arXiv subjects

Wenshan Hong

Publications and source records attributed to Wenshan Hong.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Proximate deconfined quantum critical point in SrCu2(BO3)2

The deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP) represents a paradigm shift in quantum matter studies, presenting a "beyond Landau" scenario for order--order transitions. Its experimental realization, however, has remained elusive. Using high-pressure $^{11}$B NMR measurements on the quantum magnet SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$, we here demonstrate a magnetic-field induced plaquette-singlet to antiferromagnetic transition above 1.8 GPa at a remarkably low temperature, $T_{\rm c}\simeq 0.07$ K. First-order signatures of the transition weaken with increasing pressure, and we observe quantum critical scaling at the highest pressure, 2.4 GPa. Supported by model calculations, we suggest that these observations can be explained by a proximate DQCP inducing critical quantum fluctuations and emergent O(3) symmetry of the order parameters. Our findings take the DQCP from a theoretical concept to a concrete experimental platform.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Pseudogap and Strong Pairing Induced by Incipient and Shallow Bands in the Quasi-Two-Dimensional KCa$_{2}$Fe$_{4}$As$_{4}$F$_{2}$

The optical properties of KCa$_{2}$Fe$_{4}$As$_{4}$F$_{2}$ (K12442, $T_c = 33.5$~K) and KCa$_{2}$(Fe$_{0.95}$Ni$_{0.05}$)$_{4}$As$_{4}$F$_{2}$ (Ni-K12442, $T_c = 29$~K) have been examined at a large number of temperatures. For both samples, a nodeless superconducting gap is clearly observed in the optical conductivity at 5~K. The superconducting gap $Δ\simeq 8.7$~meV ($2Δ/k_{\text{B}}T_{c} \simeq 6.03$) in K12442, pointing towards strong-coupling Cooper pairs, but in sharp contrast, $Δ\simeq 4.6$~meV ($2Δ/k_{\text{B}}T_{c} \simeq 3.68$) in Ni-K12442, which agrees with the BCS weak-coupling pairing state. More intriguingly, below $T^{\ast} \simeq 75$~K, the optical conductivity of K12442 reveals a pseudogap that smoothly evolves into the superconducting gap below $T_{c}$, while no such behavior is detected in the electron-doped Ni-K12442. The comparison between the two samples hints that the pseudogap and strong-coupling Cooper pairs in K12442 may be intimately related to the shallow and incipient bands. We provide arguments supporting a preformed pairing mechanism of the pseudogap, but at the moment a magnetic scenario can not yet be excluded.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Common ($π$,$π$) Band Folding and Surface Reconstruction in FeAs-Based Superconductors

High resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements are carried out on CaKFe$_4$As$_4$, KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ and (Ba$_{0.6}$K$_{0.4}$)Fe$_2$As$_2$ superconductors. Clear evidence of band folding between the Brillouin zone center and corners with a ($π$,$π$) wave vector has been found from the measured Fermi surface and band structures in all the three kinds of superconductors. A dominant $\sqrt{2}\,\times\,\sqrt{2}$ surface reconstruction is observed on the cleaved surface of CaKFe$_4$As$_4$ by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements. We propose that the commonly observed $\sqrt{2}\,\times\,\sqrt{2}$ reconstruction in the FeAs-based superconductors provides a general scenario to understand the origin of the ($π$,$π$) band folding. Our observations provide new insights in understanding the electronic structure and superconductivity mechanism in iron-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Friedel Oscillations of Vortex Bound States Under Extreme Quantum Limit in KCa2Fe4As4F2

We report the observation of discrete vortex bound states with the energy levels deviating from the widely believed ratio of 1:3:5 in the vortices of an iron based superconductor KCa2Fe4As4F2 through scanning tunneling microcopy (STM). Meanwhile Friedel oscillations of vortex bound states are also observed for the first time in related vortices. By doing self-consistent calculations of Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations, we find that at extreme quantum limit, the superconducting order parameter exhibits a Friedel-like oscillation, which modifies the energy levels of the vortex bound states and explains why it deviates from the ratio of 1:3:5. The observed Friedel oscillations of the bound states can also be roughly interpreted by the theoretical calculations, however some features at high energies could not be explained. We attribute this discrepancy to the high energy bound states with the influence of nearby impurities. Our combined STM measurement and the self-consistent calculations illustrate a generalized feature of the vortex bound states in type-II superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Single particle tunneling spectroscopy and superconducting gaps in layered iron based superconductor KCa$_{2}$Fe$_{4}$As$_{4}$F$_{2}$

We perform scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy study on the layered iron based superconductor KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ with a critical temperature of about 33.5 K. Two types of terminated surfaces are generally observed after cleaving the samples in vacuum. On one commonly obtained surface, we observe a full gap feature with energy gap values close to 4.6 meV. This type of spectrum shows a clean and uniform full gap in space, which indicates the absence of gap nodes in this superconductor. Quasiparticle interference patterns have also been measured, which show no scattering patterns between the hole and tiny electron pockets, but rather an intra-band scattering pattern is observed possibly due to the hole-like $α$ pocket. The Fermi energy of this band is only about $24\pm6$ meV as derived from the energy dispersion result. Meanwhile, impurity induced bound-state peaks can be observed at about $\pm2.2$ meV on some spectra, and the peak value seems to be independent to magnetic field. On the second type of surface which is rarely obtained, the fully gapped feature can still be observed on the tunneling spectra, although multiple gaps are obtained either from a single spectrum or separate ones, and the gap values determined from coherence peaks locate mainly in the range from 4 to 8 meV. Our results clearly indicate multiple and nodeless superconducting gap nature in this layered superconductor KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$, and the superfluid is mainly contributed by the hole-like Fermi surfaces near $Γ$ point. This would inspire further consideration on the effect of the shallow and incipient bands near M point, and help to understand the pairing mechanism in this highly layered iron-based superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Extreme Suppression of Antiferromagnetic Order and Critical Scaling in a Two-Dimensional Random Quantum Magnet

Sr$_2$CuTeO$_6$ is a square-lattice Néel antiferromagnet with superexchange between first-neighbor $S=1/2$ Cu spins mediated by plaquette centered Te ions. Substituting Te by W, the affected impurity plaquettes have predominantly second-neighbor interactions, thus causing local magnetic frustration. Here we report a study of Sr$_2$CuTe$_{1-x}$W$_x$O$_6$ using neutron diffraction and $μ$SR techniques, showing that the Néel order vanishes already at $x = 0.025 \pm 0.005$. We explain this extreme order suppression using a two-dimensional Heisenberg spin model, demonstrating that a W-type impurity induces a deformation of the order parameter that decays with distance as $1/r^2$ at temperature $T=0$. The associated logarithmic singularity leads to loss of order for any $x>0$. Order for small $x>0$ and $T>0$ is induced by weak interplane couplings. In the nonmagnetic phase of Sr$_2$CuTe$_{1-x}$W$_x$O$_6$, the $μ$SR relaxation rate exhibits quantum critical scaling with a large dynamic exponent, $z \approx 3$, consistent with a random-singlet state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

A temperature-modulated dilatometer by using a piezobender-based device

We report a new design of temperature-modulated dilatometer, which obtains the linear thermal expansion coefficient by measuring the oscillating changes of the sample's length and temperature by a piezobender and a thermocouple, respectively. Using an iron-based superconductor KFe$_2$As$_2$ as an example, we show that this device is able to measure thin samples with high resolutions at low temperatures and high magnetic fields. Despite its incapability of giving absolute values, the new dilatometer provides a high-resolution method to study many important physical properties in condensed matter physics, such as thermal and quantum phase transitions, and vortex dynamics in the superconducting state. The prototype design of this device can be further improved in many aspects to meet particular requirements.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Quantum phases of SrCu2(BO3)2 from high-pressure thermodynamics

We report heat capacity measurements of SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$ under high pressure along with simulations of relevant quantum spin models and map out the $(P,T)$ phase diagram of the material. We find a first-order quantum phase transition between the low-pressure quantum dimer paramagnet and a phase with signatures of a plaquette-singlet state below T = $2$ K. At higher pressures, we observe a transition into a previously unknown antiferromagnetic state below $4$ K. Our findings can be explained within the two-dimensional Shastry-Sutherland quantum spin model supplemented by weak inter-layer couplings. The possibility to tune SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$ between the plaquette-singlet and antiferromagnetic states opens opportunities for experimental tests of quantum field theories and lattice models involving fractionalized excitations, emergent symmetries, and gauge fluctuations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Neutron spin resonance in a quasi-two-dimensional iron-based superconductor

Magnetically mediated Cooper pairing is generally regarded as a key to establish the unified mechanism of unconventional superconductivity. One crucial evidence is the neutron spin resonance arising in the superconducting state, which is commonly interpreted as a spin-exciton from collective particle-hole excitations confined below the superconducting pair-breaking gap ($2Δ$). Here, on the basis of inelastic neutron scattering measurements on a quasi-two-dimensional iron-based superconductor KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$, we have discovered a two-dimensional spin resonant mode with downward dispersions, a behavior closely resembling the low branch of the hour-glass-type spin resonance in cuprates. The resonant intensity is predominant by two broad incommensurate peaks near $Q=$(0.5, 0.5) with a sharp energy peak at $E_R=16$ meV. The overall energy dispersion of the mode exceeds the measured maximum total gap $Δ_{\rm tot}=|Δ_k|+|Δ_{k+Q}|$. These experimental results deeply challenge the conventional understanding of the resonance modes as magnetic excitons regardless of underlining pairing symmetry schemes, and it also points out that when the iron-based superconductivity becomes very quasi-two-dimensional, the electronic behaviors are similar to those in cuprates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Spectroscopic Evidence of Bilayer Splitting and Interlayer Pairing in an Iron Based Superconductor

In high temperature cuprate superconductors, the interlayer coupling between the CuO$_2$ planes plays an important role in dictating superconductivity, as indicated by the sensitive dependence of the critical temperature (T$_C$) on the number of CuO$_2$ planes in one structural unit. In Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+δ}$ superconductor with two CuO$_2$ planes in one structural unit, the interaction between the two CuO$_2$ planes gives rise to band splitting into two Fermi surface sheets (bilayer splitting) that have distinct superconducting gap. The iron based superconductors are composed of stacking of the FeAs/FeSe layers; whether the interlayer coupling can cause similar band splitting and its effect on superconductivity remain unclear. Here we report high resolution laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements on a newly discovered iron based superconductor, KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ (T$_C$=33.5\,K) which consists of stacking FeAs blocks with two FeAs layers separated by insulating Ca$_2$F$_2$ blocks. Bilayer splitting effect is observed for the first time that gives rise to totally five hole-like Fermi surface sheets around the Brilliouin zone center. Band structure calculations reproduce the observed bilayer splitting by identifying interlayer interorbital interaction between the two FeAs layers within one FeAs block. All the hole-like pockets around the zone center exhibit Fermi surface-dependent and nodeless superconducting gap. The gap functions with short-range antiferromagetic fluctuations are proposed and the gap symmetry can be well understood when the interlayer pairing is considered. The particularly strong interlayer pairing is observed for one of the bands. Our observations provide key information on the interlayer coupling and interlayer pairing in understanding superconductivity in iron based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Nonlinear uniaxial pressure dependence of $T_c$ in iron-based superconductors

We have systematically studied the effects of in-plane uniaxial pressure $p$ on the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$ in many iron-based superconductors. The change of $T_c$ with $p$ is composed of linear and nonlinear components. The latter can be described as a quadratic term plus a much smaller fourth-order term. In contrast to the linear component, the nonlinear $p$ dependence of $T_c$ displays a pronounced in-plane anisotropy, which is similar to the anisotropic response of the resistivity to $p$. As a result, it can be attributed to the coupling between the superconducting and nematic orders, in accordance with the expectations of a phenomenological Landau theory. Our results provide direct evidences for the interplay between nematic fluctuations and superconductivity, which may be a common behavior in iron-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

The effect of non-superconducting dopants (Mn, V, Cr and Cu) on the nematic fluctuations in iron-based superconductors

We have systematically studied the nematic susceptibility in non-superconducting Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$TM$_{x}$)$_2$As$_2$ (TM = Cr, Mn, V and Cu) by measuring the uniaxial pressure dependence of the resistivity along the Fe-As-Fe direction. The nematic susceptibilities in all samples show the Curie-Weiss-like behavior at high temperatures, where the nematic Curie constant $A_n$ can be derived, similar to the Curie constant in a paramagnetism. While all these dopants do not introduce superconductivity in BaFe$_2$As$_2$, their effects on nematic fluctuations are different. In Mn, Cr and V doped samples, $|A_n|$ decreases significantly with the increasing doping level. On the other hand, $|A_n|$ increases dramatically with Cu doping, similar to the superconducting Ni-doped BaFe$_2$As$_2$. However, the nematic susceptibility is suppressed at low temperatures for $x$ larger than $0.04$, which may be related to the short-range antiferromagnetic order that survives up to very high doping level. Doping Mn, Cr and Cu into the optimally-doped superconducting BaFe$_2$(As$_{0.69}$P$_{0.31}$)$_2$ also strongly reduces $|A_n|$. Compared with those systems that clearly exhibit superconductivity, such as Ni, K or P doped samples, our results suggest a strong connection between the nematic and spin degrees of freedom. Moreover, the reason of the suppression of superconductivity by dopants such as Cr, Mn, V and Cu may be correlated with the suppression of nematic fluctuations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗