Synthesis,Structure and Properties of Layered Phosphide Nitrides AkTh_(2)Mn_(4)P_(4)N_(2)(Ak=Rb,Cs)

Main observation and conclusion We report the design,synthesis,structure,and properties of two complex layered phosphide nitrides,AkTh_(2)Mn_(4)P_(4)N_(2)(Ak=Rb,Cs),which contain anti-fluorite-type[Mn_(2)P_(2)]bilayers separated by fluorite-type[Th_(2)N_(2)]layers as a result of the intergrowth between AkMn2P2 and ThMnPN.The new compounds are featured with an intrinsic hole doping associated with the interlayer charge transfer and a built-in chemical pressure from the[Th_(2)N_(2)]layers,both of which are reflected by the changes in the lattice and the atomic position of phosphorus.The measurements of magnetic susceptibility,electrical resistivity,and specific heat indicate existence of local moments as well as itinerant electrons in relation with d-p hybridizations.The expected dominant antiferromagnetic interactions with enhanced d-p hybridizations were demonstrated by the first-principles calculations only when additional Coulomb repulsions are included.The density of states at the Fermi level derived from the specific-heat analysis are 3.5 and 7.5 times of the calculated ones for Ak=Rb and Cs,respectively,suggesting strong electron correlations in the title compounds.

Reshaping the Cortical Connectivity Gradient by Long-Term Cognitive Training During Development

The organization of the brain follows a topologi-cal hierarchy that changes dynamically during development.However,it remains unknown whether and how cognitive training administered over multiple years during develop-ment can modify this hierarchical topology.By measuring the brain and behavior of school children who had carried out abacus-based mental calculation(AMC)training for five years(starting from 7 years to 12 years old)in pre-training and post-training,we revealed the reshaping effect of long-term AMC intervention during development on the brain hierarchical topology.We observed the development-induced emergence of the default network,AMC training-promoted shifting,and regional changes in cortical gradi-ents.Moreover,the training-induced gradient changes were located in visual and somatomotor areas in association with the visuospatial/motor-imagery strategy.We found that gradient-based features can predict the math ability within groups.Our findings provide novel insights into the dynamic nature of network recruitment impacted by long-term cognitive training during development.

Ultrabroadband and multiband infrared/terahertz photodetectors with high sensitivity

Broadband response is pursued in both infrared(IR)and terahertz(THz)detection technologies,which find their applications in both terrestrial and astronomical realms.Herein,we report an ultrabroadband and multiband IR/THz detector based on blocked-impurity-band detecting principle.The detectors are prepared by implanting phosphorus into germanium(Ge:P),where photoresponses with a P impurity band,a self-interstitial defect band,and a vacancy-P(V-P)pair defect band are realized simultaneously.The response spectra of the detectors show ultrabroad and dual response bands in a range of 3-28μm(IR band)and 40-165μm(THz band),respectively.Additionally,a tiny mid-IR(MIR)band within 3-4.2μm is embedded in the IR band.The THz band arises from the P impurity band,whereas the IR and the MIR bands are ascribed to the two defect bands.At150 m V and 4.5 K,the peak detectivities of the three bands are obtained as 2.9×10^(12) Jones(at 3.9μm),6.8×10^(12) Jones(at 16.3μm),and 9.9×10^(12) Jones(at 116.5μm),respectively.The impressive coverage andsensitivity of the detectors are promising for applications in IR and THz detection technologies.

Antiferromagnetic insulating state in quasi-one-dimensional K_(2)Cr_(3)As_(3)H

Quasi-one-dimensional(Q1D) Cr-based pnictide K_(2)Cr_(3)As_(3)exhibits superconductivity probably with spin-triplet pairing. It is of fundamental importance to explore the parent compound from which superconductivity emerges. Here we report the synthesis,crystal structure, physical properties, and density functional theory(DFT) calculations of(nearly) fully hydrogenized K_(2)Cr_(3)As_(3)H.It is found that the intercalation of hydrogen in K_(2)Cr_(3)As_(3)leads to absence of metallicity as well as superconductivity. An antiferromagnetic transition nearby room temperature is evidenced from the measurements of magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity.The antiferromagnetic insulating state can be reproduced by the DFT calculations, which show a novel non-collinear co-planar magnetic order. Our result sheds light on the mechanism of unconventional superconductivity in Q1D Cr-based superconductors.

Optical phase mining by adjustable spatial differentiator

Phase is a fundamental resource for optical imaging but cannot be directly observed with intensity measurements.The existing methods to quantify a phase distribution rely on complex devices and structures and lead to difficulties of optical alignment and adjustment.We experimentally demonstrate a phase mining method based on the so-called adjustable spatial differentiation,by analyzing the polarization of light reflection from a single planar dielectric interface.Introducing an adjustable bias,we create a virtual light source to render the measured images with a shadow-cast effect.From the virtual shadowed images,we can further recover the phase distribution of a transparent object with the accuracy of 0.05λRMS.Without any dependence on wavelength or material dispersion,this method directly stems from the intrinsic properties of light and can be generally extended to a broad frequency range.

Block-layer model for intergrowth structures

Lattice match and charge transfer between distinct block layers(BLs)play an important role in the formation of an intergrowth structure.Herein we propose a simple BL model addressing the different roles of the lattice match and the charge transfer.Inter-BL charge transfer lowers the internal energy,while lattice match minimizes the elastic energy,both of which together make the intergrowth structure stabilized.The model is able to reproduce the lattice parameters precisely for complex iron-based superconductors with intergrowth structures.The elastic energy and the charge-transfer energy are evaluated with assistance of the first-principles calculations.This work rationalizes the basic principles of BL design for intergrowth structures,which can be utilized not only for finding new superconducting materials but also for investigating other layered materials with various functionalities.

Superconductivity in ThMo_2Si_2C with Mo_2C square net

We report the superconductivity of a new quaternary compound ThMo_(2)Si_(2)C, synthesized with the arc-melting technique. The compound crystallizes in a tetragonal CeCr_(2)Si_(2)C-type structure with cell parameters of a = 4.2296A and c = 5.3571 A. An interlayer Si–Si covalent bonding is suggested by the atomic distance. The electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate a Pauli-paramagnetic metal with dominant electron-electron scattering in the normal-state. Bulk superconductivity at 2.2 K is demonstrated with a dimensionless specific-heat jump of △C/γnT = 0.98. The superconducting parameters of the critical magnetic fields, coherence length, penetration depth, and superconducting energy gap are given.