Avoided valence transition in a plutonium superconductor.

The d and f electrons in correlated metals are often neither fully localized around their host nuclei nor fully itinerant. This localized/itinerant duality underlies the correlated electronic states of the high-Tc cuprate superconductors and the heavy-fermion intermetallics and is nowhere more apparent than in the 5f valence electrons of plutonium. Here, we report the full set of symmetry-resolved elastic moduli of PuCoGa5--the highest Tc superconductor of the heavy fermions (Tc = 18.5 K)--and find that the bulk modulus softens anomalously over a wide range in temperature above Tc. The elastic symmetry channel in which this softening occurs is characteristic of a valence instability--therefore, we identify the elastic softening with fluctuations of the plutonium 5f mixed-valence state. These valence fluctuations disappear when the superconducting gap opens at Tc, suggesting that electrons near the Fermi surface play an essential role in the mixed-valence physics of this system and that PuCoGa5 avoids a valence transition by entering the superconducting state. The lack of magnetism in PuCoGa5 has made it difficult to reconcile with most other heavy-fermion superconductors, where superconductivity is generally believed to be mediated by magnetic fluctuations. Our observations suggest that valence fluctuations play a critical role in the unusually high Tc of PuCoGa5.

Pulsed-coil magnet systems for applying uniform 10-30 T fields to centimeter-scale targets on Sandia's Z facility.

Sandia has successfully integrated the capability to apply uniform, high magnetic fields (10-30 T) to high energy density experiments on the Z facility. This system uses an 8-mF, 15-kV capacitor bank to drive large-bore (5 cm diameter), high-inductance (1-3 mH) multi-turn, multi-layer electromagnets that slowly magnetize the conductive targets used on Z over several milliseconds (time to peak field of 2-7 ms). This system was commissioned in February 2013 and has been used successfully to magnetize more than 30 experiments up to 10 T that have produced exciting and surprising physics results. These experiments used split-magnet topologies to maintain diagnostic lines of sight to the target. We describe the design, integration, and operation of the pulsed coil system into the challenging and harsh environment of the Z Machine. We also describe our plans and designs for achieving fields up to 20 T with a reduced-gap split-magnet configuration, and up to 30 T with a solid magnet configuration in pursuit of the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion concept.

Quantum oscillations from nodal bilayer magnetic breakdown in the underdoped high temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O(6+x).

We report quantum oscillations in underdoped YBa2Cu3O6.56 over a significantly large range in magnetic field extending from ≈24 to 101 T, enabling three well-spaced low frequencies at ≈440±10, 532±2, and 620±10 T to be clearly resolved. We show that a small nodal bilayer coupling that splits a nodal pocket into bonding and antibonding orbits yields a sequence of frequencies, F0-ΔF, F0, and F0+ΔF and accompanying beat pattern similar to that observed experimentally, on invoking magnetic breakdown tunneling at the nodes. The relative amplitudes of the multiple frequencies observed experimentally in quantum oscillation measurements are shown to be reproduced using a value of nodal bilayer gap quantitatively consistent with that measured in photoemission experiments in the underdoped regime.

Cascade of magnetic field induced spin transitions in LaCoO3.

We present magnetization and magnetostriction studies of LaCoO3 in magnetic fields approaching 100 T. In contrast with expectations from single-ion models, the data reveal two distinct first-order transitions and well-defined magnetization plateaus. The magnetization at the higher plateau is only about half the saturation value expected for spin-1 Co3+ ions. These findings strongly suggest collective behavior induced by interactions between different electronic configurations of Co3+ ions. We propose a model that predicts crystalline spin textures and a cascade of four magnetic phase transitions at high fields, of which the first two account for the experimental data.

Localized 5f electrons in superconducting PuCoIn5: consequences for superconductivity in PuCoGa5.

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.

Magnetic quantum oscillations in YBa2Cu3O6.61 and YBa2Cu3O6.69 in fields of up to 85 T: patching the hole in the roof of the superconducting dome.

We measure magnetic quantum oscillations in the underdoped cuprates YBa2Cu3O6+x with x=0.61, 0.69, using fields of up to 85 T. The quantum-oscillation frequencies and effective masses obtained suggest that the Fermi energy in the cuprates has a maximum at hole doping p approximately 0.11-0.12. On either side, the effective mass may diverge, possibly due to phase transitions associated with the T=0 limit of the metal-insulator crossover (low-p side), and the postulated topological transition from small to large Fermi surface close to optimal doping (high p side).

Metal-insulator quantum critical point beneath the high Tc superconducting dome.

An enduring question in correlated systems concerns whether superconductivity is favored at a quantum critical point (QCP) characterized by a divergent quasiparticle effective mass. Despite such a scenario being widely postulated in high T(c) cuprates and invoked to explain non-Fermi liquid transport signatures, experimental evidence is lacking for a critical divergence under the superconducting dome. We use ultrastrong magnetic fields to measure quantum oscillations in underdoped YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6+x), revealing a dramatic doping-dependent upturn in quasiparticle effective mass at a critical metal-insulator transition beneath the superconducting dome. Given the location of this QCP under a plateau in T(c) in addition to a postulated QCP at optimal doping, we discuss the intriguing possibility of two intersecting superconducting subdomes, each centered at a critical Fermi surface instability.

Polycrystalline gamma-plutonium's elastic moduli versus temperature.

Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy was used to measure the elastic properties of pure polycrystalline (239)Pu in the gamma-phase. Shear and longitudinal elastic moduli were measured simultaneously and the bulk modulus was computed from them. A smooth, linear, and large decrease in all elastic moduli with increasing temperature was observed. The Poisson ratio was calculated and an increase from 0.242 at 519 K to 0.252 at 571 K was found. These measurements on extremely well-characterized pure Pu are in agreement with other reported results where overlap occurs. We calculated an approximate Debye temperature Theta(D)=144 K. Determined from the temperature variation in the bulk modulus, gamma-Pu shows the same Gruneisen parameter as copper.

Proximity detector circuits: an alternative to tunnel diode oscillators for contactless measurements in pulsed magnetic field environments.

A radio frequency oscillator circuit based on a proximity detector integrated circuit is described as an alternative for the traditional tunnel diode oscillator used for pulsed magnetic field measurements at low temperatures. The proximity detector circuit design, although less sensitive than tunnel diode oscillator circuits, has a number of essential advantages for measurements in the extreme environments of pulsed magnetic fields. These include the insensitivity of operation to voltages induced in the inductor coil, the elimination of a diode bias circuit and tuning, and a broad dynamic range of resonant frequency variation. The circuit has been successfully applied to measure the superconducting upper critical field in Ba(0.55)K(0.45)Fe2As2 single crystals up to 60 T.

Quantum oscillations in antiferromagnetic CaFe(2)As(2) on the brink of superconductivity.

We report quantum oscillation measurements on CaFe(2)As(2) under strong magnetic fields-recently reported to become superconducting under pressures of as little as a kilobar. The largest observed carrier pocket occupies less than 0.05% of the paramagnetic Brillouin zone volume-consistent with Fermi surface reconstruction caused by antiferromagnetism. On comparing several alkaline earth AFe(2)As(2) antiferromagnets (with A = Ca, Sr and Ba), the dependences of the Fermi surface cross-sectional area F(α) and the effective mass m(α)(*) of the primary observed pocket on the antiferromagnetic/structural transition temperature T(s) are both found to be consistent with the case for quasiparticles in a conventional spin-density wave model. These findings suggest that the recently proposed strain-enhanced superconductivity in these materials occurs within a broadly conventional spin-density wave phase.

Spin-order driven Fermi surface reconstruction revealed by quantum oscillations in an underdoped high Tc superconductor.

We use quantum oscillation measurements to distinguish between spin and orbital components of the lowest energy quasiparticle excitations in YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6.54), each of which couple differently to a magnetic field. Our measurements reveal the phase of the observed quantum oscillations to remain uninverted over a wide angular range, indicating that the twofold spin degeneracy of the Landau levels is virtually unaltered by the magnetic field. The inferred suppression of the spin degrees of freedom indicates a spin-density wave is responsible for creation of the small Fermi surface pockets in underdoped YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6+x)--further suggesting that excitations of this phase are important contributors to the unconventional superconducting pairing mechanism.

A multi-component Fermi surface in the vortex state of an underdoped high-Tc superconductor.

To understand the origin of superconductivity, it is crucial to ascertain the nature and origin of the primary carriers available to participate in pairing. Recent quantum oscillation experiments on high-transition-temperature (high-T(c)) copper oxide superconductors have revealed the existence of a Fermi surface akin to that in normal metals, comprising fermionic carriers that undergo orbital quantization. The unexpectedly small size of the observed carrier pocket, however, leaves open a variety of possibilities for the existence or form of any underlying magnetic order, and its relation to d-wave superconductivity. Here we report experiments on quantum oscillations in the magnetization (the de Haas-van Alphen effect) in superconducting YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6.51) that reveal more than one carrier pocket. In particular, we find evidence for the existence of a much larger pocket of heavier mass carriers playing a thermodynamically dominant role in this hole-doped superconductor. Importantly, characteristics of the multiple pockets within this more complete Fermi surface impose constraints on the wavevector of any underlying order and the location of the carriers in momentum space. These constraints enable us to construct a possible density-wave model with spiral or related modulated magnetic order, consistent with experimental observations.

Quantum oscillations in the underdoped cuprate YBa2Cu4O8.

We report the observation of quantum oscillations in the underdoped cuprate superconductor YBa2Cu4O8 using a tunnel-diode oscillator technique in pulsed magnetic fields up to 85 T. There is a clear signal, periodic in inverse field, with frequency 660+/-15 T and possible evidence for the presence of two components of slightly different frequency. The quasiparticle mass is m(*)=3.0+/-0.3m(e). In conjunction with the results of Doiron-Leyraud et al. for YBa2Cu3O6.5, the present measurements suggest that Fermi surface pockets are a general feature of underdoped copper oxide planes and provide information about the doping dependence of the Fermi surface.

Fermi surface of CeIn3 above the Néel critical field.

We report measurements of the de Haas-van Alphen effect in CeIn(3) in magnetic fields extending to approximately 90 T, well above the Néel critical field of mu(0)H(c) approximately 61 T. The unreconstructed Fermi surface a sheet is observed in the high magnetic field polarized paramagnetic limit, but with its effective mass and Fermi surface volume strongly reduced in size compared to that observed in the low magnetic field paramagnetic regime under pressure. The spheroidal topology of this sheet provides an ideal realization of the transformation from a "large Fermi surface" accommodating f electrons to a "small Fermi surface" when the f-electron moments become polarized.

Alpha-plutonium's polycrystalline elastic moduli over its full temperature range.

alpha-plutonium's volume-corrected polycrystal elastic moduli were measured between 18 K and the upper limit of its occurrence, near 400 K. The two independent moduli for a polycrystal-bulk and shear-behave smoothly, indicating no phase transition. Both moduli show the same 50% increase on cooling, an order of magnitude larger than in other metals. The Debye temperature obtained from low-temperature elastic moduli, 207 K, significantly exceeds most previous estimates. The Gruneisen parameter gamma=5.3, obtained from the temperature dependence of the bulk modulus, is intermediate among previous estimates using other approaches, alpha-plutonium's Poisson ratio nu is low: 0.18, nearly temperature independent, and its small decrease on warming opposes usual behavior. The high gamma, large but equal bulk modulus and shear modulus fractional stiffening on cooling, and near-temperature-invariant nu are attributed to a single mechanism: 5-f electron localization-delocalization.

Null orbital frustration at the pseudogap boundary in a layered cuprate superconductor.

We assess the relative importance of orbital frustration at the pseudogap closing field H(pg). Using interlayer tunneling transport in pulsed magnetic fields nearly up to 60 T, we track the field-temperature (H-T) phase diagram for fields parallel ( parallel ab) and normal ( parallel c) to the layered structure of Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+y). In contrast to large orientational anisotropy of the superconducting state related to the orbital motion of Cooper pairs, we find anisotropy of H(pg) temperature independent and small, due solely to the g factor. The obtained Zeeman relation with the pseudogap temperature T small star, filled, g( parallel c)micro(B)H( parallel c)(pg)=g( parallel ab)micro(B)H( parallel ab)(pg) approximately k(B)T small star, filled, is fully consistent with the correlations only in the spin channel.

Thermal activation between Landau levels in the organic superconductor beta(")-(BEDT-TTF)2SF5CH2CF2SO3.

We show that Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in the interlayer resistivity of the organic superconductor beta(")-(BEDT-TTF)2SF5CH2CF2SO3 become very pronounced in magnetic fields approximately 60 T. The conductivity minima exhibit thermally activated behavior that can be explained simply by the presence of a Landau gap, with the quasi-one-dimensional Fermi surface sheets contributing negligibly to the conductivity. This observation, together with complete suppression of chemical potential oscillations, is consistent with an incommensurate nesting instability of the quasi-one-dimensional sheets.

Coronary artery calcium, coronary artery disease, and diabetes.

Diabetes is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the US. Most sufferers are unaware that they have coronary artery disease, and death is often quite sudden. Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) is a non-invasive procedure that detects coronary artery disease (CAD) by measuring the amount of coronary artery calcium (CAC). We employ this procedure to study the effect of diabetes on CAC. EBCT was employed to measure the amount of coronary artery calcium in a population of 3389 patients referred to the Spokane Coronary Artery Center. This was a cross-sectional study. The average and median CAC values were computed for two groups of patients, namely those with diabetes and those without. Patients were also divided by gender and five age groups (0-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and >69 years). The mean and median CAC values were much larger for those with diabetes compared to those without for all age groups and in both sexes. Both men and women with diabetes have a greater plaque burden, when compared to a population with coronary artery disease with no history of diabetes. This plaque burden is greater in males than in females. CAC may play a useful role in following the progression of CAD in patients with diabetes, as well as evaluating the influence of risk factor intervention and diabetic control.

Risk factors and coronary artery disease for asymptomatic women using electron beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. In 1995, 58,200,000 people were estimated to have the disease, claiming 960,592 lives, while 481,287 people died of coronary artery disease (CAD). Most people are unaware they have CAD, and death is often quite sudden. With more women surviving to old age, the absolute number of women dying from CVD exceeds that of men. METHODS: The study is cross-sectional. Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) was employed to measure the amount of coronary artery calcium (CAC), a marker for CAD, in a population of patients referred to the Spokane Coronary Artery Center. A questionnaire was administered at the time of the patient's visit, when exposure to traditional risk factors was assessed. The effect of traditional risk factors on CAC was then determined. RESULTS: The effect of past smoking on CAC was evident, the effect of total cholesterol on CAC was moderate, while a history of hypertension appears to have an effect on the disease for older women. CONCLUSIONS: EBCT measurements of CAC can detect the effect of traditional risk factors on CAD and can be used to manage the disease in women.

Field-induced dynamic diamagnetism in a charge-density-wave system.

ac susceptibility measurements of the charge-density-wave (CDW) compound alpha-(BEDT-TTF)(2)-KHg(SCN)(4) at magnetic fields, mu0H >23 T, above its Pauli paramagnetic limit, reveal unambiguously that the magnetic hysteresis observed previously within this CDW phase is diamagnetic and can only be explained by induced currents. It is argued that the ensemble of experimental techniques amounts to a strong case for dissipationless conductivity within this phase.