Lamellar-like structures in ferrofluids placed in strong magnetic fields

We consider a ferrofluid system consisting of magnetic particles interacting with a magnetic dipole–dipole interaction. We study the strong magnetic field regime where all magnetic dipoles are completely polarized in the direction of the magnetic field. We introduce a lattice gas model that serves to describe space ordering phenomena in such systems. It is found that, within mean field theory, this model predicts a second order phase transition to a phase with inhomogeneous lamellar-like ordering below a certain critical temperature.     

Quantum quenches in a spinor condensate

We discuss the ordering of a spin-1 condensate when quenched from its paramagnetic phase to its ferromagnetic phase by reducing the magnetic field. We first elucidate the nature of the equilibrium quantum phase transition. Quenching rapidly through this transition reveals XY ordering either at a specific wave vector, or the "light-cone" correlations familiar from relativistic theories, depending on the end point of the quench. For a quench proceeding at a finite rate the ordering scale is governed by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism. The creation of vortices through growth of the magnetization fluctuations is also discussed. The long-time dynamics again depends on the end point, conserving the order parameter in a zero field, but not at a finite field, with differing exponents for the coarsening of magnetic order. The results are discussed in the light of a recent experiment by Sadler et al.     

Melting of mesoscopic lattices of magnetic fluid thin film subjected to perpendicular fields

Applying a magnetic field on the magnetic fluid thin film perpendicularly, leads a phase separation that is concentrated in particles separating from a dilute phase. The concentrated phase forms cylindrical columns that construct two-dimensional lattices. This kind of artificial lattice is a novel mesoscopic system and has been explored with optical microscope, CCD, and digital imaging analysis. We explore the ordering evolution of the two-dimensional extraordinary lattice by varying the applied field. The ordering of these lattices is analyzed in terms of translational and bond-orientation correlation functions to address the two-dimensional melting.     

Jahn-Teller transitions in Yb<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>=V,P) stimulated by a strong magnetic field

The effect of an external magnetic field directed along various symmetry axes of a crystal on Jahn-Teller-type structural phase transitions (quadrupole ordering) is studied in YbPO₄ and YbVO₄ crystals with zircon structure. In the absence of a magnetic field, the crystals are in a precritical state and do not exhibit a spontaneous quadrupole ordering. It is shown that, in a field H ∥ [110], the strain susceptibility χ_γ increases with the field and, at a sufficiently high field strength, an orthorhombic lattice deformation along the [100] axis arises in the crystals under study; i.e., a stimulated Jahn-Teller phase transition of γ symmetry occurs. Using interaction constants determined from independent experiments, we calculated phase diagrams and anomalies in the magnetic and magnetoelastic properties of the YbPO₄ and YbVO₄ crystals near the stimulated phase transitions, investigated the effect of various pairwise interactions on them, and analyzed possible experimental observations of the predicted effects.     

Recent topics in microstructure control by magnetic field in Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>MnGa and CoPt and new transformation behavior in Ti-Ni-Fe alloys

Three topics related to solid-solid phase transformations are presented. The first topic is related to ferromagnetic shape memory alloys. The general condition for rearrangement of martensite variants by magnetic field is discussed quantitatively. The second topic is related to microstructure control of CoPt (tetragonal L1₀-type structure) during ordering heat-treatment under a magnetic field. We show that a single variant state is realized by magnetic field, and magnetic field is especially effective at the early stage of ordering. The third topic is related to the so-called precursor phenomena in Ti-Ni-Fe shape memory alloys. In the topic we will show the existence of a commensurate phase, which inherits the microstructure of the incommensurate phase and is probably different from the R-phase.     

Correlations induced orbital ordering and cooperative Jahn–Teller distortion in the paramagnetic insulator KCrF<Subscript>3</Subscript>

We investigate the origin of the orbital ordering in the paramagnetic phase of KCrF₃. All previous studies described structural parameters of the paramagnetic phase using a magnetic ordering in the compound. Our simulations of real paramagnetic KCrF₃ were performed within an approach combining density functional theory and dynamical mean field theory (DFT+DMFT). As a result, it was found that the experimentally observed cooperative Jahn–Teller effect is successfully described in a lattice relaxation calculation for structure without any long-range magnetic ordering. It is established that the existence of the orbital ordering even in undistorted perovskite structure clearly confirms the electronic origin of the orbital ordering in KCrF₃.     

Orbital ordering and magnetic field effect in MnV2O4

We studied the structural properties of an orbital-spin-coupled spinel oxide, MnV2O4, mainly by single-crystal x-ray diffraction measurement. It was found that a structural phase transition from cubic to tetragonal and ferrimagnetic ordering occur at the same temperature (Ts,TN=57 K). The structural phase transition was induced also by magnetic field above Ts. In addition, magnetic-field-induced alignment of tetragonal domains results in large magnetostriction below Ts. We also found that the structural phase transition is caused by the antiferro-type ordering of the V t2g orbitals.     

Dynamic coupling-decoupling crossover in the current-driven vortex state in Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 probed by the Josephson plasma resonance

We have used terahertz spectroscopy to measure the Josephson plasma resonance in the superconductor Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8+delta. This allows us to probe the longitudinal ordering of pancake vortices as a function of applied ab-plane current in a 2.5 kG c-axis magnetic field. With increasing current in the low temperature vortex solid phase, we observe a decrease in the interlayer phase coherence consistent with a progressive misalignment of the pancake vortices in neighboring layers. In the high temperature vortex liquid phase, an increase in the longitudinal ordering occurs above a certain threshold current. Our results show evidence of a current-driven coupling-decoupling crossover in the pinned liquid phase.     

Influence of a random field on particle fractionation and solidification in liquid-crystal colloid mixtures

The influence of a random-anisotropy (RA) type disorder on the phase separation of nematogen-colloid mixtures is studied theoretically by combining the phenomenological Landau-de Gennes, Carnahan-Starling, and hard-sphere crystal theories. We assume that the colloids enforce the RA disorder on the surrounding thermotropic liquid-crystal (LC) molecules. We adopt the Imry-Ma argument according to which the lower-temperature phase exhibits a domain-type pattern. The colloids impose a finite degree of orientational ordering even in the isotropic (paranematic) phase. In the ordered phase they give rise to a domain-type structure, resulting in the distorted nematic (speronematic) phase. The RA field opposes the phase separation tendency. With increasing disorder the difference between the paranematic and speronematic ordering decreases. Consequently there is a critical disorder, above which both phases become identical from the orientation point of view, but have different concentrations of colloids. We have also estimated another characteristic value of disorder above which the isotropic phase can exist only in a liquid state, the crystal phase being suppressed completely.     

Thermodynamic Properties of Random Transverse Field Mixed Spin System in the Presence of Single-Ion Anisotropy

We study the thermodynamic properties of random transverse field mixed spin system in the presence of single-ion anisotropy on a square lattice. By making use of the effective field theory and a cutting approximation, the detailed phase diagrams are described and some interesting results are found under trimodal random transverse field distribution. A small single-ion anisotropy can magnify magnetic ordering region at low temperatures and existence of a large transverse field can assist the occurrence of reentrant phenomena. With increasing disorder, second-order phase transitions are shown to change into first-order phase transitions. The trajectory of the tricritical point in the phase space as a function of disorder is presented. These indicate a strong correlation with the corresponding to trimodal transverse field distribution.     

Pressure-induced superconductivity in noncentrosymmetric heavy-fermion CeRhSi3

We report the pressure-induced superconductivity in the noncentrosymmetric heavy-fermion CeRhSi3. The superconductivity emerges above about 12 kbar even though the antiferromagnetic ordering persists. Furthermore, another anomaly is observed in the superconducting phase. The anomalous magnetic field-temperature phase diagram with a high upper critical field suggests that an unconventional superconductivity is realized in CeRhSi3.     

Capillary smectization and layering in a confined liquid crystal

Using density-functional theory, we have analyzed the phase behavior of a model liquid crystal confined between two parallel, planar surfaces (i.e., the so-called slit pore). As a result of confinement, a rich phase behavior arises. The complete liquid-crystal phase diagram of the confined fluid is mapped out as a function of wall separation and chemical potential. Strong commensuration effects in the film with respect to wall separation lead to enhanced smectic ordering, which gives capillary smectization (i.e., formation of a smectic phase in the pore), or frustrated smectic ordering, which suppresses capillary smectization. These effects also produce layering transitions. Our nonlocal density-functional-based analysis provides a unified picture of all the above phenomena.     

Finite-temperature phase diagram of hard-core bosons in two dimensions

We determine the finite-temperature phase diagram of the square lattice hard-core boson Hubbard model with nearest neighbor repulsion using quantum Monte Carlo simulations. This model is equivalent to an anisotropic spin-1/2 XXZ model in a magnetic field. We present the rich phase diagram with a first order transition between a solid and superfluid phase, instead of a previously conjectured supersolid and a tricritical end point to phase separation. Unusual reentrant behavior with ordering upon increasing the temperature is found, similar to the Pomeranchuk effect in 3He.     

Strong Coupled Magnetic and Electric Ordering in Monolayer of Metal Thio (seleno) phosphates

The coupling between electric ordering and magnetic ordering in two-dimensional(2D) materials is important for both fundamental research of 2D multiferroics and future development of magnetism-based information storage and operation. Here, we introduce a scheme for realizing a magnetic phase transition through the transition of electric ordering. We take CuMoP_2S_6 monolayer as an example, which is a member of the large 2D transitionmetal chalcogen-phosphates family. Based on first-principles calculations, we find that it is a multiferroic with unprecedented characters, namely, it exhibits two different phases: an antiferroelectric-antiferromagnetic phase and a ferroelectric-ferromagnetic phase, in which the electric and magnetic orderings are strongly coupled. Importantly, the electric polarization is out-of-plane, so the magnetism can be readily switched by using the gate electric field. Our finding reveals a series of 2D multiferroics with special magnetoelectric coupling, which hold great promise for experimental realization and practical applications.     

Effects of Field Orientation on the Driven Lattice Gas

Steady states of the driven lattice gas (DLG) on triangular, hexagonal and square lattices with the field at several fixed orientations to the principal lattice vectors were studied by Monte Carlo simulation. In most cases a strong field suppressed change to a low-temperature ordered phase. On each lattice, one field orientation that caused nonequilibrium ordering was identified. On triangular and hexagonal lattices, dependence of energy and anisotropy on field strength was studied at those orientations. Anisotropic ordering along the field developed at intermediate temperatures under weak fields. Partial ordering along the field persisted to low temperature under strong fields.     

Quantum order by disorder in frustrated diamond lattice antiferromagnets

We present a quantum theory of frustrated diamond lattice antiferromagnets. Considering quantum fluctuations as the predominant mechanism relieving spin frustration, we find a rich phase diagram comprising of six phases with coplanar spiral ordering in addition to the Néel phase. By computing the specific heat of these ordered phases, we obtain a remarkable agreement between (k, k, 0) spiral ordering and the experimental specific heat data for the diamond lattice spinel compounds MnSc2S4, Co3O4, and CoRh2O4, i.e., specific heat data is a strong evidence for (k, k, 0) spiral ordering in all of these materials. This prediction can be tested in future neutron scattering experiments on Co3O4 and CoRh2O4, and is consistent with existing neutron scattering data on MnSc2S4. Based on this agreement, we infer a monotonically increasing relationship between frustration and the strength of quantum fluctuations.     

Interdependence of magnetism and superconductivity in the borocarbide TmNi2B2C

We have discovered a new antiferromagnetic phase in TmNi2B2C by neutron diffraction. The ordering vector is Q(A) = (0.48,0,0) and the phase appears above a critical in-plane magnetic field of 0.9 T. The field was applied in order to test the assumption that the zero-field magnetic structure at Q(F) = (0.094,0.094,0) would change into a c-axis ferromagnet if superconductivity were destroyed. We present theoretical calculations which show that two effects are important: a suppression of the ferromagnetic component of the RKKY exchange interaction in the superconducting phase and a reduction of the superconducting condensation energy due to the periodic modulation of the moments at Q(A).