Quantum matter in high magnetic fields

Abstract:

Inspired by the topological organization of the circular Escherichia coli chromosome, which is compacted by separate domains, we study a polymer architecture consisting of a central ring to which either looped or linear side chains are grafted. A shape change from a spherical to a toroidal organization takes place as soon as the inner ring becomes large enough for the attached arms to fit within its circumference. Building up a torus, the system flattens, depending on the effective bending rigidity of the chain induced by entropic repulsion of the attached loops and, to a lesser extent, linear arms. Our results suggest that the natural formation of a toroidal structure with a decreased amount of writhe induced by a specific underlying topology could be one driving force, among others, that nature exploits to ensure proper packaging of the genetic material within a rod-shaped, bacterial envelope.

Abstract:

Recently, Borisenko et al have posted a Comment (arXiv:1108.1159) where they suggest an alternative interpretation of our de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) measurements on the superconductor LiFeAs. In our original paper (arXiv:1107.4375) we concluded that our measurements of the bulk Fermi surface were not consistent with the surface bands observed thus far by ARPES. Borisenko et al dispute this and suggest the two measurements are consistent if some of the orbits we observe are due to magnetic breakdown. We argue here that this scenario is inconsistent with the experimental data and therefore that our original conclusion stands.

Abstract:

We present data for the temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth λ (T), heat capacity C (T), resistivity ρ (T), and magnetic torque τ for highly homogeneous single-crystal samples of Fe1.0 Se0.44 (4) Te0.56 (4). λ (T) was measured down to 200 mK in zero field. We find λ (T) follows a power law Δλ∼ Tn with n=2.2±0.1. This is similar to some 122 iron arsenides and likely results from a sign-changing pairing state combined with strong scattering. Magnetic fields of up to B=55 or 14 T were used for the τ (B) and C (T) /ρ (T) measurements, respectively. The specific heat, resistivity, and torque measurements were used to map out the (H,T) phase diagram in this material. All three measurements were conducted on exactly the same single-crystal sample so that the different information revealed by these probes is clearly distinguished. Heat-capacity data strongly resemble those found for the high- Tc cuprates, where strong fluctuation effects wipe out the phase transition at Hc2. Unusually, here we find the fluctuation effects appear to be strongly anisotropic. © 2010 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

In 2008, new classes of high-temperature superconductors containing iron have been discovered. These iron pnictides offer a new area of exploration and understanding of superconductivity. Quantum oscillations is a bulk probe that allows us to map out the full Fermi surface of a superconducting system in its normal metallic state. These oscillations are determined by the Landau quantization in high magnetic fields and are usually observed at very low temperatures and in very clean samples. By knowing the exact nature of the quasi-particles in the normal state and the degree of electronic correlations, one can simplify and restrict theoretical models required to understand the pairing mechanism in superconductors. I will discuss the current understanding of the Fermi surface studies in iron-based superconductors as determined from quantum oscillations.