arXiv subjects

V. Martelli

Publications and source records attributed to V. Martelli.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Thermal conductivity of Barium Bismuthate at low temperatures

The perovskite BaBiO$_3$ crystallizes in a cubic structure and undergoes structural transitions toward lower symmetry phases upon cooling. The two low-temperature monoclinic phases are insulating, and the origin of this unexpected non-metallic character has been under debate. Both monoclinic phases exhibit tilting and breathing distortions, which are connected with the insulating nature of this compound and may have important effects on phononic heat conductivity. Here, we report the first thermal conductivity measurement, $\kappa$(T), in pristine polycrystalline BaBiO$_3$ from 1.5 K to 310 K. At low and intermediate temperatures, we observe features reminiscent of a glass-like behavior, whereas at high-temperatures we find a downturn - typical of a crystalline solid. We compare our findings with available data of other recently investigated perovskite oxides displaying similar temperature dependence.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2023

Investigation of role of antisite disorder in the pristine cage compound FeGa$_3$

The role of controlled disorder in the strong correlated narrow gap semiconductor candidate FeGa$_3$ has been investigated. Polycrystalline samples were synthesized by the combination of arc-melting furnace and successive annealing processes. Deviations of the occupation number of Fe and Ga sites from those expected in the pristine compound were quantified with X-ray analysis. Besides that, electrical transport and magnetization measurements reveal that hierarchy in Fe and Ga site disorder tunes the ground state of FeGa$_3$ from paramagnetic semiconducting to a magnetic metal. These findings are discussed within the framework of Anderson metal-insulator transitions and spin fluctuations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

High-pressure specific heat technique to uncover novel states of quantum matter

AC-specific heat measurements remain as the foremost thermodynamic experimental method to underpin phase transitions in tiny samples. However, its performance under combined extreme conditions of high-pressure, very low temperature and intense magnetic fields needs to be broadly extended for investigation of quantum phase transition in strongly correlated electron systems. In this communication, we discuss the determination of specific heat on the quantum paramagnetic$-$insulator SrCu$_{2}$(BO$_{3}$)$_{2}$ by applying the AC-specific heat technique under extreme conditions. In order to apply this technique to insulating samples we sputtered a metallic thin film-heater and attached thermometer onto sample. Besides that, we performed full frequency scans with the aim to get quantitative specific heat data. Our results show that we can determine the sample heat capacity within 5$\%$ of accuracy respect to an adiabatic technique. This allows to uncover low energy scales that characterize the ground state of quantum spin entanglement in SrCu$_{2}$(BO$_{3}$)$_{2}$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Sequential localization of a complex electron fluid

Complex and correlated quantum systems with promise for new functionality often involve entwined electronic degrees of freedom. In such materials, highly unusual properties emerge and could be the result of electron localization. Here, a cubic heavy fermion metal governed by spins and orbitals is chosen as a model system for this physics. Its properties are found to originate from surprisingly simple low-energy behavior, with two distinct localization transitions driven by a single degree of freedom at a time. This result is unexpected, but we are able to understand it by advancing the notion of sequential destruction of an SU(4) spin-orbital-coupled Kondo entanglement. Our results implicate electron localization as a unified framework for strongly correlated materials and suggest ways to exploit multiple degrees of freedom for quantum engineering.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Converse effect of pressure on quadrupolar and magnetic transition in Ce$_{3}$Pd$_{20}$Si$_{6}$

The heavy fermion compound Ce$_{3}$Pd$_{20}$Si$_{6}$ displays unconventional quantum criticality as the lower of two consecutive phase transitions is fully suppressed by magnetic field. Here we report on the effects of pressure as additional tuning parameter. Specific heat and electrical resistivity measurements reveal a converse effect of pressure on the two transitions, leading to the merging of both transitions at 6.2 kbar. The field-induced quantum criticality is robust under pressure tuning. We rationalize our findings within an extended version of the global phase diagram for antiferromagnetic heavy fermion quantum criticality.

cond-mat.str-el↗