arXiv subjects

Sunil Nair

Publications and source records attributed to Sunil Nair.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Temperature dependence of the anomalous Nernst effect in Ni$_{2}$MnGa shape memory alloy

We report a detailed investigation of the Ni$_{2}$MnGa shape memory alloy through magnetic, electronic, and thermal measurements. Our measurements of the anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) reveal that this technique is very sensitive to the onset of the pre-martensitic transition in sharp contrast to other transport measurements. With the ANE being sensitive to changes at the Fermi surface, we infer on the link between the structural modulations and the modulation of the Fermi surface via its nesting features, with the magnetic field induced strain being the mediating mechanism.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Investigations of the heterometallic Ludwigite Ni${_2}$AlBO${_5}$

We present magnetic, thermodynamic, dielectric and structural investigations on the aluminoborate Ni${_2}$AlBO${_5}$, belonging to the ludwigite family. Room temperature structural refinement suggests that the system crystallizes in the orthorhombic $Pbam$ symmetry, in similarity with most members of this material class. Magnetic and thermodynamic measurements shows that the system undergoes a phase transition to an antiferromagnetic state at 38K, signatures of which are also seen in the lattice parameters and the dielectric constant. Short range magnetic correlations appear to persist to much higher temperatures - a regime in which the ac susceptibility exhibits a power law temperature dependence, in agreement with that expected for random exchange Heisenberg antiferromagnetic spin chains.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Temperature dependence of the Spin Seebeck effect in a mixed valent manganite

We report on temperature dependent measurements of the Longitudinal Spin Seebeck Effect (LSSE) in the mixed valent manganite La$_{0.7}$Ca$_{0.3}$MnO$_3$. By disentangling the contribution arising due to the Anisotropic Nernst effect, we observe that these two thermally driven phenomena vary disparately with temperature. In a narrow low temperature regime, the LSSE exhibits a $T^{0.55}$ dependence, which matches well with that predicted by the magnon-driven spin current model. Across the double exchange driven paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition, the LSSE exponent is significantly higher than the magnetization one. These observations highlights the importance of individually ascertaining the temperature evolution of different mechanisms which contribute to the measured spin Seebeck signal.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Anisotropy in the magnetization and magnetoelectric response of single crystalline Mn$_{4}$Ta$_{2}$O$_{9}$

We report temperature dependent magnetization and neutron diffraction measurements on the corundum related magnetoelectric antiferromagnet Mn$_{4}$Ta$_{2}$O$_{9}$. Measurements performed on a single crystalline specimen reveal that the magnetization is anisotropic, and a weak ferromagnetic component emerges well within the antiferromagnetically ordered state. Powder neutron diffraction measurements indicate that the magnetic structure comprises of antiferromagnetically coupled ferromagnetic chains of Mn$^{2+}$ spins aligned along the trigonal $c$ axis, in contrast to that reported in other isostructural members of this family. Magnetic measurements performed under a periodic electric field indicate that the magnetoelectric response is also anisotropic, with this coupling along the trigonal $c$ axis and that perpendicular to it having different signs.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Measurement independent magnetocaloric effect in Mn-rich Mn-Fe-Ni-Sn(Sb/In) Heusler alloys

We report a systematic study on the magneto-structural transition in Mn-rich Fe-doped Mn-Fe-Ni-Sn(Sb/In) Heusler alloys by keeping the total valence electron concentration (e/a ratio) fixed. The martensitic transition (MT) temperature is found to shift by following a proportional relationship with the e/a ratio of the magnetic elements alone. The magnetic entropy change across MT for a selected sample (Mn49FeNi40Sn9In) has been estimated from three different measurement methods (isofield magnetization (M) vs temperature (T), isothermal M vs field (H) and heat capacity (HC) vs T). We observed that though the peak value of magnetic entropy change changes with the measurement methods, the broadened shape of the magnetic entropy change vs T curves and the corresponding cooling power (~140 Jkg-1) remains invariant. The equivalent adiabatic temperature change ~ -2.6 K has been obtained from indirect measurements of temperature change. Moreover, an exchange bias field ~ 783 Oe at 5 K and a magnetoresistance of -30% are also obtained in one of these materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Absence of a multiglass state in some transition metal doped quantum paraelectrics

We critically investigate the purported existence of a multiglass state in the quantum paraelectrics SrTiO${_3}$ and KTaO${_3}$ doped with magnetic 3d transition metals. We observe that the transition metals have limited solubility in these hosts, and that traces of impurity magnetic oxides persist even in the most well processed specimens. Our dielectric measurements indicate that the polar nano-regions formed as a consequence of doping appear to lack co-operativity, and the associated relaxation process exhibits a thermally activated Arrhenius form. At lower temperatures, the dielectric susceptibility could be fit using the Barrett's formalism, indicating that the quantum-paraelectric nature of the host lattices are unaltered by the doping of magnetic transition metal oxides. All these doped quantum paraelectrics exhibit a crossover from the high temperature Curie-Weiss regime to one dominated by quantum fluctuations, as evidenced by a $T{^2}$ dependence of the temperature dependent dielectric susceptibility. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility indicate that magnetic signatures observed in some of the specimens could be solely ascribed to the presence of impurity oxides corresponding to the magnetic dopants used. Hence, the doped quantum paraelectrics appear to remain intrinsically paramagnetic down to the lowest measured temperatures, ruling out the presence of a multiglass state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Magnetotransport studies of optimally doped Sr(Fe${_{1-x}}$Co${_x}$)${_2}$As${_2}$

We report magnetotransport measurements and its scaling analysis for the optimally electron doped Sr(Fe${_{0.88}}$Co${_{0.12}}$)${_2}$As${_2}$ system. We pbserve that both the Kohler's and modified Kohler's scalings are violated. Interestingly, the Hall angle displays a quadratic temperature dependence similar to many cuprates and heavy fermion systems. The fact that this temperature dependence is seen in spite of the violation of modified Kohler's scaling suggests that the Hall angle and the magnetoresistance are not governed by the same scattering mechanism. We also observe a linear magnetoresistance in this system, which does not harbor a spin density wave ground state. Implcations of our observations are discussed in the context of spin fluctuations in strongly correlated electron systems.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Large anomalous Nernst effect across the magneto-structural transition in bulk Ni-Co-Mn-Sn full Heusler alloy

We report on the observation of temperature and field dependent anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) in Ni-rich bulk Ni-Co-Mn-Sn full Heusler alloy. A large change in the transverse Nernst coefficient (N) is obtained across the first order magnetostructural transition from a tetragonal martensite to a cubic austenite phase. The saturation of ANE and magnetic data appear to depend largely on the magnetic anisotropy of the device. Such change in the Nernst co-efficient may prove to be useful for switching applications controlled by temperature and magnetic field changes.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Coupled magnetic and ferroelectric states in the distorted honeycomb system Fe$_{4}$Ta$_{2}$O$_{9}$

We report on the magnetic, thermodynamic, dielectric, and pyroelectric measurements on the hitherto unreported Fe${_4}$Ta${_2}$O${_9}$. This system is seen to exhibit a series of magnetic transitions, many of which are coupled to the emergence of ferroelectric order, making Fe${_4}$Ta${_2}$O${_9}$ the only genuine multiferroic in its material class. We suggest that the observed properties arise as a consequence of an effective reduction in the dimensionality of the magnetic lattice, with the magnetically active Fe${^{2+}}$ ions preferentially occupying a quasi 2D buckled honeycomb structure. The low temperature $H$-$T$ phase diagram of Fe${_4}$Ta${_2}$O${_9}$ reveals a rich variety of coupled magnetic and ferroelectric phases, in similarity with that observed in the distorted Kagome systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

High temperature linear magnetoresistance and scaling behavior in the Ba(Fe${_{1-x}}$Co${_{x}}$)$_{2}$As$_{2}$ series

We present magnetotransport studies of the parent, an underdoped and an optimally doped composition of the Ba(Fe${_{1-x}}$Co${_{x}}$)${_{2}}$As${_{2}}$ series. We observe that both the Kohler's and modified Kohler's scaling is typically violated in both the magnetically ordered and paramagnetic regimes. A notable exception is the magnetically ordered state of the underdoped composition where the modified Kohler's scaling is observed, indicating its relative similarity to the cuprates and some heavy fermion systems. This composition also exhibits a feature in the Hall angle, which could signify the opening of a pseudogap before the onset of long range magnetic order. Interestingly, the transverse magnetoresistance is seen to exhibit a linear field dependence in the paramagnetic regimes of all these compositions. We also demonstrate that the $B/T$ scaling proposed recently in the context of quantum critical systems is seen to be valid in all these systems. The implications of our observations are discussed in the context of magnetotransport of metals with incipient magnetic fluctuations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic and dielectric investigations of $γ$ - Fe${_2}$WO${_6}$

The magnetic, thermodynamic and dielectric properties of the $γ$ - Fe${_2}$WO${_6}$ system is reported. Crystallizing in the centrosymmetric $Pbcn$ space group, this particular polymorph exhibits a number of different magnetic transitions, all of which are seen to exhibit a finite magneto-dielectric coupling. At the lowest measured temperatures, the magnetic ground state appears to be glass-like, as evidenced by the waiting time dependence of the magnetic relaxation. Also reflected in the frequency dependent dielectric measurements, these signatures possibly arise as a consequence of the oxygen non-stoichiometry, which promotes an inhomogeneous magnetic and electronic ground state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Improper multiferroicity and colossal dielectric constants in Bi$_{2}$CuO$_{4}$

The layered cuprate Bi$_{2}$CuO$_{4}$ is investigated using magnetic, dielectric and pyroelectric measurements. This system is observed to be an improper multiferroic, with a robust ferroelectric state being established near the magnetic transition. Magnetic and dielectric measurements indicate the presence of a region above the antiferromagnetic Neel temperature with concomitant polar and magnetic short range order. Bi$_{2}$CuO$_{4}$ is also seen to exhibit colossal dielectric constants at higher temperatures with clearly distinguishable grain and grain boundary contributions, both of which exhibit non-Debye relaxation.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

A reentrant superspin glass state and magnetization steps in the oxyborate Co2AlBO5

An oxyborate Co2AlBO5 belonging to the ludwigite family is investigated using structural, thermodynamic, dielectric and magnetic measurements. Magnetic measurements indicate that this system is seen to exhibit long range magnetic ordering at T{_N} = 42 K, signatures of which are also seen in the specific heat, dielectric susceptibility, and the lattice parameters. The absence of a structural phase transition down to the lowest measured temperatures, distinguishes it from the more extensively investigated Fe-based ludwigites. At low temperatures, the system is seen to stabilize in a reentrant superspin glass phase at T{_G} = 10.6 K from within the magnetically ordered state. This ground state is also characterized by magnetic field induced metamagnetic transitions, which at the lowest measured temperatures exhibit a number of sharp magnetization steps, reminiscent of that observed in the mixed valent manganites.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Identification of a Griffiths singularity in a geometrically frustrated antiferromagnet

We report the observation of a Griffiths Phase in the geometrically frustrated antiferromagnet DyBaCo${_4}$O${_{7+δ}}$. Its onset is determined using measurements of the thermoremanent magnetization, which is shown to be superior to conventional in-field measurement protocols for the identification of the Griffiths Phase. Within this phase, the temporal relaxation of magnetization exhibits a functional form which is expected for Heisenberg systems, reflecting the nature of spin interactions in this class of materials. Interestingly, the effective Co${^{2+}}$/Co${^{3+}}$ ratio tailored by varying the oxygen non-stoichiometry $δ$ is only seen to influence the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature ($T{_N}$), leaving the Griffiths Temperature ($T{_G}$) invariant.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Relieving Geometrical frustration through doping in the Dy$_{1-x}$Ca$_{x}$BaCo$_{4}$O$_{7}$ Swedenborgites

The geometrically frustrated antiferromagnetic Swedenborgite DyBaCo$_{4}$O$_{7}$ is investigated by a combination of xray diffraction, magnetization and dielectric measurements. Systematic doping in the series Dy$_{1-x}$Ca$_{x}$BaCo$_{4}$O$_{7}$ causes a lifting of the geometrical frustration resulting in a structural transition from a Trigonal P31c to an orthorhombic Pbn2$_{1 }$ symmetry at $x=0.4$. This structural transition can also be accessed as a function of temperature, and all our orthorhombic specimens exhibit this transition at elevated temperatures. In line with previous reports, the temperature at which this structural transition occurs scales linearly with the mean ionic radii of the $A$ site ion. However, CaBaCo$_{4}$O$_{7}$ which has an equal number of Co${^{2+}}$ and Co${^{3+}}$ ions clearly violates this quasilinear relationship, indicating that charge ordering could also play a critical role in stabilizing the orthorhombic distortion in this system. Using thermoremanent magnetization measurements to circumvent the problem of the large paramagnetic background arising from Dy${^{3+}}$ ions, we chart out the phase diagram of the Dy$_{1-x}$Ca$_{x}$BaCo$_{4}$O$_{7}$ series.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Hall effect in heavy-fermion metals

The heavy fermion systems present a unique platform in which strong electronic correlations give rise to a host of novel, and often competing, electronic and magnetic ground states. Amongst a number of potential experimental tools at our disposal, measurements of the Hall effect have emerged as a particularly important one in discerning the nature and evolution of the Fermi surfaces of these enigmatic metals. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of Hall effect measurements in the heavy-fermion materials, and examine the success it has had in contributing to our current understanding of strongly correlated matter. Particular emphasis is placed on its utility in the investigation of quantum critical phenomena which are thought to drive many of the exotic electronic ground states in these systems. This is achieved by the description of measurements of the Hall effect across the putative zero-temperature instability in the archetypal heavy-fermion metal YbRh$_2$Si$_2$. Using the Ce$M$In$_5$ (with $M =$ Co, Ir) family of systems as a paradigm, the influence of (antiferro-)magnetic fluctuations on the Hall effect is also illustrated. This is compared to prior Hall effect measurements in the cuprates and other strongly correlated systems to emphasize on the generality of the unusual magnetotransport in materials with non-Fermi liquid behavior.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Cu3Nb2O8: a multiferroic with chiral coupling to the crystal structure

By combining bulk properties, neutron diffraction and non-resonant X-ray diffraction measurements, we demonstrate that the new multiferroic Cu$_3$Nb$_2$O$_8$ becomes polar simultaneously with the appearance of generalised helicoidal magnetic ordering. The electrical polarization is oriented perpendicularly to the common plane of rotation of the spins --- an observation that cannot be reconciled with the "conventional" theory developed for cycloidal multiferroics. Our results are consistent with coupling between a macroscopic structural rotation, which is allowed in the paramagnetic group, and magnetically-induced structural chirality.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Magnetism and superconductivity driven by identical 4$f$ states in a heavy-fermion metal

The apparently inimical relationship between magnetism and superconductivity has come under increasing scrutiny in a wide range of material classes, where the free energy landscape conspires to bring them in close proximity to each other. This is particularly the case when these phases microscopically interpenetrate, though the manner in which this can be accomplished remains to be fully comprehended. Here, we present combined measurements of elastic neutron scattering, magnetotransport, and heat capacity on a prototypical heavy fermion system, in which antiferromagnetism and superconductivity are observed. Monitoring the response of these states to the presence of the other, as well as to external thermal and magnetic perturbations, points to the possibility that they emerge from different parts of the Fermi surface. This enables a single 4$f$ state to be both localized and itinerant, thus accounting for the coexistence of magnetism and superconductivity.

cond-mat.str-el↗