arXiv subjects

Zenji Hiroi

Publications and source records attributed to Zenji Hiroi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

"Visible" 5d orbital states in a pleochroic oxychloride

Transition metal compounds sometimes exhibit beautiful colors. We report here on a new oxychloride Ca3ReO5Cl2 which shows unusually distinct pleochroism; that is, the material exhibits different colors depending on viewing directions. This ple-ochroism is a consequence of the fact that a complex crystal field splitting of the 5d orbitals of the Re6+ ion in a square-pyramidal coordination of low-symmetry occurs accidentally in the energy range of the visible light spectrum. Since the rele-vant d-d transitions possess characteristic polarization dependences according to the optical selection rule, the orbital states are "visible" in Ca3ReO5Cl2.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Synthesis of anti-perovskite-type carbides and nitrides from metal oxides and melamine

Four anti-perovskite-type compounds, ZnNNi3, ZnCNi3, SnNCo3, and SnCCo3, are synthesised through reactions between ingredient metal oxides and organic compound melamine (C3H6N6). ZnNNi3 and ZnCNi3 are selectively synthesised by choosing different reaction temperatures and nominal oxide-to-melamine ratios. SnNCo3 is synthesised for the first time by this melamine method. Resistivity, magnetisation, and heat capacity measurements reveal that SnNCo3 is a correlated metal with a high density of states at the Fermi level. Our results demonstrate that this feasible synthetic route using melamine is useful in the search for complex metal carbides and nitrides toward novel functional materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

One-dimensionalization by Geometrical Frustration in the Anisotropic Triangular Lattice of the 5d Quantum Antiferromagnet Ca3ReO5Cl2

We report on the emergence of antiferromagnetic spin chains from two-dimensionally aligned spins on the anisotropic triangular lattice (ATL) in the insulating calcium rhenium oxychloride Ca3ReO5Cl2. The compound contains Re6+ ions each with one unpaired electron in the dxy orbital, which are arranged to form a spin-1/2 ATL with J'/J ~ 0.32 and J = 41 K, where J and J' are magnetic interactions in and between the chains, respectively. In spite of the apparent two dimensionality, we observe clear evidence of a gapless spin liquid that is characteristic of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg chain. This one-dimensionalization must be caused by geometrical frustration: growing antiferromagnetic correlations in every chain effectively cancel out inter-chain zigzag couplings at low temperature. Ca3ReO5Cl2 provides us with a detailed insight into the interesting physics of the ATL antiferromagnet, especially via comparison with the typical ATL compound Cs2CuCl4.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Magnetoelastic couplings in the deformed Kagomé quantum spin lattice of volborthite

Microscopic spin interactions on a deformed Kagomé lattice of volborthite are investigated through magnetoelastic couplings. A negative longitudinal magnetostriction $ΔL<0$ in the $b$ axis is observed, which depends on the magnetization $M$ with a peculiar relation of $ΔL/L \propto M^{1.3}$. Based on the exchange striction model, it is argued that the negative magnetostriction originates from a pantograph-like lattice change of the Cu-O-Cu chain in the $b$ axis, and that the peculiar dependence arises from the local spin correlation. This idea is supported by DFT+$U$ calculations simulating the lattice change and a finite-size calculation of the spin correlation, indicating that the recently proposed coupled-trimer model is a plausible one.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Magnetostriction studies up to megagauss fields using fiber Bragg grating technique

We here report magnetostriction measurements under pulsed megagauss fields using a high-speed 100 MHz strain monitoring system devised using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technique with optical filter method. The optical filter method is a detection scheme of the strain of FBG, where the changing Bragg wavelength of the FBG reflection is converted to the intensity of reflected light to enable the 100 MHz measurement. In order to show the usefulness and reliability of the method, we report the measurements for solid oxygen, spin-controlled crystal, and volborthite, a deformed Kagomé quantum spin lattice, using static magnetic fields up to 7 T and non-destructive millisecond pulse magnets up to 50 T. Then, we show the application of the method for the magnetostriction measurements of CaV$_{4}$O$_{9}$, a two-dimensional antiferromagnet with spin-halves, and LaCoO$_{3}$, an anomalous spin-crossover oxide, in the megagauss fields.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Nematic transition and highly two-dimensional superconductivity in BaTi$_2$Bi$_2$O revealed by $^{209}$Bi-nuclear magnetic resonance/nuclear quadrupole resonance measurements

In this Rapid Communication, a set of $^{209}$Bi-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)/nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements has been performed to investigate the physical properties of superconducting (SC) BaTi$_2$Bi$_2$O from a microscopic point of view. The NMR and NQR spectra at 5~K can be reproduced with a non-zero in-plane anisotropic parameter $η$, indicating the breaking of the in-plane four-fold symmetry at the Bi site without any magnetic order, i.e., `the electronic nematic state'. In the SC state, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate divided by temperature, $1/T_1T$, does not change even below $T_{\rm c}$, while a clear SC transition was observed with a diamagnetic signal. This observation can be attributed to the strong two-dimensionality in BaTi$_2$Bi$_2$O. Comparing the NMR/NQR results among BaTi$_2$$Pn$$_2$O ($Pn$ = As, Sb, and Bi), it was found that the normal and SC properties of BaTi$_2$Bi$_2$O were considerably different from those of BaTi$_2$Sb$_2$O and BaTi$_2$As$_2$O, which might explain the two-dome structure of $T_{\rm c}$ in this system.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Formation and Control of Twin Domains in the Pyrochlore Oxide Cd2Re2O7

The successive phase transitions of the pyrochlore oxide Cd2Re2O7 are studied by polarizing microscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The formation of twin domains is visualized in the polarizing images of a pristine (111) crystal surface upon cooling through the cubic-to-tetragonal transition at Ts1 ~ 200 K. Moreover, a dramatic change in the twinning pattern is observed at Ts2 ~120 K, which suggests that the tetragonal c axis flips as the strain changes its direction at the tetragonal-to-tetragonal transition. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal significant domain alignment upon cooling across Ts1 and Ts2 in a magnetic field of 7 T, which are due to ~10% anisotropy in the magnetic susceptibility for the low-temperature phases. Interestingly, the anisotropy is reversed at Ts2: \c{hi}c < \c{hi}a above Ts2 and vice versa below Ts2.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Frustrated Magnetism of the Maple-Leaf-Lattice Antiferromagnet MgMn$_3$O$_7$$\cdot$3H$_2$O

We present a novel hydrated layered manganate MgMn$_3$O$_7$$\cdot$3H$_2$O as a maple-leaf-lattice (MLL) antiferromagnet candidate. The MLL is obtained by regularly depleting 1/7 of the lattice points from a triangular lattice so that the magnetic connectivity $z = 5$ and is thus intermediately frustrated between the triangular ($z = 6$) and kagomé ($z = 4$) lattices. In MgMn$_3$O$_7$$\cdot$3H$_2$O, the Mn$^{4+}$ ions, carrying Heisenberg spin 3/2, form a regular MLL lattice in the quasi-two-dimensional structure. Magnetization and heat capacity measurements using a hydrothermally-prepared powder sample reveal successive antiferromagnetic transitions at 5 and 15 K. A high-field magnetization curve up to 60 T at 1.3 K exhibits a multi-step plateau-like anomaly. We discuss the unique frustration of the MLL antiferromagnet in which the chiraldegree of freedom may play an important role.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Frustrated Magnetism of Pharmacosiderite Comprising Tetrahedral Clusters Arranged in the Primitive Cubic Lattice

We show that pharmacosiderite is a novel cluster antiferromagnet comprising frustrated regular tetrahedra made of spin-5/2 Fe3+ ions that are arranged in the primitive cubic lattice. The connectivity of the tetrahedra and the inter-cluster interaction of 2.9 K, which is significantly large compared with the intra-cluster interaction of 10.6 K, gives a unique playground for frustration physics. An unconventional antiferromagnetic order is observed below TN ~ 6 K, which is accompanied by a weak ferromagnetic moment and a large fluctuation as evidenced by Mossbauer spectroscopy. A q = 0 magnetic order with the total S = 0 for the tetrahedral cluster is proposed based on the irreducible representation analysis, which may explain the origin of the weak ferromagnetism and fluctuation.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

High-pressure Raman study on the superconducting pyrochlore oxide Cd2Re2O7

The superconducting pyrochlore oxide Cd2Re2O7 (Tc = 1 K), which is now considered as a candidate of the spin-orbit-coupled metal, shows an inversion-symmetry-breaking structural transition at Ts1 = 200 K. Ts1 decreases with increasing pressure and disappears at around Pc = 4:2GPa, where at least four high-pressure phases with tiny structural distortions are suggested by means of powder X-ray diffraction [Yamaura PRB 2017]. We have carried out Raman scattering experiments to investigate changes in the crystal symmetry under high pressures up to 4.8 GPa. A structural transition at 1.9-3.0 GPa and the recovery of inversion symmetry above Pc are observed at 12 K.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Split Fermi Surfaces of the Spin-Orbit-Coupled Metal Cd2Re2O7 Probed by de Haas-van Alphen Effect

The superconducting pyrochlore oxide Cd2Re2O7 shows a structural transition with inversion symmetry breaking (ISB) at Ts1 = 200 K. A recent theory [L. Fu, Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 026401 (2015)] suggests that the origin is an electronic instability that leads to a multipolar order in the spin-orbit-coupled metal. To observe the Fermi surface of the low-temperature phase of Cd2Re2O7, we perform de Haas-van Alphen effect measurements by means of magnetic torque. In reference to a calculated band structure, the spin-split Fermi surfaces with large cyclotron masses of 5-9m0 are revealed. The splitting is suggested to be due to an antisymmetric spin-orbit coupling induced by ISB, the strength of which is estimated to be approximately 67 K, which is rather smaller than those of typical non-centrosymmetric metals.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Facile synthetic route to transition metal oxyfluorides via reactions between metal oxides and PTFE

Inorganic oxyfluorides have significant importance in the development of new functionalities for energy production and storage, photonics, catalysis, etc. In order to explore a simple preparation route that avoids the use of toxic HF or F2 gas as a reaction reagent, we have employed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Five oxyfluorides including Nb5O12F, Nb3O7F, Ta3O7F, TaO2F, and Mo4O11.2F0.8 were synthesized by reactions between PTFE and transition metal oxides in sealed quartz ampules. The reaction mechanism was studied by means of gas analysis, which detected SiF4 as a main product gas during the reaction. A possible reaction mechanism between the PTFE and transition metal oxides is discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Magnetic State Selected by Magnetic Dipole Interaction in Kagome Antiferromagnet NaBa$_{2}$Mn$_{3}$F$_{11}$

We have studied the ground state of the classical Kagome antiferromagnet NaBa$_{2}$Mn$_{3}$F$_{11}$. Strong magnetic Bragg peaks observed in the $d$-spacing shorter than 6.0 Å were indexed by the propagation vectors of $\boldsymbol{k}_{0} = (0,0,0)$. Additional peaks with weak intensities in the range of the $d$-spacing longer than 8.0 Å were indexed by the incommensurate vectors of $\boldsymbol{k}_{1}=(0.3209(2),0.3209(2),0)$ and $\boldsymbol{k}_{2}=(0.3338(4),0.3338(4),0)$. Magnetic structure analysis exhibits that the 120$^{\circ}$ structure with the {\it tail-chase} geometry having $\boldsymbol{k}_0$ is modulated by the incommensurate vectors. The classical calculation of the Kagome Heisenberg antiferromagnet having the antiferromagnetic 2nd-neighbor interaction, the ground state of which is degenerated 120$^{\circ}$ structures with $\boldsymbol{k}_0$, reveals that the magnetic dipole-dipole (MDD) interaction including up to the 4th neighbor terms selects the tail-chase structure. The observed modulation of the tail-chase structure is indicated to be due to a small perturbation such as the long-range MDD interaction or the interlayer interaction.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Pyrochlore Oxide Superconductor Cd2Re2O7 Revisited

The superconducting pyrochlore oxide Cd2Re2O7 is revisited with a particular emphasis on the sample-quality issue. The compound has drawn attention as the only superconductor (Tc = 1.0 K) that has been found in the family of α-pyrochlore oxides since its discovery in 2001. Moreover, it exhibits two characteristic structural transitions from the cubic pyrochlore structure, with the inversion symmetry broken at the first one at 200 K. Recently, it has attracted increasing attention as a candidate spin-orbit coupled metal (SOCM), in which specific Fermi liquid instability is expected to lead to an odd-parity order with spontaneous inversion-symmetry breaking [L. Fu, Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 026401 (2015)] and parity-mixing superconductivity [V. Kozii and L. Fu: Phys. Rev. Lett. 115 (2015) 207002; Y. Wang et al., Phys. Rev. B 93 (2016) 134512]. We review our previous experimental results in comparison with those of other groups in the light of the theoretical prediction of the SOCM, which we consider meaningful and helpful for future progress in understanding this unique compound.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Collinear Spin-density-wave Order and Anisotropic Spin Fluctuations in the Frustrated $J_1$--$J_2$ Chain Magnet NaCuMoO$_4$(OH)

The phase diagram of the quasi-one-dimensional magnet NaCuMoO$_4$(OH) is established through single-crystal NMR and heat-capacity measurements. The $^{23}$Na and $^1$H NMR experiments indicate a spiral and a collinear spin-density-wave (SDW) order below and above $B_c$ = 1.5-1.8 T, respectively. Moreover, in the paramagnetic state above the SDW transition temperature, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate $1/T_1$ indicates anisotropic spin fluctuations that have gapped excitations in the transverse spectrum but gapless ones in the longitudinal spectrum. These static and dynamic properties are well described by a theoretical model assuming quasi-one-dimensional chains with competing ferromagnetic nearest-neighbor interactions $J_1$ and antiferromagnetic next-nearest-neighbor interactions $J_2$ ($J_1$-$J_2$ chains). Because of the excellent crystal quality and good one dimensionality, NaCuMoO$_4$(OH) is a promising compound to elucidate the unique physics of the frustrated $J_1$-$J_2$ chain.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Anisotropic Field-Induced Gap in Quasi-One-Dimensional Antiferromagnet KCuMoO$_4$(OH)

We investigated magnetic and thermodynamic properties of $S$ = 1/2 quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet KCuMoO$_4$(OH) through single crystalline magnetization and heat capacity measurements. At zero field, it behaves as a uniform $S$ = 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet with $J$ = 238 K, and exhibits a canted antiferromagnetism below $T_\mathrm{N}$ = 1.52 K. In addition, a magnetic field $H$ induces the anisotropy in magnetization and opens a gap in the spin excitation spectrum. These properties are understood in terms of an effective staggered field induced by staggered g-tensors and Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya (DM) interactions. Temperature-dependencies of the heat capacity and their field variations are consistent with those expected for quantum sine-Gordon model, indicating that spin excitations consist of soliton, anti-soliton and breather modes. From field-dependencies of the soliton mass, the staggered field normalized by the uniform field $c_\mathrm{s}$ is estimated as 0.041, 0.174, and 0.030, for $H \parallel a$, $b$, and $c$, respectively. Such a large variation of $c_\mathrm{s}$ is understood as the combination of staggered g-tensors and DM interactions which induce the staggered field in the opposite direction for $H \parallel a$ and $c$ but almost the same direction for $H \parallel b$ at each Cu site.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic Transitions under Ultrahigh Magnetic Fields of up to 130 T in the Breathing Pyrochlore Antiferromagnet LiInCr4O8

The magnetization processes of the spin-3/2 antiferromagnet LiInCr4O8 comprising a "breathing" pyrochlore lattice, which is an alternating array of small and large tetrahedra, are studied under ultrahigh magnetic fields of up to 130 T using state-of-the-art pulsed magnets. A half magnetization plateau is observed above 90 T to 130 T, suggesting that LiInCr4O8 has a strong spin-lattice coupling, similar to conventional chromium spinel oxides. The magnetization of LiGa0.125In0.875Cr4O8, in which the structural and magnetic transitions at low temperatures have been completely suppressed, shows a sudden increase above 13 T, indicating that a spin gap of 2.2 meV exists between a tetramer singlet ground state and an excited state with total spin 1, with the latter being stabilized by the application of a magnetic field. The breathing pyrochlore antiferromagnet is found to be a unique frustrated system with strong spin-lattice coupling and bond alternation.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Weak ferromagnetic order breaking the threefold rotational symmetry of the underlying kagomé lattice in CdCu$_3$(OH)$_6$(NO$_3$)$_2\cdot$H$_2$O

Novel magnetic phases are expected to occur in highly frustrated spin systems. Here we study the structurally perfect kagomé antiferromagnet CdCu$_3$(OH)$_6$(NO$_3$)$_2\cdot$H$_2$O by magnetization, magnetic torque, and heat capacity measurements using single crystals.An antiferromagnetic order accompanied by a small spontaneous magnetization that surprisingly is confined in the kagomé plane sets in at $T_\mathrm{N}\approx$4 K, well below the nearest-neighbor exchange interaction $J / k_B$ = 45 K.This suggests that a unique $\bf q = 0$ type 120$^\circ$ spin structure with "negative" (downward) vector chirality, which breaks the underlying threefold rotational symmetry of the kagomé lattice and thus allows a spin canting within the plane, is exceptionally realized in this compound rather than a common one with "positive" (upward) vector chirality. The origin is discussed in terms of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction.

cond-mat.str-el↗