Synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy of the oxygen modified CrCl3 surface.

We investigate the experimentally challenging CrCl3 surface by photon energy dependent photoemission (PE). The core and valence electrons after cleavage of a single crystal, either in a ultra-high vacuum (UHV) or in air, are studied by keeping the samples at 150 °C, aiming at confirming the atomic composition with respect to the expected bulk atomic structure. A common spectroscopic denominator revealed by data is the presence of a stable, but only partially ordered Cl-O-Cr surface. The electronic core levels (Cl 2p, Cr 2p and 3p), the latter ones of cumbersome component determination, allowed us to quantify the electron charge transfer to the Cr atom as a net result of this modification and the increased exchange interaction between metal and ligand atoms. In particular, the analysis of multiplet components by the CMT4XPS code evidenced the charge transfer to be favored, and similarly the reduced crystal field due to the established polarization field. Though it is often claimed that a significant amount of Cl and Cr atomic vacancies has to be included, such a possibility can be excluded on the basis of the sign and the importance of the shift in the binding energy of core level electrons. The present methodological approach can be of great impact to quantify the structure of ordered sub-oxide phases occurring in mono or bi-layer Cr trihalides.

Mechanical exfoliation and layer number identification of single crystal monoclinic CrCl3.

After the recent finding that CrI3, displays ferromagnetic order down to its monolayer, extensive studies have followed to pursue new two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials. In this article, we report on the growth of single crystal CrCl3 in the layered monoclinic phase. The system after mechanical exfoliation exhibits stability in ambient air (the degradation occurs on a time scale at least four orders of magnitude longer than is observed for CrI3). By means of mechanical cleavage and atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with optical identification, we demonstrate the systematic isolation of single and few layer flakes onto 270 nm and 285 nm SiO2/Si (100) substrates with lateral size larger than graphene flakes isolated with the same method. The layer number identification has been carried with statistically significant data, quantifying the optical contrast as a function of the number of layers for up to six layers. Layer dependent optical contrast data have been fitted within the Fresnel equation formalism determining the real and imaginary part of the wavelength dependent refractive index of the material. A layer dependent (532 nm) micro-Raman study has been carried out down to two layers with no detectable spectral shifts as a function of the layer number and with respect to the bulk.

Synthesis, structure and physical properties of new intermetallic spin glass-like compounds RE 2PdGe3 (RE = Tb and Dy).

New intermetallic compounds Tb2Pd1.25Ge2.75 and Dy2Pd1.25Ge2.75 have been synthesized using the arc-melting method. The crystallographic structure and magnetic, electronic transport, and thermal properties are reported. The crystal structure obtained from powder x-ray diffraction analysis suggests that these compounds crystallize in the AlB2-type structure (space group P6/mmm, no. 191) with lattice parameters a = 4.228 53(5)/4.230 54 (2) Å and c = 3.942 25(9)/3.945 52(5) Å for the compounds with Tb and Dy respectively. The ac and dc magnetic susceptibility studies reveal spin-glass like behavior, with freezing temperature T f = 10.5 K for Tb2Pd1.25Ge2.75 and 4.5 K for Dy2Pd1.25Ge2.75. These data are in good agreement with the heat capacity measurements.

Superconductivity in CaBi2.

Superconductivity is observed with critical temperature Tc = 2.0 K in self-flux-grown single crystals of CaBi2. This material adopts the ZrSi2 structure type with lattice parameters a = 4.696(1) Å, b = 17.081(2) Å and c = 4.611(1) Å. The crystals of CaBi2 were studied by means of magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and electrical resistivity measurements. The heat capacity jump at Tc is ΔC/γTc = 1.41, confirming bulk superconductivity; the Sommerfeld coefficient γ = 4.1 mJ mol(-1) K(-2) and the Debye temperature ΘD = 157 K. The electron-phonon coupling strength is λel-ph = 0.59, and the thermodynamic critical field Hc is low, between 111 and 124 Oe CaBi2 is a moderate coupling type-I superconductor. Results of electronic structure calculations are reported and charge densities, electronic bands, densities of states and Fermi surfaces are discussed, focusing on the effects of spin-orbit coupling and electronic property anisotropy. We find a mixed quasi-2D + 3D character in the electronic structure, which reflects the layered crystal structure of the material.

Tuning the ferromagnetic phase in the CDW compound SmNiC2 via chemical alloying.

We report a study on tuning the charge density wave (CDW) ferromagnet SmNiC2 to a weakly coupled superconductor by substituting La for Sm. X-ray diffraction measurements show that the doped compounds obey Vegard's law, where La (Lu) alloying expands (shrinks) the lattice due to its larger (smaller) atomic size than Sm. In the series Sm1-xLaxNiC2, CDW transition (TCDW = 148 K) for SmNiC2 is gradually suppressed, while the ferromagnetic (FM) ordering temperature (TC) at 17 K slightly increases up to x = 0.3. For x > 0.3, TC starts to decrease and there is no signature that could be related with the CDW phase. Electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements point toward the possible presence of a FM quantum critical point (QCP) near x = 0.92, where the TC is extrapolated to zero temperature. Superconductivity in LaNiC2 (Tsc = 2.9 K) is completely suppressed with small amount of Sm inclusion near the proposed FM critical point, indicating a competition between the two ordered phases. The tunable lattice parameters via chemical substitution (La,Lu) and the ensuing change among the ordered phases of ferromagnetism, CDW and superconductivity underscores that SmNiC2 provides a rich avenue to study the rare example of a FM QCP, where the broken symmetries are intricately correlated.

Superconductivity and itinerant ferromagnetism of Y9Co7 probed by ac susceptibility.

The ac magnetic susceptibility of a single crystal sample of the compound Y9Co7 has been measured in applied dc fields ranging from 0-6.7 kOe by utilizing a tunnel diode resonator circuit. In agreement with previous measurements on this material, a superconducting transition has been observed to occur at T(SC)≈2.5 K. A broad maximum has been observed in the zero field susceptibility measurements from 2.5 K < T < 8 K and its behavior with applied dc magnetic fields is consistent with that of the itinerant ferromagnet ZrZn2, which supports previous claims of itinerant ferromagnetism in this compound. The susceptibility has also been measured as a function of applied magnetic field and the results indicate that the actual Curie temperature for this system is higher than that suggested by previous reports based on Arrott plots constructed from dc magnetization.

Absence of superconductivity in fluorine-doped neptunium pnictide NpFeAsO.

X-ray diffraction, specific heat, magnetic susceptibility and inelastic x-ray scattering measurements on the transurarium oxypnictides NpFeAsO and NpFeAsO0.85F0.15 are presented. No superconductivity down to 2 K was observed upon fluorine doping, contrary to the structurally analogous rare-earth pnictides. No modification of the phonon density of states was observed upon doping with fluorine. We discuss our results in light of the latest experimental and theoretical studies on the role of phonons in the superconducting pnictide compounds.

Crystal structure and electronic structure of CePt2In7.

We report a corrected crystal structure for the CePt(2)In(7) superconductor, refined from single crystal x-ray diffraction data. The corrected crystal structure shows a different Pt-In stacking along the c-direction in this layered material than was previously reported. In addition, all of the atomic sites are fully occupied with no evidence of atom site mixing, resolving a discrepancy between the observed high resistivity ratio of the material and the atomic disorder present in the previous structural model. The Ce-Pt distance and coordination is typical of that seen in all other reported Ce(n)M(m)In(3n+2 m) compounds. Our band structure calculations based on the correct structure reveal three bands at the Fermi level that are more 3D than those previously proposed, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the new structure has a significantly lower energy.

Superconducting properties and electronic structure of NaBi.

Resistivity, dc magnetization, and heat capacity measurements are reported for superconducting NaBi. T(c), the electronic contribution to the specific heat γ, the ΔC(p)/γT(c) ratio, and the Debye temperature are found to be 2.15 K, 3.4 mJ mol(-1) K(-2), 0.78, and 140 K respectively. The calculated electron-phonon coupling constant (λ(ep) = 0.62) implies that NaBi is a moderately coupled superconductor. The upper critical field and coherence length are found to be 250 Oe and 115 nm, respectively. Electronic structure calculations show NaBi to be a good metal, in agreement with the experiments; the p(x) and p(y) orbitals of Bi dominate the electronic states at the Fermi Energy.

(237)Np Mössbauer effect study on NpFeAsO.

We report (237)Np Mössbauer measurements on NpFeAsO. The Np atoms were found to occupy only one crystallographic site. The value of the isomer shift (δ âˆ¼ 9.1 mm s(-1) versus NpAl2) indicates a 5f(4) electronic configuration (Np(3+) ions). The magnetic ordering of the Np sublattice below 60 K is established and the saturated ordered magnetic moment is determined to be 1.73µB at 3.6 K. The unique set of hyperfine parameters exclude a modulated magnetic structure or spin waves on the Np site. The neptunium magnetic moments µNp are found to lie along the tetragonal c-axis.

Pressure-induced phase transitions in LnTe (Ln=La, Gd, Ho, Yb) and AmTe.

The structural behaviour under compression of different lanthanide (La, Gd, Ho, Yb) and actinide (Am) monochalcogenides is studied by means of in situ high-pressure x-ray diffraction. All the investigated compounds crystallize at ambient conditions within a cubic (B1) NaCl-type structure but show different behaviours at high pressures. LaTe and AmTe undergo B1 to B2 (CsCl-type structure) phase transitions, starting at 9 GPa and 12 GPa, respectively. The high-pressure phase of AmTe exhibits an electronic transition, identified by an anomaly in the compression curve which is accompanied by a sample colour change. The other three monochalcogenides studied here show clear evidence of decomposition and amorphization under pressure and are, to the best of our knowledge, the first in the LnTe series to show a pressure-induced amorphization. The bulk moduli of all B1-type structure compounds are calculated using the third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state.

Structure and paramagnetism in weakly correlated Y8Co5.

We report the basic physical properties of monoclinic Y8Co5 determined by means of magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, and specific heat measurements. The crystal structure of Y8Co5 is monoclinic (P2(1)/c) with lattice parameters a = 7.0582(6) Å, b = 7.2894(6) Å, c = 24.2234(19) Å, and ß = 102.112(6)° as refined by using synchrotron powder x-ray diffraction data. The compound shows temperature independent paramagnetism with χ0 = 2.1 × 10(-3) emu mol(-1) and Sommerfeld parameter γ = 63 mJ mol(-1) K(-2). The calculated Wilson ratio for Y8Co5, R(W) = 1.4, is close to that expected for a free electron gas R(W) = 1. Low temperature resistivity under high pressure does not reveal superconductivity in this compound down to 1.2 K, up to hydrostatic pressures of 5.56 GPa. Band structure calculations (full-potential linearized augmented plane wave, FP-LAPW) derive the Stoner exchange interaction parameter S = 0.24, excluding magnetic behavior for Y8Co5.

Superconductivity in the Einstein solid VAl(10.1).

We used magnetic susceptibility, resistivity and heat capacity measurements to characterize the superconducting state in the Einstein solid VAl(10.1). We find that VAl(10.1) is a weak-coupling, type-II superconductor with T(c) = 1.53 K and an upper critical field of H(c2)(0) = 800 Oe. The heat capacity data in the range 0.07 K < T < 1.53 K are consistent with an isotropic energy gap of Δ(0) = 0.23 meV.

Cluster-glass behavior of a highly oxygen deficient perovskite, BaBi(0.28)Co(0.72)O(2.2).

A highly oxygen deficient perovskite, BaBi(0.28)Co(0.72)O(2.2), was synthesized by solid state reaction. The crystal structure was determined by means of neutron and x-ray powder diffraction. The material exhibits semiconducting behavior with an energy gap of 1.8 eV. The electron diffraction study does not reveal long range Bi:Co ordering; instead it shows the existence of short range ordering in this phase. The AC and DC magnetic susceptibility studies reveal cluster-glass behavior, which has its origin in the interacting ferromagnetic clusters present.

Successive orbital ordering transitions in NaVO2.

Physical property measurements on samples of triangular-lattice NaVO2 reveal two successive orbital ordering transitions. At 300 K, the structure is rhombohedral. At 98 K, the system undergoes a second-order transition to a monoclinic phase in which the in-plane V-V distances separate into four short and two long bonds, corresponding to orbital ordering of one electron per V3+. Below 93 K, there is a first-order transition to a second monoclinic phase with four long and two short V-V bonds, consistent with orbital ordering of two electrons per V3+. Long range magnetic ordering of 0.98(2)mu_(B) per V3+ (3d(2)) sets in at the 93 K structural transition. The orbital ordering relieves the geometric frustration and leads to a magnetically ordered ground state.

Physical properties of the noncentrosymmetric superconductor Mg10Ir19B16.

Specific heat, electrical resistivity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements on a high quality sample of Mg10Ir19B16 provide a self-consistent determination of its superconducting properties. They indicate that Mg10Ir19B16 is a type-II superconductor [T{C}=4.45 K, kappa(0) approximately 20], with an electron-phonon coupling constant lambda{ep}=0.66. An analysis of the T-dependent specific heat shows that superconducting properties are dominated by an s-wave gap (Delta=0.7 meV). Point contact tunneling data provide evidence for multiple superconducting gaps, as expected from strong asymmetric spin-orbit coupling.

Superconductivity phase diagram of Na(x)CoO2*1.3H2O.

The microscopic origin of superconductivity in the high-transition-temperature (high-T(c)) copper oxides remains the subject of active inquiry; several of their electronic characteristics are well established as universal to all the known materials, forming the experimental foundation that all theories must address. The most fundamental of those characteristics, for both the copper oxides and other superconductors, is the dependence of the superconducting T(c) on the degree of electronic band filling. The recent report of superconductivity near 4 K in the layered sodium cobalt oxyhydrate, Na(0.35)CoO2*1.3H2O, is of interest owing to both its triangular cobalt-oxygen lattice and its generally analogous chemical and structural relationships to the copper oxide superconductors. Here we show that the superconducting T(c) of this compound displays the same kind of behaviour on chemical doping that is observed in the high-T(c) copper oxides. Specifically, the optimal superconducting T(c) occurs in a narrow range of sodium concentrations (and therefore electron concentrations) and decreases for both underdoped and overdoped materials, as observed in the phase diagram of the copper oxide superconductors. The analogy is not perfect, however, suggesting that Na(x)CoO2*1.3H2O, with its triangular lattice geometry and special magnetic characteristics, may provide insights into systems where coupled charge and spin dynamics play an essential role in leading to superconductivity.