Nature of the Mott transition in Ca2RuO4

We study the origin of the temperature-induced Mott transition in Ca2RuO4. As a method we use the local-density approximation+dynamical mean-field theory. We show the following. (i) The Mott transition is driven by the change in structure from long to short c-axis layered perovskite (L-Pbca to S-Pbca); it occurs together with orbital order, which follows, rather than produces, the structural transition. (ii) In the metallic L-Pbca phase the orbital polarization is ~0. (iii) In the insulating S-Pbca phase the lower energy orbital, ~xy, is full. (iv) The spin-flip and pair-hopping Coulomb terms reduce the effective masses in the metallic phase. Our results indicate that a similar scenario applies to Ca_{2-x}Sr_xRuO_4 (x<0.2). In the metallic x< 0.5 structures electrons are progressively transferred to the xz/yz bands with increasing x, however we find no orbital-selective Mott transition down to ~300 K.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; published versio

Excitonic Instability and Pseudogap Formation in Nodal Line Semimetal ZrSiS

Electron correlation effects are studied in ZrSiS using a combination of first-principles and model approaches. We show that basic electronic properties of ZrSiS can be described within a two-dimensional lattice model of two nested square lattices. High degree of electron-hole symmetry characteristic for ZrSiS is one of the key features of this model. Having determined model parameters from first-principles calculations, we then explicitly take electron-electron interactions into account and show that at moderately low temperatures ZrSiS exhibits excitonic instability, leading to the formation of a pseudogap in the electronic spectrum. The results can be understood in terms of Coulomb-interaction-assisted pairing of electrons and holes reminiscent to that of an excitonic insulator. Our finding allows us to provide a physical interpretation to the unusual mass enhancement of charge carriers in ZrSiS recently observed experimentally.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Final versio

Effective Heisenberg model and exchange interaction for strongly correlated systems

We consider the extended Hubbard model and introduce a corresponding Heisenberg-like problem written in terms of spin operators. The derived formalism is reminiscent of Anderson's idea of the effective exchange interaction and takes into account nonlocal correlation effects. The results for the exchange interaction and magnetic susceptibility are expressed in terms of single-particle quantities, which can be obtained efficiently in realistic calculations of multiband systems. In the strongly spin-polarized limit, when the local magnetic moment is well-defined, the exchange interaction reduces to a standard expression of the density functional theory that has been successfully used in practical calculations of magnetic properties of real materials.Comment: Accepted to Physical Review Letter

Half-Metallic Ferromagnetism and the spin polarization in CrO2_2

We present electronic structure calculations in combination with local and non-local many-body correlation effects for the half-metallic ferromagnet CrO$_2$. Finite-temperature Dynamical Mean Field Theory results show the existence of non-quasiparticle states, which were recently observed as almost currentless minority spin states near the Fermi energy in resonant scattering experients. At zero temperatures, Variational Cluster Approach calculations support the half-metallic nature of CrO$_2$ as seen in superconducting point contact spectroscopy. The combination of these two techniques allowed us to qualitatively describe the spin-polarization in CrO$_2$.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Hydrogen on graphene: Electronic structure, total energy, structural distortions, and magnetism from first-principles calculations

Density functional calculations of electronic structure, total energy, structural distortions, and magnetism for hydrogenated single-layer, bilayer, and multi-layer graphene are performed. It is found that hydrogen-induced magnetism can survives only at very low concentrations of hydrogen (single-atom regime) whereas hydrogen pairs with optimized structure are usually nonmagnetic. Chemisorption energy as a function of hydrogen concentration is calculated, as well as energy barriers for hydrogen binding and release. The results confirm that graphene can be perspective material for hydrogen storage. Difference between hydrogenation of graphene, nanotubes, and bulk graphite is discussed.Comment: 8 pages 8 figures (accepted to Phys. Rev. B

Orbital Kondo effect in Cobalt-Benzene sandwich molecules

We study a Co-benzene sandwich molecule bridging the tips of a Cu nanocontact as a realistic model of correlated molecular transport. To this end we employ a recently developed method for calculating the correlated electronic structure and transport properties of nanoscopic conductors. When the molecule is slightly compressed by the tips of the nanocontact the dynamic correlations originating from the strongly interacting Co 3d shell give rise to an orbital Kondo effect while the usual spin Kondo effect is suppressed due to Hund's rule coupling. This non-trivial Kondo effect produces a sharp and temperature-dependent Abrikosov-Suhl resonance in the spectral function at the Fermi level and a corresponding Fano line shape in the low bias conductance

Non-quasiparticle states in Co2_2MnSi evidenced through magnetic tunnel junction spectroscopy measurements

We investigate the effects of electronic correlations in the full-Heusler Co$_2$MnSi, by combining a theoretical analysis of the spin-resolved density of states with tunneling-conductance spectroscopy measurements using Co$_2$MnSi as electrode. Both experimental and theoretical results confirm the existence of so-called non-quasiparticle states and their crucial contribution to the finite-temperature spin polarisation in this material.Comment: Repalced Fig. 1. of PRL, 100, 086402 (2008), better k-space resolution for DOS around Fermi energ

Electron energy spectrum of the spin-liquid state in a frustrated Hubbard model

Non-local correlation effects in the half-filled Hubbard model on an isotropic triangular lattice are studied within a spin polarized extension of the dual fermion approach. A competition between the antiferromagnetic non-collinear and the spin liquid states is strongly enhanced by an incorporation of a k-dependent self-energy beyond the local dynamical mean-field theory. The dual fermion correc- tions drastically decrease the energy of a spin liquid state while leaving the non-collinear magnetic states almost non-affected. This makes the spin liquid to become a preferable state in a certain interval of interaction strength of an order of the magnitude of a bandwidth. The spectral function of the spin-liquid Mott insulator is determined by a formation of local singlets which results in the energy gap of about twice larger than that of the 120 degrees antiferromagnetic Neel state.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Local magnetic moments in iron and nickel at ambient and Earth's core conditions

Some Bravais lattices have a particular geometry that can slow down the motion of Bloch electrons by pre-localization due to the band-structure properties. Another known source of electronic localization in solids is the Coulomb repulsion in partially filled d- or f-orbitals, which leads to the formation of local magnetic moments. The combination of these two effects is usually considered of little relevance to strongly correlated materials. Here we show that it represents, instead, the underlying physical mechanism in two of the most important ferromagnets: nickel and iron. In nickel, the van Hove singularity has an unexpected impact on the magnetism. As a result, the electron-electron scattering rate is linear in temperature, in violation of the conventional Landau theory of metals. This is true even at Earth's core pressures, at which iron is instead a good Fermi liquid. The importance of nickel in models of geomagnetism may have therefore to be reconsidered.Comment: Supplementary Information available at https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms16062#supplementary-informatio