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Y. M. Galperin

Publications and source records attributed to Y. M. Galperin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Coexistence of two hole phases in high-quality $p$-GaAs/AlGaAs in the vicinity of Landau level filling factors $ν$=1 and $ν$=(1/3)

We focused on the transverse AC magneto-conductance of a high mobility $p$-GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well ($p=1.2\times 10^{11}$~cm$^{-2}$) in the vicinity of two values of the Landau level filling factor $ν$: $ν=1$ (integer quantum Hall effect) and $ν=1/3$ (fractional quantum Hall effect). The complex transverse AC conductance, $σ_{xx}^{AC} (ω)$, was found from simultaneous measurements of attenuation and velocity of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) propagating along the interface between a piezoelectric crystal and the two-dimensional hole system under investigation. We analyzed both the real and imaginary parts of the hole conductance and compared the similarities and differences between the results for filling factor 1 and filling factor 1/3. Both to the left and to the right of these values maxima of a specific shape, "wings", arose in the $σ(ν)$ dependences at those two $ν$. Analysis of the results of our acoustic measurements at different temperatures and surface acoustic wave frequencies allowed us to attribute these wings to the formation of collective localized states, namely the domains of a pinned Wigner crystal, i.e., a Wigner solid. While the Wigner solid has been observed in 2D hole systems previously, we were able to detect 20 it at the highest hole density and, therefore, the lowest hole-hole interaction reported.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Measurement of critical current flow and connectivity in systems of joined square superconducting plates

A method to measure the electrical connectivity between square superconducting plates joined by weak link interfaces is presented. It is based on observation of lines where the flow of critical current abruptly changes direction due to the presence of weak links, and the confinement created by the shape of the sample. The method is demonstrated using magneto-optical imaging (MOI) of systems consisting of up to 2 X 2 plates joined to form a larger square. Common features are found in the current flow patterns, which allow to measure the electrical connectivity between the plates by observing an angle between pairs of lines indicating where the current abruptly changes flow direction, so-called discontinuity, or d-lines. The samples used in this study are Nb films with weak links created by focused ion beam machining.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Concise guide for electronic topological transitions

In this short review we pass through the milestones in the studies of the electronic topological transitions (ETT) and focus on some recent applications of the ideas worked out in their classical theory. These are: two-dimensional electron systems, de Haas-van Alphen effect, classification of ETT in multidimensional systems, superconductivity in systems close to ETT, thermoelectricity in heavy-fermion systems, where the cascades of topological changes of Fermi surface (FS) are generated by magnetic field. The history of studies of ETT is inextricably linked with Kharkov school of condensed matter physics, with such names as I.M. Lifshitz, V.G.Bar'yakhtar and many other. Among them is Moisey Isaakovich Kaganov, who contributed much in studies of the role of geometry and topology of FS in physical properties of the metals. Two of the authors (A.V. and Y.G.) had a honor and pleasure to work with "Musik", as all friends called Kaganov; all of us have been learning the niceties of science from his books. "The Fermi surface is the stage on which the drama of the life of the electron is played out" wrote Kaganov and Lifshitz. We devote this work to their memory.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Proposed Model of the Giant Thermal Hall Effect in Two-Dimensional Superconductors: An Extension to the Superconducting Fluctuations Regime

We extend the thermodynamic approach for the description of the thermal Hall effect in the vicinity of a superconducting phase transition, in the fluctuation dominated regime. We show that the Hall heat conductivity is proportional to the product of temperature derivatives of the chemical potential and of the magnetization of the system. We argue that the latter derivative shows the strong singularity in the vicinity of the phase transition, while the former does not contain the characteristic for fermionic systems smallness (T /EF ), what additionally increases the effect. We derive the analytical formula predicting the temperature dependence of the thermal Hall conductivity in the vicinity of the critical temperature for different magnetic fields. Moreover, we study the phenomenon in the regime of quantum fluctuations, in the vicinity of the second critical field and at very low temperatures. We demonstrate how it fades away in a full agreement with the third law of thermodynamics. The developed approach qualitatively explains the recently observed giant thermal Hall effect in cuprates [1].

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Dynamic thermal relaxation in metallic films at sub-kelvin temperatures

The performance of low temperature detectors utilizing thermal effects is determined by their energy relaxation properties. Usually, heat transport experiments in mesoscopic structures are carried out in the steady-state, where temperature gradients do not change in time. Here, we present an experimental study of dynamic thermal relaxation in a mesoscopic system -- thin metallic film. We find that the thermal relaxation of hot electrons in copper and silver films is characterized by several time constants, and that the annealing of the films changes them. In most cases, two time constants are observed, and we can model the system by introducing an additional thermal reservoir coupled to the film electrons. We determine the specific heat of this reservoir and its coupling to the electrons. The experiments point at the importance of grain structure on the thermal relaxation of electrons in metallic films.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Electromagnetic radiation detectors based on Josephson junctions: Effective Hamiltonian

We theoretically analyze two setups of low energy single-photon counters based on Josephson junctions (JJ). For this, we propose two simple and general models, based on the macroscopic quantum tunneling formalism (MQT). The first setup is similar to the photon counter based on the "cold electron bolometer" (CEB), where the JJ replaces the CEB in the center of the superconducting antenna. In the second setup, the JJ is capacitively coupled to the antenna. We derive the Hamiltonians for the two setups and we write the Schrödinger equations taking into account both, the antenna and the JJ. The quantum particles of the MQT models are in two-dimensional potential landscapes, which are parabolic along one direction and may have the form of a washboard potential along another direction. Such a potential landscape has a series of local minima, separated by saddle points. If the particle is prepared in the initial state in the metastable "ground state" of a local minimum, then the photon absorption causes it to jump into an excited state. If the excitation energy is bigger than the potential barrier seen by the quantum particle (the difference between the "ground state" and the saddle point), the photon is detected. The models are simple and allow us to do mostly analytical calculations. We show that the two setups are equivalent form the MQT point of view, since one Hamiltonian can be transformed into the other by changes of variables. For typical values of the JJ and antenna parameters, the setups may work as counters of photons of wavelengths up to 1 cm, at least.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Composite fermions in a wide quantum well in the vicinity of the filling factor 1/2

Using acoustic method we study dependences of transverse AC conductance, $σ(ω)$, on magnetic field, temperature and the amplitude of AC electric field in a wide (75 nm) quantum well (QW) structure focusing on the vicinity of the filling factor $ν=1/2$. Measurements are performed in the frequency domain 30-307 MHz and in the temperature domain 20-500 mK. Usually, in wide QW structures closely to $ν=1/2$ the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) regime is realized at some parameters of the sample. However, in our structure, at $ν=1/2$ it is a compressible state corresponding to gas of composite fermions which is observed. This is confirmed by apparent frequency independence and weakly decreasing temperature dependence of $\mathrm{Re}\, σ(ω)$. Comparing the dependences of this quantity on temperature and power of the acoustic wave we conclude that the observed nonlinear behavior of the conductance is compatible with heating of the composite fermions by the acoustic wave. For comparison, we also study the vicinity of $ν= 3/2$ where the FQHE regime is clearly observed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Coulomb blockade-tuned indirect exchange in ferromagnetic nanostructures

We develop a theory of the reversible switching of the magnetic state of the ferromagnet-insulator-normal metalferromagnet (FINF) nanostructure. The switching is controlled by tuning the Coulomb blockade strength via the gate voltage on the normal metal granule. The proposed mechanism allows for realizing the switching without passing a dissipative current through the structure.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Entropy Signatures of Topological Phase Transitions

We review the behavior of the entropy per particle in various two-dimensional electronic systems. The entropy per particle is an important characteristic of any many body system that tells how the entropy of the ensemble of electrons changes if one adds one more electron. Recently, it has been demonstrated how the entropy per particle of a two-dimensional electron gas can be extracted from the recharging current dynamics in a planar capacitor geometry. These experiments pave the way to the systematic studies of entropy in various crystal systems including novel two-dimensional crystals such as gapped graphene, germanene and silicene. Theoretically, the entropy per particle is linked to the temperature derivative of the chemical potential of the electron gas by the Maxwell relation. Using this relation, we calculate the entropy per particle in the vicinity of topological transitions in various two-dimensional electronic systems. We show that the entropy experiences quantized steps at the points of Lifshitz transitions in a two-dimensional electronic gas with a parabolic energy spectrum. In contrast, in doubled-gapped Dirac materials, the entropy per particles demonstrates characteristic spikes once the chemical potential passes through the band edges. The transition from a topological to trivial insulator phase in germanene is manifested by the disappearance of a strong zero-energy resonance in the entropy per particle dependence on the chemical potential. We conclude that studies of the entropy per particle shed light on multiple otherwise hidden peculiarities of the electronic band structure of novel two-dimensional crystals.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Nucleation and propagation of thermomagnetic avalanches in thin-film superconductors

Stability of the vortex matter -- magnetic flux lines penetrating into the material -- in type-II superconductor films is crucially important for their application. If some vortices get detached from pinning centres, the energy dissipated by their motion will facilitate further depinning, and may trigger an electromagnetic breakdown. In this paper, we review recent theoretical and experimental results on development of the above mentioned thermomagnetic instability. Starting from linear stability analysis for the initial critical-state flux distribution we then discuss a numerical procedure allowing to analyze developed flux avalanches. As an example of this approach we consider ultra-fast dendritic flux avalanches in thin superconducting disks. At the initial stage the flux front corresponding to the dendrite's trunk moves with velocity up to 100~km/s. At later stage the almost constant velocity leads to a specific propagation regime similar to ray optics. We discuss this regime observed in superconducting films coated by normal strips. Finally, we discuss dramatic enhancement of the anisotropy of the flux patterns due to specific dynamics. In this way we demonstrate that the combination of the linear stability analysis with the numerical approach provides an efficient framework for understanding the ultra-fast coupled non-local dynamics of electromagnetic fields and dissipation in superconductor films.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Electron drag in ferromagnetic structures separated by an insulating interface

We consider electron drag in a system of two ferromagnetic layers separated by an insulating interface. The source of it is expected to be magnon-electron interactions. Namely, we assume that the external voltage is applied to the "active" layer stimulating electric current through this layer. In its turn, the scattering of the current-carrying electrons by magnons leads to a magnon drag current within this layer. The 3-magnons interactions between magnons in the two layers (being of non-local nature) lead to magnon drag within the "passive" layer which, correspondingly, produce electron drag current via processes of magnon-electron scattering. We estimate the drag current and compare it to the phonon-induced one.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Active control of thermomagnetic avalanches in superconducting Nb films with tunable anisotropy

Active triggering and manipulation of ultrafast flux dynamics in superconductors are demonstrated in films of Nb. Controlled amounts of magnetic flux were injected from a point along the edge of a square sample, which at 2.5 K responds by nucleation of a thermomagnetic avalanche. Magneto-optical imaging was used to show that when such films are cooled in the presence of in-plane magnetic fields they become anisotropic, and the morphology of the avalanches change systematically, both with the direction and magnitude of the field. The images reveal that the avalanching dendrites consistently bend towards the direction perpendicular to that of the in-plane field. The effect increases with the field magnitude, and at 1.5 kOe the triggered avalanche becomes quenched at the nucleation stage. The experimental results are explained based on a theoretical model for thermomagnetic avalanche nucleation in superconducting films, and by assuming that the frozen-in flux generates in-plane anisotropy in the film thermal conductance. The results demonstrate that applying in-plane magnetic fields to film superconductors can be a versatile external tool for controlling their ultrafast flux dynamics.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Melting of Wigner crystal in high-mobility $n$-GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures at filling factors $0.18 > ν> 0.125$: Acoustic studies

Using acoustic methods the complex high-frequency conductance of high-mobility $n$-GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures was determined in magnetic fields 12$÷$18~T. Based on the observed frequency and temperature dependences we conclude that in the investigated magnetic field range and at sufficiently low temperatures, $T \lesssim 200$~mK, the electron system forms a Wigner crystal deformed due to pinning by disorder. At some temperature, which depends on the electron filling factor, the temperature dependences of both components of the complex conductance get substantially changed. We have ascribed this rapid change of the conduction mechanism to melting of the Wigner crystal and study the dependence of the so-defined melting temperature on the electron filling factor.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Oscillatory regimes of the thermomagnetic instability in superconducting films

The stability of superconducting films with respect to oscillatory precursor modes for thermomag- netic avalanches is investigated theoretically. The results for the onset threshold show that previous treatments of non-oscillatory modes have predicted much higher thresholds. Thus, in film supercon- ductors, oscillatory modes are far more likely to cause thermomagnetic breakdown. This explains the experimental fact that flux avalanches in film superconductors can occur even at very small ramping rates of the applied magnetic field. Closed expressions for the threshold magnetic field and temperature, as well oscillation frequency, are derived for different regimes of the oscillatory thermomagnetic instability.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Finite size bath in qubit thermodynamics

We discuss a qubit weakly coupled to a finite-size heat bath (calorimeter) from the point of view of quantum thermodynamics. The energy deposited to this environment together with the state of the qubit provides a basis to analyze the heat and work statistics of this closed combined system. We present results on two representative models, where the bath is composed of two-level systems or harmonic oscillators, respectively. Finally, we derive results for an open quantum system composed of the above qubit plus finite-size bath, but now the latter is coupled to a practically infinite bath of the same nature of oscillators or two-level systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Metal frame as local protection of superconducting films from thermomagnetic avalanches

Thermomagnetic avalanches in superconducting films propagating extremely fast while forming unpredictable patterns, represent a serious threat for the performance of devices based on such materials. It is shown here that a normal-metal frame surrounding a selected region inside the film area can provide efficient protection from the avalanches during their propagation stage. Protective behavior is confirmed by magneto-optical imaging experiments on NbN films equipped with Cu and Al frames, and also by performing numerical simulations. Experimentally, it is found that while conventional flux creep is not affected by the frames, the dendritic avalanches are partially or fully screened by them. The level of screening depends on the ratio of the sheet conductance of the metal and the superconductor in the resistive state, and for ratios much larger than unity the screening is very efficient.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Crossover between localized states and pinned Wigner crystal in high-mobility n-GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures near filling factor $ν=1$

We have measured magnetic field dependences of the attenuation and velocity of surface acoustic waves in a high-mobility $n$-GaAs/AlGaAs structure with a wide quantum well. The results allowed us to find the complex conductance, $σ(ω)$, of the heterostructure for different frequencies, temperatures and magnetic fields near filling factors $ν=1, 2$. Observed behavior of $σ(ω)$ versus magnetic field outside close vicinities of integer fillings reveals an oscillation pattern indicative of the rich fractional quantum Hall effect. Our result is that in very close vicinities of integer filling factors the AC response of a high-mobility two-dimensional structures behaves as that of a two-dimensional system of localized electrons. Namely, both real and imaginary parts of the complex AC conductance at low temperatures agree with the predictions for the two-site model for a two-dimensional hopping system. Another result is the specific temperature dependences of $σ(ω)$, which are extremely sensitive to the filling factor value. These dependences indicate a sharp crossover between the localized modes and a pinned Wigner crystal.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Cooling by Heating: Restoration of the Third Law of Thermodynamics

We have made a simple and natural modification of a recent quantum refrigerator model presented by Cleuren et al. in Phys. Rev, Lett.108, 120603 (2012). The original model consist of two metal leads acting as heat baths, and a set of quantum dots that allow for electron transport between the baths. It was shown to violate the dynamic third law of thermodynamics (the unattainability principle, which states that cooling to absolute zero in finite time is impossible), but by taking into consideration the finite energy level spacing in metals we restore the third law, while keeping all of the original model's thermodynamic properties intact.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗