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Youzhe Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Youzhe Chen.

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Twinning of domains and spin anisotropy in K$_5$Fe$_4$Ag$_6$Te$_{10}$

The Fe-based superconductors are derived from metallic parent compounds with nematic and stripe magnetic orders, which lead to two types of magnetic domains. Recently it was found that K$_5$Fe$_4$Ag$_6$Te$_{10}$ (KFAT), an Fe-based semiconductor, exhibits similar nematic and stripe magnetic orders, and is thus an analogue to the Fe-based superconductors in the limit of localized electrons. In this work, the superstructure and magnetic domains of KFAT are elucidated by fully mapping the reciprocal space using time-of-flight single crystal neutron diffraction. In KFAT, Fe and Ag atoms order to form a $\sqrt{5}\times\sqrt{5}$ superstructure containing $2\times2$ Fe blocks, which leads to two superstructure domains with identical main Bragg peaks but distinct superstructure peaks. Below $T_{\rm N}\approx35$~K, magnetic and nematic orders break in-plane rotational symmetry of the tetragonal $\sqrt{5}\times\sqrt{5}$ superstructure, and further give rise to two magnetic domains. These four equally populated domains account for the complex scattering pattern observed in our time-of-flight elastic neutron scattering measurements. Using polarized neutron scattering, we demonstrate a prominent spin anisotropy with an easy-plane spanned by the $c$-axis and the intra-block antiferromagnetic Fe-Fe bond direction. Such an anisotropy at ${\bf q}\neq0$ persists well above $T_{\rm N}$, accounts for the in-plane ${\bf q}=0$ magnetic anisotropy observed in uniaxial-strained KFAT, and offers an indicator for discovering similar piezomagnetic effects in other materials.

cond-mat.str-el

Stacking-dependent anisotropic altermagnetism in V$_{1/3}$NbS$_2$

We report profound impacts of the stacking sequence of triangular lattices of magnetic transition metal ions intercalated between the layers of the van der Waals material NbS$_2$. Using single crystal x-ray and neutron diffraction, and transport and magnetization measurements, we show there are two distinct polytypes of $\rm V_{1/3}NbS_2$ with disparate easy axes of magnetization and different anomalous Hall responses. Self-consistent analysis of inelastic neutron scattering data provides evidence for oscillatory RKKY interactions that extend to 1 nm and stabilize quasi-collinear A-type altermagnetic orders in both polytypes though with perpendicular easy axes. The detailed stacking sequence of a bulk polytype crystal dramatically impact its macroscopic anomalous Hall response and magnetism, which suggests a new path to engineer the bulk properties of a layered three dimensional solid.

cond-mat.str-el

Colossal Magnetoresistance and Phonon Driven Exchange Dynamics in Eu$_5$Sn$_2$As$_6$

The emergence of colossal magnetoresistance in a new generation of Eu$^{2+}$-based antiferromagnets is intriguing given stark contrasts to the archetypal perovskite manganites and doped Eu-chalcogenides. In this study the thermal conductivity and magnetostriction of Eu$_5$Sn$_2$As$_6$ -- one such representative -- have been measured to better understand the role of the crystal lattice. Both properties are strongly field-dependent and mirror the magnetization, saturating once the Eu$^{2+}$ moments are polarized. The field-enhancement of the phonon-dominated thermal conductivity is interpreted through the lifting of a degeneracy of spin configurations, and the subsequent saturation due to quenched magnetostrain in high field. Comparison with spin-glass insulators suggests that this phenomenon is not a byproduct but rather the driver of electron delocalization due to the suppression of strong phonon scattering arising from exchange frustration.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Phase Diagram and Spectroscopic Signatures of a Supersolid in Quantum Ising Magnet K$_2$Co(SeO$_3$)$_2$

A supersolid is a quantum-entangled state of matter exhibiting the dual characteristics of superfluidity and solidity. Theory predicts that hard-core bosons with repulsive interactions on a triangular lattice can form supersolid phases at half filling and near complete filling. Leveraging an exact mapping between bosons and spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ degrees of freedom, we investigate these phases in the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ triangular-lattice antiferromagnet \K212 with exchange constants $J_z = 2.96(2)$~meV and $J_{\perp} = 0.21(3)$~meV. At zero field, neutron diffraction reveals the gradual development for $T<15$~K of quasi-two-dimensional $\sqrt{3}\times\sqrt{3}$ magnetic order with $Z_3$ translational symmetry breaking (solidity) albeit with 44(5)% reduced amplitude at $T=0.3$~K indicating strong quantum fluctuations. These are apparent in equidistant bands of continuum neutron scattering for $\hslashω_n\approx n\times J_z$, where $n=0,1,2,3$. The lowest energy ($n=0$) $\bf Q$-dependent continuum has a lower resonant edge and includes a quasi-elastic component at K $(\frac{1}{3}\frac{1}{3})$ consistent with broken $U(1)$ spin rotational symmetry (boson superfluidity). Competing instabilities are apparent in soft albeit finite-energy modes at M $(\frac{1}{2}0)$ and at $\frac{1}{2}$K $(\frac{1}{6}\frac{1}{6})$. For $\bf c$-axis-oriented magnetic fields $17~{\rm T} <μ_0 H< 21~{\rm T}$ that almost saturate the magnetization, corresponding to nearly filling the lattice with bosons, we find a new phase consistent with a second supersolid. These phases are separated by a pronounced 1/3 magnetization plateau that supports coherent spin waves, from which we determine the spin Hamiltonian.

cond-mat.str-el

High Entropy Engineering of Magnetic Kagome Lattice (Gd,Tb,Dy,Ho,Er)Mn6Sn6

The magnetic kagome lattice compound RMn6Sn6 (R=rare earth) is an emerging platform to exploit the interplay between magnetism and topological electronic states where a variety of exciting findings such as flat bands, Dirac points as well as the dramatic dependence of magnetic order on the rare-earth element have been reported. High entropy through rare earth alloying, on the other hand, provides another knob to control over the physical properties in this system. Here, by the marriage of high entropy and the magnetic kagome lattice, we obtain (Gd,Tb,Dy,Ho,Er)Mn6Sn6 single crystals and systematically investigate their magnetic and transport properties. Different from the parent phases, the high entropy 166 material displays multiple novel magnetic transitions induced by temperature and external magnetic fields. Furthermore, linear magnetoresistance persisting up to 20 T has been revealed at 4 K. The intrinsic nontrivial band topology also survives in the high entropy form, as evidenced by the intrinsic anomalous Hall effect. Our results highlight high entropy as a powerful approach for tuning the interplay of charge, spin and lattice degree of freedom in magnetic topological materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Jeff = 1/2 Diamond Magnet CaCo2TeO6: A Pathway toward New Spin Physics and Quantum Functions

Diamond lattice magnets, formed by a framework of corner-sharing tetrahedra of magnetic cations, offer unique opportunities to realize novel states of matter for potential utility in information technology. However, research has mostly focused on AB2X4 spinels with Td magnetic ions. This hinders the atomically enabled tunability of competing interactions at different energy scales and the ability to harness many-body electronic states in quantum materials, making the discovery of quantum fluctuations and spin dynamics less accessible. We discover a new material CaCo2TeO6 featuring a diamond lattice of two distinct Oh-Co2+ sites. This material displays strong quantum fluctuations, increased competing magnetic exchange interactions, and field-induced tunability of magnetic structures. The results demonstrate how simple, fundamental refinements in ligand fields can profoundly influence the phase space of quantum matter.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Charge Density Fluctuations with Enhanced Superconductivity at the Proposed Nematic Quantum Critical Point

A quantum critical point (QCP) represents a continuous phase transition at absolute zero. At the QCP of an unconventional superconductor, enhanced superconducting transition temperature and magnetic fluctuations strength are often observed together, indicating magnetism-mediated superconductivity. This raises the question of whether quantum fluctuations in other degrees of freedom, such as charge, could similarly boost superconductivity. However, because charge is frequently intertwined with magnetism, isolating and understanding its specific role in Cooper pair formation poses a significant challenge. Here, we report persistent charge density fluctuations (CDF) down to 15 K in the non-magnetic superconductor Sr$_{0.77}$Ba$_{0.23}$Ni$_{2}$As$_{2}$, which lies near a proposed nematic QCP associated with a six-fold enhancement of superconductivity. Our results show that the quasi-elastic CDF does not condense into resolution-limited Bragg peaks and displays non-saturated strength. The CDF completely softens at 25 K, with its critical behavior described by the same mathematical framework as the antiferromagnetic Fermi liquid model, yielding a fitted Curie-Weiss temperature of $θ\approx 0$ K. Additionally, we find that the nematic fluctuations are not lattice-driven, as evidenced by the absence of softening in nematic-coupled in-plane transverse acoustic phonons. Our discovery positions Sr$_{x}$Ba$_{1-x}$Ni$_{2}$As$_{2}$ as a promising candidate for charge-fluctuation-driven nematicity and superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con

Anisotropic effect of a magnetic field on the neutron spin resonance in FeSe

We use inelastic neutron scattering to study the effect of a magnetic field on the neutron spin resonance (Er = 3.6 meV) of superconducting FeSe (Tc = 9 K). While a field aligned along the in-plane direction broadens and suppresses the resonance, a c-axis aligned field does so much more efficiently, consistent with the anisotropic field-induced suppression of the superfluid density from the heat capacity measurements. These results suggest that the resonance in FeSe is associated with the superconducting electrons arising from orbital selective quasi-particle excitations between the hole and electron Fermi surfaces.

cond-mat.str-el

Anisotropic spin fluctuations in detwinned FeSe

Superconductivity in FeSe emerges from a nematic phase that breaks four-fold rotational symmetry in the iron plane. This phase may arise from orbital ordering, spin fluctuations, or hidden magnetic quadrupolar order. Here we use inelastic neutron scattering on a mosaic of single crystals of FeSe detwinned by mounting on a BaFe2As2 substrate to demonstrate that spin excitations are most intense at the antiferromagnetic wave vectors QAF = (1, 0) at low energies E = 6-11 meV in the normal state. This two-fold (C2) anisotropy is reduced at lower energies 3-5 meV, indicating a gapped four-fold (C4) mode. In the superconducting state, however, the strong nematic anisotropy is again reflected in the spin resonance (E = 3.7 meV) at QAF with incommensurate scattering around 5-6 meV. Our results highlight the extreme electronic anisotropy of the nematic phase of FeSe and are consistent with a highly anisotropic superconducting gap driven by spin fluctuations.

cond-mat.str-el