Optical properties of the semiconducting “metal-like” complex (NMe3H) (I) (TCNQ)

We present the results of a study of the room temperature polarized reflectance between 2.5 meV and 3.8 eV of (NMe₃H)(I)(TCNQ) single crystals. The reflectance found with the electric field parallel to the stacking axis is fit with a Drude-Lorentz model and analyzed using Kramers-Kronig transforms to give the response functions σ₁(ω) and ε₁(ω). The results confirm the model of semiconducting behavior despite a “metal-like” d.c. electrical conductivity at room temperature.     

Superconducting energy gap and c-axis plasma frequency of (Nd,Sm)FeAsO0.82F0.18 superconductors from infrared ellipsometry

We present far-infrared ellipsometric measurements of polycrystalline samples of the pnictide superconductor RFeAsO0.82F0.18 (R=Nd and Sm). We find evidence that the electronic properties are strongly anisotropic such that the optical spectra are dominated by the weakly conducting c-axis response similar to the cuprate high-temperature superconductors. We deduce an upper limit of the c-axis superconducting plasma frequency of omega pl,c(SC)< or =260 cm(-1) corresponding to a lower limit of the c-axis magnetic penetration depth of lambda c > or =6 microm and lambda c/lambda ab > or =30 as compared to lambda ab=185 nm from muon spin rotation [A. Drew, arXiv:0805.1042 [Phys. Rev. Lett. (to be published)]]. We also observe a gaplike suppression of the conductivity in the superconducting state with a shoulderlike feature at omegaSC* approximately 300 cm(-1) and spectral shape which is consistent with an unconventional order parameter with 2Delta approximately omegaSC* approximately 37 meV.     

Block spin ground state and three-dimensionality of (K,Tl)(y)Fe(1.6)Se2

The magnetic properties and electronic structure of (K,Tl)(y)Fe(1.6)Se(2) is studied using first-principles calculations. The ground state is checkerboard antiferromagnetically coupled blocks of the minimal Fe(4) squares, with a large block-spin moment ～11.2 μ(B). The magnetic interactions could be modeled with a simple spin model involving both the inter- and intrablock, as well as the nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor couplings. The calculations also suggest a metallic ground state except for y=0.8 where a band gap ～400-550 meV opens, showing an antiferromagnetic insulator ground state for (K,Tl)(0.8)Fe(1.6)Se(2). The electronic structure of the metallic (K,Tl)(y)Fe(1.6)Se(2) is highly three dimensional with unique Fermi surface structure and topology. These features indicate that the Fe-vacancy ordering is crucial to the physical properties of (K,Tl)(y)Fe(2-x)Se(2).     

NiAs、PbO型FeX(X=S,Se,Te)结构的稳定性与电子特征

利用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理方法,Ni As与Pb O型Fe X(X=S,Se,Te)结构的稳定性与电子特征得到了研究.计算结果显示Fe的内聚能与X-Fe元素之间的相互作用是影响Fe X结构稳定性的重要因素.当X原子半径较小、电负性较大时(X=S),Fe X趋向于形成Fe-X相互作用较强、密度较大的Ni As型结构;当X原子半径较大、电负性较小时(X=Se,Te),Fe X趋向于形成Fe-Fe相互作用较强、密度较小的Pb O型结构.此外,压强使得Pb O型Fe X结构的稳定性降低.当压强分别大于5、9 GPa时,Fe Te、Fe Se趋向于形成Ni As型结构.Pb O型Fe Se中Fe原子周围的电子密度随压强的增大而增大.     

High-field quasiparticle tunneling in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta): negative magnetoresistance in the superconducting state

We report on the c-axis resistivity rho(c)(H) in Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) that peaks in quasistatic magnetic fields up to 60 T. By suppressing the Josephson part of the two-channel (Cooper pair/quasiparticle) conductivity sigma(c)(H), we find that the negative slope of rho(c)(H) above the peak is due to quasiparticle tunneling conductivity sigma(q)(H) across the CuO2 layers below H(c2). At high fields (a) sigma(q)(H) grows linearly with H, and (b) rho(c)(T) tends to saturate ( sigma(c) not equal0) as T-->0, consistent with the scattering at the nodes of the d-wave gap. A superlinear sigma(q)(H) marks the normal state above T(c).     

Intrinsic optical dichroism in the chiral superconducting state of Sr2RuO4

We present an analysis of the Hall conductivity σ(xy)(ω,T) in time reversal symmetry breaking states of exotic superconductors. We find that the dichroic signal is nonzero in systems with interband order parameters. This new intrinsic mechanism may explain the Kerr effect observed in strontium ruthenate and possibly other superconductors. We predict coherence factor effects in the temperature dependence of the imaginary part of the ac Hall conductivity Imσ(xy)(ω,T), which can be tested experimentally.     

Large local disorder in superconducting K(0.8)Fe(1.6)Se2 studied by extended x-ray absorption fine structure

We have measured the local structure of superconducting K(0.8)Fe(1.6)Se(2) chalcogenide (T(c) = 31.8 K) by temperature dependent polarized extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) at the Fe and Se K-edges. We find that the system is characterized by a large local disorder. The Fe-Se and Fe-Fe distances are found to be shorter than the distances measured by diffraction, while the corresponding mean square relative displacements reveal large Fe-site disorder and relatively large c-axis disorder. The local force constant for the Fe-Se bondlength (k ~ 5.8 eV ?(-2)) is similar to the one found in the binary FeSe superconductor, however, the Fe-Fe bondlength appears to be flexible (k ~ 2.1 eV ?(-2)) in comparison to the binary FeSe (k ~ 3.5 eV ?(-2)), an indication of partly relaxed Fe-Fe networks in K(0.8)Fe(1.6)Se(2). The results suggest a glassy nature for the title system, with the superconductivity being similar to that in the granular materials.     

Effect of local atomic phase separation in the x-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy of FeSexTe1−x

Ab initio X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) calculations for FeSe_xTe_1−x, using a structural model that combines FeSe and FeTe phases at the nanoscale, are compared with Fe K-edge XANES measurements in the “pre-edge” region. The important aspects of this model are (i) magnetic order in the FeTe phase; (ii) Se and Te atoms placed randomly in both FeSe and FeTe crystallographic positions and; (iii) the two distinct distances for Fe–Se and Fe–Te of the bulk phases. The calculated spectra reproduce the observed increase of spectral weight in the experiments on FeSe_xTe_1−x with Se concentration. This is consistent with an inhomogeneous local electronic structure of FeSe_xTe_1−x. Additionally, we have calculated projected electronic density of d-states for the Fe atom, revealing increased spectral weight in the “pre-edge” region of the XANES spectra, which correlates with the increase in Se concentration. The decrease of calculated Fe d-density of states for the Fermi level, N(ε_F), for high Te content is consistent with the suppression of superconductivity in the title system.     

Vortex fluctuations in underdoped Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) crystals

Vortex thermal fluctuations in heavily underdoped Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) (T(c)=69.4 K) are studied using Josephson plasma resonance. From the zero-field data, we obtain the c-axis penetration depth lambda(L,c)(0)=230+/-10 micrometer and the anisotropy ratio gamma(T). The low plasma frequency allows us to study phase correlations over the whole vortex solid state and to extract a wandering length r(w) of vortex pancakes. The temperature dependence of r(w) as well as its increase with dc magnetic field is explained by the renormalization of the vortex line tension by the fluctuations, suggesting that this softening is responsible for the dissociation of the vortices at the first order transition.     

Band structure and optical properties of hexagonal In-rich In(x)Al(1-x)N alloys

Full potential linear augmented plane wave calculations have been performed to study the electronic and optical properties of In-rich In(x)Al(1-x)N alloys in the hexagonal wurtzite structure. Compositions of x = 0.9375, 0.8125 and 0.6875 are considered which follow from replacing one, three and five In atoms by Al in the 32-atom supercell. The new form of exchange correlation, i.e. Engel-Vosko's generalized gradient approximation within density functional theory, is employed. The calculations yield the band structure and total density of states as well as the imaginary part ε(2)(ω) of the ordinary and extraordinary dielectric function. The calculated dependence of the bandgap on the composition is in good agreement with recent experimental studies. A reversal of the valence band ordering is found between x = 0.8125 and 0.6875. The absorption features in the high-energy range of ε(2)(ω) are related to critical points of the band structure. The transition energies for these van Hove singularities are determined and their bowing parameters are discussed.     

Specific-heat measurements of the gap structure of the organic superconductors kappa-(ET)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br and kappa-(ET)2Cu(NCS)2

We present high resolution heat capacity measurements of the organic superconductors kappa-(ET)(2)Cu[N(CN)(2)]Br and kappa-(ET)(2)Cu(NCS)(2) in fields up to 14 T. We use the high field data to determine the normal state specific heat and hence extract the behavior of the electronic specific heat C(el) in the superconducting state in zero and finite fields. We find that in both materials for T/T(c) less or similar 0.3, C(el)(H=0) approximately T2 indicating d-wave superconductivity. The data are well described by a strong coupling d-wave model from our base temperature (T/T(c) approximately 0.1) right up to T(c). Our data help to resolve the controversy regarding the order parameter symmetry in these materials.     

Pressure-induced enhancement of the superconducting properties of single-crystalline FeTe0.5Se0.5

The pressure dependence, up to 11.3 kbar, of basic parameters of the superconducting state, such as the critical temperature (T(c)), the lower and the upper critical fields, the coherence length, the penetration depth, and their anisotropy, was determined from magnetic measurements performed for two single-crystalline samples of FeTe(0.5)Se(0.5). We have found pressure-induced enhancement of all of the superconducting state properties, which entails a growth of the density of superconducting carriers. However, we noticed a more pronounced increase in the superconducting carrier density under pressure than that in the critical temperature which may indicate an appearance of a mechanism limiting the increase of T(c) with pressure. We have observed that the critical current density increases under pressure by at least one order of magnitude.     

A.c. conductivity in AsF5 doped polyphenylacetylene (PPA)

The a.c. conductivity of semiconducting cis-cisoid polyphenylacetylene (PPA) pellets has been studied at temperatures between 230 and 290 K and frequencies, ?, from 37 to 10⁵ Hz. The a.c. conductivity (σ_a.c.) is found to be strongly temperature dependent. σ_a.c. is proportional to ?^s with s varying from 0.45 to 0.75 as temperature is raised from 230 to 290 K. Both frequency dispersion and strong temperature dependence of σ_a.c. are best explained by the mechanism of hopping conduction in the band-tails.     

Reflectivity spectra of new organic metal (BEDO-TTF)5[CsHg(SCN)4]2

The polarized reflectivity and optical conductivity spectra of microcrystals of the new organic conductor (BEDO-TTF)₅[CsHg(SCN)₄]₂ based on the donor molecule bis(ethylenedioxy)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDO-TTF) have been studied in the spectral ranges 600–6500 and 9000–40000 cm^?1 at 300 K for three principal lattice directions. The optical evidence for the quasi-two-dimensional character of the conducting electronic system is obtained. The conclusion is made that the studied crystal is the quasi-two-dimensional semimetal with overlapping electron energy bands. The basic parameters of the electronic system of the crystal are determined in the framework of the Drude model. It is found that the allowed electron energy bands of the crystal are somewhat narrower than those of the previously studied structurally allied superconductor based on the same molecule. The features of vibrational structure are identified in the σ(ω) spectra for the specified three polarizations.     

Moiré superlattice modulations in single-unit-cell FeTe films grown on NbSe2 single crystals

Interface can be a fertile ground for exotic quantum states, including topological superconductivity, Majorana mode, fractal quantum Hall effect, unconventional superconductivity, Mott insulator, etc. Here we grow single-unit-cell (1UC) FeTe film on NbSe₂ single crystal by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and investigate the film in-situ with a home-made cryogenic scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and non-contact atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined system. We find different stripe-like superlattice modulations on grown FeTe film with different misorientation angles with respect to NbSe₂ substrate. We show that these stripe-like superlattice modulations can be understood as moiré pattern forming between FeTe film and NbSe₂ substrate. Our results indicate that the interface between FeTe and NbSe₂ is atomically sharp. By STM-AFM combined measurement, we suggest that the moiré superlattice modulations have an electronic origin when the misorientation angle is relatively small (≤ 3°) and have structural relaxation when the misorientation angle is relatively large (≥ 10°).     

Observation of lateral long range order in superconducting FeTe thin films

<正>We find that the superconductivity in the thin films of the formerly believed non-superconducting parent compound FeTe is accompanied by an emergence of second order with a correlation length of 742 nm and 258 nm at 10 K and 300 K,respectively.The structural phase transition found in iron pnictide superconductors,in non-superconducting FeTe bulk samples,and in FeSe superconducting thin films is not observed in the superconducting FeTe thin films.The interplay between superconductivity and long range order may suggest the crucial role of competition between electronic localization and itinerancy which leads to strong quantum fluctuations in the FeTe system.     

Electron cotunneling transport in gold nanocrystal arrays

We describe current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of alkyl-ligated gold nanocrystals ~5 nm arrays in a long screening length limit. Arrays with different alkyl ligand lengths have been prepared to tune the electronic tunnel coupling between the nanocrystals. For long ligands, electronic diffusion occurs through sequential tunneling and follows activated laws, as a function of temperature σ∝e(-T(0)/T) and as a function of electric field I∝e(-E(0)/E). For better conducting arrays, i.e., with small ligands, the transport properties cross over to the cotunneling regime and follow Efros-Shklovskii laws as a function of temperature σ∝e(-(T(ES)/T)(1/2) and as a function of electric field I∝e(-(E)(ES)/E)(1/2). The data show that electronic transport in nanocrystal arrays can be tuned from the sequential tunneling to the cotunneling regime by increasing the tunnel barrier transparency.     

量子化极限情况下MOS反型层二维电子气定域态电子电导率σxx的低频效应

本文分析了量子化极限情况下MOS反型层二维电子气(2DEG)定域态电子电导率的频率特性。主要内容:(1)用费密分布函数随频率变化导出了在2DEG两种主要导电过程的频率特性。即向迁移率边激发导电过程电导率σ_ME(ω)和可变程跳跃导电过程电导率σ_VRH(ω)。发现:σ_ME(ω)和σ_VRH(ω)是一个复数。(2)说明了σ_ME(ω)有较长时间常数τ_n,对应一个低频过程。σ_VRH(ω)有较短时间常数,对应一个高频过程。(3)理论与实验作了比较,拟合结果表明,在实验条件下,向迁移率边E_c激发时间常数τ_n 3.6×10^-6。 关键词：     

Optical spectroscopy studies on FeTe_(1-x)Se_x and A_xFe_(2-y)Se_2 (A=K,Rb, Cs): A brief overview

In this short overview, we summarize the optical spectroscopy studies on iron selenide superconducting systems FeTe1-xSex and AxFe2-ySe2 . We elaborate that optical spectroscopy measurements yield fruitful information about the band structure evolution across the AFM phase transition temperature, the electronic correlation effect, the superconducting pairing energy gap, the condensed carrier density or penetration depth, the inhomogeneity and the nanoscale phase separation between superconductivity and antiferromagnetism in those systems.     

Stepwise behavior of vortex-lattice melting transition in tilted magnetic fields in single crystals of Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8 + delta)

The vortex-lattice melting transition in Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8 + delta) single crystals was studied using in-plane resistivity measurements in magnetic fields tilted away from the c axis to the ab plane. In order to avoid the surface barrier effect which hinders the melting transition in the conventional transport measurements, we used the Corbino geometry of electric contacts. The complete H(c) - H(ab) phase diagram of the melting transition in Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8 + delta) is obtained for the first time. The c-axis melting field component H(c)(melt) exhibits the novel, stepwise dependence on the in-plane magnetic fields H(ab) which is discussed on the basis of the crossing vortex-lattice structure. The peculiar resistance behavior observed near the ab plane suggests the change of phase transition character from first to second order.