On the low-field Hall coefficient of graphite

We have measured the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the Hall coefficient ($R_{\rm H}$) in three, several micrometer long multigraphene samples of thickness between $\sim 9~$to $\sim 30$~nm in the temperature range 0.1 to 200~K and up to 0.2~T field. The temperature dependence of the longitudinal resistance of two of the samples indicates the contribution from embedded interfaces running parallel to the graphene layers. At low enough temperatures and fields $R_{\rm H}$ is positive in all samples, showing a crossover to negative values at high enough fields and/or temperatures in samples with interfaces contribution. The overall results are compatible with the reported superconducting behavior of embedded interfaces in the graphite structure and indicate that the negative low magnetic field Hall coefficient is not intrinsic of the ideal graphite structure.Comment: 10 pages with 7 figures, to be published in AIP Advances (2014

Effect of spin orbit scattering on the magnetic and superconducting properties of nearly ferromagnetic metals: application to granular Pt

We calculate the effect of scattering on the static, exchange enhanced, spin susceptibility and show that in particular spin orbit scattering leads to a reduction of the giant moments and spin glass freezing temperature due to dilute magnetic impurities. The harmful spin fluctuation contribution to the intra-grain pairing interaction is strongly reduced opening the way for BCS superconductivity. We are thus able to explain the superconducting and magnetic properties recently observed in granular Pt as due to scattering effects in single small grains.Comment: 9 pages 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Letter

Observation of long range magnetic ordering in pyrohafnate Nd2Hf2O7: A neutron diffraction study

We have investigated the physical properties of a pyrochlore hafnate Nd2Hf2O7 using ac magnetic susceptibility \chi_ac(T), dc magnetic susceptibility \chi(T), isothermal magnetization M(H) and heat capacity C_p(T) measurements, and determined the magnetic ground state by neutron powder diffraction study. An upturn is observed below 6 K in C_p(T)/T, however both C_p(T) and \chi(T) do not show any clear anomaly down to 2 K. The \chi_ac(T) shows a well pronounced anomaly indicating an antiferromagnetic transition at T_N = 0.55 K. The long range antiferromagnetic ordering is confirmed by neutron diffraction. The refinement of neutron diffraction pattern reveals an all-in/all-out antiferromagnetic structure, where for successive tetrahedra, the four Nd3+ magnetic moments point alternatively all-into or all-out-of the tetrahedron, with an ordering wavevector k = (0, 0, 0) and an ordered state magnetic moment of m = 0.62(1) \mu_B/Nd at 0.1 K. The ordered moment is strongly reduced reflecting strong quantum fluctuations in ordered state.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures and 2 tables; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Exploring the Limits of Single Molecule Localization Microscopy using Realistic Simulations with a Focus on Presynaptic Nerve Terminals

Single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) has been established as a powerful technique to investigate biological samples with a resolution well below the diffraction limit of light microscopy. However, the limits of these new techniques have not yet been probed. In particular, the localization of multiple targets using different fluorescent dyes is difficult due to chromatic aberrations. Hence, the aim of this project was to build a microscope based on the principle of stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), which can be used to simultaneously acquire 3D aberration-free images of two fluorophore-labeled structures, establish an automated imaging workflow and systematically probe the possibilities and limits of SMLM. The microscope was built and used to record images of F-actin and synaptophysin, a protein enriched at synaptic vesicles, in the rat’s calyx of Held, a glutamatergic model synapse. Contrary to our expectations, the experiment resolved neither actin filaments nor clearly distinct synaptic vesicles. To validate the experimental results and to define the limits of SMLM more precisely, a realistic simulation tool for SMLM experiments called SuReSim (super-resolution simulation) was developed. In SuReSim, 3D models of ground truth structures (e.g. filaments or organelles) can be imported and the expected outcome of a SMLM experiment can be simulated taking into consideration a multitude of parameters. Two options for the resulting output are available: either a list of simulated localizations, compatible with SMLM-specific 3D viewers or a realistic Tiff stack resembling raw data as recorded during a SMLM measurement. SuReSim was used to simulate realistic F-actin and synaptophysin imaging results based on model structures derived from electron microscopy. The simulations confirmed the experimental results, no distinct structures could be resolved. Additional simulations were performed on other biological samples to find the limitations of SMLM microscopy. The packing density of the structure, the density of binding sites, the localization precision, the labeling efficiency and the label length were identified as limiting factors for SMLM measurements. Due to the many factors contributing to a SMLM measurement, it is not possible to find universal limits, but only certain sets of parameters that are necessary for a successful experiment. These limits have to be identified individually for each target structure. SuReSim can help to make the decision, whether or not SMLM is the right tool to address a specific research question

On the dc Magnetization, Spontaneous Vortex State and Specific Heat in the superconducting state of the weakly ferromagnetic superconductor RuSr2_{2}GdCu2_{2}O8_{8}

Magnetic-field changes $<$ 0.2 Oe over the scan length in magnetometers that necessitate sample movement are enough to create artifacts in the dc magnetization measurements of the weakly ferromagnetic superconductor RuSr$_{2}$GdCu$_{2}$O$_{8}$ (Ru1212) below the superconducting transition temperature $T_{c} \approx$ 30 K. The observed features depend on the specific magnetic-field profile in the sample chamber and this explains the variety of reported behaviors for this compound below $T_{c}$. An experimental procedure that combines improvement of the magnetic-field homogeneity with very small scan lengths and leads to artifact-free measurements similar to those on a stationary sample has been developed. This procedure was used to measure the mass magnetization of Ru1212 as a function of the applied magnetic field H (-20 Oe $\le$ H $\le$ 20 Oe) at $T < T_{c}$ and discuss, in conjunction with resistance and ac susceptibility measurements, the possibility of a spontaneous vortex state (SVS) for this compound. Although the existence of a SVS can not be excluded, an alternative interpretation of the results based on the granular nature of the investigated sample is also possible. Specific-heat measurements of Sr$_{2}$GdRuO$_{6}$ (Sr2116), the precursor for the preparation of Ru1212 and thus a possible impurity phase, show that it is unlikely that Sr2116 is responsible for the specific-heat features observed for Ru1212 at $T_{c}$.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figure

Evolution of antiferromagnetic domains in the all-in-all-out ordered pyrochlore Nd2_2Zr2_2O7_7

We report the observation of magnetic domains in the exotic, antiferromagnetically ordered all-in-all-out state of Nd$_2$Zr$_2$O$_7$, induced by spin canting. The all-in-all-out state can be realized by Ising-like spins on a pyrochlore lattice and is established in Nd$_2$Zr$_2$O$_7$ below 0.31 K for external magnetic fields up to 0.14 T. Two different spin arrangements can fulfill this configuration which leads to the possibility of magnetic domains. The all-in-all-out domain structure can be controlled by an external magnetic field applied parallel to the [111] direction. This is a result of different spin canting mechanism for the two all-in-all-out configurations for such a direction of the magnetic field. The change of the domain structure is observed through a hysteresis in the magnetic susceptibility. No hysteresis occurs, however, in case the external magnetic field is applied along [100].Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. B, 6 pages, 6 figure

Mode Conversion and Period Doubling at Plasma-β\beta Unity in an Alfv\'en-Wave Experiment with Liquid Rubidium

We report Alfv\'en-wave experiments with liquid rubidium at the Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HLD). Reaching up to 63 T, the pulsed magnetic field exceeds the critical value of 54 T at which the Alfv\'en speed becomes equal to the sound speed (plasma-$\beta$ unity). At this threshold we observe a period doubling of an applied 8 kHz CW excitation, a clear footprint for a parametric resonance between magnetosonic waves and Alfv\'en waves.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure