Discovery of Magnetic Phase Transitions in Heavy-Fermion Superconductor CeRh_{2}As_{2}.

We report on the specific heat studies performed on a new generation of CeRh_{2}As_{2} single crystals. Superior quality of the samples and dedicated experimental protocol allowed us to observe an antiferromagneticlike behavior in the normal state and to detect the first-order phase transition of magnetic origin within the superconducting state of the compound. Although in the available literature the physical behavior of CeRh_{2}As_{2} is most often described with the use of quadrupole density wave scenario, we propose an alternative explanation using analogies to antiferromagnetic heavy-fermion superconductors CeRhIn_{5} and Ce_{2}RhIn_{8}.

Symmetry-selective quasiparticle scattering and electric field tunability of the ZrSiS surface electronic structure.

Three-dimensional Dirac semimetals with square-net non-symmorphic symmetry, such as ternary ZrXY (X = Si, Ge; Y = S, Se, Te) compounds, have attracted significant attention owing to the presence of topological nodal lines, loops, or networks in their bulk. Orbital symmetry plays a profound role in such materials as the different branches of the nodal dispersion can be distinguished by their distinct orbital symmetry eigenvalues. The presence of different eigenvalues suggests that scattering between states of different orbital symmetry may be strongly suppressed. Indeed, in ZrSiS, there has been no clear experimental evidence of quasiparticle scattering reported between states of different symmetry eigenvalues at small wave vectorq⃗.Here we show, using quasiparticle interference, that atomic step-edges in the ZrSiS surface facilitate quasiparticle scattering between states of different symmetry eigenvalues. This symmetry eigenvalue mixing quasiparticle scattering is the first to be reported for ZrSiS and contrasts quasiparticle scattering with no mixing of symmetry eigenvalues, where the latter occurs with scatterers preserving the glide mirror symmetry of the crystal lattice, e.g. native point defects in ZrSiS. Finally, we show that the electronic structure of the ZrSiS surface, including its unique floating band surface state, can be tuned by a vertical electric field locally applied by the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), enabling control of a spin-orbit induced avoided crossing near the Fermi level by as much as 300%.

From antiferromagnetic and hidden order to Pauli paramagnetism in UM 2Si2 compounds with 5f electron duality.

Using inelastic X-ray scattering beyond the dipole limit and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy we establish the dual nature of the U [Formula: see text] electrons in U[Formula: see text] (M = Pd, Ni, Ru, Fe), regardless of their degree of delocalization. We have observed that the compounds have in common a local atomic-like state that is well described by the U [Formula: see text] configuration with the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] quasi-doublet symmetry. The amount of the U 5[Formula: see text] configuration, however, varies considerably across the U[Formula: see text] series, indicating an increase of U 5f itineracy in going from M = Pd to Ni to Ru and to the Fe compound. The identified electronic states explain the formation of the very large ordered magnetic moments in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the availability of orbital degrees of freedom needed for the hidden order in [Formula: see text] to occur, as well as the appearance of Pauli paramagnetism in [Formula: see text] A unified and systematic picture of the U[Formula: see text] compounds may now be drawn, thereby providing suggestions for additional experiments to induce hidden order and/or superconductivity in U compounds with the tetragonal body-centered [Formula: see text] structure.

Magnetic field-driven quantum criticality in antiferromagnetic CePtIn4.

Physics of the quantum critical point is one of the most perplexing topics in current condensed-matter physics. Its conclusive understanding is forestalled by the scarcity of experimental systems displaying novel aspects of quantum criticality. We present comprehensive experimental evidence of a magnetic field-tuned tricritical point separating paramagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and metamagnetic phases in the compound CePtIn4 Analyzing field variations of its magnetic susceptibility, magnetoresistance, and specific heat at very low temperatures, we trace modifications of the antiferromagnetic structure of the compound. Upon applying a magnetic field of increasing strength, the system undergoes metamagnetic transitions which persist down to the lowest temperature investigated, exhibiting first-order-like boundaries separating magnetic phases. This yields a unique phase diagram where the second-order phase transition line terminates at a tricritical point followed by 2 first-order lines reaching quantum critical end points as [Formula: see text] 0. Our findings demonstrate that CePtIn4 provides innovative perspective for studies of quantum criticality.

Unconventional Pressure Dependence of the Superfluid Density in the Nodeless Topological Superconductor α-PdBi_{2}.

We investigated the superconducting properties of the topological superconductor α-PdBi_{2} at ambient and external pressures up to 1.77 GPa using muon spin rotation experiments. The ambient pressure measurements evince a fully gapped s-wave superconducting state in the bulk of the specimen. Alternating current magnetic susceptibility and muon spin rotation measurements manifest a continuous suppression of T_{c} with increasing pressure. In parallel, we observed a significant decrease of superfluid density by ∼20% upon application of external pressure. Remarkably, the superfluid density follows a linear relation with T_{c}, which was found before in some unconventional topological superconductors and hole-doped cuprates. This finding signals a possible crossover from Bose-Einstein to Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer like condensation in α-PdBi_{2}.

Observation of Effective Pseudospin Scattering in ZrSiS.

3D Dirac semimetals are an emerging class of materials that possess topological electronic states with a Dirac dispersion in their bulk. In nodal-line Dirac semimetals, the conductance and valence bands connect along a closed path in momentum space, leading to the prediction of pseudospin vortex rings and pseudospin skyrmions. Here, we use Fourier transform scanning tunneling spectroscopy (FT-STS) at 4.5 K to resolve quasiparticle interference (QPI) patterns at single defect centers on the surface of the line nodal semimetal zirconium silicon sulfide (ZrSiS). Our QPI measurements show pseudospin conservation at energies close to the line node. In addition, we determine the Fermi velocity to be ℏvF = 2.65 ± 0.10 eV Å in the Γ-M direction ∼300 meV above the Fermi energy EF and the line node to be ∼140 meV above EF. More importantly, we find that certain scatterers can introduce energy-dependent nonpreservation of pseudospin, giving rise to effective scattering between states with opposite pseudospin deep inside valence and conduction bands. Further investigations of quasiparticle interference at the atomic level will aid defect engineering at the synthesis level, needed for the development of lower-power electronics via dissipationless electronic transport in the future.

Anomalous superfluid density in quantum critical superconductors.

When a second-order magnetic phase transition is tuned to zero temperature by a nonthermal parameter, quantum fluctuations are critically enhanced, often leading to the emergence of unconventional superconductivity. In these "quantum critical" superconductors it has been widely reported that the normal-state properties above the superconducting transition temperature T(c) often exhibit anomalous non-Fermi liquid behaviors and enhanced electron correlations. However, the effect of these strong critical fluctuations on the superconducting condensate below T(c) is less well established. Here we report measurements of the magnetic penetration depth in heavy-fermion, iron-pnictide, and organic superconductors located close to antiferromagnetic quantum critical points, showing that the superfluid density in these nodal superconductors universally exhibits, unlike the expected T-linear dependence, an anomalous 3/2 power-law temperature dependence over a wide temperature range. We propose that this noninteger power law can be explained if a strong renormalization of effective Fermi velocity due to quantum fluctuations occurs only for momenta k close to the nodes in the superconducting energy gap Δ(k). We suggest that such "nodal criticality" may have an impact on low-energy properties of quantum critical superconductors.

CePd2Al2, CePd3Al3, and CePd4Al4-A new homologous series built of CaBe2Ge2- and CsCl-type units.

The aluminides CePd2Al2, CePd3Al3, and CePd4Al4 were synthesized and their properties studied by X-ray diffraction, magnetic, heat capacity, and electrical transport measurements. The crystal structures of CePd2Al2 and CePd4Al4 were determined and refined from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, while that of CePd3Al3 was designed by the trial-and-error method on the basis of crystal chemistry considerations and refined by the Rietveld method from the X-ray powder diffraction data. All three compounds were found to crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4/nmm with Z = 2. The lattice parameters of CePd2Al2 are a = 4.3974(9) Å and c = 9.871(4) Å. Those of CePd3Al3 are a = 4.3045(7) Å and c = 13.4426(18) Å, while those of CePd4Al4 are a = 4.325(2) Å and c = 16.230(5) Å. The structures represent a new homologous series built of structural units of the CaBe2Ge2- and CsCl-type. The three compounds were established to order antiferromagnetically at 2.5(1) K, 3.5(1) K, and 2.6(1) K for CePd2Al2, CePd3Al3, and CePd4Al4, respectively. All of them are Kondo lattices with the characteristic energy scale of 3-7 K.

Horizontal flux growth as an efficient preparation method of CeRh2As2 single crystals.

We report an efficient method to obtain CeRh2As2 single crystals with the use of a bismuth flux growth method in a horizontal configuration. Based on our numerous attempts, we found this technique to be scalable and repeatable. The crystals thus obtained are characterized by much sharper phase transitions and distinctly higher characteristic temperatures Tc and T0, compared to previous reports. Moreover, based on our specific heat studies of the obtained single crystals, we also indicate a clear connection between both transition temperatures.

Metamagnetic transition in single-crystalline UIr[Formula: see text]Si[Formula: see text].

A single crystal of the ternary uranium silicide UIr[Formula: see text]Si[Formula: see text] was studied by means of of X-ray diffraction, magnetization, heat capacity and electrical transport measurements. The studied compound orders antiferromagnetically at the Néel temperature of 5.5 K and undergoes a metamagnetic transition at 1.8 K in a field of 1.52 T. The metamagnetic transition has a spin-flop character.

Temperature-dependent Fermi surface probed by Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in topological semimetal candidates DyBi and HoBi.

Rare earth-based monopnictides are among the most intensively studied groups of materials in which extremely large magnetoresistance has been observed. This study explores magnetotransport properties of two representatives of this group, DyBi and HoBi. The extreme magnetoresistance is discovered in DyBi and confirmed in HoBi. At [Formula: see text] K and in [Formula: see text] T for both compounds, magnetoresistance reaches the order of magnitude of [Formula: see text]. For both materials, standard Kohler's rule is obeyed only in the temperature range from 50 to 300 K. At lower temperatures, extended Kohler's rule has to be invoked because carrier concentrations and mobilities strongly change with temperature and magnetic field. This is further proven by the observation of a quite rare temperature-dependence of oscillation frequencies in Shubnikov-de Haas effect. Rate of this dependence clearly changes at Néel temperature, reminiscent of a novel magnetic band splitting. Multi-frequency character of the observed Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations points to the coexistence of electron- and hole-type Fermi pockets in both studied materials. Overall, our results highlight correlation of temperature dependence of the Fermi surface with the magnetotransport properties of DyBi and HoBi.

Half-Heusler phase TmNiSb under pressure: intrinsic phase separation, thermoelectric performance and structural transition.

Half-Heusler (HH) phase TmNiSb was obtained by arc-melting combined with high-pressure high-temperature sintering in conditions: p = 5.5 GPa, [Formula: see text] = 20, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 [Formula: see text]C. Within pressing temperatures 20-750 [Formula: see text]C the samples maintained HH structure, however, we observed intrinsic phase separation. The material divided into three phases: stoichiometric TmNiSb, nickel-deficient phase TmNi[Formula: see text]Sb, and thulium-rich phase Tm(NiSb)[Formula: see text]. For TmNiSb sample sintered at 1000 [Formula: see text]C, we report structural transition to LiGaGe-type structure (P[Formula: see text]mc, a = 4.367(3) Å, c = 7.138(7) Å). Interpretation of the transition is supported by X-ray powder diffraction, electron back-scattered diffraction, ab-initio calculations of Gibbs energy and phonon dispersion relations. Electrical resistivity measured for HH samples with phase separation shown non-degenerate behavior. Obtained energy gaps for HH samples were narrow ([Formula: see text] 260 meV), while the average hole effective masses in range 0.8-2.5[Formula: see text]. TmNiSb sample pressed at 750 [Formula: see text]C achieved the biggest power factor among the series, 13 [Formula: see text]WK[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], which proves that the intrinsic phase separation is not detrimental for the electronic transport.

Observation of momentum-dependent charge density wave gap in a layered antiferromagnet [Formula: see text].

Charge density wave (CDW) ordering has been an important topic of study for a long time owing to its connection with other exotic phases such as superconductivity and magnetism. The [Formula: see text] (R = rare-earth elements) family of materials provides a fertile ground to study the dynamics of CDW in van der Waals layered materials, and the presence of magnetism in these materials allows to explore the interplay among CDW and long range magnetic ordering. Here, we have carried out a high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) study of a CDW material [Formula: see text], which is antiferromagnetic below [Formula: see text], along with thermodynamic, electrical transport, magnetic, and Raman measurements. Our ARPES data show a two-fold symmetric Fermi surface with both gapped and ungapped regions indicative of the partial nesting. The gap is momentum dependent, maximum along [Formula: see text] and gradually decreases going towards [Formula: see text]. Our study provides a platform to study the dynamics of CDW and its interaction with other physical orders in two- and three-dimensions.

Electronic structure in a transition metal dipnictide TaAs2.

The family of transition-metal dipnictides has been of theoretical and experimental interest because this family hosts topological states and extremely large magnetoresistance (MR). Recently,TaAs2, a member of this family, has been predicted to support a topological crystalline insulating state. Here, by using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we reveal both closed and open pockets in the metallic Fermi surface (FS) and linearly dispersive bands on the (2‾01) surface, along with the presence of extreme MR observed from magneto-transport measurements. A comparison of the ARPES results with first-principles computations shows that the linearly dispersive bands on the measured surface ofTaAs2are trivial bulk bands. The absence of symmetry-protected surface state on the (2‾01) surface indicates its topologically dark nature. The presence of open FS features suggests that the open-orbit fermiology could contribute to the extremely large MR ofTaAs2.

Point-contact spectroscopy of heavy fermion superconductors Ce2PdIn8and Ce3PdIn11in comparison with CeCoIn5.

We report point-contact spectroscopy measurements on heavy fermion cousins CeCoIn5, Ce2PdIn8and Ce3PdIn11to systematically study the hybridization betweenfand conduction electrons. Below a temperatureT*, the spectrum of each compound exhibits an evolving Fano-like conductance shape, superimposed on a sloping background, that suggests the development of hybridization between localfand itinerant conduction electrons in the coherent heavy fermion state belowT*. We present a quantitative analysis of the conductance curves with a two-channel model to compare the tunneling process between normal metallic silver particles in our soft point-contact and heavy-fermion single crystals CeCoIn5, Ce2PdIn8and Ce3PdIn11.

Mixed Valence of Ce and Its Consequences on the Magnetic State of Ce9Ru4Ga5: Electronic Structure Studies.

We report on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ab initio electronic structure investigations of a novel intermetallic material Ce 9 Ru 4 Ga 5 . The compound crystallizes with a tetragonal unit cell (space group I4 m m ) that contains three inequivalent Ce atoms sites. The Ce 3 d core level XPS spectra indicated an intermediate valence (IV) of selected Ce ions, in line with the previously reported thermodynamic and spectroscopic data. The ab initio calculations revealed that Ce1 ions located at 2 a Wyckoff positions possess stable trivalent configuration, whereas Ce2 ions that occupy 8 d site are intermediate valent. Moreover, for Ce3 ions, located at different 8 d position, a fractional valence was found. The results are discussed in terms of on-site and intersite hybridization effects.

Antiferromagnetic Ordering and Transport Anomalies in Single-Crystalline CeAgAs2.

Single crystals of the ternary cerium arsenide CeAgAs2 were grown by chemical vapor transport. They were studied by means of x-ray diffraction, magnetization, heat capacity and electrical transport measurements. The experimental research was supplemented with electronic band structure calculations. The compound was confirmed to order antiferromagnetically at the Néel temperature of 4.9 K and to undergo metamagnetic transition in a field of 0.5 T at 1.72 K. The electrical resistivity shows distinct increase at low temperatures, which origin is discussed in terms of pseudo-gap formation in the density of states at the Fermi level and quantum corrections to the resistivity in the presence of atom disorder due to crystal structure imperfections.

Observation of Dirac state in half-Heusler material YPtBi.

The prediction of non-trivial topological electronic states in half-Heusler compounds makes these materials good candidates for discovering new physics and devices as half-Heusler phases harbour a variety of electronic ground states, including superconductivity, antiferromagnetism, and heavy-fermion behaviour. Here, we report a systematic studies of electronic properties of a superconducting half-Heusler compound YPtBi, in its normal state, investigated using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Our data reveal the presence of a Dirac state at the [Formula: see text] point of the Brillouin zone at 500 meV below the Fermi level. We observe the presence of multiple Fermi surface pockets, including two concentric hexagonal and six half-oval shaped pockets at the [Formula: see text] and K points of the Brillouin zone, respectively. Furthermore, our measurements show Rashba-split bands and multiple surface states crossing the Fermi level, this is also supported by the first-principles calculations. Our findings of a Dirac state in YPtBi contribute to the establishing of half-Heusler compounds as a potential platform for novel topological phases.

Experimental observation of drumhead surface states in SrAs3.

The topological nodal-line semimetal (TNS) is a unique class of materials with a one dimensional line node accompanied by a nearly dispersionless two-dimensional surface state. However, a direct observation of the so called drumhead surface state within current nodal-line materials is still elusive. Here, using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) along with first-principles calculations, we report the observation of a topological nodal-loop (TNL) in SrAs3, whereas CaAs3 exhibits a topologically trivial state. Our data reveal that surface projections of the bulk nodal-points are connected by clear drumhead surface states in SrAs3. Furthermore, our magneto-transport and magnetization data clearly suggest the presence (absence) of surface states in SrAs3 (CaAs3). Notably, the observed topological states in SrAs3 are well separated from other bands in the vicinity of the Fermi level. RAs3 where R = Ca, Sr, thus, offers a unique opportunity to realize an archetype nodal-loop semimetal and establish a platform for obtaining a deeper understanding of the quantum phase transitions.

Extreme ultraviolet time- and angle-resolved photoemission setup with 21.5 meV resolution using high-order harmonic generation from a turn-key Yb:KGW amplifier.

Characterizing and controlling electronic properties of quantum materials require direct measurements of nonequilibrium electronic band structures over large regions of momentum space. Here, we demonstrate an experimental apparatus for time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy using high-order harmonic probe pulses generated by a robust, moderately high power (20 W) Yb:KGW amplifier with a tunable repetition rate between 50 and 150 kHz. By driving high-order harmonic generation (HHG) with the second harmonic of the fundamental 1025 nm laser pulses, we show that single-harmonic probe pulses at 21.8 eV photon energy can be effectively isolated without the use of a monochromator. The on-target photon flux can reach 5 × 1010 photons/s at 50 kHz, and the time resolution is measured to be 320 fs. The relatively long pulse duration of the Yb-driven HHG source allows us to reach an excellent energy resolution of 21.5 meV, which is achieved by suppressing the space-charge broadening using a low photon flux of 1.5 × 108 photons/s at a higher repetition rate of 150 kHz. The capabilities of the setup are demonstrated through measurements in the topological semimetal ZrSiS and the topological insulator Sb2-xGdxTe3.