arXiv subjects

Zhi-Cheng Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Zhi-Cheng Wang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Synthesis, structure and properties of layered phosphide nitrides $Ak$Th$_2$Mn$_4$P$_4$N$_2$ ($Ak$ = Rb, Cs)

We report the design, synthesis, structure, and properties of two complex layered phosphide nitrides, $Ak$Th$_2$Mn$_4$P$_4$N$_2$ ($Ak$ = Rb, Cs), which contain anti-fluorite-type [Mn$_2$P$_2$] bilayers separated by fluorite-type [Th2N2] layers as a result of the intergrowth between AkMn$_2$P$_2$ and ThMnPN. The new compounds are featured with an intrinsic hole doping associated with the interlayer charge transfer and a built-in chemical pressure from the [Th$_2$N$_2$] layers, both of which are reflected by the changes in the lattice and the atomic position of phosphorus. The measurements of magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, and specific heat indicate existence of local moments as well as itinerant electrons in relation with d-p hybridizations. The expected dominant antiferromagnetic interactions with enhanced d-p hybridizations were demonstrated by the first-principles calculations only when additional Coulomb repulsions are included. The density of states at the Fermi level derived from the specific-heat analysis are 3.5 and 7.5 times of the calculated ones for Ak = Rb and Cs, respectively, suggesting strong electron correlations in the title compounds.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Antiferromagnetic Order and Spin-Canting Transition in the Corrugated Square Net Compound Cu$_3$(TeO$_4$)(SO$_4$)$\cdot$H$_2$O

Strongly correlated electrons in layered perovskite structures have been the birthplace of high-temperature superconductivity, spin liquid, and quantum criticality. Specifically, the cuprate materials with layered structures made of corner sharing square planar CuO$_4$ units have been intensely studied due to their Mott insulating grounds state which leads to high-temperature superconductivity upon doping. Identifying new compounds with similar lattice and electronic structures has become a challenge in solid state chemistry. Here, we report the hydrothermal crystal growth of a new copper tellurite sulfate Cu$_3$(TeO$_4$)(SO$_4$)$\cdot$H$_2$O, a promising alternative to layered perovskites. The orthorhombic phase (space group $Pnma$) is made of corrugated layers of corner-sharing CuO$_4$ square-planar units that are edge-shared with TeO$_4$ units. The layers are linked by slabs of corner-sharing CuO$_4$ and SO$_4$. Using both the bond valence sum analysis and magnetization data, we find purely Cu$^{2+}$ ions within the layers, but a mixed valence of Cu$^{2+}$/Cu${^+}$ between the layers. Cu$_3$(TeO$_4$)(SO$_4$)$\cdot$H$_2$O undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at $T_N$=67 K marked by a peak in the magnetic susceptibility. Upon further cooling, a spin-canting transition occurs at $T^{\star}$=12 K evidenced by a kink in the heat capacity. The spin-canting transition is explained based on a $J_1$-$J_2$ model of magnetic interactions, which is consistent with the slightly different in-plane super-exchange paths. We present Cu$_3$(TeO$_4$)(SO$_4$)$\cdot$H$_2$O as a promising platform for the future doping and strain experiments that could tune the Mott insulating ground state into superconducting or spin liquid states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Colossal Magnetoresistance without Mixed Valence in a Layered Phosphide Crystal

Materials with strong magnetoresistive responses are the backbone of spintronic technology, magnetic sensors, and hard drives. Among them, manganese oxides with a mixed valence and a cubic perovskite structure stand out due to their colossal magnetoresistance (CMR). A double exchange interaction underlies the CMR in manganates, whereby charge transport is enhanced when the spins on neighboring Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions are parallel. Prior efforts to find different materials or mechanisms for CMR resulted in a much smaller effect. Here we show an enormous CMR at low temperatures in EuCd2P2 without manganese, oxygen, mixed valence, or cubic perovskite structure. EuCd2P2 has a layered trigonal lattice and exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering at 11 K. The magnitude of CMR (104 percent) in as-grown crystals of EuCd2P2 rivals the magnitude in optimized thin films of manganates. Our magnetization, transport, and synchrotron X-ray data suggest that strong magnetic fluctuations are responsible for this phenomenon. The realization of CMR at low temperatures without heterovalency leads to a new regime for materials and technologies related to antiferromagnetic spintronics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Curved fronts of bistable reaction-diffusion equations in spatially periodic media

In this paper, curved fronts are constructed for spatially periodic bistable reaction-diffusion equations under the a priori assumption that there exist pulsating fronts in every direction. Some sufficient and some necessary conditions of the existence of curved fronts are given. Furthermore, the curved front is proved to be unique and stable. Finally, a curved front with varying interfaces is also constructed. Despite the effect of the spatial heterogeneity, the result shows the existence of curved fronts for spatially periodic bistable reaction-diffusion equations which is known for the homogeneous case.

math.AP↗

arXiv2019

BaTh$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$(N$_{0.7}$O$_{0.3}$)$_2$: An Iron-Based Superconductor Stabilized by Inter-Block-Layer Charge Transfer

Recently, An electron-doped 12442-type iron-based superconductor BaTh$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$(N$_{0.7}$O$_{0.3}$)$_2$ has been successfully synthesized with high-temperature solid-state reactions on basis of a structural design. The inter-block-layer charge transfer between the constituent units of "BaFe$_2$As$_2$" and "ThFeAsN$_{0.7}$O$_{0.3}$" was found to be essential to stabilize the target compound. Dominant electron-type conduction and bulk superconducting transition at ~22 K were demonstrated.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Propagating Terrace and Asymptotic Profile to Time-Periodic Reaction-Diffusion Equations

This paper is concerned with the asymptotic behavior of solutions of time periodic reaction-diffusion equation \begin{equation*}\label{aaa} \begin{cases} u_{t}(x,t)=u_{xx}(x,t)+f(t,u(x,t)),\quad \,\,\forall x\in\mathbb{R},\,t>0,\\ u(x,0)=u_{0}(x), \quad \quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad \forall x\in\mathbb{R}, \end{cases} \end{equation*} where $u_{0}(x)$ is the Heaviside type initial function and $f(t,u)$ satisfies $f(T+t,u)=f(t,u)$. Under certain conditions, we prove that there exists a minimal propagating terrace (a family of pulsating traveling fronts) in some specific sense and the solution of the above equation converges to the minimal propagating terrace.

math.AP↗

arXiv2018

Giant anisotropy in superconducting single crystals of CsCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$

CsCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ is a newly discovered iron-based superconductor with $T_\mathrm{c}\sim$ 30 K containing double Fe$_2$As$_2$ layers that are separated by insulating Ca$_2$F$_2$ spacer layers. Here we report the transport and magnetization measurements on CsCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ single crystals grown for the first time using the self flux of CsAs. We observed a huge resistivity anisotropy $ρ_c(T)/ρ_{ab}(T)$, which increases with decreasing temperature, from 750 at 300 K to 3150 at 32 K. The $ρ_c(T)$ data exhibit a non-metallic behavior above $\sim$140 K, suggesting an incoherent electronic state at high temperatures due to the dimension crossover. The superconducting onset transition temperature in $ρ_{ab}$ is 0.7 K higher than that in $ρ_c$, suggesting two-dimensional (2D) superconducting fluctuations. The lower and upper critical fields also show an exceptional anisotropy among iron-based superconductors. The $H_{c1}^\bot(T)$ data are well fitted using the model with two $s$-wave-like superconducting gaps, $Δ_1(0)=6.75$ meV and $Δ_2(0)=2.32$ meV. The inter-plane coherence length $ξ_c(0)$ is $3.6$ Å, remarkably smaller than the distance between conducting layers (8.6 Å), consolidating the 2D nature in the title material.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Neutron diffraction study on magnetic structures and transitions in Sr2Cr3As2O2

Sr2Cr3As2O2 is composed of alternating square-lattice CrO2 and Cr2As2 stacking layers, where CrO2 is isostructural to the CuO2 building-block of cuprate high-Tc superconductors and Cr2As2 to Fe2As2 of Fe-based superconductors. Current interest in this material is raised by theoretic prediction of possible superconductivity. In this neutron powder diffraction study, we discovered that magnetic moments of Cr(II) ions in the Cr2As2 sublattice develop a C-type antiferromagnetic structure below 590 K, and the moments of Cr(I) in the CrO2 sublattice form the La2CuO4 -like antiferromagnetic order below 291 K. The staggered magnetic moment 2.19(4)μ B /Cr(II) in the more itinerant Cr2As2 layer is smaller than 3.10(6)μ_B/Cr(I) in the more localized CrO2 layer. Different from previous expectation, a spin-flop transition of the Cr(II) magnetic order observed at 291 K indicates a strong coupling between the CrO2 and Cr2As2 magnetic subsystems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Peculiar Phase Diagram with Isolated Superconducting Regions in ThFeAsN$_{1-x}$O$_x$

ThFeAsN$_{1-x}$O$_x$ ($0\leq x\leq0.6$) system with heavy electron doping has been studied by the measurements of X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat. The non-doped compound exhibits superconductivity at $T_\mathrm{c}^\mathrm{onset}=30$ K, which is possibly due to an internal uniaxial chemical pressure that is manifested by the extremely small value of As height with respect to the Fe plane. With the oxygen substitution, the $T_\mathrm{c}$ value decreases rapidly to below 2 K for $0.1\leq x\leq0.2$, and surprisingly, superconductivity re-appears in the range of $0.25\leq x\leq0.5$ with a maximum $T_\mathrm{c}^\mathrm{onset}$ of 17.5 K at $x=0.3$. For the normal-state resistivity, while the samples in intermediate non-superconducting interval exhibit Fermi liquid behavior, those in other regions show a non-Fermi-liquid behavior. The specific heat jump for the superconducting sample of $x=0.4$ is $ΔC/(γT_\mathrm{c})=0.89$, which is discussed in terms of anisotropic superconducting gap. The peculiar phase diagram in ThFeAsN$_{1-x}$O$_x$ presents additional ingredients for understanding the superconducting mechanism in iron-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Two-gap superconductivity with line nodes in CsCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$

We report the results of a muon-spin rotation ($μ$SR) experiment to determine the superconducting ground state of the iron-based superconductor CsCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ with $T_{\rm c} \approx 28.3\,$K. This compound is related to the fully-gapped superconductor CaCsFe$_4$As$_4$, but here the Ca-containing spacer layer is replaced with one containing Ca$_2$F$_2$. The temperature evolution of the penetration depth strongly suggests the presence of line nodes and is best modelled by a system consisting of both an $s$- and a $d$-wave gap. We also find a potentially magnetic phase which appears below $\approx 10\,$K but does not appear to compete with the superconductivity. This compound contains the largest alkali atom in this family of superconductors and our results yield a value for the in-plane penetration depth of $λ_{ab}(T=0)=423(5)\,$nm.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Multigap superconductivity in RbCa2Fe4As4F2 investigated using muSR measurements

The superconducting properties of the recently discovered double Fe$_2$As$_2$ layered high-$T_c$ superconductor RbCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ with $T_c\approx$ 30~K have been investigated using magnetization, heat capacity, transverse-field (TF) and zero-field (ZF) muon-spin rotation/relaxation ($μ$SR) measurements. Our low field magnetization measurements and heat capacity (C$_p$) reveal an onset of bulk superconductivity with $T_{\bf c}\sim$ 30.0(4) K. Furthermore, the heat capacity exhibits a jump at $T_{\bf c}$ of $Δ$C$_p$/$T_{\bf c}$=94.6 (mJ/mole-K$^2$) and no clear effect of applied magnetic fields was observed on C$_p$(T) up to 9 T between 2 K and 5 K. Our analysis of the TF-$μ$SR results shows that the temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth is better described by a two-gap model, either isotropic $s$+$s$-wave or $s$+$d$-wave than a single gap isotropic $s$-wave or $d$-wave model for the superconducting gap. The presence of two superconducting gaps in RbCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ suggests a multiband nature of the superconductivity, which is consistent with the multigap superconductivity observed in other Fe-based superconductors, including ACa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ (A=K and Cs). Furthermore, from our TF-$μ$SR study we have estimated an in-plane penetration depth $λ_{\mathrm{ab}}$$(0)$ =231.5(3) nm, superconducting carrier density $n_s = 7.45 \times 10^{26}~ $m$^{-3}$, and carrier's effective-mass $m^*$ = 2.45\textit{m}$_{e}$. Our ZF $μ$SR measurements do not reveal a clear sign of time reversal symmetry breaking at $T_{\bf c}$, but the temperature dependent relaxation between 150 K and 1.2 K might indicate the presence of spin-fluctuations. The results of our present study have been compared with those reported for other Fe pnictide superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Superconductivity at 33 - 37 K in $ALn_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$O$_2$ ($A$ = K and Cs; $Ln$ = Lanthanides)

We have synthesized 10 new iron oxyarsenides, K$Ln_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$O$_2$ ($Ln$ = Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho) and Cs$Ln_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$O$_2$ ($Ln$ = Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho), with the aid of lattice-match [between $A$Fe$_2$As$_2$ ($A$ = K and Cs) and $Ln$FeAsO] approach. The resultant compounds possess hole-doped conducting double FeAs layers, [$A$Fe$_4$As$_4$]$^{2-}$, that are separated by the insulating [$Ln_2$O$_2$]$^{2+}$ slabs. Measurements of electrical resistivity and dc magnetic susceptibility demonstrate bulk superconductivity at $T_\mathrm{c}$ = 33 - 37 K. We find that $T_\mathrm{c}$ correlates with the axis ratio $c/a$ for all 12442-type superconductors discovered. Also, $T_\mathrm{c}$ tends to increase with the lattice mismatch, implying a role of lattice instability for the enhancement of superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Crystal Structure and Superconductivity at about 30 K in $A$Ca$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ ($A$ = Rb, Cs)

We have synthesized two iron fluo-arsenides $A$Ca$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ with $A$ = Rb and Cs, analogous to the newly discovered superconductor KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$. The quinary inorganic compounds crystallize in a body-centered tetragonal lattice with space group I4/mmm, which contain double Fe$_2$As$_2$ layers that are separated by insulating Ca$_2$F$_2$ layers. Our electrical and magnetic measurements on the polycrystalline samples demonstrate that the new materials undergo superconducting transitions at Tc = 30.5 K and 28.2 K, respectively, without extrinsic doping. The correlations between Tc and structural parameters are discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Synthesis, crystal structure and superconductivity in Rb$Ln_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$O$_2$ ($Ln$ = Sm, Tb, Dy and Ho)

We have synthesized four iron-based oxyarsenide superconductors Rb$Ln_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$O$_2$ ($Ln$ = Sm, Tb, Dy and Ho) resulting from the intergrowth of RbFe$_2$As$_2$ and $Ln$FeAsO. It is found that the lattice match between RbFe$_2$As$_2$ and $Ln$FeAsO is crucial for the phase formation. The structural intergrowth leads to double asymmetric Fe$_2$As$_2$ layers that are separated by insulating $Ln_2$O$_2$ slabs. Consequently, the materials are intrinsically doped at a level of 0.25 holes/Fe-atom and, bulk superconductivity emerges at $T_\mathrm{c}$ = 35.8, 34.7, 34.3 and 33.8 K, respectively, for $Ln$ = Sm, Tb, Dy and Ho. Investigation on the correlation between crystal structure and $T_\mathrm{c}$ suggests that interlayer couplings may play an additional role for optimization of superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Entire Solution in an Ignition Nonlocal Dispersal Equation: Asymmetric Kernel

This paper mainly focus on the front-like entire solution of a classical nonlocal dispersal equation with ignition nonlinearity. Especially, the dispersal kernel function $J$ may not be symmetric here. The asymmetry of $J$ has a great influence on the profile of the traveling waves and the sign of the wave speeds, which further makes the properties of the entire solution more diverse. We first investigate the asymptotic behavior of the traveling wave solutions since it plays an essential role in obtaining the front-like entire solution. Due to the impact of $f'(0)=0$, we can no longer use the common method which mainly depending on Ikehara theorem and bilateral Laplace transform to study the asymptotic rates of the nondecreasing traveling wave and the nonincreasing one tending to 0, respectively, thus we adopt another method to investigate them. Afterwards, we establish a new entire solution and obtain its qualitative properties by constructing proper supersolution and subsolution and by classifying the sign and size of the wave speeds.

math.AP↗

arXiv2016

Superconductivity at 35 K by self doping in RbGd$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$O$_2$

We report synthesis, crystal structure and physical properties of a novel quinary compound RbGd$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$O$_2$. The new iron oxyarsenide is isostructural to the fluo-arsenide KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$, both of which contain separate double Fe$_2$As$_2$ layers that are self hole-doped in the stoichiometric composition. Bulk superconductivity at $T_\mathrm{c}$ = 35 K is demonstrated by the measurements of electrical resistivity, dc magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity. An exceptionally high value of the initial slope of the upper critical field ($μ_0$d$H_{\mathrm{c2}}$/d$T|_{T_\mathrm{c}}$ = 16.5 T/K) is measured for the polycrystalline sample.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Superconductivity in KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ with Separate Double Fe$_2$As$_2$ Layers

We report synthesis, crystal structure and physical properties of a quinary iron-arsenide fluoride KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$. The new compound crystallizes in a body-centered tetragonal lattice (with space group $I4/mmm$, $a$ = 3.8684(2) Å, c = 31.007(1) Å, and $Z$ = 2), which contains double Fe$_2$As$_2$ conducting layers separated by insulating Ca$_2$F$_2$ layers. Our measurements of electrical resistivity, dc magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity demonstrate bulk superconductivity at 33 K in KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Superconductivity and Ferromagnetism in Hole-Doped RbEuFe$_4$As$_4$

We discover a robust coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism in an iron arsenide RbEuFe$_4$As$_4$. The new material crystallizes in an intergrowth structure of RbFe$_2$As$_2$ and EuFe$_2$As$_2$, such that the Eu sublattice turns out to be primitive instead of being body-centered in EuFe$_2$As$_2$. The FeAs layers, featured by asymmetric As coordinations, are hole doped due to charge homogenization. Our combined measurements of electrical transport, magnetization and heat capacity unambiguously and consistently indicate bulk superconductivity at 36.5 K in the FeAs layers and ferromagnetism at 15 K in the Eu sublattice. Interestingly, the Eu-spin ferromagnetic ordering belongs to a rare third-order transition, according to the Ehrenfest classification of phase transition. We also identify an additional anomaly at $\sim$ 5 K, which is possibly associated with the interplay between superconductivity and ferromagnetism.

cond-mat.supr-con↗