arXiv subjects

W. Tong

Publications and source records attributed to W. Tong.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Absence of high-field spin supersolid phase in Rb$_2$Co(SeO$_3$)$_2$ with a triangular lattice

Magnetization, torque magnetometry, specific heat and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are used to study the high field intermediate phase between the 1/3-magnetization plateau and polarized state in the quantum Ising antiferromagnet Rb$_2$Co(SeO$_3$)$_2$ with a triangular lattice. The magnetic phase diagram with the magnetic field up to 30 T is mapped by the comprehensive experimental data. The "up-up-down" (UUD) spin configuration of the 1/3-magnetization plateau state is identified by NMR spectral analysis. At higher magnetic fields, this UUD structure persist to the intermediate phase, which is finally destroyed in the polarized state. This observation supplies unambiguous spectroscopic evidence for the absence of proposed high field spin supersolid phase. The high-field phase diagram of this quantum magnet proximate to the Ising-anisotropy limit contradicts with that proposed by theoretical studies.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Topologically nontrivial $1/3$-magnetization plateau state in a spin-1/2 trimer chain

Topologically nontrivial Haldane phase is theoretically proposed to be realized in the 1/3-magnetization ($M$) plateau of spin-1/2 trimer systems. However, the spin excitation gap, typical characteristic of Haldane phase, is not yet experimentally verified. Here, we report the nuclear magnetic resonance investigations into the low-energy spin dynamics in the $S=1/2$ spin-trimer antiferromagnetic chain compound Na$_2$Cu$_3$Ge$_{4-x}$Si$_{x}$O$_{12}$ ($x=0, 0.1\sim1.5$). In the parent compound ($x=0$), the spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/$T_1$) shows significantly different temperature dependence when the external magnetic field is increased above the critical field of $\mu_0$$H_{c}$ = 29 T. The spin excitation gap is evidenced from the thermally activated behavior of $1/T_1(T)$ in the 1/3-$M$ plateau state. By substituting Ge$^{4+}$ with Si$^{4+}$, the critical field for the 1/3-$M$ plateau significantly decreases, e.g. $\mu_0H_{c}=17$ T in $x=1.0$ samples, which results from the suppressed inter-trimer coupling $J_2$. The gapped spin excitation is confirmed again above 17 T, whose size shows temperature-dependent behavior for $\mu_0H\geq25.72$ T. These observations provide further insights into the Haldane physics.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

High-field NMR study of the spin correlations in the spin-cluster mineral Na$_2$Cu$_3$O(SO$_4$)$_3$

We report NMR study on the spin correlations in the spin-cluster based mineral Na$_2$Cu$_3$O(SO$_4$)$_3$ with magnetic fields ranged from 1 T to 33 T. The long-range magnetic order is observed from both the sudden spectral broadening at $T_N$ and critical slowing down behavior in the temperature dependence of spin-lattice relaxation rates ($1/T_1(T)$). The hump behavior of $1/T_1(T)$ persists to $\mu_0H=7.25$ T, above which a spin excitation gap is observed from the thermally activated temperature dependence of $1/T_1$. The gap size shows a linear field dependence, whose slope and intercept respectively yield an effective magnetic moment of 2.54 $\mu_B$ and a 0.94 meV spin excitation gap under zero magnetic field. These results indicate the existence of short-range order and prominent easy-plane spin anisotropy, which are important for understanding the spin excitation spectrum in A$_2$Cu$_3$O(SO$_4$)$_3$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Incommensurate magnetic order in Sm$_3$BWO$_9$ with the distorted kagome lattice

We investigate the magnetic ground state of Sm$_3$BWO$_9$ with the distorted kagome lattice. A magnetic phase transition is identified at $T_N=0.75$ K from the temperature dependence of specific heat. From $^{11}$B nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, an incommensurate magnetic order is shown by the double-horn type spectra under a $c$-axis magnetic field. While, absence of line splitting is observed for field oriented within the $ab$-plane, indicating the incommensurate modulation of the internal field strictly along $c$-axis. From the spin dynamics, the critical slowing down behavior is observed in the temperature dependence of $1/T_1$ with $\mu_0H\perp c$-axis, which is completely absent in that with $\mu_0H||c$-axis. Based on the local symmetry of $^{11}$B sites, we analyze the hyperfine coupling tensors and propose two constraints on the possible magnetic structure. The single ion anisotropy should play an important role in the determination of the contrasting ground states of Sm$_3$BWO$_9$ and Pr$_3$BWO$_9$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Local evidence for collective spin excitations in the distorted kagome antiferromagnet Pr$_3$BWO$_9$

We report the local probe investigation of a frustrated antiferromagnet Pr$_3$BWO$_9$ with the distorted kagome lattice. Absence of magnetic order or spin freezing is indicated by the spectral analysis down to 0.3 K and specific heat measurements down to 0.09 K. The Knight shifts show an upturn behavior with the sample cooling down, which is further suppressed by external field. For the spin dynamics, gapped spin excitation is observed from the temperature dependence of spin-lattice relaxation rates, with the gap size proportional to the applied magnetic field intensity. Comparatively, an unexpected sharp peak is observed in the nuclear spin-spin relaxation rate data at $T^*\sim 4-5$ K. These results indicate an unconventional persistent fluctuating paramagnetic ground state with antiferromagnetic collective spin excitations in the strongly frustrated spin system.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

The orbital effect on the anomalous magnetism and evolution in La$_x$Y$_{1-x}$VO$_3$($0\le x \le 0.2$) single crystals

The orbital effect on the anomalous magnetism and evolution of low La-doping single crystals, La$_x$Y$_{1-x}$VO$_{3}$ (x = 0, 0.1, and 0.2), has been investigated by applying the X-ray diffraction, specific heat, magnetization and Raman scattering techniques. The larger nearest-neighbor (NN) exchange interaction along c-axis stabilizes the fluctuant G-type orbital ordering (G-OO) which favors the exotic C-type antiferromagnetic order (C-AF). It is found that the NN exchange interaction in ab plane is anisotropy relating to the in plane magnetic anisotropy, which becomes smaller in high La-doped sample. Most interestingly, with increasing the La$^{3+}$ content the orbital fluctuation and hybridization are decreased which stabilizes the C-OO phase and destabilizes the G-OO phase. Meanwhile, the diamagnetism in the exotic C-AF phase becomes weak and the possible mechanism relates to the change of the competition between the single-ion magnetic anisotropy and the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya (DM) interaction with increasing x. Finally, the strong spin-orbital coupling has been observed at temperature just above T$_N$ in La$_{0.2}$Y$_{0.8}$VO$_{3}$ and a short range spin-orbital correlation is suggested.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Frustration induced non-Curie-Weiss paramagnetism in La3Ir3O11: a fractional-valence-state iridate

Experimental and theoretical studies are performed on La3Ir3O11, an iridate hosting a +4.33 fractional valence state for Ir ions and a three-dimensional frustrated structure composed of edge-shared Ir2O10 dimers. These features are expected to enhance inter-site hoppings and reduce magnetic moments of Ir ions. However, a spin-orbit driven Mott insulating transport is observed, which is supported by our first principles calculations. Most importantly, geometrical frustration and competing interactions result in a non-Curie-Weiss paramagnetic ground state, revealing no magnetic order down to 2 K. This unusual state is further demonstrated by a theoretical modeling process, suggesting a possible candidate for the spin liquid state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Observation of charge density wave transition in TaSe3 mesowires

The quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) TaSe3 attracts considerable attention for its intriguing superconductivity and possible interplay with nontrivial topology and charge density wave (CDW) state. However, unlike the isostructural analogues, CDW has not been observed for TaSe3 despite its quasi-1D character that is supposed to promote Peierls instabilities and CDW. Here we synthesize TaSe3 mesowires (MWs) using a one-step approach. For the MW of ~300 nm thick, a distinct CDW transition occurs at 65 K in the resistivity measurement, which has not been reported before and is further evidenced by the Raman characterization and susceptibility measurement. For comparison, we have also prepared bulk single crystal TaSe3. Although no anomaly appears in the resistivity and magnetoresistance measurements, the carrier type detected by Hall effect varies from n-type to p-type below 50 K, suggesting a reconstruction of Fermi surface that could be associated with CDW. The enhancement of CDW in the MWs is attributed to the reduced dimensionality. TaSe3 is demonstrated to be a promising platform to study the correlation and competition of CDW and superconductivity in the quasi-1D systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Current jetting distorted planar Hall effect in a Weyl semimetal with ultrahigh mobility

A giant planar Hall effect (PHE) and anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) is observed in TaP, a nonmagnetic Weyl semimetal with ultrahigh mobility. The perpendicular resistivity (i.e., the planar magnetic field applied normal to the current) far exceeds the zero-field resistivity, which thus rules out the possible origin of negative longitudinal magnetoresistance. The giant PHE/AMR is finally attributed to the large anisotropic orbital magnetoresistance that stems from the ultrahigh mobility. Furthermore, the mobility-enhanced current jetting effects are found to strongly deform the line shape of the curves, and their evolution with the changing magnetic field and temperature is also studied. Although the giant PHE/AMR suggests promising applications in spintronics, the enhanced current jetting shows the other side of the coin, which needs to be considered in the future device design.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Origin of planar Hall effect in type-II Weyl semimetal MoTe2

Besides the negative longitudinal magnetoresistance (MR), planar Hall effect (PHE) is a newly emerging experimental tool to test the chiral anomaly or nontrivial Berry curvature in Weyl semimetals (WSMs). However, the origins of PHE in various systems are not fully distinguished and understood. Here we perform a systematic study on the PHE and anisotropic MR (AMR) of Td-MoTe2, a type-II WSM. Although the PHE and AMR curves can be well fitted by the theoretical formulas, we demonstrate that the anisotropic resistivity arises from the orbital MR (OMR), instead of the negative MR as expected in the chiral anomaly effect. In contrast, the absence of negative MR indicates that the large OMR dominates over the chiral anomaly effect. This explains why it is difficult to measure negative MR in type-II WSMs. We argue that the measured PHE can be related with the chiral anomaly only when the negative MR is simultaneously observed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Topological semimetal state and field-induced Fermi surface reconstruction in antiferromagnetic monopnictide NdSb

We report the experimental realization of Dirac semimetal state in NdSb, a material with antiferromagnetic ground state. The occurrence of topological semimetal state has been well supported by our band structure calculations and the experimental observation of chiral anomaly induced negative magnetoresistance. A field-induced Fermi surface reconstruction is observed, in response to the change of spin polarization. The observation of topological semimetal state in a magnetic material provides an opportunity to investigate the magneto-topological phenomena.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Critical behavior of two-dimensional intrinsically ferromagnetic semiconductor CrI3

CrI3, which belongs to a rare category of two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic semiconductors, is of great interest for spintronic device applications. Unlike CrCl3 whose magnetism presents a 2D-Heisenberg behavior, CrI3 exhibits a larger van der Waals gap, smaller cleavage energy, and stronger magnetic anisotropy which could lead to a 3D magnetic characteristic. Hence, we investigate the critical behavior of CrI3 in the vicinity of magnetic transition. We use the modified Arrott plot and Kouvel-Fisher method, and conduct critical isotherm analysis to estimate the critical exponents near the ferromagnetic phase transition. This shows that the magnetism of CrI3 follows the crossover behavior of a 3D-Ising model with mean field type interactions where the critical exponents \b{eta}, γ, and δ are 0.323, 0.835, and 3.585, respectively, at the Curie temperature of 64 K. We propose the crossover behavior can be attributed to the strong uniaxial anisotropy and inevitable interlayer coupling. Our experiment demonstrates the applicability of crossover behavior to a 2D ferromagnetic semiconductor.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Magnetoelectric and Raman spectroscopic studies of single-crystalline MnCr2O4

MnCr2O4 that exhibits spin frustration and complex spiral spin order is of great interest from both fundamental as well as application-oriented perspectives. Unlike CoCr2O4 whose ground state presents the coexistence of commensurate spiral spin order (CSSO) and ferroelectric order, MnCr2O4 shows no multiferroicity. One reason is that the spiral spin order is highly sensitive to the oxygen concentration in MnCr2O4. Here, we have successfully grown high-quality single-crystalline MnCr2O4 by the chemical vapor transport method. We observe a new first-order magnetic transition from the incommensurate spiral spin order (ICSSO) at 19.4 K to the CSSO at 17.4 K. This magnetic transition is verified by magnetization, specific heat, and magnetoelectric measurements, which also confirm that the ground state exhibits the coexistence of the CSSO and magnetoelectricity below 17.4 K. Interestingly, the temperature evolution of Raman spectra between 5.4 and 300 K suggests that the structure remains the same. We also find that the phase-transition temperature of the CSSO decreases as applied magnetic field increases up to 45 kOe.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Magnetic order and spin-orbit coupled Mott state in double perovskite (La$_{1-x}$Sr$_x$)$_2$CuIrO$_6$

Double-perovskite oxides that contain both 3d and 5d transition metal elements have attracted growing interest as they provide a model system to study the interplay of strong electron interaction and large spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Here, we report on experimental and theoretical studies of the magnetic and electronic properties of double-perovskites (La$_{1-x}$Sr$_x$)$_2$CuIrO$_6$ ($x$ = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3). The undoped La$_2$CuIrO$_6$ undergoes a magnetic phase transition from paramagnetism to antiferromagnetism at T$_N$ $\sim$ 74 K and exhibits a weak ferromagnetic behavior below $T_C$ $\sim$ 52 K. Two-dimensional magnetism that was observed in many other Cu-based double-perovskites is absent in our samples, which may be due to the existence of weak Cu-Ir exchange interaction. First-principle density-functional theory (DFT) calculations show canted antiferromagnetic (AFM) order in both Cu$^{2+}$ and Ir$^{4+}$ sublattices, which gives rise to weak ferromagnetism. Electronic structure calculations suggest that La$_2$CuIrO$_6$ is an SOC-driven Mott insulator with an energy gap of $\sim$ 0.3 eV. Sr-doping decreases the magnetic ordering temperatures ($T_N$ and $T_C$) and suppresses the electrical resistivity. The high temperatures resistivity can be fitted using a variable-range-hopping model, consistent with the existence of disorders in these double-pervoskite compounds.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Spin dynamics, electronic and thermal transport properties of two-dimensional CrPS4 single crystal

2-Dimensional (2D) CrPS4 single crystals have been grown by the chemical vapor transport method. The crystallographic, magnetic, electronic and thermal transport properties of the single crystals were investigated by the room-temperature X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity \r{ho}(T), specific heat CP(T) and the electronic spin response (ESR) measurements. CrPS4 crystals crystallize into a monoclinic structure. The electrical resistivity \r{ho}(T) shows a semiconducting behavior with an energy gap Ea=0.166 eV. The antiferromagntic (AFM) transition temperature is about TN=36 K. The spin flipping induced by the applied magnetic field is observed along the c axis. The magnetic phase diagram of CrPS4 single crystal has been discussed. The extracted magnetic entropy at TN is about 10.8 J/mol K, which is consistent with the theoretical value R ln(2S + 1) for S = 3/2 of the Cr3+ ion. Based on the mean-field theory, the magnetic exchange constants J1 and Jc corresponding to the interactions of the intralayer and between layers are about 0.143 meV and -0.955 meV are obtained based on the fitting of the susceptibility above TN, which agree with the results obtained from the ESR measurements. With the help of the strain for tuning the magnetic properties, monolayer CrPS4 may be a promising candidate to explore 2D magnetic semiconductors.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Unusual ferromagnetic critical behavior owing to short-range antiferromagnetic correlations in antiperovskite Cu1-xNMn3+x(0.1<x<0.4)

For ferromagnets, varying from simple metals to strongly correlated oxides,the critical behaviors near the Curie temperature (TC) can be grouped into several universal classes. In this paper, we report an unusual critical behavior in manganese nitrides Cu1-xNMn3+x(0.1<x<0.4). Although the critical behavior below TC can be well described by mean field (MF) theory, robust critical fluctuations beyond the expectations of any universal classes are observed above TC in x=0.1. The critical fluctuations become weaker when x increases, and the MF-like critical behavior is finally restored at x=0.4. In addition, the paramagnetic susceptibility of all the samples deviates from the Curie-Weiss (CW) law just above TC. This deviation is gradually smeared as x increases. The short-range antiferromagnetic ordering above TC revealed by our electron spin resonance measurement explains both the unusual critical behavior and the breakdown of the CW law.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Tunable negative thermal expansion related with the gradual evolution of antiferromagnetic ordering in antiperovskite manganese nitrides Ag1-xNMn3+x (0<x<0.6)

The thermal expansion and magnetic properties of antiperovskite manganese nitrides Ag1-xNMn3+x were reported. The substitution of Mn for Ag effectively broadens the temperature range of negative thermal expansion and drives it to cryogenic temperatures. As x increases, the paramagnetic (PM) to antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase transition temperature (TN) decreases. At x~0.2, the PM-AFM transition overlaps with the AFM to glass-like state transition. Above x=0.2, two new distinct magnetic transitions were observed: one occurs above room temperature from PM to ferromagnetic (FM), and the other one evolves at a lower temperature (T*) below which both AFM and FM orderings are involved. Further electron spin resonance measurement suggests that the broadened volume change near T* is closely related with the evolution of Γ5g AFM ordering.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Study of negative thermal expansion in the frustrated spinel ZnCr2Se4

The origin of negative thermal expansion (NTE) in the bond frustrated ZnCr2Se4 has been explored. ESR and FTIR document an ideal paramagnetic state above 100 K, below which ferromagnetic clusters coexist with the paramagnetic state down to TN. By fitting the inverse susceptibility above 100 K using a modified paramagnetic Curie-Weiss law, an exponentially changeable exchange integral J is deduced. In the case of the variable J, magnetic exchange and lattice elastic energy couple with each other effectively via magnetoelastic interaction in the ferromagnetic clusters, where NTE occurs at a loss of exchange energy while a gain of lattice elastic one.

cond-mat.str-el↗