Pressure-induced Superconductivity in a Ferromagnet UGe2_2 -- Resistivity Measurements in Magnetic Field --

The electrical resistivity measurements in the magnetic field are carried out on the pressure-induced superconductor UGe$_2$. The superconductivity is observed from 1.06 to 1.44 GPa. The upper critical field of $H_{C2}$ is anisotropic where $H_{C2}(T)$ exhibits positive curvature for $H//b$ and $c$-axis. The characteristic enhancement of $H_{C2}$ is reconfirmed for $H//a$-axis. In the temperature and field dependence of resistivity at $P > P_{C}$ where the ferromagnetic ordering disappears, it is observed that the application of the external field along the {\it a}-axis increases the coefficient of Fermi liquid behavior $AT^{2}$ correspondingly to the metamagnetic transition.Comment: To be published in the proceeding of the International Conference on High Pressure Science and Technology(AIRAPT-18),Beijing,China,23-27 July 200

Anisotropic magnetic properties of CeAg2_2Ge2_2 single crystal

In order to investigate the anisotropic magnetic properties of CeAg$_2$Ge$_2$, we have successfully grown the single crystals, for the first time, by high temperature solution growth (flux) method. We have performed a detailed study of the grown single crystals by measuring their electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, specific heat and magnetoresistance. A clear anisotropy and an antiferromagnetic transition at $T_{\rm N}$ = 4.6 K have been observed in the magnetic properties. The magnetic entropy reaches $R$ ln 4 at 20 K indicating that the ground state and the first excited state are very closely spaced (a quasi-quartet state). From the specific heat measurements and crystalline electric field (CEF) analysis of the magnetic susceptibility, we have found the level splitting energies as 5 K and 130 K. The magnetization measurements reveal that the a-axis is the easy axis of magnetization and the saturation moment is $\mu_{\rm s}$ = 1.6 $\mu_{\rm B}$/Ce, corroborating the previous neutron diffraction measurements on a polycrystalline sample.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Prominin-1 Modulates Rho/ROCK-Mediated Membrane Morphology and Calcium-Dependent Intracellular Chloride Flux

Membrane morphology is an important structural determinant as it reflects cellular functions. The pentaspan membrane protein Prominin-1 (Prom1/CD133) is known to be localised to protrusions and plays a pivotal role in migration and the determination of cellular morphology; however, the underlying mechanism of its action have been elusive. Here, we performed molecular characterisation of Prom1, focussing primarily on its effects on cell morphology. Overexpression of Prom1 in RPE-1 cells triggers multiple, long, cholesterol-enriched fibres, independently of actin and microtubule polymerisation. A five amino acid stretch located at the carboxyl cytosolic region is essential for fibre formation. The small GTPase Rho and its downstream Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) are also essential for this process, and active Rho colocalises with Prom1 at the site of initialisation of fibre formation. In mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells we show that Prom1 is required for chloride ion efflux induced by calcium ion uptake, and demonstrate that fibre formation is closely associated with chloride efflux activity. Collectively, these findings suggest that Prom1 affects cell morphology and contributes to chloride conductance

Superconducting gap and pair breaking in CeRu2 studied by point contacts

The superconducting gap in a CeRu$_{2}$ single crystal is investigated by point contacts. BCS-like behavior of the gap $\Delta$ in the temperature range below T$_{c}^{*}<$T$_{c}$, where T$_{c}$ is the critical temperature, is established, indicating the presence of a gapless superconductivity region (between T$_{c}^{*}$ and T$_{c}$). The pair-breaking effect of paramagnetic impurities, supposedly Ce ions, is taken into consideration using the Scalski-Betbeder-Matibet-Weiss approach based on Abrikosov-Gorkov theory. It allows us to recalculate the superconducting order parameter $\Delta ^{\alpha}$ (in the presence of paramagnetic impurities) and the gap $\Delta ^{P}$ (in the pure case) for the single crystal and for the previously studied polycrystalline CeRu$_{2}$. The value 2$\Delta^{P}$(0)$\approx$2 meV, with 2$\Delta ^{P}$(0)$/$k$_{B}$T$_{c} \approx$3.75, is found in both cases, indicating that CeRu$_{2}$ is a ``moderate'' strong-coupling superconductor.Comment: 4 pages incl. 3 figs., publ. in Fiz. Nizk. Temp. (http://fnte.ilt.kharkov.ua/list.html

Extremely Large and Anisotropic Upper Critical Field and the Ferromagnetic Instability in UCoGe

Magnetoresistivity measurements with fine tuning of the field direction on high quality single crystals of the ferromagnetic superconductor UCoGe show anomalous anisotropy of the upper critical field H_c2. H_c2 for H // b-axis (H_c2^b) in the orthorhombic crystal structure is strongly enhanced with decreasing temperature with an S-shape and reaches nearly 20 T at 0 K. The temperature dependence of H_c2^a shows upward curvature with a low temperature value exceeding 30 T, while H_c2^c at 0 K is very small (~ 0.6 T). Contrary to conventional ferromagnets, the decrease of the Curie temperature with increasing field for H // b-axis marked by an enhancement of the effective mass of the conduction electrons appears to be the origin of the S-shaped H_c2^b curve. These results indicate that the field-induced ferromagnetic instability or magnetic quantum criticality reinforces superconductivity.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Possible Phase Transition Deep Inside the Hidden Order Phase of Ultraclean URu2Si2

To elucidate the underlying nature of the hidden order (HO) state in heavy-fermion compound URu2Si2, we measure electrical transport properties of ultraclean crystals in a high field/low temperature regime. Unlike previous studies, the present system with much less impurity scattering resolves a distinct anomaly of the Hall resistivity at H*=22.5 T well below the destruction field of the HO phase ~36 T. In addition, a novel quantum oscillation appears above a magnetic field slightly below H*. These results indicate an abrupt reconstruction of the Fermi surface, which implies a possible phase transition well within the HO phase caused by a band-dependent destruction of the HO parameter. The present results definitely indicate that the HO transition should be described by an itinerant electron picture.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

Spin relaxation of conduction electrons in bulk III-V semiconductors

Spin relaxation time of conduction electrons through the Elliot-Yafet, D'yakonov-Perel and Bir-Aronov-Pikus mechanisms is calculated theoretically for bulk GaAs, GaSb, InAs and InSb of both $n$- and $p$-type. Relative importance of each spin relaxation mechanism is compared and the diagrams showing the dominant mechanism are constructed as a function of temperature and impurity concentrations. Our approach is based upon theoretical calculation of the momentum relaxation rate and allows understanding of the interplay between various factors affecting the spin relaxation over a broad range of temperature and impurity concentration.Comment: an error in earlier version correcte

Evidence for Uniform Coexistence of Ferromagnetism and Unconventional Superconductivity in UGe_2: A ^73Ge-NQR Study under Pressure

We report on the itinerant ferromagnetic superconductor UGe_2 through ^73Ge-NQR measurements under pressure (P). The P dependence of the NQR spectrum signals a first-order transition from the low-temperature (T) and low-P ferromagnetic phase (FM2) to high-T and high-P one (FM1) around a critical pressure of P_x ~ 1.2 GPa. The superconductivity exhibiting a maximum value of T_sc=0.7 K at P_x ~ 1.2 GPa, was found to take place in connection with the P-induced first-order transition. The nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T_1 has probed the ferromagnetic transition, exhibiting a peak at the Curie temperature as well as a decrease without the coherence peak below T_sc. These results reveal the uniformly coexistent phase of ferromagnetism and unconventional superconductivity with a line-node gap. We remark on an intimate interplay between the onset of superconductivity and the underlying electronic state for the ferromagnetic phases.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures. to appear in J. Phys. Soc. JPN, 74 No.2 (2005

Dynamical structure factors of the magnetization-plateau state in the S=1/2S=1/2 bond-alternating spin chain with a next-nearest-neighbor interaction

We calculate the dynamical structure factors of the magnetization-plateau state in the $S=1/2$ bond-alternating spin chain with a next-nearest-neighbor interaction. The results show characteristic behaviors depending on the next-nearest-neighbor interaction $\alpha$ and the bond-alternation $\delta$. We discuss the lower excited states in comparison with the exact excitation spectrums of an effective Hamiltonian. From the finite size effects, characteristics of the lowest excited states are investigated. The dispersionless mode of the lowest excitation appears in adequate sets of $\alpha$ and $\delta$, indicating that the lowest excitation is localized spatially and forms an isolated mode below the excitation continuum. We further calculate the static structure factors. The largest intensity is located at $q=\pi$ for small $\delta$ in fixed $\alpha$. With increasing $\delta$, the wavenumber of the largest intensity shifts towards $q=\pi/2$, taking the incommensurate value.Comment: to appear in Phys. Rev. B (2001