arXiv subjects

Theodore H. Geballe

Publications and source records attributed to Theodore H. Geballe.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Correlation of strontium anharmonicity with charge-lattice dynamics of the apical oxygens and their coupling to cuprate superconductivity

Cu K edge X-ray absorption spectra of overdoped superconducting $YSr_2Cu_{2.75}Mo_{0.25}O_{7.54}$ and $Sr_2CuO_{3.3}$ show a remarkably strong correlation of their superconductivity with the local dynamics of their Cu-Sr and Cu-apical-O pairs. This finding that the entire alkaline earth cation-apical O "dielectric" layer has an active role in the unusual electronic properties of cuprates has not been previously considered and has far reaching implications. We develop this idea of a possible role for the apical oxygen charge dynamics via a soft mode of the Sr by applying Kuramoto's synchronization technique to exact diagonalization calculations of two neighboring Cu-apical O pairs bridged by Sr and a planar O atom. These calculations show a first order phase transition to a synchronized state of the Internal Quantum Tunneling Polarons (IQTPs) in which a fraction of the hole originally confined to the apical O atoms of the cluster is transferred onto the planar O. This combination of experimental results and theory demonstrates that the Sr-O dielectric layer of cuprates most likely plays an important role in high temperature superconductivity via its collective charge dynamics that extends into the $CuO_2$ conducting planes.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

What Tc Tells

Superconductivity has continued to be a fascinating phenomenon ever since its discovery in 1911. The magnitude of the transition temperature, Tc, provides valuable insight into the underlying physics. Here we provide select examples of the extensive research that has been done towards understanding Tc, and some cases where further investigation is called for. We believe that searching for new and enhanced Tc's remains a fertile frontier.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Pressure-induced symmetry breaking in tetragonal CsAuI3

Results of in situ high pressure x-ray powder diffraction on the mixed valence compound Cs2Au(I)Au(III)I6 (CsAuI3) are reported, for pressures up to 21 GPa in a diamond anvil cell under hydrostatic conditions. We find a reversible pressure-induced tetragonal to orthorhombic structural transition at 5.5-6 GPa, and reversible amorphization at 12-14 GPa. Two alternative structures are proposed for the high-pressure orthorhombic phase, and are discussed in the context of a possible Au valence transition.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Quenching of Impurity Spins at Cu/CuO Interfaces: An Antiferromagnetic Proximity Effect

It is observed that the magnetoconductance of bilayer films of copper (Cu) and copper monoxide (CuO) has distinct features compared of that of Cu films on conventional band insulator substrates. We analyze the data above 2 K by the theory of weak antilocalization in two-dimensional metals and suggest that spin-flip scatterings by magnetic impurities inside Cu are suppressed in Cu/CuO samples. Plausibly the results imply a proximity effect of antiferromagnetism inside the Cu layer, which can be understood in the framework of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yoshida (RKKY) interactions. The data below 1 K, which exhibit slow relaxation reminiscent of spin glass, are consistent with this interpretation.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Tetragonal CuO: A new end member of the 3d transition metal monoxides

Monoclinic CuO is anomalous both structurally as well as electronically in the 3$d$ transition metal oxide series. All the others have the cubic rock salt structure. Here we report the synthesis and electronic property determination of a tetragonal (elongated rock salt) form of CuO created using an epitaxial thin film deposition approach. In situ photoelectron spectroscopy suggests an enhanced charge transfer gap $Δ$ with the overall bonding more ionic. As an end member of the 3d transition monoxides, its magnetic properties should be that of a high $T_N$ antiferromagnet.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

Superconductivity in zigzag CuO chains

Superconductivity has recently been discovered in Pr$_{2}$Ba$_{4}$Cu$_{7}$O$_{15-δ}$ with a maximum $T_c$ of about 15K. Since the CuO planes in this material are believed to be insulating, it has been proposed that the superconductivity occurs in the double (or zigzag) CuO chain layer. On phenomenological grounds, we propose a theoretical interpretation of the experimental results in terms of a new phase for the zigzag chain, labelled by C$_1$S$_{3/2}$. This phase has a gap for some of the relative spin and charge modes but no total spin gap, and can have a divergent superconducting susceptibility for repulsive interactions. A microscopic model for the zigzag CuO chain is proposed, and on the basis of density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) and bosonization studies of this model, we adduce evidence that supports our proposal.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Electronic properties of buried hetero-interfaces of LaAlO3 on SrTiO3

We have made very thin films of LaAlO3 on TiO2 terminated SrTiO3 and have measured the properties of the resulting interface in various ways. Transport measurements show a maximum sheet carrier density of 1016 cm-2 and a mobility around 104 cm2 V-1 s-1. In situ ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) indicates that for these samples a finite density of states exists at the Fermi level. From the oxygen pressure dependence measured in both transport as well as the UPS, we detail, as reported previously by us, that oxygen vacancies play an important role in the creation of the charge carriers and that these vacancies are introduced by the pulsed laser deposition process used to make the heterointerfaces. Under the conditions studied the effect of LaAlO3 on the carrier density is found to be minimal.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

Origin of charge density at LaAlO3-on-SrTiO3 hetero-interfaces; possibility of intrinsic doping

As discovered by Ohtomo et al., a large sheet charge density with high mobility exists at the interface between SrTiO3 and LaAlO3. Based on transport, spectroscopic and oxygen-annealing experiments, we conclude that extrinsic defects in the form of oxygen vacancies introduced by the pulsed laser deposition process used by all researchers to date to make these samples is the source of the large carrier densities. Annealing experiments show a limiting carrier density. We also present a model that explains the high mobility based on carrier redistribution due to an increased dielectric constant.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

What Tc can teach about superconductivity

We compare the Tcs found in different families of optimally-doped High-Tc cuprates and find, contrary generally accepted lore, that pairing is not exclusively in the CuO2 layers. Evidence for additional pairing interactions, that take place outside the CuO2 layers, is found in two different classes of cuprates, namely the charge reservoir and the chain layer cuprates. The additional pairing in these layers suppresses fluctuations and hence enhances Tc. Tcs higher than 100K, are found in the cuprates containing charge reservoir layers with cations of Tl, Bi, or Hg that are known to be negative-U ions. Comparisons with other cuprates that have the same sequence of optimally doped CuO2 layers, but have lower Tcs, show that Tc is increased by factors of two or more upon insertion of the charge reservoir layer(s). The Tl ion has been shown to be an electronic pairing center in the model system (Pb,Tl)Te and data in the literature that suggest it behaves similarly in the cuprates. A number of other puzzling results that are found in the Hg, Tl, and Bi cuprates can be understood in terms of negative-U ion pairing centers in the charge reservoir layers. There is also evidence for additional pairing in the chain layer cuprates. Superconductivity that originates in the double "zigzag" Cu chains layers that has been recently demonstrated in NMR studies of Pr-247 leads to the suggestion of a linear, charge 1, diamagnetic quasiparticle formed from a charge-transfer exciton and a hole. Other properties of the chain layer cuprates that are difficult to explain using models in which the pairing is solely confined to the CuO2 layers can be understood if supplementary pairing in the chain layers is included. Finally, we speculate that these same linear quasi-particles can exist in the 2-dimensional CuO2 layers as well.

cond-mat.supr-con↗