Quasiparticle coherence and the nature of the metal-insulator phase transition in Nax_xCoO2_2

Layered cobaltates embody novel realizations of correlated quantum matter on a spin-1/2 triangular lattice. We report a high-resolution systematic photoemission study of the insulating cobaltates (Na1/2CoO2 and K1/2CoO2). Observation of single-particle gap opening and band-folding provides direct evidence of anisotropic particle-hole instability on the Fermi surface due to its unique topology. Kinematic overlap of the measured Fermi surface is observed with the $\sqrt{3}$x$\sqrt{3}$ cobalt charge-order Brillouin zone near x=1/3 but not at x=1/2 where insulating transition is actually observed. Unlike conventional density-waves, charge-stripes or band insulators, the on-set of the gap depends on the quasiparticle's quantum coherence which is found to occur well below the disorder-order symmetry breaking temperature of the crystal (the first known example of its kind).Comment: 4+ pages, 5 figure

Fermi surface and quasiparticle dynamics of Na(x)CoO2 {x=0.7} investigated by Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy

We present an angle-resolved photoemission study of Na0.7CoO2, the host cobaltate of the NaxCoO2.yH2O series. Our results show a large hexagonal-like hole-type Fermi surface, an extremely narrow strongly renormalized quasiparticle band and a small Fermi velocity. Along the Gamma to M high symmetry line, the quasiparticle band crosses the Fermi level from M toward Gamma consistent with a negative sign of effective single-particle hopping (t ): t is estimated to be about 8 meV which is on the order of exchange coupling J in this system. This suggests that t ~ J ~ 10 meV is an important energy scale in the system. Quasiparticles are well defined only in the T-linear resistivity regime. Small single particle hopping and unconventional quasiparticle dynamics may have implications for understanding the unusual behavior of this new class of compounds.Comment: Revised text, Added Figs, Submitted to PR

Tribological Properties at 20 and 500°C of TiN and CrN Cathodic ARC Coatings Deposited on Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

Tribological properties of TiN and CrN coatings deposited by cathodic arc method at three different bias potentials -50, -150 and -300V on Ti-6Al-4V alloy in pair with alumina have been investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that single-phase textured cubic nitrides of TiN and CrN were formed in these coatings. It is shown that the friction coefficient of the coatings is practically equal to that established for the Ti6Al4V alloy, but the wear rate is more than an order of magnitude lower than for the titanium alloy substrate. Coatings deposited at a potential of -50 V show optimal tribological properties at temperatures 20 and 500°C. Friction coefficients for TiN coatings are 0.4-0.8 at 20°C and 0,75 at 500°C; for CrN coatings they are 0.5 at 20°C and 0,7 at 500°C. Wear rates for TiN coatings are 0.86·10-5 мм3/Нм at 20°C and 3.56·10-5 мм3/Нм at 500°C; for CrN coatings they are 1.43·10-5 мм3/Нм at 20°C and 7.13·10-5 мм3/Нм at 500°C