arXiv subjects

Xiao-Di Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Xiao-Di Liu.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Evidence for the Meissner effect in the nickelate superconductor La3Ni2O7-delta single crystal using diamond quantum sensors

Quantum sensing with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond enables the characterization of magnetic properties in the extreme situation of tiny sample with defects. Recent studies have reported superconductivity in La3Ni2O7-delta under pressure, with zero-resistance near 80 K, though the Meissner effect remains debated due to low superconducting volume fractions and limited high-pressure magnetic measurement techniques. In this work, we use diamond quantum sensors and four-probe detection to observe both zero resistance and the Meissner effect in the same La3Ni2O7-delta single crystal. By mapping the Meissner effect, we visualized superconducting regions and revealed sample inhomogeneities. Our combined magnetic and electrical measurements on the same crystal provide dual evidence of superconductivity, supporting the high-temperature superconductivity of La3Ni2O7-delta. This study also offers insights into its structural and magnetic properties under high pressure.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Magnetic measurements under high pressure with a quantum sensor in Hexagonal Boron Nitride

Magnetic measurements under high-pressure conditions are pivotal for the study of superconductivity and magnetic materials but remain challenging due to the micrometer-sized sample in diamond anvil cells (DAC). In this study, we propose a quantum sensing approach utilizing negatively charged boron-vacancy (V$_B^-$) spin defects in two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride for high resolution magnetic measurements under pressure. The optical and spin properties of VB$^-$ defects were systematically studied under high-pressure conditions, revealing a significant pressure-induced shift in zero-field splitting (ZFS), approximately three times larger than that of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center. Furthermore, we demonstrate the pressure-dependent magnetic transition and variations in the Curie temperature of van der Waals ferromagnet Fe$_3$GeTe$_2$ flake using V$_B^-$ defects under pressures. Notably, the maximum operational pressure for V$_B^-$ defects was determined to be approximately 11 GPa, attributed to a structural phase transition in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). This work establishes the way for two-dimensional quantum sensing technologies under high-pressure environments.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Magnetic detection under high pressures using designed silicon vacancy centers in silicon carbide

Pressure-induced magnetic phase transition is attracting interest due to its ability to detect superconducting behaviour at high pressures in diamond anvil cells. However, detection of the local sample magnetic properties is a great challenge due to the small sample chamber volume. Recently, optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have been used for in-situ pressure-induced phase transition detection. However, owing to their four orientation axes and temperature-dependent zero-field-splitting, interpreting the observed ODMR spectra of NV centers remain challenging. Here, we study the optical and spin properties of implanted silicon vacancy defects in 4H-SiC, which is single-axis and temperature-independent zero-field-splitting. Using this technique, we observe the magnetic phase transition of Nd2Fe14B at about 7 GPa and map the critical temperature-pressure phase diagram of the superconductor YBa2Cu3O6.6. These results highlight the potential of silicon vacancy-based quantum sensors for in-situ magnetic detection at high pressures.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2022

Fiber-integrated silicon carbide silicon vacancy-based magnetometer

Silicon vacancy in silicon carbide has drawn much attention for various quantum sensing. However, most of the previous experiments are achieved using confocal scanning systems, which limit its applications in practical applications. In this work, we demonstrate a compact fiber-integrated silicon carbide silicon vacancy-based vector magnetometer at room temperature. First, we effectively couple the silicon vacancy in a tiny silicon carbide slice to an optical fiber tip and realize the readout of the spin signal through the fiber at the same time. We then study the optically detected magnetic resonance spectra at different laser and microwave powers, obtaining an optimized magnetic field sensitivity of 12.3 μT/Hz1/2. Based on this, the magnetometer is performed to measure the strength and polar angle of an external magnetic field, respectively. Through these experiments, we have paved the way for fiber-integrated silicon vacancy-based magnetometer applications in practical environments such as geophysics and biomedical sensing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

High-Pressure Structural Evolution of Disordered Polymeric CS$_2$

Carbon disulfide, CS$_2$, is an archetypal double-bonded molecular system belonging to the rich class of group IV-group VI, AB$_2$ compounds. It is widely and since long time believed that upon compression at several GPa a polymeric chain of type (-(C=S)-S-)$_n$ named Bridgman's black polymer will form. By combining optical spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction data with ab initio simulations, we demonstrate that the structure of the Bridgman's black polymer is remarkably different. Solid molecular CS$_2$ undergoes a pressure-induced structural transformation at around 10-11 GPa, developing a disordered polymeric system. The polymer consists of 3-fold and 4-fold coordinated carbon atoms with an average carbon coordination continuously increasing upon further compression to 40 GPa. Polymerization also gives rise to some C=C double bonds. Upon decompression, the structural changes are partially reverted, a very small amount of molecular CS$_2$ is recovered, while the sample undergoes partial chemical disproportionation. Our work uncovers the non-trivial high-pressure structural evolution in one of the simplest molecular systems exhibiting molecular as well as polymeric phases.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2020

The raman signal of a hindered rotor

We present a method for calculation of Raman modes of the quantum solid phase I solid hydrogen and deuterium. We use the mean-field assumption that the quantised excitations are localized on one molecule. This is done by explicit solution of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation in an angle-dependent potential, and direct calculation of the polarisation. We show that in the free-rotor limit, the H$_2$ and D$_2$ frequencies differ by a factor of 2, which evolves toward $\sqrt{2}$ as the modes acquire librational character due to stronger interactions. The ratio overshoots $\sqrt{2}$ if anharmonic terms weaken the harmonic potential. We also use density functional theory and molecular dynamics to calculate the E$_{2_g}$ optical phonon frequency and the Raman linewidths. The molecular dynamics shows that the molecules are not free rotors except at very low pressure and high temperature, and become like oscillators as phase II is approached. We fit the interaction strengths to experimental frequencies, but good agreement for intensities requires us to also include strong preferred-orientation and stimulated Raman effects between S$_0$(1) and S$_0$(0) contributions. The experimental Raman spectrum for phase II cannot be reproduced, showing that the mean-field assumption is invalid in that case.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Molecular and polymeric amorphous forms in dense SO$_2$

We report here a study of reversible pressure-induced structural transformation between two amorphous forms of SO$_2$: molecular at pressures below 26 GPa and polymeric above this pressure, at temperatures of 77 - 300 K. The transformation was observed by Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell. The same phenomenon was also observed in ab initio molecular dynamics simulations where both forward and reverse transitions were detected, allowing to analyze in detail the atomic structure of both phases. The high-pressure polymeric amorphous form was found to consist mainly of disordered polymeric chains made of 3-coordinated sulfur atoms connected via oxygen atoms, and few residual intact molecules. The simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data. Our observations suggest a possible existence of molecular liquid - polymeric liquid transition in SO$_2$ and show a case example of polyamorphism in system consisting of simple molecules with multiple bonds.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2017

Comment on "Observation of the Wigner-Huntington transition to metallic hydrogen"

Dias and Silvera (Letters, p. 715, 2017) claim the observation of the Wigner-Huntington transition to metallic hydrogen at 495 GPa. We show that neither the claims of the record pressure or the phase transition to a metallic state are supported by any data and contradict the authors' own unconfirmed previous results.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗