Universal scaling and diagonal conductivity in the integral quantum Hall effect

We perform a numerical finite-size study for the static homogeneous diagonal conductivity σxx at the critical filling factor 3/2 for different microscopic realizations of the random impurity potential. The variation of σxx with the system size defines a scaling function. It turns out to be independent of the particular realization of disorder and also of the Landau-level index. However, the diagonal conductivity in the second-lowest Landau level varies strongly with disorder. The universal critical conductivity is recovered only asymptotically when the correlation length of the potential is increased

Three-body correlations and finite-size effects in the Moore--Read states on a sphere

Two- and three-body correlations in partially filled degenerate fermion shells are studied numerically for various interactions between the particles. Three distinct correlation regimes are defined, depending on the short-range behavior of the pair pseudopotential. For pseudopotentials similar to those of electrons in the first excited Landau level, correlations at half-filling have a simple three-body form consisting of the maximum avoidance of the triplet state with the smallest relative angular momentum R_3=3. In analogy to the superharmonic criterion for Laughlin two-body correlations, their occurrence is related to the form of the three-body pseudopotential at short range. The spectra of a model three-body repulsion are calculated, and the zero-energy Moore--Read ground state, its +-e/4-charged quasiparticles, and the magnetoroton and pair-breaking bands are all identified. The quasiparticles are correctly described by a composite fermion model appropriate for Halperin's p-type pairing with Laughlin correlations between the pairs. However, the Moore--Read ground state, and specially its excitations, have small overlaps with the corresponding Coulomb eigenstates when calculated on a sphere. The reason lies in surface curvature which affects the form of pair pseudopotential for which the "R_3>3" three-body correlations occur. In finite systems, such pseudopotential must be slightly superharmonic at short range (different from Coulomb pseudopotential). However, the connection with the three-body pseudopotential is less size-dependent, suggesting that the Moore--Read state and its excitations are a more accurate description for experimental nu=5/2 states than could be expected from previous calculations.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, submitted to PR

Photoinduced charge separation in Q1D heterojunction materials: Evidence for electron-hole pair separation in mixed-halide MXMX solids

Resonance Raman experiments on doped and photoexcited single crystals of mixed-halide $MX$ complexes ($M$=Pt; $X$=Cl,Br) clearly indicate charge separation: electron polarons preferentially locate on PtBr segments while hole polarons are trapped within PtCl segments. This polaron selectivity, potentially very useful for device applications, is demonstrated theoretically using a discrete, 3/4-filled, two-band, tight-binding, extended Peierls-Hubbard model. Strong hybridization of the PtCl and PtBr electronic bands is the driving force for separation.Comment: n LaTeX, figures available by mail from JTG ([email protected]

Superconductivity and spin-glass like behavior in system with Pd sheet sandwiched between graphene sheets

Pd-metal graphite (Pd-MG) has a layered structure, where each Pd sheet is sandwiched between adjacent graphene sheets. DC magnetization and AC magnetic susceptibility of Pd-MG have been measured using a SQUID magnetometer. Pd-MG undergoes a superconducting transition at $T_{c}$ ($= 3.63 \pm 0.04$ K). The superconductivity occurs in Pd sheets. The relaxation of $M_{ZFC}$ (aging), which is common to spin glass systems, is also observed below $T_{c}$. The relaxation rate $S(t)$ shows a peak at a characteristic time $t_{cr}$, which is longer than a wait time $t_{w}$. The irreversibility between $\chi_{ZFC}$ and $\chi_{FC}$ occurs well above $T_{c}$. The susceptibility $\chi_{FC}$ obeys a Curie-Weiss behavior with a negative Curie-Weiss temperature ($-13.1 \leq \Theta \leq -5.4$ K). The growth of antiferromagnetic order is limited by the disordered nature of nanographites, forming spin glass-like behavior at low temperatures in graphene sheets.Comment: 21 pages, 15 figures; submitted to J. Phys.: Condensed Matte

Temperature Dependence of the Flux Line Lattice Transition into Square Symmetry in Superconducting LuNi2_2B2_2C

We have investigated the temperature dependence of the H || c flux line lattice structural phase transition from square to hexagonal symmetry, in the tetragonal superconductor LuNi_2B_2C (T_c = 16.6 K). At temperatures below 10 K the transition onset field, H_2(T), is only weakly temperature dependent. Above 10 K, H_2(T) rises sharply, bending away from the upper critical field. This contradicts theoretical predictions of H_2(T) merging with the upper critical field, and suggests that just below the H_c2(T)-curve the flux line lattice might be hexagonal.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Multifractality of the quantum Hall wave functions in higher Landau levels

To probe the universality class of the quantum Hall system at the metal-insulator critical point, the multifractality of the wave function $\psi$ is studied for higher Landau levels, $N=1,2$, for various range $(\sigma )$ of random potential. We have found that, while the multifractal spectrum $f(\alpha)$ (and consequently the fractal dimension) does vary with $N$, the parabolic form for $f(\alpha)$ indicative of a log-normal distribution of $\psi$ persists in higher Landau levels. If we relate the multifractality with the scaling of localization via the conformal theory, an asymptotic recovery of the single-parameter scaling with increasing $\sigma$ is seen, in agreement with Huckestein's irrelevant scaling field argument.Comment: 10 pages, revtex, 5 figures available on request from [email protected]

The puzzle of 90 degree reorientation in the vortex lattice of borocarbide superconductors

We explain 90 degree reorientation in the vortex lattice of borocarbide superconductors on the basis of a phenomenological extension of the nonlocal London model that takes full account of the symmetry of the system. We propose microscopic mechanisms that could generate the correction terms and point out the important role of the superconducting gap anisotropy.Comment: 4 pages, 2 eps figure

Short-Range Interactions and Scaling Near Integer Quantum Hall Transitions

We study the influence of short-range electron-electron interactions on scaling behavior near the integer quantum Hall plateau transitions. Short-range interactions are known to be irrelevant at the renormalization group fixed point which represents the transition in the non-interacting system. We find, nevertheless, that transport properties change discontinuously when interactions are introduced. Most importantly, in the thermodynamic limit the conductivity at finite temperature is zero without interactions, but non-zero in the presence of arbitrarily weak interactions. In addition, scaling as a function of frequency, $\omega$, and temperature, $T$, is determined by the scaling variable $\omega/T^p$ (where $p$ is the exponent for the temperature dependence of the inelastic scattering rate) and not by $\omega/T$, as it would be at a conventional quantum phase transition described by an interacting fixed point. We express the inelastic exponent, $p$, and the thermal exponent, $z_T$, in terms of the scaling dimension, $-\alpha < 0$, of the interaction strength and the dynamical exponent $z$ (which has the value $z=2$), obtaining $p=1+2\alpha/z$ and $z_T=2/p$.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Physical Review

Nature of 45 degree vortex lattice reorientation in tetragonal superconductors

The transformation of the vortex lattice in a tetragonal superconductor which consists of its 45 degree reorientation relative to the crystal axes is studied using the nonlocal London model. It is shown that the reorientation occurs as two successive second order (continuous) phase transitions. The transition magnetic fields are calculated for a range of parameters relevant for borocarbide superconductors in which the reorientation has been observed