40 research outputs found
Dimensionality-confined superconductivity within SrNbO3-SrTiO3 heterostructures
Interfaces between transition-metal oxides are able to host two-dimensional
electron gases (2DEGs) and exhibit exotic quantum phenomena. Here we report the
observation of superconductivity below 230 mK for the heterostructure composed
of SrNbO3 (SNO) and SrTiO3 (STO). Different from some other counterparts with
two insulators, the metallic SNO provides a novel mechanism to form a quasi
2DEG by charge transfer from bulk towards interface under strain. The
superconductivity, residing within the strained SNO layer near the interface,
is contributed by an electron system with record-low carrier density. Notably,
although embedded in a normal metallic layer with a carrier density 4 to 5
orders higher, the electron system is still uniquely well-protected to retain
high mobility and lies deep in extreme quantum regime
Strain mediated phase crossover in Ruddlesden Popper nickelates
Recent progress on the signatures of pressure-induced high temperature
superconductivity in Ruddlesden Popper (RP) nickelates (Lan+1NinO3n+1) has
attracted growing interest in both theoretical calculations and experimental
efforts. The fabrication of high-quality single crystalline RP nickelate thin
films is critical for possible reducing the superconducting transition pressure
and advancing applications in microelectronics in the future. In this study, we
report the observations of an active phase transition in RP nickelate films
induced by misfit strain. We found that RP nickelate films favor the perovskite
structure (n = infinite) under tensile strains, while compressive strains
stabilize the La3Ni2O7 (n = 2) phase. The selection of distinct phases is
governed by the strain dependent formation energy and electronic configuration.
In compressively strained La3Ni2O7, we experimentally determined splitting
energy is ~0.2 eV and electrons prefer to occupy in-plane orbitals. First
principles calculations unveil a robust coupling between strain effects and the
valence state of Ni ions in RP nickelates, suggesting a dual driving force for
the inevitable phase co-existence transition in RP nickelates. Our work
underscores the sensitivity of RP nickelate formation to epitaxial strain,
presenting a significant challenge in fabricating pure-phase RP nickelate
films. Therefore, special attention to stacking defects and grain boundaries
between different RP phases is essential when discussing the pressure-induced
superconductivity in RP nickelates.Comment: 29 pages, 5 figures, one supplementary material
Metal-to-insulator transition in oxide semimetals by anion doping
Oxide semimetals exhibiting both nontrivial topological characteristics stand
as exemplary parent compounds and multiple degrees of freedom, offering great
promise for the realization of novel electronic states. In this study, we
present compelling evidence of profound structural and transport phase shifts
in a recently uncovered oxide semimetal, SrNbO3, achieved through effective
in-situ anion doping. Notably, a remarkable increase in resistivity of more
than three orders of magnitude at room temperature is observed upon
nitrogen-doping. The extent of electronic modulation in SrNbO3 is strongly
correlated with the misfit strain, underscoring its phase instability to both
chemical doping and crystallographic symmetry variations. Using
first-principles calculations, we discern that elevating the level of nitrogen
doping induces an upward shift in the conductive bands of SrNbO3-dNd.
Consequently, a transition from a metallic state to an insulating state becomes
apparent as the nitrogen concentration reaches a threshold of 1/3. This
investigation sheds light on the potential of anion engineering in oxide
semimetals, offering pathways for manipulating their physical properties. These
insights hold promise for future applications that harness these materials for
tailored functionalities.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figure
Super-tetragonal Sr4Al2O7: a versatile sacrificial layer for high-integrity freestanding oxide membranes
Releasing the epitaxial oxide heterostructures from substrate constraints
leads to the emergence of various correlated electronic phases and paves the
way for integrations with advanced semiconductor technologies. Identifying a
suitable water-soluble sacrificial layer, compatible with the high-quality
epitaxial growth of oxide heterostructures, is currently the key to the
development of large-scale freestanding oxide membranes. In this study, we
unveil the super-tetragonal Sr4Al2O7 (SAOT) as a promising water-soluble
sacrificial layer. The distinct low-symmetric crystal structure of SAOT enables
a superior capability to sustain epitaxial strain, thus allowing for broad
tunability in lattice constants. The resultant structural coherency and
defect-free interface in perovskite ABO3/SAOT heterostructures effectively
restrain crack formations during the water-assisted release of freestanding
oxide membranes. For a variety of non-ferroelectric oxide membranes, the
crack-free areas can span up to a few millimeters in length scale. These
compelling features, combined with the inherent high-water solubility, make
SAOT a versatile and feasible sacrificial layer for producing high-quality
freestanding oxide membranes, thereby boosting their potential for innovative
oxide electronics and flexible device designs.Comment: 5 figures and SI, it is the second version of this manuscrip
Syntropic spin alignment at the interface between ferromagnetic and superconducting nitrides
The magnetic correlations at the superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) interfaces
play a crucial role in realizing dissipation-less spin-based logic and memory
technologies, such as triplet-supercurrent spin-valves and "{\pi}" Josephson
junctions. Here we report the coexistence of an induced large magnetic moment
and a crypto ferromagnetic state at high-quality nitride S/F interfaces. Using
polarized neutron reflectometry and d. c. SQUID measurements, we quantitatively
determined the magnetization profile of S/F bilayer and confirmed the induced
magnetic moment in the adjacent superconductor only exists below TC.
Interestingly, the direction of the induced moment in the superconductors was
unexpectedly parallel to that in the ferromagnet, which contrasts with earlier
findings in S/F heterostructures based on metals or oxides. The
first-principles calculations verify the observed unusual interfacial spin
texture is caused by the Heisenberg direct exchange coupling through d orbital
overlapping and severe charge transfer across the interfaces. Our work
establishes an incisive experimental probe for understanding the magnetic
proximity behavior at S/F interfaces and provides a prototype epitaxial
building block for superconducting spintronics.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, supplementary file with 14 figure
Changed Caecal Microbiota and Fermentation Contribute to the Beneficial Effects of Early Weaning with Alfalfa Hay, Starter Feed, and Milk Replacer on the Growth and Organ Development of Yak Calves
This study aimed to investigate the effect of early weaning by supplying calves with alfalfa hay, starter feed, and milk replacer on caecal bacterial communities and on the growth of pre-weaned yak calves. Ten 30-day-old male yak calves were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The maternal grazing (MG) group was maternally nursed and grazed, and the early weaning (EW) group was supplied milk replacer, starter feed, and alfalfa hay twice per day. Compared with the yak calves in the MG group, the yak calves in the EW group showed significantly increased body weight, body height, body length, and chest girth. When suffering to the potential mechanism of improved growth of yak calves, except for the enhanced ruminal fermentation, the significantly increased total volatile fatty acids, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and valerate in the caecum in the EW group could also serve to promote the growth of calves. By using 16S rDNA sequencing, some significantly increased caecal phylum and genera, which were all related to the enhanced caecal fermentation by utilizing both the fibrous and non-fibrous carbohydrates, were identified in the EW group. In conclusion, early weaning of yak calves by supplying them with alfalfa hay, starter feed, and milk replacer is more beneficial to the growth of yak calves when compared with maternal grazing and nursing, in part due to alterations in caecal microbiota and fermentation
A Review of the Methods on Cobb Angle Measurements for Spinal Curvature
Scoliosis is a common disease of the spine and requires regular monitoring due to its progressive properties. A preferred indicator to assess scoliosis is by the Cobb angle, which is currently measured either manually by the relevant medical staff or semi-automatically, aided by a computer. These methods are not only labor-intensive but also vary in precision by the inter-observer and intra-observer. Therefore, a reliable and convenient method is urgently needed. With the development of computer vision and deep learning, it is possible to automatically calculate the Cobb angles by processing X-ray or CT/MR/US images. In this paper, the research progress of Cobb angle measurement in recent years is reviewed from the perspectives of computer vision and deep learning. By comparing the measurement effects of typical methods, their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. Finally, the key issues and their development trends are also discussed
Measurement and control of oxygen non-stoichiometry in praseodymium-cerium oxide thin films by coulometric titration
Abstract
Oxygen non-stoichiometry profoundly impacts the electrical, magnetic, and catalytic properties of metal oxide. Limited by the low mass and volume of thin oxide films, conventional quantification methods, such as thermogravimetry, are not directly applicable. While chemical capacitance has been successfully applied to monitor oxygen non-stoichiometry in thin oxide films, detailed a-priori understanding of the defect chemistry is often very helpful in its interpretation. In this study, changes in non-stoichiometry in Pr doped CeO2 (PCO) thin films are measured by coulometric titration. I-V titration measurements are performed on electrochemical cells, over the temperature range from 550 to 700 ℃, oxygen partial pressure range from 10-4 to 0.21 atm, and bias range of -50 mV to 50 mV, to extract changes in stoichiometry. The results agree well with values obtained by chemical capacitance, demonstrating the utility in applying coulometric titration to investigate oxygen non-stoichiometry in oxide thin films
Aberrant Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells of a Retinitis Pigmentosa Patient with the PRPF6 Mutation
Pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPFs) are vital components of the spliceosome and are involved in the physiological process necessary for pre-mRNA splicing to mature mRNA. As an important member, PRPF6 mutation resulting in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) is not common. Recently, we reported the establishment of an induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs; CSUASOi004-A) model by reprogramming the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a PRPF6-related adRP patient, which could recapitulate a consistent disease-specific genotype. In this study, a disease model of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was generated from the iPSCs of this patient to further investigate the underlying molecular and pathological mechanisms. The results showed the irregular morphology, disorganized apical microvilli and reduced expressions of RPE-specific genes in the patient’s iPSC-derived RPE cells. In addition, RPE cells carrying the PRPF6 mutation displayed a decrease in the phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled photoreceptor outer segments and exhibited impaired cell polarity and barrier function. This study will benefit the understanding of PRPF6-related RPE cells and future cell therapy