arXiv subjects

Zhu-an Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Zhu-an Xu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Directional selection of field-induced phases by weak anisotropy in triangular-lattice K$_2$Mn(SeO$_3$)$_2$

Triangular-lattice systems host a variety of ground states, ranging from quantum spin liquids to magnetically ordered phases, the latter of which can exhibit a sequence of magnetic phase transitions under applied magnetic fields. Here, we report magnetic and thermodynamic measurements, combined with powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction, on a high-spin, nearly isotropic Mn$^{2+}$ triangular-lattice system K$_2$Mn(SeO$_3$)$_2$. The compound undergoes long-range magnetic ordering below $T_\mathrm{N} \sim 4$~K in zero field. Contrary to expectations for an ideal Heisenberg system, the compound adopts an up-down-zero (UD0) magnetic structure down to the lowest temperature (0.05 K), rather than the commonly expected Y-type structure. This UD0 state is, however, highly sensitive to external magnetic fields. For fields applied along the $c$ axis, it is readily destabilized and replaced by the Y-type structure, followed by an up-up-down (UUD) phase corresponding to the 1/3 magnetization plateau. In contrast, when the field is applied within the triangular plane, the system evolves into a canted Y state at a higher critical field. These results reveal that weak anisotropy, though small in magnitude, exerts a strongly orientation-dependent influence, playing a key role in selecting the field-induced phases in this frustrated magnet.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Anisotropic superconductivity in topological crystalline metal Pb$_{1/3}$TaS$_2$ with multiple Dirac fermions

Topological crystalline metals/semimetals (TCMs) have stimulated a great research interest, which broaden the classification of topological phases and provide a valuable platform to explore topological superconductivity. Here, we report the discovery of superconductivity and topological features in Pb-intercalated transition-metal dichalcogenide Pb$_{1/3}$TaS$_2$. Systematic measurements indicate that Pb$_{1/3}$TaS$_2$ is a quasi-two-dimensional (q-2D) type-II superconductor ({\em T}$_c \approx$ 2.8 K) with a significantly enhanced anisotropy of upper critical field ($γ_{H_{c2}}$ = $H_{c2}^{ab}/H_{c2}^{c}$ $\approx$ 17). In addition, first-principles calculations reveal that Pb$_{1/3}$TaS$_2$ hosts multiple topological Dirac fermions in the electronic band structure. We discover four groups of Dirac nodal lines on the $k_z = π$ plane and two sets of Dirac points on the rotation/screw axes, which are protected by crystalline symmetries and robust against spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Dirac-cone-like surface states emerge on the (001) surface because of band inversion. Our work shows that the TCM candidate Pb$_{1/3}$TaS$_2$ is a promising arena to study the interplay between superconductivity and topological Dirac fermions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Necessary and sufficient criterion for k-separability of N-qubit noisy GHZ states

A Multipartite entangled state has many different kinds of entanglement specified by the number of partitions. The most essential example of multipartite entanglement is the entanglement of multi-qubit Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state in white noise. We explicitly construct the entanglement witnesses for these states with stabilizer generators of the GHZ states. For a $N$ qubit GHZ state in white noise, we demonstrate the necessary and sufficient criterion of separability when it is divided into $k$ parties with $N\leq 2k-1$ for arbitrary $N$ and $k$. The criterion covers more than a half of all kinds of partial entanglement for $% N $-qubit GHZ states in white noise. For the rest of multipartite entanglement problems, we present a method to obtain the sufficient conditions of separability. As an application, we consider $N$ qubit GHZ state as a codeword of the degenerate quantum code passing through depolarizing channel. We find that the output state is neither genuinely entangled nor fully separable when the quantum channel capacity reduces from positive to zero.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Precise detection of multipartite entanglement in four-qubit Greenberger--Horne--Zeilinger diagonal states

We propose a method of constructing the separability criteria for multipartite quantum states on the basis of entanglement witnesses. The entanglement witnesses are obtained by finding the maximal expectation values of Hermitian operators and then optimizing over all possible Hermitian operators. We derive a set of tripartite separability criteria for the four-qubit Greenberger--Horne--Zeilinger (GHZ) diagonal states. The derived criterion set contains four criteria that are necessary and sufficient for the tripartite separability of the highly symmetric four-qubit GHZ diagonal states; the criteria completely account for the numerically obtained boundaries of the tripartite separable state set. One of the criteria is just the tripartite separability criterion of the four-qubit generalized Werner states.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Giant Linear Magneto-resistance in Nonmagnetic PtBi2

We synthesized nonmagnetic PtBi$_2$ single crystals and observed a giant linear magneto-resistance (MR) up to 684\% under a magnetic field $μ_0H$ = 15 T at $T$ = 2 K. The linear MR decreases with increasing temperature, but it is still as large as 61\% under $μ_0H$ of 15 T at room temperature. Such a giant linear MR is unlikely to be described by the quantum model as the quantum condition is not satisfied. Instead, we found that the slope of MR scales with the Hall mobility, and it can be well explained by a classical disorder model.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Matched witness for multipartite entanglement

We transform the way of finding entanglement criterion into two steps: to obtain necessary criterion of separability by maximizing an algebra function for a set of characteristic variables of the witness operator and the given number of partitions, then to obtain the sufficient criterion by minimizing an algebra function with respect to the characteristic variables for a given quantum state. Our method avoids the semi-definite program calculation in the witness operator entanglement detection. The necessary and sufficient criterion of separability for the three qubit X shaped state is given to illustrate the procedure of finding the criterion. We give the necessary and sufficient criteria of the three partite and full separabilities for the four qubit noisy GHZ state and the four qubit noisy cluster state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Pressure-tuned quantum criticality in the antiferromagnetic Kondo semi-metal CeNi$_{2-δ}$As$_2$

The easily tuned balance among competing interactions in Kondo-lattice metals allows access to a zero-temperature, continuous transition between magnetically ordered and disordered phases, a quantum-critical point (QCP). Indeed, these highly correlated electron materials are prototypes for discovering and exploring quantum-critical states. Theoretical models proposed to account for the strange thermodynamic and electrical transport properties that emerge around the QCP of a Kondo lattice assume the presence of an indefinitely large number of itinerant charge carriers. Here, we report a systematic transport and thermodynamic investigation of the Kondo-lattice system CeNi$_{2-δ}$As$_2$ ($δ$$\thickapprox$0.28) as its antiferromagnetic order is tuned by pressure and magnetic field to zero-temperature boundaries. These experiments show that the very small but finite carrier density of $\sim$0.032 $e^-$/f.u. in CeNi$_{2-δ}$As$_2$ leads to unexpected transport signatures of quantum criticality and the delayed development of a fully coherent Kondo lattice state with decreasing temperature. The small carrier density and associated semi-metallicity of this Kondo-lattice material favor an unconventional, local-moment type of quantum criticality and raise the specter of Nozières exhaustion idea that an insufficient number of conduction-electron spins to separately screen local moments requires collective Kondo screening.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Chiral anomaly induced negative magnetoresistance in topological Weyl semimetal NbAs

In this paper, we report the intercone transport of Weyl fermions in NbAs with external magnetic field in parallel to electric field, a quantum phenomenon known as the Adler-Bell-Jackiw anomaly. Surprisingly, the resulting negative magnetoresistance (MR) in NbAs shows significant difference from NbP. The observed low-field positive MR dip, which is missing in NbP at low temperatures, indicates that the spin-orbital coupling (SOC) is significantly stronger in NbAs than in the former. The results imply that the contribution of arsenic to SOC in TaAs and NbAs is not negligible.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Observation of Negative Magnetoresistance and nontrivial $π$ Berrys phase in 3D Weyl semi-metal NbAs

We report the electric transport properties of NbAs, which is a Weyl semimetal candidate proposed by recent theoretical calculations and confirmed by recent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) data. We detected the long-anticipated negative magneto-resistance generated by the chiral anomaly in NbAs. Clear Shubnikov de Haas (SdH) oscillations have been detected starting from very weak magnetic field. Analysis of the SdH peaks gives the Berry phase accumulated along the cyclotron orbits to be $π$, indicating the existence of Weyl points.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Heavy surface state in a possible topological Kondo insulator: Magneto-thermoelectric transport on the (011)-plane of SmB$_6$

Motivated by the high sensitivity to Fermi surface topology and scattering mechanisms in magneto-thermoelectric transport, we have measured the thermopower and Nernst effect on the (011)-plane of the proposed topological Kondo insulator SmB$_6$. These experiments, together with electrical resistivity and Hall effect measurements, demonstrate that the (011)-plane also harbors a metallic surface with the effective mass in the order of 10-10$^2$ $m_0$. The surface and bulk conductances are well distinguished in these measurements and are categorized into metallic and non-degenerate semiconducting regimes, respectively. Electronic correlations play an important role in enhancing scattering and also contribute to the heavy surface state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Possible spin frustration in Nd$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$ probed by muon spin relaxation

Muon spin relaxation on Nd$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$ (NTO) and NdLaTi$_2$O$_7$ (NLTO) compounds are presented. The time spectra for both compounds are as expected for the paramagnetic state at high temperatures, but deviate from the exponential function below about 100 K. The muon spin relaxation rate increases with decreasing temperature firstly, and then levels off below about 10 K, which is reminiscent of the frustrated systems. An enhancement of the relaxation rate by a longitudinal field in the paramagnetic state is observed for NTO, and eliminated by a magnetic dilution for the NLTO sample. This suggests that the spectral density is modified by a magnetic dilution and thus indicates that the spins behave cooperatively rather than individually. Zero-field measurement at 0.3 K indicates that the magnetic ground state for NTO is ferromagnetic.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Relationship between Superconductivity and Antiferromagnetism in LaFe(As$_{1-x}$P$_{x}$)O Revealed by $^{31}$P-NMR

We performed $^{31}$P-NMR measurements on LaFe(As$_{1-x}$P$_{x}$)O to investigate the relationship between antiferromagnetism and superconductivity. The antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering temperature $T_{\rm N}$ and the moment $μ_{\rm ord}$ are continuously suppressed with increasing P content $x$ and disappear at $x = 0.3$ where bulk superconductivity appears. At this superconducting $x = 0.3$, quantum critical AFM fluctuations are observed, indicative of the intimate relationship between superconductivity and low-energy AFM fluctuations associated with the quantum-critical point in LaFe(As$_{1-x}$P$_{x}$)O. The relationship is similar to those observed in other isovalent-substitution systems, e.g., BaFe$_{2}$(As$_{1-x}$P$_{x}$)$_{2}$ and SrFe$_{2}$(As$_{1-x}$P$_{x}$)$_{2}$, with the "122" structure. Moreover, the AFM order reappears with further P substitution ($x > 0.4$). The variation of the ground state with respect to the P substitution is considered to be linked to the change in the band character of Fe-3$d$ orbitals around the Fermi level.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

K and Mn co-doped BaCd2As2: a hexagonal structured bulk diluted magnetic semiconductor with large magnetoresistance

A bulk diluted magnetic semiconductor was found in the K and Mn co-doped BaCd2As2 system. Different from recently reported tetragonal ThCr2Si2-structured II-II-V based(Ba,K)(Zn,Mn)2As2, the Ba1-yKyCd2-xMnxAs2 system has a hexagonal CaAl2Si2-type structure with the Cd2As2 layer forming a honeycomb-like network. The Mn concentration reaches up to its x ? 0.4. Magnetization measurements show that the samples undergo ferromagnetic transitions with Curie temperature up to 16 K. With low coercive field less than 10 Oe and large magnetoresistence of about -70%, the hexagonal structured Ba1-yKyCd2-xMnxAs2 can be served as a promising candidate for spin manipulations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Magnetic order in pyrochlore iridate Nd$_2$Ir$_2$O$_7$ probed by muon spin relaxation

Muon-spin relaxation results on the pyrochlore iridate Nd$_2$Ir$_2$O$_7$ are reported. Spontaneous coherent muon-spin precession below the metal-insulator transition (MIT) temperature of about 33 K is observed, indicating the appearance of a long-ranged magnetic ordering of Ir$^{4+}$ moments. With further decrease in temperature, the internal field at the muon site increases again below about 9 K. The second increase of internal field suggests the ordering of Nd$^{3+}$ moments, which is consistent with a previous neutron experiment. Our results suggest that the MIT and magnetic ordering of Ir$^{4+}$ moments have a close relationship and that the large spin-orbit coupling of Ir 5\textit{d} electrons plays a key role for both MIT and the mechanism of the magnetic ordering in pyrochlore iridates in the insulting ground state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Magnetic instability induced by Rh-doping in Kondo semiconductor CeRu$_2$Al$_{10}$

Magnetic ground state of Rh-doped Kondo semiconductor CeRu$_2$Al$_{10}$ [Ce(Ru$_{1-x}$Rh$_x$)$_2$Al$_{10}$] is investigated by muon-spin relaxation method. Muon-spin precession with two frequencies is observed in the $x$ = 0 sample, while only one frequency is present in the $x$ = 0.05 and 0.1 samples, which is attributed to the broad static field distribution at the muon site. The internal field at the muon site is enhanced from about 180 G in $x$ = 0 sample to about 800 G in the Rh-doped samples, supporting the spin-flop transition as suggested by macroscopic measurements, and the boundary of different magnetic ground states is identified around $x$ = 0.03. The drastic change of magnetic ground state by a small amount of Rh-doping (3%) indicates that the magnetic structure in CeRu$_2$Al$_{10}$ is not robust and can be easily tuned by external perturbations such as electron doping. The anomalous temperature dependence of internal field in CeRu$_2$Al$_{10}$ is suggested to be attributed to the hyperfine interaction between muons and conduction electrons.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Li$_2$RhO$_3$: A spin-glassy relativistic Mott insulator

Motivated by the rich interplay among electronic correlation, spin-orbit coupling (SOC), crystal-field splitting, and geometric frustrations in the honeycomb-like lattice, we systematically investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of Li$_2$RhO$_3$. The material is semiconducting with a narrow band gap of $Δ\sim$78 meV, and its temperature dependence of resistivity conforms to 3D variable range hopping mechanism. No long-range magnetic ordering was found down to 0.5 K, due to the geometric frustrations. Instead, single atomic spin-glass behavior below the spin-freezing temperature ($\sim$6 K) was observed and its spin dynamics obeys the universal critical slowing down scaling law. First principle calculations suggested it to be a relativistic Mott insulator mediated by both electronic correlation and SOC. With moderate strength of electronic correlation and SOC, our results shed new light to the research of Heisenberg-Kitaev model in realistic materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Magnetic property and crystalline electric field effect in ThCr$_2$Si$_2$-type CeNi$_2$As$_2$

Millimeter sized ThCr$_2$Si$_2$-type CeNi$_2$As$_2$ single crystal was synthesized by NaAs flux method and its physical properties were investigated by magnetization, transport and specific heat measurements. In contrast to the previously reported CaBe$_2$Ge$_2$-type CeNi$_2$As$_2$, the ThCr$_2$Si$_2$-type CeNi$_2$As$_2$ is a highly anisotropic uniaxial antiferromagnet with the transition temperature $T_N$=4.8 K. A field induced spin flop transition was seen below $T_N$ when the applied $\textbf{B}$ is parallel to the $\textbf{c}$-axis, the magnetic easy axis, together with a huge frustration parameter $f=θ_W/T_N$. A pronounced Schottky-like anomaly in specific heat was also found around 160 K, which could be attributed to the crystalline electric field effect with the excitation energies being fitted to $Δ_1=$325 K and $Δ_2=$520 K, respectively. Moreover, the in-plane resistivity anisotropy and low temperature X-ray diffractions suggest that this compound is a rare example exhibiting a possible structure distortion induced by the $4f$-electron magnetic frustration.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Zn-impurity effect and interplay of $s_{\pm}$- and $s_{++}$-pairings in Fe-based superconductors

We report theoretical and experimental studies of the effect of Zn-impurity in Fe-based superconductors. Zn-impurity is expected to severely suppress sign reversed s$_\pm$ wave pairing. The experimentally observed suppression of T$_c$ under Zn-doping strongly depends on the materials and the charge carrier contents, which suggests competition of $s_{++}$ and $s_{\pm}$ pairings in Fe-base superconductors. We study a model incorporating both $s_{++}$ and $s_{\pm}$ pairing couplings by using Bogoliubov de-Gennes equation, and show that the Zn-impurity strongly suppresses $s_{\pm}$ pairing and may induce a transition from $s_{\pm}$ to $s_{++}$-wave. Our theory is consistent with various experiments on the impurity effect. We present new experimental data on the Zn-doping SmFe$_{1-x}$Zn$_x$AsO$_{0.9}$F$_{0.1}$ of T$_c=$ 50K, in further support of our proposal.

cond-mat.supr-con↗