Phase transitions in anisotropic magnetic superlattices

The paper reports a theoretical study of phase transitions in antiferromagnetic superlattices. The boundaries of stability of the ferro-and antiferromagnetic phases have been calculated by a model taking into account the layered structure of these materials. The expressions obtained are precise in the limit of a large number of layers. In the case of a small number of layers, the problem reduces to a simple numerical procedure of solving a transcendental equation. The critical field is shown to depend substantially on the biquadratic non-Heisenberg exchange constant. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 178–180 (January 1997)     

d-Symmetry superconductivity as a consequence of valence-bond type correlations

It is shown that d _x ²−y ² symmetry of superconducting order due to valence bond (VB) type correlations is possible. The VB correlations are compatible with antiferromagnetic (AF) spin order. For the two-dimensional Hubbard model with arbitrary doping, the variational method of local unitary transformations is used to construct explicitly a uniform state with VB structure. The d-channel attraction of holes is a consequence of the modulation of hops by the populations of centers accompanying VB formation, and the parameters of the modulation are determined variationally. The increase in the density of states at the Fermi level accompanying AF splitting of the band, which is absent in the paramagnetic state, is important for the gap width. The gap width and its ratio to T _c are of the order of 2Δ≃0.1t and 2Δ/kT _c≃4–4.5 with U/t≃8. The agreement between the phase diagram found and experiment is discussed. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 67, No. 5, 350–355 (10 March 1998)     

Appearance of anisotropic non s-wave superconductivity above the critical pressure of antiferromagnetic CeRhIn5

We have carried out ¹¹⁵In nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements in CeRhIn₅. At ambient pressure, CeRhIn₅ undergoes an antiferromagnetic AF phase transition at K. The ¹¹⁵In NQR spectrum has shown the appearance of a small internal field in the direction perpendicular to the tetragonal c-axis. With application of a hydrostatic pressure, the AF state is suppressed and the superconductivity appears just above the critical pressure (P = 17 kbar). The nuclear spin lattice relaxation rate 1/T₁ of ¹¹⁵In measured at P = 27 kbar indicates the occurrence of the superconductivity in the nearly AF region. In the superconducting state, 1/T₁ has no Hebel-Slichter coherence peak just below of 2 K and has a power law T-dependence (T³) down to 300 mK. This is consistent with anisotropic superconductivity, with line nodes in the superconducting energy gap: non-s-wave superconductivity occurs in CeRhIn₅. Received 5 July 2000     

Mode-mode coupling theory of itinerant electron antiferromagnetism in superconducting state

It has been considered since the first discovery of a high-T(c) cuprate that an antiferromagnetic (AF) state and a superconducting (SC) state are separated in it. However, it is very intriguing that the coexistence of the AF and SC states has recently been observed in HgBa(2)Ca(4)Cu(5)O(12+) (Hg-1245). Moreover, it is very novel that this coexistence of these two states appears if the SC-transition temperature T(c) is higher than the AF-transition temperature T(N). The mode-mode coupling theory can provide a clear elucidation of this novel phenomenon. A key point of this theory is that the AF susceptibility consists of the random-phase-approximation (RPA) term and the mode-mode coupling one. The RPA term works to make a positive contribution to the emergence of the antiferromagnetic critical point (AF-CP). In contrast, the mode-mode coupling term works to make a negative contribution to the emergence of the AF-CP. However, the growth of the SC-gap function in the d(x(2)-y(2))-wave SC state works to suppress the negative contribution of the mode-mode coupling term to the emergence of the AF-CP. Moreover, the effect of SC fluctuations near the SC-transition temperature T(c) suppresses the mode-mode coupling term of the AF susceptibility that works to hinder the AF ordering. For these two reasons, there is a possibility that the d(x(2)-y(2))-wave SC state is likely to promote the emergence of the AF-CP. Namely, the appearance of the above-mentioned novel coexistence of the AF and SC states observed in Hg-1245 can be explained qualitatively on the basis of this idea.     

Roughness of layer interfaces and phase diagram of magnetic multilayer structures

The dependence of the type of magnetic ordering in multilayer structures on the magnitude of the exchange interaction between the magnetic layers and on the degree of roughness of the interfaces between the layers is investigated. In the case of a three-layer system the regions of existence of the domain structure, of noncollinear ordering of the homogeneous magnetic layers, and of the collinear ferromagnetic phase and collinear antiferromagnetic phase are found. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1244–1247 (July 1997)     

On the mechanism of dissipation in the internal Josephson effect in layered superconductors at low temperatures

The current-voltage characteristics (IVCs) of a layered superconductor with singlet d pairing at low temperatures are calculated in the internal Josephson effect (IJE) regime. Coherent electron tunneling between layers is assumed. A finite resistance of the superconductor in the resistive state arises because of quasiparticle transitions through the superconducting gap near nodes. Because of charge effects the interaction of the Josephson junctions formed by the layers does not lead to substantial differences in the shapes of different branches of the IVCs. The model describes the basic qualitative features of the effect in high-temperature superconductors for voltages which are low compared with the amplitude of the superconducting gap. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 70, No. 8, 516–521 (25 October 1999)     

Bulk electronic structure of the antiferromagnetic superconducting phase in ErNi2B2C

We have performed temperature- (T-)dependent laser-photoemission spectroscopy of the antiferromagnetic (AF) superconductor ErNi2B2C to study the electronic-structure evolution reflecting the interplay between antiferromagnetism and superconductivity. The spectra at the superconducting (SC) phase show a very broad spectral shape. A T-dependent SC gap shows a sudden deviation from the BCS prediction just below TN. This observation can be explained well by the theoretical model and thus represents the characteristic bulk electronic structure of the AF SC phase for the first time.     

Nonequilibrium Josephson effect in systems of tunnel superconducting junctions and in layered superconductors

This paper examines the time-dependent Josephson effect in systems of tunnel superconducting junctions and in layered superconductors (the intrinsic Josephson effect) with allowance for nonequilibrium superconductivity effects. Kinetic and quasihydrodynamic equations are derived that describe self-consistently the dynamics of Josephson phases and nonequilibrium quasiparticles. It is found that the state of nonequilibrium between the layers leads to an effective mechanism of the interaction between interlayer Josephson junctions, which can be used to synchronize the junctions. Current-voltage characteristics of chains of intrinsic junctions are obtained for different values of the parameters. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 116, 1798–1816 (November 1999)     

Anomalous electrodynamic response in the mixed-valence superconductor CeRu2

We report the first results of microwave magnetoabsorption measurements (35–140 GHz) in the intermediate-valence superconductor CeRu₂. The anomalous electrodynamic response is found to derive from a transition from a weak to a strong pinning regime in the superconducting mixed state of this unusual metal. The experimental results strongly support the appearance in the CeRu₂ mixed state of a first-order phase transition that may be explained in terms of Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state formation. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 69, No. 10, 745–749 (25 May 1999) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

Electronic structure and superconductivity of κ-(BEDT-TTF)2X salts

We have analyzed the electronic structure and superconducting properties of layered crystals based on BEDT-TTF salts (hereafter denoted as ET), in which intramolecular interaction among electrons is important. For the case of realistic κ-packing of ET-molecules in a plane of ET₂ dimers we have calculated the electron density of states. Using the calculated electronic structure, we have analyzed the symmetry of the anisotropic superconducting pairing. The critical value of the effective attraction between electrons for formation of a bound pair in an empty lattice has been estimated. The relation between the nodes of the d-type order parameter on the anisotropic Fermi surface and superconducting properties of the condensate is discussed in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) model. The results are in agreement with the known band parameters of the normal phase and measurements of the magnetic field penetration depth, heat capacity as a function of temperature in the low-temperature range, and NMR in κ-ET₂X superconducting salts. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 113, 715–733 (February 1998)     

Some characteristic features of layered ferroelectrics of the type A m−1Bi2MmO3m+3

The values of the Curie temperatures of bismuth-containing layered ferroelectrics and deformations of the pseudoperovskite cell, distinguished in the perovskite-like layer of these compounds, are discussed. It is shown that the perovskite-like layers play an important role in the appearance of the ferroelectric state. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 135–136 (January 1997)     

Pseudogap and symmetry of superconducting order parameter in cuprates

The phase diagram, nature of the normal state pseudogap, type of the Fermi surface, and behavior of the superconducting gap in various cuprates are discussed in terms of a correlated state with valence bonds. The variational correlated state, which is a band analogue of the Anderson (RVB) states, is constructed using local unitary transformations. Formation of valence bonds causes attraction between holes in the d-channel and corresponding superconductivity compatible with antiferromagnetic spin order. Our calculations indicate that there is a fairly wide range of doping with antiferromagnetic order in isolated CuO₂ planes. The shape of the Fermi surface and phase transition curve are sensitive to the value and sign of the hopping interaction t′ between diagonal neighboring sites. In underdoped samples, the dielectrization of various sections of the Fermi boundary, depending on the sign of t′, gives rise to a pseudogap detected in photoemission spectra for various quasimomentum directions. In particular, in bismuth-and yttrium-based ceramics (t′>0), the transition from the normal state of overdoped samples to the pseudogap state of underdoped samples corresponds to the onset of dielectrization on the Brillouin zone boundary near k=(0,π) and transition from “large” to “small” Fermi surfaces. The hypothesis about s-wave superconductivity of La-and Nd-based ceramics has been revised: a situation is predicted when, notwithstanding the d-wave symmetry of the superconducting order parameter, the excitation energy on the Fermi surface does not vanish at all points of the phase space owing to the dielectrization of the Fermi boundary at k _x=± k _y. The model with orthorhombic distortions and two peaks on the curve of T _c versus doping is discussed in connection with experimental data for the yttrium-based ceramic. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 649–674 (February 1999)     

Underdoped manganites: Canted antiferromagnetic ordering or two-phase ferro-antiferromagnetic state?

We calculate the energy of charge-carrier-induced canted ordering in conducting layered antiferromagnetic systems with double exchange. The quantum approach to the d-spins is used. In the jellium model the energy of the canted state is lower than the energies of both collinear ferro-and antiferromagnetic states over a certain range of charge carrier densities, beginning with arbitrarily small densities. Nevertheless, the canted state cannot be realized, because it is unstable against charge-carrier density fluctuations. The two-phase ferro-antiferromagnetic state can play the role of an alternative to canting. The case of an intermediate electronic-impurity phase separation is investigated. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 114, 2225–2237 (December 1998) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Reproduced here with stylistic changes by the Translation Editor.     

Heat Capacity Under Pressure of CeCoIn 5

Among heavy-fermion (HF) superconductors, CeCoIn 5 exhibits a record high value of T c =2.3 K at ambient pressure [1]. CeCoIn 5 belongs to a new class of HF-superconductors that crystallize in the tetragonal HoCoGa 5 -structure. This structure can be regarded as alternating layers of CeIn 3 and CoIn 2 . Bulk CeIn 3 undergoes a transition from an antiferromagnetic (AFM) state at ambient pressure ( T N =10.2 K) to a superconducting state with very low T C =0.15 K at a critical pressure p c =2.8 GPa [2] at which long range magnetic order vanishes. It is, therefore, regarded as a possible candidate for magnetically mediated superconductivity (SC). We report on measurements of the heat capacity of CeCoIn 5 at hydrostatic pressures p h 1.5 GPa. While T c increases with increasing pressure, the effective mass of the quasi-particles m eff decreases, as indicated by the ratio C / T | T c . As a working hypothesis based on theories of a nearly antiferromagnetic Fermi-liquid (NAFFL), this may be interpreted as the stabilization of the superconducting state by an increase of the characteristic spin fluctuation temperature T_{SF} (T_{SF}\propto k_F^2/m_{\rm eff}).     

Effect of antiferromagnetic ordering on temperature dependent superconducting gap in ErNi2B2C: Laser-photoemission spectroscopy

We have performed temperature (T)-dependent laser-photoemission spectroscopy of antiferromagnetic (AF) superconductor ErNi₂B₂C to study the electronic structure, especially the effect of AF ordering in T-dependent superconducting (SC) gap. To estimate the values of T-dependent SC gap, we fitted the experimental data by Dynes function having an anisotropic s-wave SC gap. From the fitting results, we find a sudden deviation from the BCS prediction just below T_N. This observation can be well explained by the theoretical model, indicating that the origin of anomalous T-dependence is competition between rapid evolution of AF molecular field and SC condensation energy.     

First-order magnetic phase transition in layered Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>YCo<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>10.5 + δ</Subscript>-type cobaltites

In layered Sr₃YCo₄O_{10.5 + δ}-type cobaltites with different oxygen contents, we have observed a first order magnetic phase transition from the high-temperature “ferromagnetic” state to the low-temperature antiferromagnetic state. The transition can be induced by an applied magnetic field. It is accompanied by a significant hysteresis in the magnetic field (∼10 T) and temperature (∼10 K). A decrease and an increase in the yttrium content lead to a purely “ferromagnetic” and antiferromagnetic behavior, respectively.     

Spin-orbit coupling in the superconducting phase and DDW states of high-T<Subscript>c</Subscript> cuprates

The effects of the spin-orbit coupling are considered for the high T _c cuprates with asymmetric superconducting gap (SC) and the d-density wave (DDW) phase due to its vital role in the experimental determination of the DDW state. Experiments predict an anisotropy in the DSC gap where |Δ(0,π)|>|Δ(π,0)| and the gap node deviates from the diagonal direction towards the k _x axis. Measurements also demonstrate DDW to be a possible candidate for the pseudogap in the underdoped phase. Due to the spin-orbit (SO) coupling in the low temperature orthorhombic (LTO) phase, the phase diagram of the cuprates suffers a change due to the modification of the T* value, the temperature characteristic of pseudogap, although T _c remains unaltered. Moreover, for a more generalized SO coupling, the DDW gap decreases with the angle but has no effect on the SC gap. We calculate the density of states in the various regimes of doping for the mixed SC+DDW states in the underdoped (UD) phase, SC state in the overdoped phase and also the DDW state in the UD phase and compare them with various theoretical and experimental works. The temperature dependence of the specific heat does not exhibit any qualitative change due to the SO coupling.     

Superconductivity in the Ti-D system under pressure

The pressure dependence of the superconducting transition temperature in TiD_0.74 has been measured up to 30 GPa in a diamond high-pressure chamber. It is found that the deuteride TiD_0.74 becomes a superconductor at pressures corresponding to the transition to the high-pressure ζ phase, with a transition temperature that increases from 4.17 to 4.43 K in the interval P=14–30 GPa. The value extrapolated to atmospheric pressure T _c (0)=4.0 K is significantly lower than the superconducting transition temperature (T _c =5.0 K) measured earlier in the metastable state obtained by quenching TiD_0.74 under pressure. It is assumed that the significant difference of the extrapolated value from the superconducting transition temperature in the metastable state after quenching under pressure is caused by a phase transition on the path from the stability region of the ζ phase under pressure to the region of the metastable state at atmospheric pressure. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 2153–2155 (December 1998)     

“Unusual” domain walls in multilayer systems: Ferromagnet + layered antiferromagnet

The structure and conditions for the onset of a new type of domain wall in multilayer systems comprising a ferromagnet and a layered antiferromagnet is investigated by numerical simulation. Domain walls occur as the result of frustrations produced by interface roughness, i.e., by the existence of atomic steps on them. The domain walls are investigated both in a ferromagnetic film on a layered antiferromagnetic substrate and in multilayer structures. It is shown that a domain wall broadens with increasing distance from the interface; this trend is attributed to the nontrivial dependence of the wall energy on the thickness of the layer. The structure of the domain walls in multilayer ferromagnet-layered antiferromagnet systems varies dramatically as a function of the energies of interlayer and in-layer exchange interactions between adjacent layers. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 114, 1817–1826 (November 1998)     

SR evidence of low frequency spin fluctuations in the AF phase of hole-doped NiO

μSR measurements in the antiferromagnetic (AF) phase of Ni_1-xLi_xO for are reported. While in pure NiO the muon longitudinal depolarization rate is found almost temperature independent, in the Li-doped compounds broad maxima around 130 K are observed. These maxima are associated with the progressive freezing of the spin fluctuations of S =1/2 defects induced by the localization of the extra-holes. From the temperature dependence of and the stretched exponential form of the depolarization, insights on the distribution of correlation times for the fluctuating field at the muon site are derived. Received: 27 April 1998 / Received in final form and Accepted: 21 August 1998