57 research outputs found
Interaction Between Superconducting and Ferromagnetic Order Parameters in Graphite-Sulfur Composites
The superconductivity of graphite-sulfur composites is highly anisotropic and
associated with the graphite planes. The superconducting state coexists with
the ferromagnetism of pure graphite, and a continuous crossover from
superconducting to ferromagnetic-like behavior could be achieved by increasing
the magnetic field or the temperature. The angular dependence of the magnetic
moment m(alpha) provides evidence for an interaction between the ferromagnetic
and the superconducting order parameters.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.
Magnetic field-induced insulating behavior in highly oriented pyrolitic graphite
We propose an explanation for the apparent semimetal-insulator transition
observed in highly oriented pyrolitic graphite in the presence of magnetic
field perpendicular to the layers. We show that the magnetic field opens an
excitonic gap in the linear spectrum of the Coulomb interacting quasiparticles,
in a close analogy with the phenomenon of dynamical chiral symmetry breaking in
the relativistic theories of the 2+1-dimensional Dirac fermions. Our
strong-coupling appoach allows for a non-perturbative description of the
corresponding critical behavior
Evolving properties of two dimensional materials, from graphene to graphite
We have studied theoretically, using density functional theory, several
materials properties when going from one C layer in graphene to two and three g
raphene layers and on to graphite. The properties we have focused on are the
elastic constants, electronic structure (energy bands and density of state s),
and the dielectric properties. For any of the properties we have investigated
the modification due to an increase in the number of graphene layers is within
a few percent. Our results are in agreement with the analysis presented
recently by Kopelevich and Esquinazi (unpublished)
Local Ferromagnetism in Microporous Carbon with the Structural Regularity of Zeolite Y
Magnetization M(H,T) measurements have been performed on microporous carbon
(MC) with a three-dimensional nano-array structure corresponding to that of a
zeolite Y supercage. The obtained results unambiguously demonstrate the
occurrence of high-temperature ferromagnetism in MC, probably originating from
a topological disorder associated with curved graphene sheets. The results
provide evidence that the ferromagnetic behavior of MC is governed by isolated
clusters in a broad temperature range, and suggest the occurrence of
percolative-type transition with the temperature lowering. A comparative
analysis of the results obtained on MC and related materials is given.Comment: To be published in Physical Review B (2003
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Critical role of dynamic flexibility in ge-containing zeolites: impact on diffusion
Incorporation of germanium in zeolites is well
known to confer static flexibility to their framework, by stabilizing the formation of small rings. In this work, we show that the flexibility associated to Ge atoms in zeolites goes beyond this static effect, manifesting also a clear dynamic nature, in the sense that it leads to enhanced molecular diffusion. Our study combines experimental and theoretical methods providing evidence for this effect, which has not been described previously, as well as a rationalization for it, based on atomistic grounds. We have used both pure-silica and silico-germanate ITQ-29 (LTA topology) zeolites as a case
study. Based on our simulations, we identify the flexibility associated to the pore breathing-like behavior induced by the Ge atoms, as the key factor leading to the enhanced diffusion observed experimentally in Ge-containing zeolites
Pairing symmetry of superconducting graphene
The possibility of intrinsic superconductivity in alkali-coated graphene
monolayers has been recently suggested theoretically. Here, we derive the
possible pairing symmetries of a carbon honeycomb lattice and discuss their
phase diagram. We also evaluate the superconducting local density of states
(LDOS) around an isolated impurity. This is directly related to scanning
tunneling microscopy experiments, and may evidence the occurrence of
unconventional superconductivity in graphene.Comment: Eur. Phys. J. B, to appea
Magnetic field driven metal-insulator phase transition in planar systems
A theory of the magnetic field driven (semi-)metal-insulator phase transition
is developed for planar systems with a low density of carriers and a linear
(i.e., relativistic like) dispersion relation for low energy quasiparticles.
The general structure of the phase diagram of the theory with respect to the
coupling constant, the chemical potential and temperature is derived in two
cases, with and without an external magnetic field. The conductivity and
resistivity as functions of temperature and magnetic field are studied in
detail. An exact relation for the value of the "offset" magnetic field ,
determining the threshold for the realization of the phase transition at zero
temperature, is established. The theory is applied to the description of a
recently observed phase transition induced by a magnetic field in highly
oriented pyrolytic graphite.Comment: 22 pages, REVTeX, 16 figures. The version corresponding to that
published in Phys.Rev.
Experiments in vortex avalanches
Avalanche dynamics is found in many phenomena spanning from earthquakes to
the evolution of species. It can be also found in vortex matter when a type II
superconductor is externally driven, for example, by increasing the magnetic
field. Vortex avalanches associated with thermal instabilities can be an
undesirable effect for applications, but "dynamically driven" avalanches
emerging from the competition between intervortex interactions and quenched
disorder constitute an interesting scenario to test theoretical ideas related
with non-equilibrium dynamics. However, differently from the equilibrium phases
of vortex matter in type II superconductors, the study of the corresponding
dynamical phases - in which avalanches can play a role - is still in its
infancy. In this paper we critically review relevant experiments performed in
the last decade or so, emphasizing the ability of different experimental
techniques to establish the nature and statistical properties of the observed
avalanche behavior.Comment: To be published in Reviews of Modern Physics April 2004. 17 page
The Flux-Line Lattice in Superconductors
Magnetic flux can penetrate a type-II superconductor in form of Abrikosov
vortices. These tend to arrange in a triangular flux-line lattice (FLL) which
is more or less perturbed by material inhomogeneities that pin the flux lines,
and in high- supercon- ductors (HTSC's) also by thermal fluctuations. Many
properties of the FLL are well described by the phenomenological
Ginzburg-Landau theory or by the electromagnetic London theory, which treats
the vortex core as a singularity. In Nb alloys and HTSC's the FLL is very soft
mainly because of the large magnetic penetration depth: The shear modulus of
the FLL is thus small and the tilt modulus is dispersive and becomes very small
for short distortion wavelength. This softness of the FLL is enhanced further
by the pronounced anisotropy and layered structure of HTSC's, which strongly
increases the penetration depth for currents along the c-axis of these uniaxial
crystals and may even cause a decoupling of two-dimensional vortex lattices in
the Cu-O layers. Thermal fluctuations and softening may melt the FLL and cause
thermally activated depinning of the flux lines or of the 2D pancake vortices
in the layers. Various phase transitions are predicted for the FLL in layered
HTSC's. The linear and nonlinear magnetic response of HTSC's gives rise to
interesting effects which strongly depend on the geometry of the experiment.Comment: Review paper for Rep.Prog.Phys., 124 narrow pages. The 30 figures do
not exist as postscript file
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