Coexistence of Dirac and Weyl points in non-centrosymmetric semimetal NbIrTe_(4)

Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations methods,we investigate the electronic structures and topological properties of ternary tellurides NbIrTe_(4),a candidate for type-II Weyl semimetal.We demonstrate the presence of several Fermi arcs connecting their corresponding Weyl points on both termination surfaces of the topological material.Our analysis reveals the existence of Dirac points,in addition to Weyl points,giving both theoretical and experimental evidences of the coexistence of Dirac and Weyl points in a single material.These findings not only confirm NbIrTe_(4) as a unique topological semimetal but also open avenues for exploring novel electronic devices based on its coexisting Dirac and Weyl fermions.

Relationship between disorder,magnetism and band topology in Mn(Sb_(1-x)Bi_(x))_(2)Te_(4) single crystals

We investigate the evolution of magnetic properties as well as the content and distribution of Mn for Mn(Sb_(1-x)Bi_(x))_(2)Te_(4) single crystals grown by large-temperature-gradient chemical vapor transport method.It is found that the ferromagnetic MnSb_(2)Te_(4) changes to antiferromagnetism with Bi doping when x≥0.25.Further analysis implies that the occupations of Mn ions at Sb/Bi site Mn_(Sb/Bi) and Mn site Mn_(Mn) have a strong influence on the magnetic ground states of these systems.With the decrease of Mn_(Mn) increase of Mn_(Sb/Bi),the system will favor the ferromagnetic ground state.In addition,the rapid decrease of T_(C/N) with increasing Bi content when x ≤0.25 and the insensitivity of T_N to x when x> 0.25 suggest that the main magnetic interaction may change from the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida type at low Bi doping region to the van-Vleck type in high Bi doped samples.

Universal basis underlying temperature, pressure and size induced dynamical evolution in metallic glass-forming liquids

The dramatic temperature-dependence of liquids dynamics has attracted considerable scientific interests and efforts in the past decades, but the physics of which remains elusive. In addition to temperature, some other parameters, such as pressure, loading and size, can also tune the liquid dynamics and induce glass transition, which makes the situation more complicated. Here, we performed molecular dynamics simulations for Ni_(50)Zr_(50) bulk liquid and nanodroplet to study the dynamics evolution in the complex multivariate phase space, especially along the isotherm with the change of pressure or droplet size. It is found that the short-time Debye–Waller factor universally determines the long-time relaxation dynamics no matter how the temperature, pressure or size changes. The basic correlation even holds at the local atomic scale. This finding provides general understanding of the microscopic mechanism of dynamic arrest and dynamic heterogeneity.

Structure and superconducting properties of Ru_(1-x)Mo_(x)(x=0.1-0.9)alloys

We report the detailed crystal structures and physical properties of Ru_(1-x)Mo_(x)alloys in the solid solution range of x=0.1-0.9.Structure characterizations indicate that the crystal structure changes from the hcp-Mg-type,toβ-CrFe-type,and then bcc-W-type.The measurements of physical properties show that the Ru_(1-x)Mo_(x)samples with x≥0.2are superconductors and the superconducting transition temperature T_c as a function of Mo content exhibits a dome-like behavior.

Angle-resolved photoemission study of NbGeSb with non-symmorphic symmetry

We investigate the electronic structure of NbGeSb with non-symmorphic symmetry.We employ angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy(ARPES)to observe and identify the bulk and surface states over the Brillouin zone.By utilizing high-energy photons,we identify the bulk Fermi surface and bulk nodal line along the direction X–R,while the Fermi surface of the surface state is observed by using low-energy photons.We observe the splitting of surface bands away from the high-symmetry point X.The density functional theory calculations on bulk and 1 to 5-layer slab models,as well as spin textures of NbGeSb,verify that the band splitting could be attributed to the Rashba-like spin–orbit coupling caused by space-inversion-symmetry breaking at the surface.These splitted surface bands cross with each other,forming two-dimensional Weyl-like crossings that are protected by mirror symmetry.Our findings provide insights into the two-dimensional topological and symmetry-protected band inversion of surface states.

Low-energy spin dynamics in a Kitaev material Na_(3)Ni_(2)BiO_(6) investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance

We perform ^(23)Na nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and magnetization measurements on an S=1,quasi-2D honeycomb lattice antiferromagnet Na_(3)Ni_(2)BiO_(6).A large positive Curie-Weiss constant of 22.9 K is observed.The NMR spectra at low fields are consistent with a zigzag magnetic order,indicating a large easy-axis anisotropy.With the field applied along the c*axis,the NMR spectra confirm the existence of a 1/3-magnetization plateau phase between 5.1 T and 7.1 T.The transition from the zigzag order to the 1/3-magnetization plateau phase is also found to be a first-order type.A monotonic decrease of the spin gap is revealed in the 1/3-magnetization plateau phase,which reaches zero at a quantum critical field H_(C)≈8.35 T before entering the fully polarized phase.These data suggest the existence of exchange frustration in the system along with strong ferromagnetic interactions,hosting the possibility for Kitaev physics.Besides,well below the ordered phase,the 1/T_(1) at high fields shows either a level off or an enhancement upon cooling below 3 K,which suggests the existence of low-energy fluctuations.

Localization effect in single crystal of RuAs_(2)

We report the magnetotransport and thermal properties of RuAs_(2) single crystal.RuAs_(2) exhibits semiconductor behavior and localization effect.The crossover from normal state to diffusive transport in the weak localization(WL)state and then to variable range hopping(VRH)transport in the strong localization state has been observed.The transitions can be reflected in the measurement of resistivity and Seebeck coefficient.Negative magnetoresistance(NMR)emerges with the appearance of localization effect and is gradually suppressed in high magnetic field.The temperature dependent phase coherence length extracted from the fittings of NMR also indicates the transition from WL to VRH.The measurement of Hall effect reveals an anomaly of temperature dependent carrier concentration caused by localization effect.Our findings show that RuAs_(2) is a suitable platform to study the localized state.

Prediction of LiCrTe_(2)monolayer as a half-metallic ferromagnet with a high Curie temperature

By using first-principles electronic structure calculations,we predict a new two-dimensional half-metallic ferromagnet(2DHMF)with distorted square structure,i.e.,the LiCrTe_(2) monolayer.The results show that the LiCrTe_(2) monolayer is dynamically,thermally,and mechanically stable,and takes a large in-plane magnetic anisotropy,a wide spin gap,a large magnetization,and a very high Curie temperature.Under a biaxial strain ranging from-5% to+5%,the ferromagnetism,half-metallicity,and high Curie temperature are maintained well.Both tensile and compressive strains can significantly increase the magnitude of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy(MAE)and a transition from in-plane easy-x(y)-axis to out-of-plane easy-z-axis occurs when the compressive strain exceeds 1%.Our systematic study of the LiCrTe_(2) monolayer enables its promising applications in spintronics.

Flat band in hole-doped transition metal dichalcogenide observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDCs)gained widespread attention because of their electron-correlationrelated physics,such as charge density wave(CDW),superconductivity,etc.In this paper,we report the high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy(ARPES)studies on the electronic structure of Ti-doped 1T-Ti_(x)Ta_(1-x)S_(2) with different doping levels.We observe a flat band that originates from the formation of the star of David super-cell at the x=5%sample at the low temperature.With the increasing Ti doping levels,the flat band vanishes in the x=8%sample due to the extra hole carrier.We also find the band shift and variation of the CDW gap caused by the Ti-doping.Meanwhile,the band folding positions and the CDW vector g_(CDW)intact.Our ARPES results suggest that the localized flat band and the correlation effect in the 1T-TMDCs could be tuned by changing the filling factor through the doping electron or hole carriers.The Ti-doped 1T-Ti_(x)Ta_(1-x)S_(2) provides a platform to fine-tune the electronic structure evolution and a new insight into the strongly correlated physics in the TMDC materials.

Quantum Griffiths singularity in two-dimensional superconducting 4Ha-TaSe_(2) nanodevices

The layered transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs)have raised considerable interest in the past decades for both fundamental physics and low-dimensional nanodevice applications.Recently,intriguing phenomena of Ising superconductivity and quantum metallic state have been reported in two-dimensional(2D)4Ha-TaSe2 nanodevices.Here,we report the magnetic field induced superconductor–metal transition(SMT)in mechanical exfoliated 4Ha-TaSe2 nanodevices with thickness down to 2.5 nm.We observe the quantum Griffiths singularity(QGS)of SMT in thin 4Ha-TaSe2 nanodevices by performing ultralow temperature transport measurements and activated scaling analysis.With increasing the thickness of TaSe2 nanodevice to 10.6 nm,the signature of magnetoresistance crossing region can hardly be detected,revealing the thickness dependence of SMT.In this procedure,the disorder strength plays a dominant role.This work enriches the platform for studying QGS and may stimulate further investigations on the correlation between different novel quantum phenomena in the same 2D superconducting system.

Multiple Magnetic Phase Transitions and Critical Behavior in Single-Crystal SmMn_(2)Ge_(2)

Magnetic materials with noncollinear spin configurations have engendered significant interest in condensed matter physics due to their intriguing physical properties.We direct our attention towards the magnetic properties and critical behavior of single-crystal SmMn_(2)Ge_(2),an itinerant magnet with numerous temperature-dependent magnetic phase transitions.Notably,SmMn_(2)Ge_(2)displays significant magnetic anisotropy with easy magnetization direction switching from the c axis to the ab plane as temperature decreases.The critical behavior of the ferromagnetic transition occurring above room temperature is thoroughly examined.Reliable and self-consistent critical exponents,includingβ=0.292(2),γ=0.924(8),andδ=4.164(6),along with the Curie temperature T_c=347 K,are extracted through various methods,which provide evidence for the coexistence of multiple magnetic interactions in SmMn_(2)Ge_(2).Further analysis reveals that the magnetic interaction of SmMn_(2)Ge_(2)is a long-range type with the interaction distance decaying as J(r)~r^(-4.35).

Low-damage photolithography for magnetically doped(Bi,Sb)_(2)Te_(3) quantum anomalous Hall thin films

We have developed a low-damage photolithography method for magnetically doped(Bi,Sb)_(2)Te_(3)quantum anomalous Hall(QAH) thin films incorporating an additional resist layer of poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA). By performing control experiments on the transport properties of five devices at varied gate voltages(V_(g)s), we revealed that the modified photolithography method enables fabricating QAH devices with the transport and magnetic properties unaffected by fabrication process. Our experiment represents a step towards the production of novel micro-structured electronic devices based on the dissipationless QAH chiral edge states.

Pressure-Induced Superconductivity in the Charge-Density-Wave Compound LaTe_(2-x)Sb_(x)(x=0 and 0.4)

Magnetic CeTe_(2)achieving superconductivity under external pressure has received considerable attention.The intermingling of 4f and 5d electrons from Ce raised the speculation of an unconventional pairing mechanism arising from magnetic fluctuations.Here,we address this speculation using a nonmagnetic 4f-electron-free LaTe_(2)as an example.No structural phase transition can be observed up to 35 GPa in the in situ synchrotron diffraction patterns.Subsequent high-pressure electrical measurements show that LaTe_(2)exhibits superconductivity at20 Gpa with its T_(c)(4.5 K)being two times higher than its Ce-counterpart.Detailed theoretical calculations reveal that charge transfer from the 4p orbitals of the planar square Te-Te network to the 5d orbitals of La is responsible for the emergence of superconductivity in LaTe_(2),as confirmed by Hall experiments.Furthermore,we study the modulation of q_(CDW)by Sb substitution and find a record high T_(c)^(onset)~6.5 K in LaTe_(1.6)Sb_(0.4).Our work provides an informative clue to comprehend the role of 5d-4p hybridization in the relationship between charge density wave(CDW)and superconductivity in these RETe_(2)(RE=rare-earth elements)compounds.

Electronic Structure of the Weak Topological Insulator Candidate Zintl Ba_(3)Cd_(2)Sb_(4)

One of the greatest triumph of condensed matter physics in the past ten years is the classification of materials by the principle of topology.The existence of topological protected dissipationless surface state makes topological insulators great potential for applications and hotly studied.However,compared with the prosperity of strong topological insulators,theoretical predicted candidate materials and experimental confirmation of weak topological insulators(WTIs) are both extremely rare.By combining systematic first-principles calculation and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements,we have studied the electronic structure of the dark surface of the WTI candidate Zintl Ba_(3)Cd_(2)Sb_(4)and another related material Ba_(3)Cd_(2)As_(4).The existence of two Dirac surface states on specific side surfaces predicted by theoretical calculations and the observed two band inversions in the Brillouin zone give strong evidence to prove that the Ba_(3)Cd_(2)Sb_(4)is a WTI.The spectroscopic characterization of this Zintl Ba_(3)Cd_(2)N_(4)(N = As and Sb) family materials will facilitate applications of their novel topological properties.

S-Wave Superconductivity in Kagome Metal CsV_(3)Sb_(5) Revealed by ^(121/123)Sb NQR and ^(51)V NMR Measurements

We report ^(121/123)Sb nuclear quadrupole resonance(NQR)and ^(51)V nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)measurements on kagome metal CsV_(3)Sb_(5) with T_(c)=2.5 K.Both ^(51)V NMR spectra and ^(121/123)Sb NQR spectra split after a charge density wave(CDW)transition,which demonstrates a commensurate CDW state.The coexistence of the high temperature phase and the CDW phase between 91 K and 94 K manifests that it is a first-order phase transition.At low temperature,electric-field-gradient fluctuations diminish and magnetic fluctuations become dominant.Superconductivity emerges in the charge order state.Knight shift decreases and 1/T_(1)T shows a Hebel–Slichter coherence peak just below T_(c),indicating that CsV_(3)Sb_(5) is an s-wave superconductor.

Bimetal nanoparticles hybridized with carbon nanotube boosting bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic performance

Developing bifunctional oxygen catalysts with high efficiency and low cost to replace platinum-group metal catalysts commonly utilized in metal-air batteries is critically desired.In this article,a convenient method to synthesis NiFe nanoparticles hybridized with N-doped carbon nanotube(NiFe@N-CNTs)is reported.Electrocatalytic performance analysis indicates that Ni_(x)Fc_(1-x)@N-CNTs offers favorable oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)kinetics(onset potential(E_(onset))is 0.87 V and half-wave potential(E_(1/2))is0.84 V),together with excellent oxygen evolution reaction(OER)performance(an overpotential of 270 mV to drive10 mA·cm^(-2)).Contributed by the synergetic effect between NiFe alloy and N-CNTs,when being utilized as air cathode,rechargeable Zn-air batteries present superior cycling stability for over 150 h.This research provides a universal strategy to synthesize the hybrids of intertwined carbon nanotube matrix loaded with alloy nanoparticles.

Superconductivity and Normal-State Properties of Kagome Metal RbV_(3)Sb_(5) Single Crystals

We report the discovery of superconductivity and detailed normal-state physical properties of RbV_(3)Sb_(5) single crystals with V kagome lattice.RbV_(3)Sb_(5) single crystals show a superconducting transition at Tc~0.92 K.Meanwhile,resistivity,magnetization and heat capacity measurements indicate that it exhibits anomalies of properties at T*~102-103 K,possibly related to the formation of charge ordering state.When T is lower than T*,the Hall coefficient RH undergoes a drastic change and sign reversal from negative to positive,which can be partially explained by the enhanced mobility of hole-type carriers.In addition,the results of quantum oscillations show that there are some very small Fermi surfaces with low effective mass,consistent with the existence of multiple highly dispersive Dirac band near the Fermi energy level.

NMR Evidence of Antiferromagnetic Spin Fluctuations in Nd_(0.85)Sr_(0.15)NiO_(2)

Despite the recent discovery of superconductivity in Nd_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(2) thin films,the absence of superconductivity and antiferromagnetism in their bulk materials remains a puzzle.Here we report the 1H NMR measurements on powdered Nd0.85Sr0.15NiO2 samples by taking advantage of the enriched proton concentration after hydrogen annealing.We find a large full width at half maximum of the spectrum,which keeps increasing with decreasing the temperature T and exhibits an upturn behavior at low temperatures.The spin-lattice relaxation rate ^(1)T_(1)^(-1) is strongly enhanced when lowering the temperature,developing a broad peak at about 40 K,then decreases following a spin-wave-like behavior ^(1)T_(1)^(-1)∝T^(2) at lower temperatures.These results evidence a short-range glassy antiferromagnetic ordering of magnetic moments below 40 K and dominant antiferromagnetic fluctuations extending to much higher temperatures.Our findings reveal the strong electron correlations in bulk Nd_(0.85)Sr_(0.15)NiO_(2),and shed light on the mechanism of superconductivity observed in films of nickelates.

Realization of low-energy type-Ⅱ Dirac fermions in(Ir_(1-x)Pt_x)Te_2 superconductors

Topological Dirac semimetals(DSMs) present a kind of topologically nontrivial quantum state of matter, which has massless Dirac fermions in the bulk and topologically protected states on certain surfaces. In superconducting DSMs, the effects of their nontrivial topology on superconducting pairing could realize topological superconductivity in the bulk or on the surface. As superconducting pairing takes place at the Fermi level E_F, to make the effects possible, the Dirac points should lie in the vicinity of E_F so that the topological electronic states can participate in the superconducting paring. Here,we show using angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy that in a series of(Ir_(1-x)Pt_x)Te_2 compounds, the type-Ⅱ Dirac points reside around E_F in the superconducting region, in which the bulk superconductivity has a maximum T_c of ～ 3 K.The realization of the coexistence of bulk superconductivity and low-energy Dirac fermions in(Ir_(1-x)Pt_x)Te_2 paves the way for studying the effects of the nontrivial topology in DSMs on the superconducting state.

Fabrication, Structure and Optical Properties of Zr4+ Doped Ba（Mg, Ta） O3 Transparent Ceramics with High Refractive Index

Novel transparent ceramics of Zr^4+doped Ba(Mg,Ta)O3(BMT)with a high refractive index of 2.037 at 587.56 nm were successfully fabricated via high temperature solid-state-reaction sintering method.To make it transparent,the pure cubic Ba(Zr,Mg,Ta)O3phases(BZMT)were realized in advance by skillfully modulating the lattice structure of BMT from trigonal symmetric to cubic symmetric through doping Zr4 into the lattice of BMT crystal.Highly optical transmittance of 74%at 650 nm,which hit the upper limit of the theory,was achieved for BZMT.Both abbe number of 23.4 and the bandgap Eg of 3.22 eV have been calculated.