Optical investigations of the metal-insulator transition in a low-dimensional organic conductor (EDT-TTF)4[Hg3I8]

The polarized reflectance spectra of single crystals of the low-dimensional organic conductor (EDT-TTF)₄[Hg₃I₈] undergoing a metal-insulator phase transition at a temperature T < 35 K have been presented. The spectral region of the study is 700–6000 cm^?1 (0.087–0.74 eV), and the temperature range is 300–9 K. It has been shown that the reflectance spectra are determined by a system of quasi-free electrons of the upper half-occupied molecular π-orbitals, which form a half-filled metallic band in the crystals. A high anisotropy of the spectra and their temperature dependences have been found. For two polarizations, the quantitative analysis of the spectra at 100 and 25 K has been performed in the framework of the phenomenological Drude model, the effective mass and the width of the initial metallic π-electron band have been deter-mined, and it has been found that the conducting system in the crystals has a quasi-one-dimensional character. As temperature decreases, the spectra demonstrate substantial changes indicating the formation of the energy gap (or pseudogap) in the spectrum of electronic states in the range of ～1500–2500 cm^?1. In the low-frequency region (700–1600 cm^?1), a vibrational structure has been observed, and the most intense feature of the structure (ω = 1340 cm^?1) is caused by the interaction of electrons with intramolecular vibrations of the C=C bonds of the EDT-TTF molecule. For temperatures of 15 and 9 K, the analysis of the spectra has been performed in the framework of the theoretical “phase phonon” model taking into account the interaction of electrons with the intramolecular vibrations. It has been concluded that the metal-insulator transition observed in the reflectance spectra of the crystals is similar to the Peierls dielectric transition that occurs in a system of electrons coupled with the intramolecular vibrations of the molecules forming the crystal.     

Hall effect and transverse magnetoresistance in a low-dimensional conductor HfTe5

Temperature dependence of Hall coefficient and transverse magnetoresistance of a low-dimensional conductor HfTe₅ with 1.5 wt. % Zr is reported for the first time up to 12 kOe in magnetic field. Hall coefficient changes sign from positive to negative at the temperature at which the peak of the resistivity has been observed. Temperature dependence of the transverse magnetoresistance has an anomaly. Two-carrier model has been proposed to explain the data qualitatively. These results suggest the change of the electronic structure associated with the charge density wave formation or some other kind of phase transition. Simple chemical bonding consideration shows that the carrier originates from p-like bands.     

Magnetic-field-induced Mott transition in a quasi-two-dimensional organic conductor

We investigated the effect of magnetic field on the highly correlated metal near the Mott transition in the quasi-two-dimensional layered organic conductor, kappa-(BEDT-TTF)(2)Cu[N(CN)(2)]Cl, by the resistance measurements under control of temperature, pressure, and magnetic field. It was demonstrated that the marginal metallic phase near the Mott transition is susceptible to the field-induced localization transition of the first order, as was predicted theoretically. The thermodynamic consideration of the present results gives a conceptual pressure-field phase diagram of the Mott transition at low temperatures.     

Bond and charge ordering in low-dimensional organic conductors

We review 35 years of structural studies of quasi-1D organic conductors during which the concepts of 2k_F and 4k_F BOW and CDW have been elaborated. In strongly correlated quarter filled band systems these instabilities give rise to SP, DM and CO ground states. We relate these structural features to the instabilities of the 1D electron gas. To stabilize the different ground states the nature of the electron-phonon coupling has to be considered together with the coupling of the organic stacks with the anion sublattice. New results concerning the classification of the SP phase in connection with the adiabatic or antiadiabatic phonon field and its competition with the CO are also introduced.     

Spin resonance of conduction electrons and EPR of localized moments in a low-dimensional organic conductor [Pd(dddt)2]Ag1.5Br3.5

The EPR spectra of a quasi-two-dimensional organic metal [Pd(dddt)₂]Ag_1.5Br_3.5 contain signals due to the spin resonance of conduction electrons (CESR) and signals due to the localized magnetic moments of Ag²⁺. The system of Ag²⁺ ions exhibits a strong indirect antiferromagnetic exchange interaction characterized by the Weiss constant Θ=−280(25) K, which leads to magnetic ordering at a temperature of T ₀=70(10) K. The same temperature T ₀ corresponds to a strong anomaly in the CESR linewidth. The observed anomaly in the CESR linewidth, as well as some features of the temperature dependence of conductivity in the system studied, are explained by the interaction between conduction electrons and Ag²⁺ ions localized in the anion layers (π-d interaction) and by antiferromagnetic ordering of the spins of Ag²⁺ magnetic ions.     

Novel magnetism in 3He nanoclusters

The magnetic susceptibility of 3He nanoclusters embedded in a 4He matrix has been measured from 0.5 to 10 mK at pressures from 2.88 to 3.54 MPa. Even the lowest pressure clusters have a solid fraction in the region of the phase diagram where bulk solid is unstable. At 3.54 MPa, straight theta = -250 microK, equal to that of bulk 3He for v = 21.3 cm3/mole. For 2.88 MPa, straight theta = 140 microK, indicating a ferromagnetic tendency, similar to 2D films at some coverages. At intermediate pressures, chi has a peak near 1.05 mK, but with no discontinuity. Magnetic ordering in nanoclusters appears to be different than the U2D2 phase of bulk 3He.     

Gaussmeter application of an organic conductor

We present several examples for the application of organic conductors like (Fluoranthene)₂PF₆ as magnetic field probes. Due to their frequency independent, extremely narrow electron spin resonance line, magnetic flux densities ranging from the earth's field until thousands of Gauss can easily be evaluated with an accuracy better than 1.5 mG. The small sample size required — eg. 2 mm³ for a flux density of about 5 G (S/N ratio 10∶1) — allows to analyse strong magnetic field gradients. Examples for the adaptation of field or frequency-modulation and pulse techniques are given. We point to the requirement of single crystalline samples for high field applications.     

Angle-resolved mapping of the fermi velocity in a quasi-two-dimensional organic conductor

We demonstrate a new method for determining the Fermi velocity in quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) conductors. Application of a magnetic field parallel to the conducting layers results in periodic open orbit quasiparticle trajectories along the Q2D Fermi surface. Averaging of this motion over the Fermi surface leads to a resonance in the interlayer microwave conductivity. The resonance frequency is simply related to the extremal value of the Fermi velocity perpendicular to the applied field. Thus, angle dependent microwave studies enable a complete mapping of the in-plane Fermi velocity. We illustrate the applicability of this method for the highly 2D organic conductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2I3.     

Pressure tuning of the interplay of magnetism and superconductivity in CeCu2Si2

We carried out specific-heat and ac-susceptibility experiments under hydrostatic pressure to investigate the interplay of spin-density-wave antiferromagnetism (A) and superconductivity (S) in single-crystalline AS-type CeCu(2)Si(2). We find evidence for a line of magnetic-field- and pressure-tuned quantum critical points in the normal state in the zero-temperature magnetic field-pressure plane. Our analysis suggests an extension of this line into the superconducting state and corroborates the close connection of the underlying mechanisms leading to the formation of the antiferromagnetic and the superconducting states in AS-type CeCu(2)Si(2).     

Surface magnetism in organic charge transfer salts

We have investigated the magnetic properties of the charge transfer salts Qn(TCNQ)₂, Cs₂(TCNQ)₃ and TTF—TCNQ in the form of single crystals and after strong pressing or grinding to a fine powder, which introduces lattice defects and increases the surface area. It is found that for the former two compounds pressing or grinding leads to a non-linear, saturating component in the magnetisation field curves, whereas the effect is absent for TTF—TCNQ. It is suggested that this behaviour could arise from strongly coupled localised spins at the surface, i.e. surface magnetism in these materials.     

掺杂Sr8 CaRe3 Cu4 O24:一种可能具有半金属性和大的氧磁矩的材料

用密度泛函理论方法仔细研究了新型钙钛矿铜氧材料Sr8CaRe3Cu4O24的电子结构和磁性性质，发现掺杂将使得这种材料表现出非常奇特的性质：（1）用W或Mo替代Re，将使得材料变成半金属，同时它的磁转变温度仍然很高；（2）对Sr8CaRe3Cu4O24进行空穴掺杂，也将使它变为具有高磁转变温度的半金属材料。更为奇特的是，空穴掺杂将导致O原子上有很大的磁矩。因此，Sr8CaRe3Cu4O24很有可能是一种有广阔应用前景的磁性材料。     

Electronic and electron-phonon phenomena in low-dimensional BEDT-TTF-based organic conductors and superconductors

Two related groups of k-phase ion-radical salts (BEDT-TTF) with different electrical properties, namely, superconductors with different transition temperatures and conductors, which transfer to insulating state with decreasing temperature, have been studied by micro-optic spectroscopy. Polarized reflectance spectra of microcrystals have been measured for the three principal crystallographic directions within the 700–40000 cm⁻¹ region, and the corresponding spectra of the optical functions obtained. The anisotropy of the electronic system in the crystals has been established as two-dimensional. The spectra obtained were quantitatively analyzed, the key parameters of the electronic structure and the vibronic coupling constants determined. It is concluded that the conductors have smaller vibronic coupling constants, more narrow allowed electronic bands, and stronger electron-electron interaction compared to those of the superconductors, and that vibronic coupling is the necessary condition for the onset of superconductivity in the superconductors studied. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 897–899 (May 1999)     

Magnetic superlattices with variable interlayer exchange coupling: a new approach for the investigation of low-dimensional magnetism

We have investigated the magnetic order in an [Fe(2)/(VHx)(13)] x 200 superlattice as a function of temperature and hydrogen content in the vanadium layers. A J(radially)-T magnetic phase diagram was established where J(radially) denotes the interlayer exchange coupling between adjacent Fe planes. We propose that Fe/V superlattices, in which the ratio of interlayer to intralayer coupling can be tuned continuously and reversibly via hydrogen in the nonmagnetic vanadium, offer a new approach for the study of low-dimensional magnetism and crossover effects near the transition from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic order.     

Superconductivity and magnetism and their interplay in quaternary borocarbides RNi2B2C

Since 1986, most of the interest in superconductivity became focused on high-T _c cuprates. The discovery of the superconducting quaternary borocarbide system Y–Ni–B–C with T _c as high as?～12?K inspired research into intermetallic superconductors (IMS) once again. Several reasons can be attributed to this revival of interest in IMS: (i) In the tetragonal quaternary magnetic superconductors RNi₂B₂C, superconductivity and magnetism occur with T _c and T _N?～?10?K, thereby allowing studies of exotic phenomena associated with, and arising from, the interplay of superconductivity and magnetism. (ii) High T _N's and a variety of commensurate and incommensurate magnetic structures in RNi₂B₂C (Fermi surface nesting playing a central role) strongly suggest that R-spins are coupled via the RKKY-exchange interaction. Hence, unlike in most other magnetic superconductors known so far, conduction electrons take part in superconductivity and magnetism. (iii) Quaternary borocarbides open up new pathways to try and synthesize multicomponent intermetallic superconductors. Their remarkable intrinsic superconducting and magnetic properties and the availability of high quality samples (bulk polycrystalline, large single crystals and thin films) make RNi₂B₂C particularly special to investigate. Several unusual phenomena have been reported, such as, to name a few, dramatic phonon mode softening at T _c, H _c2(T) exhibiting a positive curvature near T _c and a four-fold anisotropy in the basal plane; a variety of exceptional and fascinating flux line lattice (FLL) related effects — FLL-symmetry transformations and alignments with the underlying crystal lattice as a function of applied field (manifestation of nonlocal electrodynamics despite high κ?～?10, and thermal fluctuation effects even though T _c,?～?16?K, is not too high) and a four-fold symmetric star-shaped (in real space) vortex core. RNi₂B₂C are strong coupling s-wave BCS superconductors and, remarkably, have a superconducting gap with extreme anisotropy. Strong experimental evidence shows that the four-fold symmetric superconducting gap has point nodes along the 100 Carter, S, Batlogg, B, Cava, R, Krajewski, J, Peck, W Jr and Takagi, H. 1994. Phys. Rev. B, 50: 4216[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]- and 10 Baltensperger, W and Strässler, S. 1963. Phys. Kondens Materie, 1: 20 [Google Scholar]-directions, a feature that has been shown consistent with (s?+?g)-Cooper pairing. An energy gap with such strong anisotropy is unusual for an s-wave superconductor and, hence, calls for a pairing mechanism different from conventional electron–phonon coupling. Antiferromagnetic fluctuations possibly play an important role in the mechanism. Magnetic superconductors RNi₂B₂C (R?=?Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) reveal several phenomena, not observed earlier, associated with the interplay of superconductivity and magnetism. Microscopic evidence (via square FLL interacting with magnetism) of the coexistence of magnetism and superconductivity; intrinsic FLL-pinning by magnetic ions; weak ferromagnetism (local moment) coexisting with superconductivity (down to the lowest temperature) and the spontaneous vortex phase (ErNi₂B₂C); superconductivity setting in an already magnetically ordered lattice (DyNi₂B₂C) and pair-breaking by nonmagnetic ions in such materials; rich and complex magnetic structures and double (nearly) re-entrant superconductivity (HoNi₂B₂C) and changes in the FLL-symmetry in the vicinity of magnetic transition (TmNi₂B₂C) and 4f-quadrupole ordering (TmNi₂B₂C) are several exciting phenomena that magnetic superconductors RNi₂B₂C exhibit.

At the end of this review are indicated some possible further studies in quaternary borocarbide superconductors. These studies may turn out to be important not only with respect to borocarbides themselves but also from the standpoint of superconductivity in general.     

Stability and optoelectronic property of low-dimensional organic tin bromide perovskites

The toxicity and degradation of hybrid lead-halide perovskites hinder their extensive applications.It is thus of great importance to explore non-toxic alternative materials with excellent stability and optoelectronic property.We investigate the atomic structures and optoelectronic properties of non-toxic organic tin bromide perovskites(OTBP)with one/zerodimensional(1D/0D)structures by first-principles calculations.The calculated atomic structures show that the 1D/0D OTBPs are stable and the structure of inorganic octahedra in 0D is higher order than that in 1D.Moreover,the origination of exceptional purity emitting light in experiments is explained based on the calculated electronic structure.     

Collapse of charge order in a quasi-one-dimensional organic conductor with a quarter-filled band

A charge-ordered insulator, (DI-DCNQI)2Ag, with a quasi-one-dimensional quarter-filled band is metallized by pressure. It was found that the charge order melts into a curious metallic state with cubic-temperature dependence of the resistivity, which implies the unprecedented mechanism of the electron-electron scattering. We constructed the pressure-temperature phase diagram, where the melting line has a tricritical point dividing the second-order line at low pressures and the first-order line at high pressures just before it vanishes.