Superconductivity and Charge Density Wave in ZrTe3−x_{3-x}Sex_{x}

Charge density wave (CDW), the periodic modulation of the electronic charge density, will open a gap on the Fermi surface that commonly leads to decreased or vanishing conductivity. On the other hand superconductivity, a commonly believed competing order, features a Fermi surface gap that results in infinite conductivity. Here we report that superconductivity emerges upon Se doping in CDW conductor ZrTe$_{3}$ when the long range CDW order is gradually suppressed. Superconducting critical temperature $T_c(x)$ in ZrTe$_{3-x}$Se$_x$ (${0\leq}x\leq0.1$) increases up to 4 K plateau for $0.04$$\leq$$x$$\leq$$0.07$. Further increase in Se content results in diminishing $T_{c}$ and filametary superconductivity. The CDW modes from Raman spectra are observed in $x$ = 0.04 and 0.1 crystals, where signature of ZrTe$_{3}$ CDW order in resistivity vanishes. The electronic-scattering for high $T_{c}$ crystals is dominated by local CDW fluctuations at high temperures, the resistivity is linear up to highest measured $T=300K$ and contributes to substantial in-plane anisotropy.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure

Magnetic properties of the ferrimagnetic cobaltite CaBaCo4O7

The magnetic properties of the ferrimagnetic cobaltite CaBaCo$_4$O$_7$ are systematically investigated. We find that the susceptibility exhibits a downward deviation below $\sim$ 360 K, suggesting the occurrence of short range magnetic correlations at temperature well above $T_C$. The effective moment is determined to be 4.5 $\mu_B$/f.u, which is consistent with that expected for the Co$^{2+}$/Co$^{3+}$ high spin species. Using a criterion given by Banerjee [Phys. Lett. \textbf{12}, 16 (1964)], we demonstrate that the paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic transition in CaBaCo$_4$O$_7$ has a first order character.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. To be published in Solid State Communication

Manipulating Multiple Order Parameters via Oxygen Vacancies: The case of Eu0.5Ba0.5TiO3-{\delta}

Controlling functionalities, such as magnetism or ferroelectricity, by means of oxygen vacancies (VO) is a key issue for the future development of transition metal oxides. Progress in this field is currently addressed through VO variations and their impact on mainly one order parameter. Here we reveal a new mechanism for tuning both magnetism and ferroelectricity simultaneously by using VO. Combined experimental and density-functional theory studies of Eu0.5Ba0.5TiO3-{\delta}, we demonstrate that oxygen vacancies create Ti3+ 3d1 defect states, mediating the ferromagnetic coupling between the localized Eu 4f7 spins, and increase an off-center displacement of Ti ions, enhancing the ferroelectric Curie temperature. The dual function of Ti sites also promises a magnetoelectric coupling in the Eu0.5Ba0.5TiO3-{\delta}.Comment: Accepted by Physical Review B, 201

Huge magnetostriction in superconducting single-crystalline BaFe1.908_{1.908}Ni0.092_{0.092}As2_{2}

The performance of iron-based superconductors in high magnetic fields plays an important role for their practical application. In this work, we measured the magnetostriction and magnetization of BaFe$_{1.908}$Ni$_{0.092}$As$_{2}$ single crystals using pulsed magnetic fields up to 60 T and static magnetic fields up to 33 T, respectively. A huge longitudinal magnetostriction (of the order of 10$^{-4}$) was observed in the direction of the twin boundaries. The magnetization measurements evidence a high critical-current density due to strong bulk pinning. By using magnetization data with an exponential flux-pinning model, we can reproduce the magnetostriction curves qualitatively. This result shows that the magnetostriction of BaFe$_{1.908}$Ni$_{0.092}$As$_{2}$ can be well explained by a flux-pinning-induced mechanism.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure