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X. H. Chen

Publications and source records attributed to X. H. Chen.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Novel electronic structure induced by a highly strained oxide interface with incommensurate crystal fields

The misfit oxide, Bi$_{2}$Ba$_{1.3}$K$_{0.6}$Co$_{2.1}$O$_{y}$, made of alternating rocksalt-structured [BiO/BaO] layers and hexagonal CoO$_{2}$ layers, was studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Detailed electronic structure of such a highly strained oxide interfaces is revealed for the first time. We found that under the two incommensurate crystal fields, electrons are confined within individual sides of the interface, and scattered by umklapp scattering of the crystal field from the other side. In addition, the high strain on the rocksalt layer raises its chemical potential and induces large charge transfer to the CoO$_{2}$ layer. Furthermore, a novel interface effects, the interfacial enhancement of electron-phonon interactions, is discovered. Our findings of these electronic properties lay a foundation for designing future functional oxide interfaces.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Common Features in Electronic Structure of the Fe-Based Layered Superconductors from Photoemission Spectroscopy

High resolution photoemission measurements have been carried out on non-superconducting LaOFeAs parent compound and various superconducting R(O1-xFx)FeAs (R=La, Ce and Pr) compounds. We found that the parent LaOFeAs compound shows a metallic character. Through extensive measurements, we have identified several common features in the electronic structure of these Fe-based compounds: (1). 0.2 eV feature in the valence band; (2). A universal 13~16 meV feature; (3). A clear Fermi cutoff showing zero leading-edge shift in the superconducting state;(4). Lack of superconducting coherence peak(s); (5). Near EF spectral weight suppression with decreasing temperature. These universal features can provide important information about band structure, superconducting gap and pseudogap in these Fe-based materials.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Doping-insensitive density-of-states suppression in polycrystalline iron-based superconductor SmO$_{1-x}$F$_{x}$FeAs

We investigated the temperature dependence of the density-of-states in the iron-based superconductor SmO_1-xF_xFeAs (x=0, 0.12, 0.15, 0.2) with high resolution angle-integrated photoemission spectroscopy. The density-of-states suppression is observed with decreasing temperature in all samples, revealing two characteristic energy scales (10meV and 80meV). However, no obvious doping dependence is observed. We argue that the 10meV suppression is due to an anomalously doping-independent normal state pseudogap, which becomes the superconducting gap once in the superconducting state; and alert the possibility that the 80meV-scale suppression might be an artifact of the polycrystalline samples.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

The BCS-like gap in superconductor SmFeAsO_0.85F_0.15

Since the discovery of superconductivity in the cuprates two decades ago, it has been firmly established that the CuO_2 plane is consequential for high T_C superconductivity and a host of other very unusual properties. A new family of superconductors with the general composition of LaFeAsO_(1-x)F_x has recently been discovered but with the conspicuous lacking of the CuO_2 planes, thus raising the tantalizing questions of the different pairing mechanisms in these oxypnictide superconductors. Intimately related to pairing in a superconductor are the superconducting gap, its value, structure, and temperature dependence. Here we report the observation of a single gap in the superconductor SmFeAsO_0.85F_0.15 with T_C = 42 K as measured by Andreev spectroscopy. The gap value of 2Delta = 13.34+/-0.3 meV gives 2Delta/k_BT_C = 3.68, close to the BCS prediction of 3.53. The gap decreases with temperature and vanishes at T_C in a manner consistent with the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) prediction but dramatically different from that of the pseudogap behavior in the cuprate superconductors. Our results clearly indicate a nodeless gap order parameter, which is nearly isotropic in size across different sections of the Fermi surface, and are not compatible with models involving antiferromagnetic fluctuations, strong correlations, t-J model, and the like, originally designed for cuprates.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Superconducting Gap and Pseudogap in Sm(O$_{1-x}$F$_x$)FeAs Layered Superconductor from Photoemission Spectroscopy

High resolution photoemission measurements have been carried out on non-superconducting SmOFeAs parent compound and superconducting Sm(O$_{1-x}$F$_x$)FeAs (x=0.12, and 0.15) compounds. The momentum-integrated spectra exhibit a clear Fermi cutoff that shows little leading-edge shift in the superconducting state which suggests the Fermi surface sheet(s) around the $Γ$ point may not be gapped in this multiband superconductors. A robust feature at 13 meV is identified in all these samples. Spectral weight suppression near E$_F$ with decreasing temperature is observed in both undoped and doped samples that points to a possible existence of a pseudogap in these Fe-based compounds.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Specific heat of the iron-based high-$T_c$ superconductor SmO$_{1-x}$F$_x$FeAs

The specific heat $C(T)$ of new iron-based high-$T_c$ superconductor SmO$_{1-x}$F$_x$FeAs ($0 \leq x \leq 0.2$) was systematically studied. For undoped $x$ = 0 sample, a specific heat jump was observed at 130 K. This is attributed to the structural or spin-density-wave (SDW) transition, which also manifests on resistivity as a rapid drop. However, this jump disappears with slight F doping in $x$ = 0.05 sample, although the resistivity drop still exists. The specific heat $C/T$ shows clear anomaly near $T_c$ for $x$ = 0.15 and 0.20 superconducting samples. Such anomaly has been absent in LaO$_{1-x}$F$_x$FeAs. For the parent compound SmOFeAs, $C(T)$ shows a sharp peak at 4.6 K, and with electron doping in $x$ = 0.15 sample, this peak shifts to 3.7 K. It is interpreted that such a sharp peak results from the antiferromagnetic ordering of Sm$^{3+}$ ions in this system, which mimics the electron-doped high-$T_c$ cuprate Sm$_{2-x}$Ce$_x$CuO$_{4-δ}$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

X-ray spectra and electronic structure of FeAs superconductors

The densities of the valence and conduction band electronic states of the newly discovered layered superconductors LaOFeAs, LaO$_{0.87}$F$_{0.13}$FeAs (Tc=26 K), SmO$_{0.95}$F$_{0.05}$FeAs and SmO$_{0.85}$F$_{0.15}$FeAs (Tc=43 K) are studied using soft X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy combined with FP LAPW calculations of LaOFeAs, LaO$_{0.875}$FeAs and LaO$_{0.875}$F${0.125}$FeAs. The Fe 3d-states are localized in energy near the top of the valence band and are partially hybridized with p-type O (2p), As (4p), and La (6p) states approximately 3 eV below the Fermi energy. The Fe L3 X-ray emission spectra do not show any features that would indicate the presence of the low Hubbard 3d-band or the quasiparticle peak that were predicted by the DMFT analysis of LaOFeAs. We can conclude that the LaOFeAs-type compounds do not represent strongly correlated systems. When either oxygen vacancies or fluorine dopants are included in numerical electronic structure calculations the width of O 2p-band decreases, but the distribution of Fe 3d-states is largely unaffected.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Superconducting energy gap and c-axis plasma frequency of (Nd,Sm)O0.82F0.18FeAs superconductors from infrared ellipsometry

We present ellipsometric measurements of the far-infrared dielectric response of polycrystalline samples of the new pnictide superconductor RO0.82F0.18FeAs (R=Nd and Sm). We find evidence that the electronic properties are strongly anisotropic such that the optical spectra are dominated by the weakly conducting c-axis response similar as in the cuprate high-temperature superconductors (HTSC). Accordingly, we obtain an upper limit of the c-axis superconducting plasma frequency of $ω_{{\rm pl},c}^{\rm SC}\leq 260\cm$ which corresponds to a lower limit of the c-axis magnetic penetration depth of $λ_c\geq6\mum$ and an anisotropy of $λ_c/λ_{ab}\geq 30$ as compared to $λ_{ab}=185$ nm from muon spin rotation [A. Drew {\it et al.}, arXiv:0805.1042]. Also in analogy to the cuprate HTSC, our spectra exhibit the signatures of a gap-like suppression of the conductivity in the superconducting state with a large gap magnitude of $2Δ\approx300\cm$ (37 meV) and a ratio of $2Δ/k_{\rm B}\tc\approx8$ that is suggestive of strong coupling.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Phase Diagram and Quantum Critical Point in Newly Discovered Superconductors: SmO_{1-x}F_xFeAs

The magnetic fluctuations associated with a quantum critical point (QCP) are widely believed to cause the non-Fermi liquid behaviors and unconventional superconductivities, for example, in heavy fermion systems and high temperature cuprate superconductors. Recently, superconductivity has been discovered in iron-based layered compound $LaO_{1-x}F_xFeAs$ with $T_c$=26 K\cite{yoichi}, and it competes with spin-density-wave (SDW) order\cite{dong}. Neutron diffraction shows a long-rang SDW-type antiferromagnetic (AF) order at $\sim 134$ K in LaOFeAs\cite{cruz,mcguire}. Therefore, a possible QCP and its role in this system are of great interests. Here we report the detailed phase diagram and anomalous transport properties of the new high-Tc superconductors $SmO_{1-x}F_xFeAs$ discovered by us\cite{chenxh}. It is found that superconductivity emerges at $x\sim$0.07, and optimal doping takes place in the $x\sim$0.20 sample with highest $T_c \sim $54 K. While $T_c$ increases monotonically with doping, the SDW order is rapidly suppressed, suggesting a QCP around $x \sim$0.14. As manifestations, a linear temperature dependence of the resistivity shows up at high temperatures in the $x<0.14$ regime, but at low temperatures just above $T_c$ in the $x>0.14$ regime; a drop in carrier density evidenced by a pronounced rise in Hall coefficient are observed, which mimic the high-$T_c$ cuprates. The simultaneous occurrence of order, carrier density change and criticality makes a compelling case for a quantum critical point in this system.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Neutron scattering study of the oxypnictide superconductor La(O,F)FeAs

The newly discovered superconductor La(O,F)FeAs (Tc = 26 K) was investigated using the neutron scattering technique. No spin-density-wave (SDW) order was observed in the normal state nor in the superconducting state, both with and without an applied magnetic field of 9 T, consistent with the proposal that SDW and superconductivity are competing in the laminar materials. While our inelastic measurements offer no constraints on the spin dynamic response from d-wave pairing, an upper limit for the magnetic resonance peak predicted from an extended s-wave pairing mechanism is provided. Our measurements also support the energy scale of the calculated phonon spectrum which is used in electron-phonon coupling theory, and fails to produce the high observed Tc.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Angle integrated photoemission study of SmO$_{0.85}$F$_{0.15}$FeAs

The electronic structure of the new superconductor, SmO$_{1-x}$F$_x$FeAs ($x=0.15$), has been studied by angle-integrated photoemission spectroscopy. Our data show a sharp feature very close to the Fermi energy, and a relative flat distribution of the density of states between 0.5 eV and 3 eV binding energy, which agrees best with band structure calculations considering an antiferromagnetic ground state. No noticeable gap opening was observed at 12 Kelvin below the superconducting transition temperature, indicating the existence of large ungapped regions in the Brillouin zone.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Superconductivity at 43 K in Samarium-arsenide Oxides $SmFeAsO_{1-x}F_x$

Since the discovery of high-transition temperature ($T_c$) superconductivity in layered copper oxides, extensive efforts have been devoted to explore the higher $T_c$ superconductivity. However, the $T_c$ higher than 40 K can be obtained only in the copper oxide superconductors so far. The highest reported value of $T_c$ for non-copper-oxide bulk superconductivity is 39 K in $MgB_2$.\cite{jun} The $T_c$ of about 40 K is close to or above the theoretical value predicted from BCS theory.\cite{mcmillan} Therefore, it is very significant to search for non-copper oxide superconductor with the transition temperature higher than 40 K to understand the mechanism of high-$T_c$ superconductivity. Here we report the discovery of bulk superconductivity in samarium-arsenide oxides $SmFeAsO_{1-x}F_x$ with ZrCuAiAs type structure. Resistivity and magnetization measurements show strong evidences for transition temperature as high as 43 K. $SmFeAsO_{1-x}F_x$ is the first non-copper oxide superconductor with $T_c$ higher than 40 K. The $T_c$ higher than 40 K may be a strong argument to consider $SmFeAsO_{1-x}F_x$ as an unconventional superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Low-temperature phonon thermal conductivity of cuprate single crystals

The effect of sample size and surface roughness on the phonon thermal conductivity $κ_p$ of Nd$_2$CuO$_4$ single crystals was studied down to 50 mK. At 0.5 K, $κ_p$ is proportional to $\sqrt{A}$, where $A$ is the cross-sectional area of the sample. This demonstrates that $κ_p$ is dominated by boundary scattering below 0.5 K or so. However, the expected $T^3$ dependence of $κ_p$ is not observed down to 50 mK. Upon roughing the surfaces, the $T^3$ dependence is restored, showing that departures from $T^3$ are due to specular reflection of phonons off the mirror-like sample surfaces. We propose an empirical power law fit, to $κ_p \sim T^α$ (where $α< 3$) in cuprate single crystals. Using this method, we show that recent thermal conductivity studies of Zn doping in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_y$ re-affirm the universal heat conductivity of d-wave quasiparticles at $T \to 0$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Transport properties and magnetic field induced localization in the misfit cobaltite [Bi$_2$Ba$_{1.3}$K$_{0.6}$Co$_{0.1}$]$^{RS}$[CoO$_2$]$_{1.97}$ single crystal

Resistivity under magnetic field, thermopower and Hall coefficient are systematically studied for [Bi$_2$Ba$_{1.3}$K$_{0.6}$Co$_{0.1}$]$^{RS}$[CoO$_2$]$_{1.97}$ single crystal. In-plane resistivity ($ρ_{ab}$(T)) shows metallic behavior down to 2 K with a $T^2$ dependence below 30 K; while out-of-plane resistivity ($ρ_{c}(T)$) shows metallic behavior at high temperature and a thermal activation semiconducting behavior below about 12 K. Striking feature is that magnetic field induces a ln(1/$T$) diverging behavior in both $ρ_{ab}$ and $ρ_{c}(T)$ at low temperature. The positive magnetoresistance (MR) could be well fitted by the formula based on multi-band electronic structure. The ln(1/$T$) diverging behavior in $ρ_{ab}$ and $ρ_{c}(T)$ could arise from the magnetic-field-induced 2D weak localization or spin density wave.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Intergrowth and thermoelectric properties in the Bi-Ca-Co-O system

Single crystals of the Bi-Ca-Co-O system have been grown using the flux method with cooling from 900$\celsius$ and 950$\celsius$, respectively. The single crystals are characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The misfit cobaltite [Ca$_2$Bi$_{1.4}$Co$_{0.6}$O$_4$]$^{RS}$[CoO$_2$]$_{1.69}$ single crystals with quadruple ($n$=4) rocksalt (RS) layer are achieved with cooling from 900$\celsius$. Such crystal exhibits room-temperature thermoelectric power (TEP) of 180$μ$V/K, much larger than that in Sr-based misfit cobaltites with quadruple RS layer. However, intergrowth of single crystals of quadruple ($n$=4) and triple ($n$=3) RS-type layer-based misfit cobaltites is observed with cooling from 950$\celsius$. Both of TEP and resistivity were obviously enhanced by the intergrowth compared to [Ca$_2$Bi$_{1.4}$Co$_{0.6}$O$_4$]$^{RS}$[CoO$_2$]$_{1.69}$ single crystal, while the power factor at room temperature remains unchanged.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Evolution of the Electronic Structure of 1T-CuxTiSe2

The electronic structure of a new charge-density-wave/ superconductor system, 1T-CuxTiSe2, has been studied by photoemission spectroscopy. A correlated semiconductor band structure is revealed for the undoped case. With Cu doping, the charge density wave is suppressed by the raising of the chemical potential, while the superconductivity is enhanced by the enhancement of the density of states. Moreover, the strong scattering at high doping might be responsible for the suppression of superconductivity in that regime.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Optical study of the charge-density-wave mechanism in 2$H$-TaS$_2$ and Na$_x$TaS$_2$

We report an optical study of transition metal dichalcogenide 2$H$-TaS$_2$ and Na intercalated superconductor Na$_x$TaS$_2$ over a broad frequency range at various temperatures. A clear gap feature was observed for 2$H$-TaS$_2$ when it undergoes a CDW transition. The existence of a Drude component in $σ$$_1$($ω$) below T$_{CDW}$ indicates that the Fermi surface of 2$H$-TaS$_2$ is only partially gapped in CDW state. The spectral evolution of two different Na$_x$TaS$_2$ crystals further confirms that the partial gap structure observed in 2$H$-TaS$_2$ has a CDW origin. The CDW mechanism for 2$H$-TaS$_2$, the competition between CDW and superconductivity in Na$_x$TaS$_2$ system are discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Transport properties in Cu$_{x}$TiSe$_{2}$ (0.015$\leq$x$\leq$0.110) Single Crystal

Transport properties are systematically studied for the single crystals Cu$_{x}$TiSe$_{2}$ (0.015$\leq$x$\leq$0.110). Both of in-plane and out-of-plane resistivity show the coexistence of superconducting transition and charge density wave (CDW) for the single crystals with $x \leq 0.025$. After CDW state is completely suppressed around x=0.055, the superconductivity is apparently enhanced by Cu doping. No superconducting transition is observed above 1.8 K for Cu$_{0.11}$TiSe$_{2}$. Anisotropy in resistivity increases with increasing Cu content, and is nearly $T$-independent. CDW state has a strong effect on Hall coefficient and thermopower. A large thermopower, comparable to the triangle lattice $NaxCoO_2$, is observed in Cu$_{x}$TiSe$_{2}$. Intercalation of Cu induces a negative MR due to the interaction between conducting carries and localized magnetic moments.

cond-mat.supr-con↗