arXiv subjects

Y. Tokura

Publications and source records attributed to Y. Tokura.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Phase competitions in epitaxial Pr$_{0.5}$Ca$_{0.5}$MnO$_3$/La$_{0.5}$Sr$_{0.5}$MnO$_3$ superlattices

We studied the charge-orbital ordering in the superlattice of charge-ordered insulating Pr$_{0.5}$Ca$_{0.5}$MnO$_3$ and ferromagnetic metallic La$_{0.5}$Sr$_{0.5}$MnO$_3$ by resonant soft x-ray diffraction. A temperature-dependent incommensurability is found in the orbital order. In addition, a large hysteresis is observed that is caused by phase competition between insulating charge ordered and metallic ferromagnetic states. No magnetic phase transitions are observed in contrast to bulk, confirming the unique character of the superlattice. The deviation from the commensurate orbital order can be directly related to the decrease of ordered-layer thickness that leads to a decoupling of the orbital-ordered planes along the c axis.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Skyrmions with varying size and helicity in composition-spread helimagnetic alloys

The chirality, i.e. left or right handedness, is an important notion in a broad range of science. In condensed matter, this occurs not only in molecular or crystal forms but also in magnetic structures. A magnetic skyrmion, a topologically-stable spin vortex structure, as observed in chiral-lattice helimagnets is one such example; the spin swirling direction (skyrmion helicity) should be closely related to the underlying lattice chirality via the relativistic spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Here, we report on the correlation between skyrmion helicity and crystal chirality as observed by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and convergent-beam electron diffraction (CBED) on the composition-spread alloys of helimagnets Mn1-xFexGe over a broad range (x = 0.3 - 1.0) of the composition. The skyrmion lattice constant or the skyrmion size shows non-monotonous variation with the composition x, accompanying a divergent behavior around x = 0.8, where the correlation between magnetic helicity and crystal chirality is reversed. The underlying mechanism is a continuous x-variation of the SOC strength accompanying sign reversal in the metallic alloys. This may offer a promising way to tune the skyrmion size and helicity.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Decay and Frequency Shift of Inter and Intravalley Phonons in Graphene -Dirac Cone Migration-

By considering analytical expressions for the self-energies of intervalley and intravalley phonons in graphene, we describe the behavior of D, 2D, and D$'$ Raman bands with changes in doping ($μ$) and light excitation energy ($E_L$). Comparing the self-energy with the observed $μ$ dependence of the 2D bandwidth, we estimate the wavevector $q$ of the constituent intervalley phonon at $\hbar vq\simeq E_L/1.6$ ($v$ is electron's Fermi velocity) and conclude that the self-energy makes a major contribution (60%) to the dispersive behavior of the D and 2D bands. The estimation of $q$ is based on an image of shifted Dirac cones in which the resonance decay of a phonon satisfying $q > ω/v$ ($ω$ is the phonon frequency) into an electron-hole pair is suppressed when $μ< (vq-ω)/2$. We highlight the fact that the decay of an intervalley (and intravalley longitudinal optical) phonon with $q=ω/v$ is strongly suppressed by electron-phonon coupling at an arbitrary $μ$. This feature is in contrast to the divergent behavior of an intravalley transverse optical phonon, which bears a close similarity to the polarization function relevant to plasmons.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Superconductivity in Cu$_{x}$IrTe$_{2}$ induced by interlayer hybridization

The change in the electronic structure of layered Cu$_{x}$IrTe$_{2}$ has been characterized by transport and spectroscopic measurements, combined with first-principles calculations. The Cu-intercalation suppresses the monoclinic distortion, giving rise to the stabilization of the trigonal phase with superconductivity. Thermopower and Hall resistivity measurements suggest the multiband nature with hole and electron carriers for this system, which is masked by the predominance of the hole carriers enhanced by the interlayer hybridization in the trigonal phase. Rather than the instability of Ir $d$ band, a subtle balance between the interlayer and intralayer Te-Te hybridizations is proposed as a main factor dominating the structural transition and the superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Magnetoelasticity in ACr2O4 spinel oxides

Dynamical properties of the lattice structure was studied by optical spectroscopy in ACr2O4 chromium spinel oxide magnetic semiconductors over a broad temperature region of T=10-335K. The systematic change of the A-site ions (A=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) showed that the occupancy of 3d orbitals on the A-site, has strong impact on the lattice dynamics. For compounds with orbital degeneracy (FeCr2O4, NiCr2O4 and CuCr2O4), clear splitting of infrared-active phonon modes and/or activation of silent vibrational modes have been observed upon the Jahn-Teller transition and at the onset of the subsequent long-range magnetic order. Although MnCr2O4 and CoCr2O4 show multiferroic and magnetoelectric character, no considerable magnetoelasticity was found in spinel compounds without orbital degeneracy as they closely preserve the high-temperature cubic spinel structure even in their magnetic ground state. Besides lattice vibrations, intra-atomic 3d-3d transitions of the A$^{2+}$ ions were also investigated to determine the crystal field and Racah parameters and the strength of the spin-orbit coupling.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Strongly spin-orbit coupled two-dimensional electron gas emerging near the surface of polar semiconductors

We investigate the two-dimensional (2D) highly spin-polarized electron accumulation layers commonly appearing near the surface of n-type polar semiconductors BiTeX (X = I, Br, and Cl) by angular-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Due to the polarity and the strong spin-orbit interaction built in the bulk atomic configurations, the quantized conduction-band subbands show giant Rashba-type spin-splitting. The characteristic 2D confinement effect is clearly observed also in the valence-bands down to the binding energy of 4 eV. The X-dependent Rashba spin-orbit coupling is directly estimated from the observed spin-split subbands, which roughly scales with the inverse of the band-gap size in BiTeX.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Pseudogap-related charge dynamics in layered-nickelate R2-xSrxNiO4 (x sim 1)

Charge dynamics and its critical behavior are investigated near the metal-insulator transition of layered-nickelate R2-xSrxNiO4 (R=Nd, Eu). The polarized x-ray absorption spectroscopy experiment clearly shows the multi-orbital nature which enables the x2-y2-orbital-based checkerboard-type charge ordering or correlation to persist up to the critical doping region (x sim 1). In the barely metallic region proximate to the charge-ordered insulating phase, the nominal carrier density estimated from the Hall coefficient markedly decreases in accord with development of the pseudogap structure in the optical conductivity spectrum, while the effective mass is least enhanced. The present findings combined with the results of recent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy show that the pseudogap in the metal-insulator critical state evolves due to the checkerboard-type charge correlation to extinguish the coherent-motion carriers in a characteristic momentum (k)-dependent manner with lowering temperature.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Robust formation of skyrmions and topological Hall effect in epitaxial thin films of MnSi

Magneto-transport properties have been investigated for epitaxial thin films of B20-type MnSi grown on Si(111) substrates. Both Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and topological Hall effect (THE) clearly point to the robust formation of skyrmions over a wide temperature-magnetic field region. New features distinct from those of bulk MnSi are observed for epitaxial MnSi films: a shorter (nearly half) period of the spin helix and skyrmions, and an opposite sign of THE. These observations suggest versatile features of skyrmion-induced THE beyond the current understanding.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Neutron Brillouin scattering with pulsed spallation neutron source - spin-wave excitations from ferromagnetic powder samples -

Neutron Brillouin scattering (NBS) method was developed using a pulsed spallation neutron source, and the feasibility of NBS was demonstrated by observing ferromagnetic spin waves in La$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$MnO$_3$ and SrRuO$_3$ powders. Gapless spin-wave excitations were observed in La$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$MnO$_3$, which were continuously extended to the lower scattering vector $Q$ from previous results using single crystals. The novel result is a well-defined quadratic $Q$ dependence in the spin-wave dispersion curve with a large energy gap in SrRuO$_3$ indicating robust spin-orbit coupling.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Mechanisms of enhanced orbital dia- and paramagnetism: Application to the Rashba semiconductor BiTeI

We study the magnetic susceptibility of a layered semiconductor BiTeI with giant Rashba spin splitting both theoretically and experimentally to explore its orbital magnetism. Apart from the core contributions, a large temperature-dependent diamagnetic susceptibility is observed when the Fermi energy E_F is near the crossing point of the conduction bands, while the susceptibility turns to be paramagnetic when E_F is away from it. These features are consistent with first-principles calculations, which also predict an enhanced orbital magnetic susceptibility with both positive and negative signs as a function of E_F due to band (anti)crossings. Based on these observations, we propose two mechanisms for an enhanced paramagnetic orbital susceptibility.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Formation and rotation of skyrmion crystal in the chiral-lattice insulator Cu2OSeO3

Small angle neutron scattering experiments were performed on a bulk single crystal of chiral-lattice multiferroic insulator Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$. In the absence of an external magnetic field, helical spin order with magnetic modulation vector $q \parallel <001>$ was identified. When a magnetic field is applied, a triple-$q$ magnetic structure emerges normal to the field in the A-phase just below the magnetic ordering temperature $T_c$, which suggests the formation of a triangular lattice of skyrmions. Notably, the favorable $q$-direction in the A-phase changes from $q \parallel <110>$ to $q \parallel <001>$ upon approaching $T_c$. Near the phase boundary between these two states, the external magnetic field induces a 30$^\circ$-rotation of the skyrmion lattice. This suggests a delicate balance between the magnetic anisotropy and the spin texture near $T_c$, such that even a small perturbation significantly affects the ordering pattern of the skyrmions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Mott versus Slater-type metal-insulator transition in Mn-substituted Sr3Ru2O7

We present a temperature-dependent x-ray absorption (XAS) and resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS) study of the metal-insulator transition (MIT) in Sr3(Ru1-xMnx)2O7. The XAS results reveal that the MIT drives the onset of local antiferromagnetic correlations around the Mn impurities, a precursor of the long-range antiferromagnetism detected by REXS at T_order<T_MIT. This establishes that the MIT is of the Mott-type (electronic correlations) as opposed to Slater-type (magnetic order). While this behavior is induced by Mn impurities, the (1/4,1/4,0) order exists for a wide range of Mn concentrations, and points to an inherent instability of the parent compound.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Magnetoelectric nature of skyrmions in a chiral magnetic insulator Cu2OSeO3

Dielectric properties were investigated under various magnitudes and directions of magnetic field (H) for a chiral magnetic insulator Cu2OSeO3. We found that the skyrmion crystal induces electric polarization (P) along either in-plane or out-of-plane direction of the spin vortices depending on the applied H-direction. The observed H-dependence of P in ferrimagnetic, helimagnetic, and skyrmion crystal state can be consistently described by the d-p hybridization model, highlighting an important role of relativistic spin-orbit interaction in the magnetoelectric coupling in Cu2OSeO3. Our analysis suggests that each skyrmion particle can locally carry electric dipole or quadrupole, which implies that the dynamics of skyrmions are controllable by the external electric field.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Imprinting magnetic information in manganites with X-rays

The effect of x-rays on an orbital and charge ordered epitaxial film of a Pr$_{0.5}$Ca$_{0.5}$MnO$_{3}$ is presented. As the film is exposed to x-rays, the antiferromagnetic response increases and concomitantly the conductivity of the film improve. These results are discussed in terms of a persistent x-ray induced doping, leading to a modification of the magnetic structure. This effect allows writing electronic and magnetic domains in the film and represents a novel way of manipulating magnetism.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Giant magneto-optical response in non-magnetic semiconductor BiTeI driven by bulk Rashba spin splitting

We study the magneto-optical (MO) response of polar semiconductor BiTeI with giant bulk Rashba spin splitting at various carrier densities. Despite being non-magnetic, the material is found to yield a huge MO activity in the infrared region under moderate magnetic fields (<3 T). By comparison with first-principles calculations, we show that such an enhanced MO response is mainly due to the intraband transitions between the Rashba-split bulk conduction bands in BiTeI, which give rise to distinct novel features and systematic doping dependence of the MO spectra. We further predict an even more pronounced enhancement in the low-energy MO response and dc Hall effect near the crossing (Dirac) point of the conduction bands.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Three-dimensional bulk band dispersion in polar BiTeI with giant Rashba-type spin splitting

In layered polar semiconductor BiTeI, giant Rashba-type spin-split band dispersions show up due to the crystal structure asymmetry and the strong spin-orbit interaction. Here we investigate the 3-dimensional (3D) bulk band structures of BiTeI using the bulk-sensitive $hν$-dependent soft x-ray angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (SX-ARPES). The obtained band structure is shown to be well reproducible by the first-principles calculations, with huge spin splittings of ${\sim}300$ meV at the conduction-band-minimum and valence-band-maximum located in the $k_z=π/c$ plane. It provides the first direct experimental evidence of the 3D Rashba-type spin splitting in a bulk compound.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Observation of magnetic excitations of skyrmion crystal in a helimagnetic insulator

The skyrmion is a topologically stable spin texture, in which the spin direction wraps a sphere. The topological nature gives rise to emergent electromagnetic phenomena such as topological Hall effect. Recently, the crystallization of nanoscale skyrmions was observed in chiral helimagnets with use of the neutron diffraction and Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. The skyrmions are quite mobile under electric current density as low as $\sim$ 10$^6$ A/m$^2$, and, in some cases, stable up to near room temperature. These features suggest that the skyrmions may work as a magnetic stable-variable similar to the bubble memory but equipped with topological functionalities. Here, we investigate the low-energy excitations of the skyrmion crystal in a helimagnetic insulator Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$ in terms of microwave response. We have observed two distinct excitations of the skyrmion with different polarization characteristics; the counter-clockwise circulating mode at 1 GHz and the breathing mode at 1.5 GHz. These modes may play a crucial role in the low energy dynamics of skyrmions and hence in their manipulation via external stimuli.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Effect of lattice geometry on magnon Hall effect in ferromagnetic insulators

We have investigated the thermal Hall effect of magnons for various ferromagnetic insulators. For pyrochlore ferromagnetic insulators Lu$_2$V$_2$O$_7$, Ho$_2$V$_2$O$_7$, and In$_2$Mn$_2$O$_7$, finite thermal Hall conductivities have been observed below the Curie temperature $T_C$ . From the temperature and magnetic field dependences, it is concluded that magnons are responsible for the thermal Hall effect. The Hall effect of magnons can be well explained by the theory based on the Berry curvature in momentum space induced by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction. The analysis has been extended to the transition metal (TM) oxides with perovskite structure. The thermal Hall signal was absent or far smaller in La$_2$NiMnO$_6$ and YTiO$_3$, which have the distorted perovskite structure with four TM ions in the unit cell. On the other hand, a finite thermal Hall response is discernible below $T_C$ in another ferromagentic perovskite oxide BiMnO$_3$, which shows orbital ordering with a larger unit cell. The presence or absence of the thermal Hall effect in insulating pyrochlore and perovskite systems reflect the geometric and topological aspect of DM-induced magnon Hall effect.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗