κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu2(CN)3 spin liquid : beyond the average structure

We present here the first accurate determination of the exact structure of κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu2(CN)3. Not only did we show that the room temperature structure used over the last twenty years was incorrect, but we were also able to correctly and precisely determine it. The results of our work provide evidence that the structure presents a triclinic symmetry with two non-equivalent dimers in the unit cell, which implies a charge disproportionation between the dimers. However, structural refinement shows that the charge disproportionation is quite weak at room temperature

Paramètre d'ordre magnétique dans la phase de pseudogap des oxydes de cuivre supraconducteurs à haute température critique

This work presents a new magnetic order in the pseudo-gap phase of superconducting cuprates. The study of the three families YBa2Cu3O6+δ, HgBa2CuO4+δ and La1.92Sr0.08CuO4 reveals a magnetic order parameter developping under the temperature of the opening pseudo-gap. For the first time, we report the existence of collective modes associated to this order in the system HgBa2CuO4+δ. All the results converge to the conclusion that the pseudo-gap is linked to a true phase transition, with an order parameter and a symmetry breaking : the time reversal symmetry. It is worth noticing that the translation symmetry of the lattice is preserved, so that this order can be qualified as Q=0 order. Moreover, our study of incommensurate spin fluctuations near the antiferromagnetic wave vector (QAF) has enabled us to demonstrate the underlying competition between two magnetic instabilities : the Q=0 order and the QAF spin fluctuations in both YBa2Cu3O6+δ, and La1.92Sr0.08CuO4 . All these results could be a key toward the understanding of the puzzling high TC superconductivity.Ce travail de thèse présente un nouvel ordre magnétique dans l'énigmatique phase de pseudo-gap des cuprates supraconducteurs à haute température critique. L'étude des composés YBa2Cu3O6+δ, HgBa2CuO4+δ et La1.92Sr0.08CuO4 par diffusion élastique de neutrons polarisés a permis de mettre en évidence un paramètre d'ordre magnétique en dessous d'une température comparable à celle de l'ouverture du pseudo-gap de ces systèmes. Nous avons également montré pour la première fois l'existence dans la famille HgBa2CuO4+δ de deux modes collectifs magnétiques associés à la phase de pseudo-gap. Tous ces résultats indiquent qu'à l'ouverture du pseudo-gap est associée une vraie transition de phase, avec un paramètre d'ordre magnétique et une symétrie brisée: la symétrie par renversement du temps. Il est toutefois important de noter que la symétrie de translation du réseau est préservée: on parle alors d'ordre à Q=0. Dans le système YBa2Cu3O6+δ, nous avons établi que lorsque l'on s'approche du composé parent, ou lorsque l'on introduit des impuretés telles que du Zn, les fluctuations de spin incommensurables autour du vecteur d'onde antiferromagnétique (QAF) se développent au détriment du nouvel ordre à Q=0. De manière similaire, nous avons pu mettre en évidence une interaction entre l'instabilité magnétique autour de QAF et le nouvel ordre à Q=0 dans La1.92Sr0.08CuO4. L'ensemble de ces résultats apporte une pièce maitresse au puzzle que représente toujours la supraconductivité à haute température critique, malgré 25 ans de recherche

Communication: Investigation of ion aggregation in ionic liquids and their solutions with lithium salt under high pressure

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Pressure-dependent X-ray diffraction of the multiferroics RMn 2 O 5

International audienceThe room-temperature structural properties of the RMn 2 O 5 multiferroics have been investigated under pressure, using powder X-ray scattering and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was possible to determine the lattice parameters and the main atomic positions as a function of pressure. Good agreement was observed between the X-ray and DFT results for most of the determined crystallographic data. From the DFT calculations, it was possible to infer the pressure evolution of the exchange interactions, and this analysis led to the conclusion that the onset of the q = (1 2 , 0, 1 2) magnetic structure under pressure is related to the increase in the J 1 super-exchange terms (due to the reduction in the Mn-O distances) compared with the Mn-R exchange interactions. In addition, the 1D antiferromagnetic character of the compounds should be reinforced under pressure

Evidence for Intra-Unit-Cell Magnetic Order in Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8 + δ

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Universal stripe order as a precursor of the superconducting phase in pressurized BaFe2Se3 Spin Ladder

International audienceAbstract It has been recently observed that a superconducting phase emerges under pressure in the Fe-based spin-ladders BaFe 2 X 3 (X = S, Se). The low dimensionality of the Fe spin-ladders, which simplifies the elaboration of theoretical models, should help to understand the mechanism of superconductivity. We investigate here the frontier between magnetic and superconducting (SC) phases in BaFe 2 Se 3 by performing challenging powder neutron diffraction (PND) and Fe K β x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) under high pressure. We show that the ambient pressure ground state with a block-like magnetic order is destabilized under pressure. A pressure-induced antiferromagnetic stripe-like spin order, similar to the magnetic order of the parent superconductor BaFe 2 S 3 , is observed above 3-4 GPa. Our discovery shows that the stripe magnetic order is a key phase close to the SC dome and its particular magnetic fluctuations could be involved in the stabilization of superconductivity in Fe-based spin ladders

Hidden magnetic texture in the pseudogap phase of high-Tc YBa2Cu3O6.6

International audienceAbstract Despite decades of intense research, the enigmatic pseudo-gap (PG) phase of superconducting cuprates remains unsolved. In the last 15 years, various symmetry breaking states were discovered in the PG phase, including an intra-unit cell (IUC) magnetism, which preserves the lattice translational (LT) symmetry but breaks the time-reversal and parity symmetries, and an additional incipient charge density wave breaking the LT symmetry. However, none of these states can (alone) account for the partial gapping of the Fermi surface. Here we report a hidden LT-breaking magnetism using polarized neutron diffraction. Our measurements reveal magnetic correlations, in two different underdoped YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.6 single crystals that set in at the PG onset temperature with (i) a planar propagation wave vector ( π , 0) ≡ (0, π ), yielding a doubling or quadrupling of the magnetic unit cell and (ii) magnetic moments mainly pointing perpendicular to the CuO 2 layers. The LT-breaking magnetism is at short-range suggesting the formation of clusters of 5–6 unit cells. Together with the previously reported IUC magnetism, it yields a hidden magnetic texture of the CuO 2 unit cells hosting loop currents, forming large supercells that may be helpful for elucidating the PG puzzle

Hidden magnetic texture in the pseudogap phase of high-Tc YBa2Cu3O6.6

International audienceAbstract Despite decades of intense research, the enigmatic pseudo-gap (PG) phase of superconducting cuprates remains unsolved. In the last 15 years, various symmetry breaking states were discovered in the PG phase, including an intra-unit cell (IUC) magnetism, which preserves the lattice translational (LT) symmetry but breaks the time-reversal and parity symmetries, and an additional incipient charge density wave breaking the LT symmetry. However, none of these states can (alone) account for the partial gapping of the Fermi surface. Here we report a hidden LT-breaking magnetism using polarized neutron diffraction. Our measurements reveal magnetic correlations, in two different underdoped YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.6 single crystals that set in at the PG onset temperature with (i) a planar propagation wave vector ( π , 0) ≡ (0, π ), yielding a doubling or quadrupling of the magnetic unit cell and (ii) magnetic moments mainly pointing perpendicular to the CuO 2 layers. The LT-breaking magnetism is at short-range suggesting the formation of clusters of 5–6 unit cells. Together with the previously reported IUC magnetism, it yields a hidden magnetic texture of the CuO 2 unit cells hosting loop currents, forming large supercells that may be helpful for elucidating the PG puzzle