Enhancing the superconducting transition temperature of the heavy fermion compound CeIrIn5 in the absence of spin correlations

We report on a pressure- (P-)induced evolution of superconductivity and spin correlations in CeIrIn(5) via the (115)In nuclear-spin-lattice-relaxation rate measurements. We find that applying pressure suppresses dramatically the antiferromagnetic fluctuations that are strong at ambient pressure. At P = 2.1 GPa, T(c) increases to T(c) = 0.8 K, which is twice T(c) (P = 0 GPa), in the background of Fermi-liquid state. This is in sharp contrast to the previous case in which a negative, chemical pressure (replacing Ir with Rh) enhances magnetic interaction and increases T(c). Our results suggest that multiple mechanisms work to produce superconductivity in the same compound CeIrIn(5).     

Structural tuning of unconventional superconductivity in PuMGa5 (M=Co,Rh)

The superconducting properties of the recently discovered PuMGa5 (M=Co,Rh) superconductors, including the power law behavior of the specific heat, the evolution of the superconducting transition T(c) temperature with pressure, and the linear relation between T(c) and ratio of tetragonal lattice parameters c/a, are compared to those of the heavy fermion CeMIn5 (M=Co,Rh,Ir) unconventional superconductors. The striking similarity of the properties between the two families of superconductors suggests a common physics and a common (magnetically mediated) mechanism of superconductivity.     

重费米子化合物 CemMnIn3m+2n(m = 1, 2, 3; n = 0, 1, 2; M = Co,Rh,Ir,Pt 及Pd) 的角分辨光电子能谱研究

重费米子材料以其新奇多变的宏观性质,复杂而难以理解的微观物理过程而受到广泛的关注,长期是凝聚态物理研究的重点。角分辨光电子能谱作为一种能够直接探测材料电子结构的实验手段,随着近年来实验技术的高度发展,能量和动量分辨率得到了极大的提高,能够有力地探测到强关联材料中更加精细的电子结构。使用角分辨光电子能谱探测重费米子材料的电子结构,为理解其各种物理过程提供强有力的实验证据,进而推进重费米子理论的发展。本文回顾 Ce 基重费米子材料 CemMnIn3m+2n (m = 1; 2; 3;n = 0; 1; 2;M =Co, Rh, Ir, Pt, Pd) 系列化合物的角分辨光电子能谱研究,包括电子结构的维度、近藤共振、f 电子与导带电子的杂化和电子结构随温度的变化等。     

Spin dynamics in the carrier-doped S=1/2 triangular lattice of NaxCoO2.yH2O

We probed the local electronic properties of the mixed-valent Co+4-x triangular lattice in NaxCoO2.yH(2)O by 59Co NMR. We observed two distinct types of Co sites for x > or =1/2, but the valence seems averaged out for x approximately 1/3. Local spin fluctuations exhibit qualitatively the same trend down to approximately 100 K regardless of the carrier concentration x, and hence the nature of the electronic ground state. A canonical Fermi-liquid behavior emerges below approximately 100 K only for x approximately 1/3.     

Hydrophobic Bimetallic Catalysts for H/D Exchange Reaction between Hydrogen and Water

Hydrophobic bimetallic catalysts of Pt-M on styrenedivinylbenzene were prepared, where M represents successively: Ir, Rh, Pd, Cu and Ag. The total metal loading was 0.5 wt% and the weight fractions of the metal M were: 0.0,0.05,0.1,0.25,0.5,0.75 and 1.0. For each sample, the catalytic activity for H/D exchange between hydrogen and water vapor was measured. In case of monometallic catalysts, no activity was detected for M = Cu and M = Ag, and the order of the activity values for the other metals was: Pt < Ir < Rh < Pd. For each bimetallic catalyst, the activity measurements indicated a clear interaction between the platinum and the second metal, thus the activity was significantly increased for M = Ir, increased for M = Rh, decreased for M = Pd, drastically decreased for M = Cu and M = Ag.     

Correlation between Crystal-Geometry Parameters and Structural-Phase States in the Alloys Based on Ag–Me (Me = Co,Rh, Ir,Ni, Pd,Pt, Cu,Au)

Russian Physics Journal - The results of a search for correlations between the crystal-geometry parameters and structural-phase states in the alloys based on Ag–Me (Me = Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd,...     

Electronic correlations in CoO2, the parent compound of triangular cobaltates

A 59Co NMR study of CoO2, the x=0 end member of AxCoO2 (A=Na,Li,...) cobaltates, reveals a metallic ground state, though with clear signs of strong electron correlations: low-energy spin fluctuations develop at wave vectors q not equal to 0 and a crossover to a Fermi-liquid regime occurs below a characteristic temperature T* approximately 7 K. Despite some uncertainty over the exact cobalt oxidation state in this material, the results show that electronic correlations are revealed as x is reduced below 0.3. The data are consistent with NaxCoO2 being close to the Mott transition in the x-->0 limit.     

Relationships between occurrence of superconductivity and crystal structure in new equiatomic ternary silicides MTSi (M = Ti,Zr, Hf and T = Ru,Os, Rh)

With the preparation of the new ternary equiatomic silicides HfRuSi, TiOsSi, HfOsSi, ZrRhSi and HfRhSi, the complete series of the MTSi compounds (with M = Ti,Zr,Hf and T = Fe,Ru,Os,Co,Rh,Ir) has now been obtained. The TiNiSitype structure favors the appearance of superconductivity for the ternary silicides in contrast to what is observed for ternary equiatomic phosphides and arsenides for which the ordered Fe₂Ptype is more favorable than the TiNiSi-type. The presence of 3d-elements such as Ti, Fe or Co cancels the superconductivity whatever the ternary compounds considered, silicides, phosphides or arsenides.     

Magnetic and electrical properties of the equiatomic cerium germanides CeMGe (M = Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt)

From X-ray Guinier powder data the crystal structures of the ternary germanides Ce(Rh or Ir)Ge and Ce(Pd or Pt)Ge were confirmed to be of the TiNiSi-type and the CeCu₂-type, respectively. Magnetic, electrical and thermodynamic properties of these materials have been studied in the temperature range 1.5 K T 300 K. CeRhGe orders antiferromagnetically below 9.3 K, whereas in CeIrGe cerium is in an intermediate valence state and no magnetic transition is observed down to 1.5 K. Resistivity and specific heat measurements reveal a magnetic transition near 3.4 K for both CePdGe and CePtGe. According to the present investigations the compounds CeMGe, with M = Rh, Pd, Pt are classified as magnetically ordered Kondo systems.     

Localized 5f electrons in superconducting PuCoIn?: consequences for superconductivity in PuCoGa?

The physical properties of the first In analog of the PuMGa(5) (M = Co, Rh) family of superconductors, PuCoIn(5), are reported. With its unit cell volume being 28% larger than that of PuCoGa(5), the characteristic spin-fluctuation energy scale of PuCoIn(5) is three to four times smaller than that of PuCoGa(5), which suggests that the Pu 5f electrons are in a more localized state relative to PuCoGa(5). This raises the possibility that the high superconducting transition temperature T(c) = 18.5 K of PuCoGa(5) stems from the proximity to a valence instability, while the superconductivity at T(c) = 2.5 K of PuCoIn(5) is mediated by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations associated with a quantum critical point.     

Electronic structure and magnetism of NpTAl (T=Co, Ni, Rh, Ir and Pt) and NpNiGa from first-principles calculations

First-principles calculations based on density-functional theory were performed for the first time on NpTAl (T=Co, Ni, Rh, Ir and Pt) and NpNiGa. The electronic density of states and equilibrium volume were studied using relativistic full-potential APW plus local-orbitals calculations. The magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy was estimated from total-energy calculations and the a-axis was predicted to be the easy axis of magnetization with the exception of T=Rh. Finally, we employed the LSDA+U method to mimic the orbital polarization and to obtain the correct total magnetic moments in experimental equilibrium.     

Mössbauer spectroscopy of supported bimetallic catalysts: 1∶5 FeM/SiO2 (M=Ru,Rh, Pd,Ir, Pt)

Mössbauer spectra of SiO₂-supported bimetallic FeM (M=Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt) with FeM=15 arter treatments such as reduction, exposure to CO and passivation in air are described and compared with previous results obtained on 11 FeM/SiO₂ catalysts.     

Local moment, itinerancy, and deviation from Fermi-liquid behavior in NaxCoO2 for 0.71< or = x < or =0.84

Here we report the observation of Fermi surface (FS) pockets via the Shubnikov-de Haas effect in NaxCoO2 for x=0.71 and 0.84, respectively. Our observations indicate that the FS expected for each compound intersects their corresponding Brillouin zones, as defined by the previously reported superlattice structures, leading to small reconstructed FS pockets, but only if a precise number of holes per unit cell is localized. For 0.71< or = x < 0.75 the coexistence of itinerant carriers and localized S=1/2 spins on a paramagnetic triangular superlattice leads at low temperatures to the observation of a deviation from standard Fermi-liquid behavior in the electrical transport and heat capacity properties, suggesting the formation of some kind of quantum spin-liquid ground state.     

On cobalt magnetization suppression at bimetallic interfaces

We study theoretically the Co magnetization suppression at the Co–M (M=Ti, Nb, Mo, Re, Os, Ir and Pt) interface. We consider (1) M(1×1) overlayer on the FCC(1 1 1) or HCP(0 0 0 1) slab, (2) c(2×2) Co–M alloy above the same surfaces. In the latter case, the Co magnetization is reduced to about 0.5 μ_B by Ti, Nb, Mo and Re, but the effect is probably an overestimation because of compression of M–Co bonds. At Co atoms below the M(1×1) overlayer, the Co magnetization does not drop below 1 μ_B. We discuss also the Co–M antiferromagnetic coupling.     

Deposition of metal clusters on single-layer graphene/Ru(0001): Factors that govern cluster growth

Fabrication of nanoclusters on a substrate is of great interest in studies of model catalysts. The key factors that govern the growth and distribution of metal on graphene have been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) based on different behaviors of five transition metals, namely Pt, Rh, Pd, Co, and Au supported on the template of a graphene moiré pattern formed on Ru(0001). Our experimental findings show that Pt and Rh form finely dispersed small clusters located at fcc sites on graphene while Pd and Co form large clusters at similar coverages. These results, coupled with previous findings that Ir forms the best finely dispersed clusters, suggest that both metal–carbon (M–C) bond strength and metal cohesive energies play significant roles in the cluster formation process and that the M–C bond strength is the most important factor that affects the morphology of clusters at the initial stages of growth. Furthermore, experimental results show Au behaves differently and forms a single-layer film on graphene, indicating other factors such as the effect of substrate metals and lattice match should also be considered. In addition, the effect of annealing Rh on graphene has been studied and its high thermal stability is rationalized in terms of a strong interaction between Rh and graphene as well as sintering via Ostwald ripening.     

Structural,Elastic, Electronic Properties and Interatomic Interactions in Metallic Tetraboride Series MB4 (M = Ru,Rh, Pd,Os, Ir,and Pt) Obtained from FLAPW–GGA Calculations

Physics of the Solid State - The report presents the results of systematic first-principle FLAPW–GGA calculations of a series of metallic tetraborides MB4 (where M = Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and...     

重费密子系统CeCu6-xNix的极低温电阻研究

CeCu₆是一种重费密子系统,采用Ni替代Cu研究磁性原子掺杂的多晶样品CeCu_6-xNi_x(x=0.00,0.05,0.10,0.15,0.20)在极低温下的电阻随温度的变化规律.实验结果表明,随着Ni原子掺杂量的增加,电阻的规律发生变化.在500mK以下,x≈0.1的样品电阻与温度呈线性关系,表现出非费密液体行为,而其他样品皆为典型的费密液体,x≈0.1是其临界掺杂成分.对比用Au替代的情况,临界掺杂成分也是0.1,但Au掺杂是靠体积膨胀来改变合金的基态性质,而Ni掺杂则是因其磁性造成对合金基态性质的影响 关键词： 重费密子 临界掺杂 非费密液体     

Magnetism of surface alloys of the type MxN1−x/Rh(1 1 1)

We present a density functional theory study on the magnetic properties of two-dimensional surface alloys of the type M_xN_1−x (M=Fe, Co and Ni; N=Pt, Au, Ag, Cd and Pb) on Rh(1 1 1) for x=0.0, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5, 0.67, 0.75 and 1.0, in two types of geometric arrangements—striped phases or linear-chain type, and non-striped phases or mixed checkerboard type. Many pairs among these are bulk-immiscible but show mixing on the surface. We find that the trend in the magnetic moment of surface alloys of N with a given M follows the number of valence electrons in N: the higher the number of valence electrons, the lower the magnetic moment. Overlayer atoms when put on hcp sites show higher moment compared to fcc sites. In general, for a given composition x, linear-chain type structures show a reduced magnetic moment compared to checkerboard type structures. We find that Pb, when alloyed with magnetic elements (Fe, Co and Ni), has a lowering effect on their magnetic moments.     

Nonmagnetic ground states and phase transitions in the caged compounds PrT2Zn20 (T = Ru, Rh and Ir)

We performed electrical resistivity ρ, magnetic susceptibility χ, specific heat C and electron diffraction measurements on single-crystalline samples of PrT2Zn20 (T = Ru, Rh and Ir). The three compounds show the Van Vleck paramagnetic behavior, indicating the nonmagnetic crystalline electric field (CEF) ground states. A Schottky-type peak appears at around 14 K, irrespective of the T element, which can be moderately reproduced by a doublet–triplet model. For T = Ru, a structural transition occurs at Ts = 138 K, below which no phase transition appears down to 0.04 K. On the other hand, for T = Ir, antiferroquadrupole (AFQ) ordering arising from the nonmagnetic Γ3 doublet takes place at TQ = 0.11 K. For T = Rh, despite a structural transition between 170 and 470 K, the CEF ground state is still the non-Kramers Γ3 doublet. However, no phase transition due to the Γ3 doublet was observed even down to 0.1 K.     

Comparison of characteristic temperatures determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

Characteristic temperatures have been determined by both Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction for Prussian blue analogs of the type Fe[M(CN)₆] (M=Co, Rh and Ir). For each Fe³⁺ in these compounds, the characteristic temperatures obtained from the Mössbauer parameters agree in tendency with those from the X-ray powder diffraction data. The values of the former are lower than those of the latter. This difference is thought to be caused by the different nature of the observed objects interacting with the electromagnetic waves, i.e. γ-ray and X-ray.