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Evidence of Interfacial Topological Superconductivity on the Topological Semimetal Tungsten Carbide Induced by Metal Deposition
Authors:
W. L. Zhu,
X. Y. Hou,
J. Li,
Y. F. Huang,
S. Zhang,
J. B. He,
D. Chen,
M. D. Zhang,
H. X. Yang,
Z. A. Ren,
J. P. Hu,
L. Shan,
G. F. Chen
Abstract:
Interfaces between materials with different electronic ground states have become powerful platforms for creating and controlling novel quantum states of matter, in which inversion symmetry breaking and other effects at the interface may introduce additional electronic states. Among the emergent phenomena, superconductivity is of particular interest. In this work, by depositing metal films on a new…
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Interfaces between materials with different electronic ground states have become powerful platforms for creating and controlling novel quantum states of matter, in which inversion symmetry breaking and other effects at the interface may introduce additional electronic states. Among the emergent phenomena, superconductivity is of particular interest. In this work, by depositing metal films on a newly identified topological semimetal tungsten carbide (WC) single crystal, we have obtained interfacial topological superconductivity evidenced from soft point contact spectroscopy. This very robust phenomenon has been demonstrated for a wide range of Metal/WC interfaces, involving both non-magnetic and ferromagnetic films, and the superconducting transition temperatures is surprisingly insensitive to the magnetism of thin films, suggesting a spin-triplet pairing superconducting state. The results offer an opportunity to implement topological superconductivity using convenient thin film coating method.
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Submitted 29 November, 2018;
originally announced November 2018.
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Infrared spectroscopic studies of the topological properties in CaMnSb2
Authors:
Ziyang Qiu,
Congcong Le,
Yaomin Dai,
Bing Xu,
J. B. He,
Run Yang,
Genfu Chen,
Jiangping Hu,
Xianggang Qiu
Abstract:
We present temperature-dependent infrared spectroscopic studies of CaMnSb2, a proposed threedimensional topological material. The low plasma edge in the reflectivity spectrum and small Drude component in the optical conductivity indicate a very low carrier density. The low-frequency optical conductivity is well described by the superposition of a narrow and a broad Drude terms. Several linear comp…
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We present temperature-dependent infrared spectroscopic studies of CaMnSb2, a proposed threedimensional topological material. The low plasma edge in the reflectivity spectrum and small Drude component in the optical conductivity indicate a very low carrier density. The low-frequency optical conductivity is well described by the superposition of a narrow and a broad Drude terms. Several linear components have been observed in the low-temperature optical conductivity, but none of them extrapolates to the origin, at odds with the optical response expected for three-dimensional Dirac fermions. A series of absorption peaks have been resolved in the high-frequency optical conductivity. The energy of these peaks agrees well with the interband transitions expected for the band structures from first-principles calculations. Intriguingly, the lowest band gap increases with decreasing temperature, mimic the temperature evolution of inverted bands. Furthermore, our theoretical calculations demonstrate the existence of weak coupling between two Sb-chains layers results in the topological trivial surface states in CaMnSb2.
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Submitted 17 September, 2018;
originally announced September 2018.
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Magnetotransport properties of the new-type topological semimetal ZrTe
Authors:
W. L. Zhu,
J. B. He,
S. Zhang,
D. Chen,
L. Shan,
Z. A. Ren,
G. F. Chen
Abstract:
We report the first experimental results of the magnetoresistance, Hall effect, and quantum Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations on single crystals of ZrTe, which was recently predicted to be a new type of topological semimetal hosting both triply degenerate crossing points and Weyl fermion state. The analysis of Hall effect and quantum oscillations indicate that ZrTe is a multiband system with low carr…
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We report the first experimental results of the magnetoresistance, Hall effect, and quantum Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations on single crystals of ZrTe, which was recently predicted to be a new type of topological semimetal hosting both triply degenerate crossing points and Weyl fermion state. The analysis of Hall effect and quantum oscillations indicate that ZrTe is a multiband system with low carrier density, high carrier mobility, small cross-sectional area of Fermi surface, and light cyclotron effective mass, as observed in many topological semimetals. Meanwhile, the angular dependence of the magnetoresistance and the quantum-oscillation frequencies further suggest that ZrTe possesses a three-dimensional Fermi surface that is rather complex. Our results provide a new platform to realize exotic quantum phenomena related to the new three-component fermions distinct from Dirac and Weyl fermions.
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Submitted 4 July, 2017;
originally announced July 2017.
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Magnetotransport properties of the triply degenerate node topological semimetal tungsten carbide
Authors:
J. B. He,
D. Chen,
W. L. Zhu,
S. Zhang,
L. X. Zhao,
Z. A. Ren,
G. F. Chen
Abstract:
We report the magnetoresistance (MR), Hall effect, and de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) effect studies of the single crystals of tungsten carbide, WC, which is predicted to be a new type of topological semimetal with triply degenerate nodes. With the magnetic field rotated in the plane perpendicular to the current, WC shows field induced metal to insulator like transition and large nonsaturating quadrati…
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We report the magnetoresistance (MR), Hall effect, and de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) effect studies of the single crystals of tungsten carbide, WC, which is predicted to be a new type of topological semimetal with triply degenerate nodes. With the magnetic field rotated in the plane perpendicular to the current, WC shows field induced metal to insulator like transition and large nonsaturating quadratic MR at low temperature. As the magnetic field parallel to the current, a pronounced negative longitudinal MR only can be observed when the current flows along the certain direction. Hall effect indicates WC is a perfect compensated semimetal, which may be related to the large nonsaturating quadratic MR. The analysis of dHvA oscillations reveals that WC is a multiband system with small cross-sectional areas of Fermi surface and light cyclotron effective masses. Our results indicate that WC is an ideal platform to study the recently proposed New Fermions with triply degenerate crossing points.
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Submitted 31 May, 2017; v1 submitted 9 March, 2017;
originally announced March 2017.
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Magnetotransport properties of the type II Weyl semimetal candidate Ta3S2
Authors:
D. Chen,
L. X. Zhao,
J. B. He,
H. Liang,
S. Zhang,
C. H. Li,
L. Shan,
C. Ren,
S. C. Wang,
Z. A. Ren,
G. F. Chen
Abstract:
We have investigated the magnetoresistance (MR) and Hall resistivity properties of the single crystals of tantalum sulfide, Ta3S2, which was recently predicted to be a new type II Weyl semimetal. Large MR (up to ~8000% at 2 K and 16 T), field-induced metal-insulator-like transition and nonlinear Hall resistivity are observed at low temperatures. The large MR shows a strong dependence on the field…
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We have investigated the magnetoresistance (MR) and Hall resistivity properties of the single crystals of tantalum sulfide, Ta3S2, which was recently predicted to be a new type II Weyl semimetal. Large MR (up to ~8000% at 2 K and 16 T), field-induced metal-insulator-like transition and nonlinear Hall resistivity are observed at low temperatures. The large MR shows a strong dependence on the field orientation, leading to a giant anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) effect. For the field applied along the b-axis (B//b), MR exhibits quadratic field dependence at low fields and tends towards saturation at high fields; while for B//a, MR presents quadratic field dependence at low fields and becomes linear at high fields without any trend towards saturation. The analysis of the Hall resistivity data indicates the coexistence of a large number of electrons with low mobility and a small number of holes with high mobility. Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillation analysis reveals three fundamental frequencies originated from the three-dimensional (3D) Fermi surface (FS) pockets. We find that the semi-classical multiband model is sufficient to account for the experimentally observed MR in Ta3S2.
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Submitted 26 August, 2016; v1 submitted 19 July, 2016;
originally announced July 2016.
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Enhancing Electron Coherence via Quantum Phonon Confinement in Atomically Thin Nb3SiTe6
Authors:
J. Hu,
X. Liu,
C. L. Yue,
J. Y. Liu,
H. W. Zhu,
J. B. He,
J. Wei,
Z. Q. Mao,
L. Yu. Antipina,
Z. I. Popov,
P. B. Sorokin,
T. J. Liu,
P. W. Adams,
S. M. A Radmanesh,
L. Spinu,
H. Ji,
D. Natelson
Abstract:
The extraordinary properties of two dimensional (2D) materials, such as the extremely high carrier mobility in graphene and the large direct band gaps in transition metal dichalcogenides MX2 (M = Mo or W, X = S, Se) monolayers, highlight the crucial role quantum confinement can have in producing a wide spectrum of technologically important electronic properties. Currently one of the highest priori…
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The extraordinary properties of two dimensional (2D) materials, such as the extremely high carrier mobility in graphene and the large direct band gaps in transition metal dichalcogenides MX2 (M = Mo or W, X = S, Se) monolayers, highlight the crucial role quantum confinement can have in producing a wide spectrum of technologically important electronic properties. Currently one of the highest priorities in the field is to search for new 2D crystalline systems with structural and electronic properties that can be exploited for device development. In this letter, we report on the unusual quantum transport properties of the 2D ternary transition metal chalcogenide - Nb3SiTe6. We show that the micaceous nature of Nb3SiTe6 allows it to be thinned down to one-unit-cell thick 2D crystals using microexfoliation technique. When the thickness of Nb3SiTe6 crystal is reduced below a few unit-cells thickness, we observed an unexpected, enhanced weak-antilocalization signature in magnetotransport. This finding provides solid evidence for the long-predicted suppression of electron-phonon interaction caused by the crossover of phonon spectrum from 3D to 2D.
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Submitted 1 April, 2015;
originally announced April 2015.
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Superconductivity in Pd-intercalated charge-density-wave rare earth poly-tellurides RETen
Authors:
J. B. He,
P. P. Wang,
H. X. Yang,
Y. J. Long,
L. X. Zhao,
C. Ma,
D. M. Wang,
X. C. Shangguan,
Z. A. Ren,
J. Q. Li,
G. F. Chen
Abstract:
The interplay between magnetism and superconductivity is one of the dominant themes in the study of unconventional superconductors, such as high-Tc cuprates, iron pnictides and heavy fermions. In such systems, the same d- or f-electrons tend to form magnetically ordered states and participate in building up a high density of states at the Fermi level, which is responsible for the superconductivity…
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The interplay between magnetism and superconductivity is one of the dominant themes in the study of unconventional superconductors, such as high-Tc cuprates, iron pnictides and heavy fermions. In such systems, the same d- or f-electrons tend to form magnetically ordered states and participate in building up a high density of states at the Fermi level, which is responsible for the superconductivity. Charge-density-wave (CDW) is another fascinating collective quantum phenomenon in some low dimensional materials, like the prototypical transition-metal poly-chalcogenides, in which CDW instability is frequently found to accompany with superconducting transition at low temperatures. Remarkably, similar to the antiferromagnetic superconductors, superconductivity can also be achieved upon suppression of CDW order via chemical doping or applied pressure in 1T-TiSe2. However, in these CDW superconductors, the two ground states are believed to occur in different parts of Fermi surface (FS) sheets, derived mainly from chalcogen p-states and transition metal d-states, respectively. The origin of superconductivity and its interplay with CDW instability has not yet been unambiguously determined. Here we report on the discovery of bulk superconductivity in Pd-intercalated CDW RETen (RE=rare earth; n=2.5, 3) compounds, which belong to a large family of rare-earth poly-chalcogenides with CDW instability usually developing in the planar square nets of tellurium at remarkably high transition temperature and the electronic properties are also dominated by chalcogen p-orbitals. Our study demonstrates that the intercalation of palladium leads to the suppression of the CDW order and the emergence of the superconductivity. Our finding could provide an ideal model system for comprehensive studies of the interplay between CDW and superconductivity.
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Submitted 14 January, 2013;
originally announced January 2013.
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NMR study of superconductivity and spin fluctuations in hole-doped superconductor Ca1-xNaxFe2As2 (Tc =32 K)
Authors:
Long Ma,
J. S. Zhang,
D. M. Wang,
J. B. He,
T. -L. Xia,
G. F. Chen,
Weiqiang Yu
Abstract:
We report both 23Na and 75As NMR studies on hole-doped Ca1-xNaxFe2As2 superconducting single crystals (x\approx 0.67) with Tc =32 K. Singlet superconductivity is suggested by a sharp drop of the Knight shift 75K below Tc. The spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 does not show the Slichter-Hebel coherence peak, which suggests an unconventional pairing. The penetration depth is estimated to be 0.24 μm…
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We report both 23Na and 75As NMR studies on hole-doped Ca1-xNaxFe2As2 superconducting single crystals (x\approx 0.67) with Tc =32 K. Singlet superconductivity is suggested by a sharp drop of the Knight shift 75K below Tc. The spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 does not show the Slichter-Hebel coherence peak, which suggests an unconventional pairing. The penetration depth is estimated to be 0.24 μm at T=2 K. 1/75T1T shows an anisotropic behavior and a prominent low-temperature upturn, which indicates strong low-energy antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations and supports a magnetic origin of superconductivity.
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Submitted 3 April, 2012;
originally announced April 2012.
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Unconventional Anisotropic s-Wave Superconducting Gaps of LiFeAs Iron-Pnictide Superconductor
Authors:
K. Umezawa,
Y. Li,
H. Miao,
K. Nakayama,
Z. -H. Liu,
P. Richard,
T. Sato,
J. B. He,
D. -M. Wang,
G. F. Chen,
H. Ding,
T. Takahashi,
S. -C. Wang
Abstract:
We have performed high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy on Fe-based superconductor LiFeAs (Tc = 18 K). We reveal multiple nodeless superconducting (SC) gaps with 2D/kBTc ratios varying from 2.8 to 6.4, depending on the Fermi surface (FS). We also succeeded in directly observing a gap anisotropy along the FS with magnitude up to ~30 %. The anisotropy is four-fold symmetric with…
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We have performed high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy on Fe-based superconductor LiFeAs (Tc = 18 K). We reveal multiple nodeless superconducting (SC) gaps with 2D/kBTc ratios varying from 2.8 to 6.4, depending on the Fermi surface (FS). We also succeeded in directly observing a gap anisotropy along the FS with magnitude up to ~30 %. The anisotropy is four-fold symmetric with an antiphase between the hole and electron FSs, suggesting complex anisotropic interactions for the SC pairing. The observed momentum dependence of the SC gap offers an excellent opportunity to investigate the underlying pairing mechanism.
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Submitted 24 January, 2012; v1 submitted 15 November, 2011;
originally announced November 2011.
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Two-magnon Raman scattering in A$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ systems: competition between superconductivity and antiferromagnetic order
Authors:
A. M. Zhang,
J. H. Xiao,
Y. S. Li,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
G. F. Chen,
B. Normand,
Q. M. Zhang,
T. Xiang
Abstract:
We have performed Raman-scattering measurements on high-quality single crystals of A$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ superconductors of several compositions. We find a broad, asymmetric peak around 1600 cm$^{-1}$ (200 meV), which we identify as a two-magnon process involving optical magnons. The intensity of the two-magnon peak falls sharply on entering the superconducting phase. This effect, which is ent…
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We have performed Raman-scattering measurements on high-quality single crystals of A$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ superconductors of several compositions. We find a broad, asymmetric peak around 1600 cm$^{-1}$ (200 meV), which we identify as a two-magnon process involving optical magnons. The intensity of the two-magnon peak falls sharply on entering the superconducting phase. This effect, which is entirely absent in the non-superconducting system KFe$_{1.5}$Se$_2$, requires a strong mutual exclusion between antiferromagnetism and superconductivity arising from proximity effects within regions of microscale phase separation.
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Submitted 28 April, 2012; v1 submitted 14 June, 2011;
originally announced June 2011.
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Effect of iron content and potassium substitution in A$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ (A = K, Rb, Tl) superconductors: a Raman-scattering investigation
Authors:
A. M. Zhang,
K. Liu,
J. H. Xiao,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
G. F. Chen,
B. Normand,
Q. M. Zhang
Abstract:
We have performed Raman-scattering measurements on high-quality single crystals of the superconductors K$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ ($T_c$ = 32 K), Tl$_{0.5}$K$_{0.3}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ ($T_c$ = 29 K), and Tl$_{0.5}$Rb$_{0.3}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ ($T_c$ = 31 K), as well as of the insulating compound KFe$_{1.5}$Se$_2$. To interpret our results, we have made first-principles calculations for the phonon modes…
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We have performed Raman-scattering measurements on high-quality single crystals of the superconductors K$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ ($T_c$ = 32 K), Tl$_{0.5}$K$_{0.3}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ ($T_c$ = 29 K), and Tl$_{0.5}$Rb$_{0.3}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ ($T_c$ = 31 K), as well as of the insulating compound KFe$_{1.5}$Se$_2$. To interpret our results, we have made first-principles calculations for the phonon modes in the ordered iron-vacancy structure of K$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$. The modes we observe can be assigned very well from our symmetry analysis and calculations, allowing us to compare Raman-active phonons in the AFeSe compounds. We find a clear frequency difference in most phonon modes between the superconducting and non-superconducting potassium crystals, indicating the fundamental influence of iron content. By contrast, substitution of K by Tl or Rb in A$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ causes no substantial frequency shift for any modes above 60 cm$^{-1}$, demonstrating that the alkali-type metal has little effect on the microstructure of the FeSe layer. Several additional modes appear below 60 cm$^{-1}$ in Tl- and Rb-substituted samples, which are vibrations of heavier Tl and Rb ions. Finally, our calculations reveal the presence of "chiral" phonon modes, whose origin lies in the chiral nature of the K$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ structure.
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Submitted 12 June, 2012; v1 submitted 5 May, 2011;
originally announced May 2011.
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Synthesis, Structure and Magnetic Properties of New Layered Iron-Oxychalcogenide Na2Fe2OSe2
Authors:
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
H. L. Shi,
H. X. Yang,
J. Q. Li,
G. F. Chen
Abstract:
A new layered iron-oxychalcogenide Na2Fe2OSe2 has been synthesized and structurally characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The structure is formed by alternate stacking of the newly discovered [Fe2OSe2] blocks and double layers of Na. Conductivity study shows that Na2Fe2OSe2 is a semiconductor with activation energy of 0.26 eV. Magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements reveal an a…
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A new layered iron-oxychalcogenide Na2Fe2OSe2 has been synthesized and structurally characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The structure is formed by alternate stacking of the newly discovered [Fe2OSe2] blocks and double layers of Na. Conductivity study shows that Na2Fe2OSe2 is a semiconductor with activation energy of 0.26 eV. Magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements reveal an antiferromagnetic phase transition occurs at TN=73 K. A broad maximum of magnetic susceptibility and a slow decay of the specific heat above TN, arises as a result of two-dimensional short-range spin correlation.
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Submitted 26 April, 2011; v1 submitted 12 April, 2011;
originally announced April 2011.
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Intrinsic Percolative Superconductivity in KxFe2-ySe2 Single Crystals
Authors:
B. Shen,
B. Zeng,
G. F. Chen,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
H. Yang,
H. H. Wen
Abstract:
Magnetic field penetration and magnetization hysteresis loops (MHLs) have been measured in KxFe2-ySe2 single crystals. The magnetic field penetration shows a two-step feature with a very small full-magnetic-penetration field (Hp1= 300 Oe at 2 K), and accordingly the MHL exhibits an abnormal vanishing of the central peak near zero field below 13 K. The width of the MHL in KxFe2-ySe2 at the same tem…
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Magnetic field penetration and magnetization hysteresis loops (MHLs) have been measured in KxFe2-ySe2 single crystals. The magnetic field penetration shows a two-step feature with a very small full-magnetic-penetration field (Hp1= 300 Oe at 2 K), and accordingly the MHL exhibits an abnormal vanishing of the central peak near zero field below 13 K. The width of the MHL in KxFe2-ySe2 at the same temperature is in general much smaller than that measured in the relatives Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 and Ba(Fe0.92Co0.08)2As2, and the MHLs in the latter two samples show the normal central peak near zero field. All these anomalies found in KxFe2-ySe2 can be understood in the picture that the sample is percolative with weakly coupled superconducting islands.
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Submitted 2 November, 2011; v1 submitted 11 April, 2011;
originally announced April 2011.
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Local spin fluctuations in iron-based superconductors: 77Se and 87Rb NMR measurements of Tl0.47Rb0.34Fe1.63Se2
Authors:
Long Ma,
G. F. Ji,
J. Dai,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
G. F. Chen,
B. Normand,
Weiqiang Yu
Abstract:
We report nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of the intercalated iron selenide superconductor (Tl, Rb)$_{y}$Fe$_{2-x}$Se$_2$ ($T_c = 32$ K). Single-crystal measurements up to 480 K on both $^{77}$Se and $^{87}$Rb nuclei show a superconducting phase with no magnetic order. The Knight shifts $K$ and relaxation rates $1/T_1T$ increase very strongly with temperature above $T_c$, before flattenin…
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We report nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of the intercalated iron selenide superconductor (Tl, Rb)$_{y}$Fe$_{2-x}$Se$_2$ ($T_c = 32$ K). Single-crystal measurements up to 480 K on both $^{77}$Se and $^{87}$Rb nuclei show a superconducting phase with no magnetic order. The Knight shifts $K$ and relaxation rates $1/T_1T$ increase very strongly with temperature above $T_c$, before flattening at 400 K. The quadratic $T$-dependence and perfect proportionality of both $K$ and $1/T_1T$ data demonstrate their origin in paramagnetic moments. A minimal model for this pseudogap-like response is not a missing density of states but two additive contributions from the itinerant electronic and local magnetic components, a framework unifying the $K$ and $1/T_1 T$ data in many iron-based superconductors.
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Submitted 27 December, 2011; v1 submitted 25 March, 2011;
originally announced March 2011.
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Superconductivity and normal state properties of single-crystalline Tl0.47Rb0.34Fe1.63Se2 as seen via 77Se and 87Rb NMR
Authors:
L. Ma,
G. F. Ji,
J. Zhang,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
G. F. Chen,
Wei Bao,
Weiqiang Yu
Abstract:
We report both 77Se and 87Rb NMR studies on Tl0.47Rb0.34Fe1.63Se2 single-crystalline superconductors (T_c about 32 K). Singlet superconductivity is decisively determined by a sharp drop of the Knight shift K(T) below T_c, after subtracting the superconducting diamagnetic effect. However, the Hebel-Slichter coherence peak below T_c is not observed in the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T_1, even wit…
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We report both 77Se and 87Rb NMR studies on Tl0.47Rb0.34Fe1.63Se2 single-crystalline superconductors (T_c about 32 K). Singlet superconductivity is decisively determined by a sharp drop of the Knight shift K(T) below T_c, after subtracting the superconducting diamagnetic effect. However, the Hebel-Slichter coherence peak below T_c is not observed in the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T_1, even with a low in-plane NMR field of 2.6 Tesla. Just above T_c, no evidence of low-energy spin fluctuation is found in the spin-lattice relaxation rate on both the 77Se and the 87Rb sites. Upon warming, however, the Knight shifts and the spin-lattice relaxation rates of both nuclei increase substantially with temperature. In particular, the Knight shift is nearly isotropic and follow a function fit of K=a+bT^2 from T_c up to 300 K. These normal state properties may be an indication of thermally activated spin fluctuations. Our observations should put a strong constraint to the theory of magnetism and superconductivity in the newly discovered iron-based superconductors.
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Submitted 7 April, 2011; v1 submitted 18 February, 2011;
originally announced February 2011.
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Superconductivity tuned by the iron vacancy order in K$_{\bf x}$Fe$_{\bf 2-y}$Se$_2$
Authors:
Wei Bao,
G. N. Li,
Q. Huang,
G. F. Chen,
J. B. He,
M. A. Green,
Y. Qiu,
D. M. Wang,
J. L. Luo
Abstract:
Combining in-depth neutron diffraction and systematic bulk studies, we discover that the $\sqrt{5}\times\sqrt{5}$ Fe vacancy order with its associated block antiferromagnetic order is the ground state, with varying occupancy ratio of the iron 16i and vacancy 4d sites, across the phase-diagram of K$_{\bf x}$Fe$_{\bf 2-y}$Se$_2$. The orthorhombic order with one of the four Fe sites vacant appears on…
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Combining in-depth neutron diffraction and systematic bulk studies, we discover that the $\sqrt{5}\times\sqrt{5}$ Fe vacancy order with its associated block antiferromagnetic order is the ground state, with varying occupancy ratio of the iron 16i and vacancy 4d sites, across the phase-diagram of K$_{\bf x}$Fe$_{\bf 2-y}$Se$_2$. The orthorhombic order with one of the four Fe sites vacant appears only at intermediate temperature as a competing phase. The material experiences an insulator to metal crossover when the $\sqrt{5}\times\sqrt{5}$ order has highly developed. Superconductivity occurs in such a metallic phase.
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Submitted 11 January, 2013; v1 submitted 17 February, 2011;
originally announced February 2011.
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Common Fermi Surface Topology and Nodeless Superconducting Gap in K0.68Fe1.79Se2 and (Tl0.45K0.34)Fe1.84Se2 Superconductors Revealed from Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy
Authors:
Lin Zhao,
Daixiang Mou,
Shanyu Liu,
Xiaowen Jia,
Junfeng He,
Yingying Peng,
Li Yu,
Xu Liu,
Guodong Liu,
Shaolong He,
Xiaoli Dong,
Jun Zhang,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
G. F. Chen,
J. G. Guo,
X. L. Chen,
Xiaoyang Wang,
Qinjun Peng,
Zhimin Wang,
Shenjin Zhang,
Feng Yang,
Zuyan Xu,
Chuangtian Chen,
X. J. Zhou
Abstract:
We carried out high resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements on the electronic structure and superconducting gap of K_0.68Fe_1.79Se_2 (T_c=32 K) and (Tl_0.45K_0.34)Fe_1.84Se_2 (T_c=28 K) superconductors. In addition to the electron-like Fermi surface near M(π,π), two electron-like Fermi pockets are revealed around the zone center Γ(0,0) in K0.68Fe1.79Se_2. This observation makes the Fe…
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We carried out high resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements on the electronic structure and superconducting gap of K_0.68Fe_1.79Se_2 (T_c=32 K) and (Tl_0.45K_0.34)Fe_1.84Se_2 (T_c=28 K) superconductors. In addition to the electron-like Fermi surface near M(π,π), two electron-like Fermi pockets are revealed around the zone center Γ(0,0) in K0.68Fe1.79Se_2. This observation makes the Fermi surface topology of K_0.68Fe_1.79Se_2 consistent with that of (Tl,Rb)_xFe_{2-y}Se_2 and (Tl,K)_xFe_{2-y}Se_2 compounds. A nearly isotropic superconducting gap (Δ) is observed along the electron-like Fermi pocket near the M point in K_0.68Fe_1.79Se_2 (Δ\sim 9 meV) and (Tl_0.45K_0.34)Fe_1.84Se_2 (Δ\sim 8 meV). The establishment of a universal picture on the Fermi surface topology and superconducting gap in the A_xFe_2-ySe_2 (A=K, Tl, Cs, Rb and etc.) superconductors will provide important information in understanding the superconductivity mechanism of the iron-based superconductors.
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Submitted 5 February, 2011;
originally announced February 2011.
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A Novel Large Moment Antiferromagnetic Order in K0.8Fe1.6Se2 Superconductor
Authors:
Wei Bao,
Q. Huang,
G. F. Chen,
M. A. Green,
D. M. Wang,
J. B. He,
X. Q. Wang,
Y. Qiu
Abstract:
The discovery of cuprate high Tc superconductors has inspired searching for unconventional su- perconductors in magnetic materials. A successful recipe has been to suppress long-range order in a magnetic parent compound by doping or high pressure to drive the material towards a quantum critical point, which is replicated in recent discovery of iron-based high TC superconductors. The long-range mag…
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The discovery of cuprate high Tc superconductors has inspired searching for unconventional su- perconductors in magnetic materials. A successful recipe has been to suppress long-range order in a magnetic parent compound by doping or high pressure to drive the material towards a quantum critical point, which is replicated in recent discovery of iron-based high TC superconductors. The long-range magnetic order coexisting with superconductivity has either a small magnetic moment or low ordering temperature in all previously established examples. Here we report an exception to this rule in the recently discovered potassium iron selenide. The superconducting composition is identified as the iron vacancy ordered K0.8Fe1.6Se2 with Tc above 30 K. A novel large moment 3.31 μB/Fe antiferromagnetic order which conforms to the tetragonal crystal symmetry has the unprecedentedly high an ordering temperature TN = 559 K for a bulk superconductor. Staggeredly polarized electronic density of states thus is suspected, which would stimulate further investigation into superconductivity in a strong spin-exchange field under new circumstance.
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Submitted 3 February, 2011;
originally announced February 2011.
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On the Structure of Vacancy Ordered Superconducting Alkali Metal Iron Selenide
Authors:
P. Zavalij,
Wei Bao,
X. F. Wang,
J. J. Ying,
X. H. Chen,
D. M. Wang,
J. B. He,
X. Q. Wang,
G. F Chen,
P-Y Hsieh,
Q. Huang,
M. A. Green
Abstract:
With single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, we compare the structures of three sample showing optimal superconductivity, K0.774(4)Fe1.613(2)Se2, K0.738(6)Fe1.631(3)Se2 and Cs0.748(2)Fe1.626(1)Se2. All have an almost identical ordered vacancy structure with a ({\sqrt}5 x {\sqrt}5 x 1) super cell. The tetragonal unit cell, space group I4/m, possesses lattice parameters at 250K of a = b = 8.729(2)…
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With single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, we compare the structures of three sample showing optimal superconductivity, K0.774(4)Fe1.613(2)Se2, K0.738(6)Fe1.631(3)Se2 and Cs0.748(2)Fe1.626(1)Se2. All have an almost identical ordered vacancy structure with a ({\sqrt}5 x {\sqrt}5 x 1) super cell. The tetragonal unit cell, space group I4/m, possesses lattice parameters at 250K of a = b = 8.729(2) Å and c = 14.120(3) Å, a = b = 8.7186(12) Å and c = 14.0853(19) Å and at 295 K, a = b = 8.8617(16) Å and c = 15.304(3) Å for the three crystals, respectively. The structure contains two iron sites; one is almost completely empty, whilst the other is fully occupied. There are similarly two alkali metal sites that are occupied in the range of 72.2(2) % to 85.3(3) %. The inclusion of alkali metals and the presence of vacancies within the structure allows for considerable relaxation of the FeSe4 tetrahedron, compared with members of the Fe(Te, Se, S) series, and the resulting shift of the Se - F - Se bond angles to less distorted geometry could be important in understanding the associated increase in the superconducting transition temperature. The structure of these superconductors distinguishes themselves from the structure of the non-superconducting phases by an almost complete absence of Fe on the (0 0.5 0.25) site as well as lower alkali metal occupancy that ensures an exact Fe2+ oxidation state, which are clearly critical parameters in the promotion of superconductivity.
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Submitted 11 February, 2011; v1 submitted 25 January, 2011;
originally announced January 2011.
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77Se NMR Evidence of Strongly Coupled Superconductivity in K0.8Fe2-xSe2
Authors:
L. Ma,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
G. F. Chen,
Weiqiang Yu
Abstract:
We report the 77Se NMR Knight shift and spin-lattice relaxation studies on the superconducting state of the ternary iron selenide K0.8Fe2-xSe2 with Tc~30 K. Just below Tc, the Knight shift 77Kn shows an immediate drop, indicating a singlet pairing. The spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/77T1 decreases rapidly in the temperature range from TC to Tc/2, which can be fit with an isotropic gap of Δ~3.8\pm…
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We report the 77Se NMR Knight shift and spin-lattice relaxation studies on the superconducting state of the ternary iron selenide K0.8Fe2-xSe2 with Tc~30 K. Just below Tc, the Knight shift 77Kn shows an immediate drop, indicating a singlet pairing. The spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/77T1 decreases rapidly in the temperature range from TC to Tc/2, which can be fit with an isotropic gap of Δ~3.8\pm 0.5 k_BTc. The Hebel-Slichter coherence peak is not observed. These data give bulk evidence for a strongly coupled superconductivity with isotropic gaps in K0.8Fe2-xSe2, which is similar to other iron-based high temperature superconductors. Below Tc/2, the spin-part of the Knight shift levels off to a constant value (~0.09%), and the spin-lattice relaxation follows a 1/T1 T^2 behavior, which are not well understood.
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Submitted 19 January, 2011;
originally announced January 2011.
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Vacancy ordering and phonon spectrum in the Fe superconductor K$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$
Authors:
A. M. Zhang,
K. Liu,
J. H. Xiao,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
G. F. Chen,
B. Normand,
Q. M. Zhang
Abstract:
We have performed Raman-scattering measurements on a high-quality single crystal of the recently discovered Fe-based superconductor K$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ ($T_c$ = 32 K). At least thirteen phonon modes were observed in the wave number range 10$-$300 cm$^{-1}$. The spectra possess a four-fold symmetry indicative of bulk vacancy order in the Fe-deficient planes. We perform a vibration analysis ba…
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We have performed Raman-scattering measurements on a high-quality single crystal of the recently discovered Fe-based superconductor K$_{0.8}$Fe$_{1.6}$Se$_2$ ($T_c$ = 32 K). At least thirteen phonon modes were observed in the wave number range 10$-$300 cm$^{-1}$. The spectra possess a four-fold symmetry indicative of bulk vacancy order in the Fe-deficient planes. We perform a vibration analysis based on first-principles calculations, which both confirms the ordered structure and allows a complete mode assignment. We observe an anomaly at $T_c$ in the 180 cm$^{-1}$ $A_g$ mode, which indicates a rather specific type of electron-phonon coupling.
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Submitted 23 April, 2012; v1 submitted 11 January, 2011;
originally announced January 2011.
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77Se NMR study of pairing symmetry and spin dynamics in KyFe2-xSe2
Authors:
Weiqiang Yu,
L. Ma,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
T. -L. Xia,
G. F. Chen,
Wei Bao
Abstract:
We present a 77Se NMR study of the newly discovered iron selenide superconductor KyFe2-xSe2, in which Tc = 32 K. Below Tc, the Knight shift 77K drops sharply with temperature, providing strong evidence for singlet pairing. Above Tc, Korringa-type relaxation indicates Fermi-liquid behavior. Our experimental results set strict constraints on the nature of possible theories for the mechanism of high-…
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We present a 77Se NMR study of the newly discovered iron selenide superconductor KyFe2-xSe2, in which Tc = 32 K. Below Tc, the Knight shift 77K drops sharply with temperature, providing strong evidence for singlet pairing. Above Tc, Korringa-type relaxation indicates Fermi-liquid behavior. Our experimental results set strict constraints on the nature of possible theories for the mechanism of high-Tc superconductivity in this iron selenide system.
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Submitted 12 April, 2011; v1 submitted 5 January, 2011;
originally announced January 2011.
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The effect of varying Fe-content on transport properties of K intercalated iron selenide KxFe2-ySe2
Authors:
D. M. Wang,
J. B. He,
T. -L. Xia,
G. F. Chen
Abstract:
We report the successful growth of high-quality single crystals of potassium intercalated iron selenide KxFe2-ySe2 by Bridgeman method. The effect of iron vacancies on transport properties was investigated by electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. With varying iron content, the system passes from semiconducting/insulating to superconducting state. Comparing with supercond…
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We report the successful growth of high-quality single crystals of potassium intercalated iron selenide KxFe2-ySe2 by Bridgeman method. The effect of iron vacancies on transport properties was investigated by electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. With varying iron content, the system passes from semiconducting/insulating to superconducting state. Comparing with superconductivity, the anomalous "hump" effect in the normal state resistivity is much more sensitive to the iron deficiency. The electrical resistivity exhibits a perfect metallic behavior (R300K/R35K=42) for the sample with little iron vacancies. Our results suggest that the anomalous "hump" effect in the normal state resistivity may be due to the ordering process of the cation vacancies in this non-stoichiometric compound rather than magnetic/structure transition. A trace of superconductivity extending up to near 44 K was also detected in some crystals of KxFe2-ySe2, which has the highest Tc of the reported iron selenides.
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Submitted 4 January, 2011;
originally announced January 2011.
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23Na and 75As NMR Studies on NaFeAs0.8P0.2 Single Crystals
Authors:
L. Ma,
J. Zhang,
D. M. Wang,
J. B. He,
T. -L. Xia,
G. F. Chen,
Weiqiang Yu
Abstract:
We report our $^{23}$Na and $^{75}$As NMR studies on isovalent phosphorus-doped NaFeAs$_{0.8}$P$_{0.2}$ ($T_c=$ 33 K) single crystals. Our data suggest a dramatic enhancement of the electron density of states on the Fermi surface, and a large residual electron density of state below $T_c$. However, evidence of antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations is shown by the spin-lattice relaxation rate. The p…
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We report our $^{23}$Na and $^{75}$As NMR studies on isovalent phosphorus-doped NaFeAs$_{0.8}$P$_{0.2}$ ($T_c=$ 33 K) single crystals. Our data suggest a dramatic enhancement of the electron density of states on the Fermi surface, and a large residual electron density of state below $T_c$. However, evidence of antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations is shown by the spin-lattice relaxation rate. The penetration depth, revealed from $^{23}$Na NMR linewidth, follows the universal Uemura relation in iron pnictides. These observations suggest that the correlation effects are still important for the superconductivity in the phosphorus doped sample, although the Fermi surface is probably significantly changed upon doping.
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Submitted 23 August, 2010; v1 submitted 10 May, 2010;
originally announced May 2010.
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Site-dependent NMR Spin-lattice Relaxation in the Superconducting State of an Iron Pnictide Superconductor
Authors:
L. Ma,
J. Zhang,
G. F. Chen,
T. -L. Xia,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
W. Yu
Abstract:
In a conventional superconductor, the spin-lattice relaxation rate on all nuclei should have the same temperature dependence below Tc. We performed $^{23}$Na, $^{75}$As, and $^{59}$Co NMR studies on single crystals of NaFe0.95Co0.05As, and found that spin-lattice relaxation rates show very different temperature dependent power-law behavior on three sites. We propose that such site-dependent be…
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In a conventional superconductor, the spin-lattice relaxation rate on all nuclei should have the same temperature dependence below Tc. We performed $^{23}$Na, $^{75}$As, and $^{59}$Co NMR studies on single crystals of NaFe0.95Co0.05As, and found that spin-lattice relaxation rates show very different temperature dependent power-law behavior on three sites. We propose that such site-dependent behavior is due to the facts that the superconductor has two gaps of very different sizes. The power-law exponent of each nucleus is affected by the strength of the hyperfine coupling to the small gap. We also found that the large superconducting gap on the cobalt site is smaller than on other two sites. It suggests a local suppression of the superconducting gap on the dopant site.
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Submitted 14 March, 2010;
originally announced March 2010.
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Superconductivity at 33 K in "111" single crystals at ambient pressure
Authors:
T. -L. Xia,
J. B. He,
D. M. Wang,
G. F. Chen
Abstract:
We have successfully grown single crystalline NaFeAs with cobalt or phosphor doping. Bulk superconductivity occurs in NaFe$_{0.95}$Co$_{0.05}$As at 19 K while much higher transition temperature is observed in NaFeAs$_{0.8}$P$_{0.2}$, in which the Tc of 33 K is even higher than the highest value realized by applying pressure in NaFeAs and all other isoelectronic element substituted samples. We di…
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We have successfully grown single crystalline NaFeAs with cobalt or phosphor doping. Bulk superconductivity occurs in NaFe$_{0.95}$Co$_{0.05}$As at 19 K while much higher transition temperature is observed in NaFeAs$_{0.8}$P$_{0.2}$, in which the Tc of 33 K is even higher than the highest value realized by applying pressure in NaFeAs and all other isoelectronic element substituted samples. We discuss these behaviours by comparison with 122 and 1111 systems. We hope that our findings will help improve our understanding of iron-based superconductivity.
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Submitted 3 February, 2010; v1 submitted 19 January, 2010;
originally announced January 2010.