence they neglected the error bars of these measurements and discarded some of the data points. The claims of Schubert et al. are thus not supported by data, neither previously published nor new (Ref. 1). As such they cannot invalidate the evidence that has been reported for Kondo destruction quantum criticality in YbRh$_2$Si$_2$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Giant anomalous Hall effect in a ferromagnetic Kagome-lattice semimetal

Magnetic Weyl semimetals with broken time-reversal symmetry are expected to generate strong intrinsic anomalous Hall effects, due to their large Berry curvature. Here, we report a magnetic Weyl semimetal candidate Co3Sn2S2 with a quasi-two-dimensional crystal structure consisting of stacked Kagome lattices. This lattice provides an excellent platform for hosting exotic quantum topological states. We observe a negative magnetoresistance that is consistent with the chiral anomaly expected from the presence of Weyl fermions close to the Fermi level. The anomalous Hall conductivity is robust against both increased temperature and charge conductivity, which corroborates the intrinsic Berry-curvature mechanism in momentum space. Owing to the low carrier density in this material and the significantly enhanced Berry curvature from its band structure, the anomalous Hall conductivity and the anomalous Hall angle simultaneously reach 1130 S cm-1 and 20%, respectively, an order of magnitude larger than typical magnetic systems. Combining the Kagome-lattice structure and the long-range out-of-plane ferromagnetic order of Co3Sn2S2, we expect that this material is an excellent candidate for observation of the quantum anomalous Hall state in the two-dimensional limit.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Signatures for half-metallicity and nontrivial surface states in a Kagome-lattice magnetic Weyl semimetal Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$

Weyl semimetals with time reversal symmetry breaking are expected to show various fascinating physical behaviors, such as intrinsic giant anomalous Hall effect, chiral anomaly effect in the bulks, and Fermi arcs on the surfaces. Here we report a scanning tunneling microscopy study on the magnetic Weyl semimetal candidate Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$. According to the morphology and local density of states of the surface, we provide assignments to different surface terminations. The measured local density of states reveals a semimetal gap of ~300 mV, which is further verified as the gap in spin-minority bands using spin-resolved tunneling spectra. Additionally, signature for the nontrivial surface states around 50 mV is proposed. This is further confirmed by the observations of standing waves around a step-edge of the sample. Our observations and their comparison with band structure calculations provide direct yet timely evidence for the bulk and surface band structures of the magnetic Weyl semimetal Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Surface states in bulk single crystal of topological semimetal Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$ towards water oxidation

The band inversion in topological phase matters bring exotic physical properties such as the emergence of a topologically protected surface states. They strongly influence the surface electronic structures of the investigated materials and could serve as a good platform to gain insight into the catalytic mechanism of surface reactions. Here we synthesized high-quality bulk single crystals of the topological semimetal Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$. We found that at room temperature, Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$ naturally hosts the band structure of a topological semimetal. This guarantees the existence of robust surface states from the Co atoms. Bulk single crystal of Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$ exposes their Kagome lattice that constructed by Co atoms and have high electrical conductivity. They serves as catalytic centers for oxygen evolution process (OER), making bonding and electron transfer more efficient due to the partially filled $e_g$ orbital. The bulk single crystal exhibits outstanding OER catalytic performance, although the surface area is much smaller than that of Co-based nanostructured catalysts. Our findings emphasize the importance of tailoring topological non-trivial surface states for the rational design of high-activity electrocatalysts.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Magnetic and defect probes of the SmB$_6$ surface state

The impact of non-magnetic and magnetic impurities on topological insulators is a central problem concerning their fundamental physics and possible novel spintronics and quantum computing applications. SmB$_6$, predicted to be a topological Kondo insulator, is considered a benchmark material. Using a spin-polarized tip in scanning tunneling spectroscopy destroys the signature peak of the topological surface state, revealing its spin texture. Further, combining local STS with macroscopic transport measurements on SmB$_6$ containing different substitutions enables us to investigate the effect of impurities. The surface states around impurities are locally suppressed with different length scales depending on their magnetic properties and, for sufficiently high impurity level, globally destroyed. Our study points directly to the topological nature of SmB$_6$, and unveils, microscopically and macroscopically, how impurities -- magnetic or non-magnetic -- affect topological surface states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Influence of disorder on the signature of pseudogap and multigap superconducting behavior in FeSe

We investigated several FeSe single crystals grown by two different methods by utilizing experimental techniques namely, resistivity, magnetoresistance, specific heat, scanning tunneling microscopy, and spectroscopy. The residual resistivity ratio (RRR) shows systematic differences between samples grown by chemical vapor transport and flux vapor transport, indicating variance in the amount of scattering centers. Although the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$ is not directly related to RRR, our study evidences subtle differences in the features of an incipient ordering mode related to a depletion of density of states at the Fermi level. For instance, the onset temperature of anisotropic spin-fluctuations at $T^* \approx 75$ K, and the temperature of the opening-up of a partial gap in the density of states at $T^{**} \approx 30$ K are not discernible in the samples with lower RRR. Further, we show that the functional dependence of the electronic specific heat below 2 K, which allows to determine the nodal features as well as the small superconducting gap, differs significantly in crystals grown by these two different methods. Our investigation suggests that some of the controversies about the driving mechanism for the superconducting gap or its structure and symmetry is related to minute differences in the crystals arising due to the growth techniques used and the total amount of scattering centers present in the sample.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Impurity-induced bound states inside the superconducting gap of FeSe

We investigate the local density of states in the vicinity of a native dumbbell defect arising from an Fe vacancy in FeSe single crystals. The tunneling spectra close to the impurity display two bound states inside the superconducting gap, equally spaced with respect to zero energy but asymmetric in amplitude. Using spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations on realistic slab models with Fe vacancy, we show that such a defect does not induce a local magnetic moment. Therefore, the dumbbell defect is considered as non-magnetic. Thus, the in-gap bound states emerging from a non-magnetic defect-induced pair-breaking suggest a sign changing pairing state in this material.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Homogeneity range of ternary 11-type chalcogenides Fe$_{1+y}$Te$_{1-x}$Se$_x$

The 11-type Fe-chalcogenides belong to the family of Fe-based superconductors. In these compounds, the interstitial Fe is known to strongly influence the magnetic and superconducting properties. Here we present the chemical homogeneity range of ternary compounds Fe$_{1+y}$Te$_{1-x}$Se$_x$ based on powder x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray analysis and magnetization measurements. Our investigations show that the maximum amount of excess Fe in homogeneous Fe$_{1+y}$Te$_{1-x}$Se$_x$ decreases with increase in Se substitution for Te. Using our synthesis procedure, single-phase Fe$_{1+y}$Te$_{1-x}$Se$_x$, with $~0.5 \leq x <~1$ could not be formed for any amount of excess Fe. Further, the superconducting volume fraction in the material is found to be strongly suppressed by excess Fe.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Superconducting gap structure of FeSe

The microscopic mechanism governing the zero-resistance flow of current in some iron-based, high-temperature superconducting materials is not well understood up to now. A central issue concerning the investigation of these materials is their superconducting gap symmetry and structure. Here we present a combined study of low-temperature specific heat and scanning tunnelling microscopy measurements on single crystalline FeSe. The results reveal the existence of at least two superconducting gaps which can be represented by a phenomenological two-band model. The analysis of the specific heat suggests significant anisotropy in the gap magnitude with deep gap minima. The tunneling spectra display an overall "U"-shaped gap close to the Fermi level away as well as on top of twin boundaries. These results are compatible with the anisotropic nodeless models describing superconductivity in FeSe.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Synthesis, phase stability, structural and physical properties of 11-type iron chalcogenides

This article reviews recent experimental investigations on two binary Fe-chalcogenides: FeSe and Fe$_{1+y}$Te. The main focus is on synthesis, single crystal growth, chemical composition, as well as on the effect of excess iron on structural, magnetic, and transport properties of these materials. The structurally simplest Fe-based superconductor Fe$_{1+x}$Se with a critical temperature $T_c \approx$ 8.5 K undergoes a tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transition at a temperature $T_s \approx$ 87 K. No long-range magnetic order is observed down to the lowest measured temperature in Fe$_{1+x}$Se. On the other hand, isostructural Fe$_{1+y}$Te displays a complex interplay of magnetic and structural phase transitions in dependence on the tuning parameter such as excess amount of Fe or pressure, but it becomes a superconductor only when Te is substituted by a sufficient amount of Se. We summarize experimental evidence for different competing interactions and discuss related open questions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Superconducting gap and vortex lattice of the heavy fermion compound CeCu_2Si_2

The order parameter and pairing mechanism for superconductivity in heavy fermion compounds are still poorly understood. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy at ultra-low temperatures can yield important information about the superconducting order parameter and the gap structure. Here, we study the first heavy fermion superconductor, CeCu_2Si_2. Our data show the superconducting gap which is not fully formed and exhibits features that point to a multi-gap order parameter. Spatial mapping of the zero bias conductance in magnetic field reveals the vortex lattice, which allows us to unequivocally link the observed conductance gap to superconductivity in CeCu_2Si_2. The vortex lattice is found to be predominantly triangular with distortions at fields close to \sim 0.7 H_{c2}.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Protective capping of topological surface states of intrinsically insulating Bi$_2$Te$_3$

We have identified epitaxially grown elemental Te as a capping material that is suited to protect the topological surface states of intrinsically insulating Bi$_2$Te$_3$. By using angle-resolved photoemission, we were able to show that the Te overlayer leaves the dispersive bands of the surface states intact and that it does not alter the chemical potential of the Bi$_2$Te$_3$ thin film. From in-situ four-point contact measurements, we observed that the conductivity of the capped film is still mainly determined by the metallic surface states and that the contribution of the capping layer is minor. Moreover, the Te overlayer can be annealed away in vacuum to produce a clean Bi$_2$Te$_3$ surface in its pristine state even after the exposure of the capped film to air. Our findings will facilitate well-defined and reliable ex-situ experiments on the properties of Bi$_2$Te$_3$ surface states with nontrivial topology.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Emergence of an incipient ordering mode in FeSe

The structurally simplest Fe-based superconductor FeSe with a critical temperature $T_{c}\approx$ 8.5 K displays a breaking of the four-fold rotational symmetry at a temperature $T_{s}\approx 87$ K. We investigated the electronic properties of FeSe using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S), magnetization, and electrical transport measurements. The results indicated two new energy scales (i) $T^{*} \approx$ 75 K denoted by an onset of electron-hole asymmetry in STS, enhanced spin fluctuations, and increased positive magnetoresistance; (ii) $T^{**} \approx$ 22 - 30 K, marked by opening up of a partial gap of about 8 meV in STS and a recovery of Kohler's rule. Our results reveal onset of an incipient ordering mode at $T^{*}$ and its nucleation below $T^{**}$. The ordering mode observed here, both in spin as well as charge channels, suggests a coupling between the spins with charge, orbital or pocket degrees of freedom.

cond-mat.supr-con↗