Flux jumps, Second Magnetization Peak anomaly and the Peak Effect phenomenon in single crystals of YNi2B2CYNi_2B_2C and LuNi2B2CLuNi_2B_2C

We present magnetization measurements in single crystals of the tetragonal $YNi_2B_2C$ compound, which exhibit the phenomenon of peak effect as well as the second magnetization peak anomaly for H $>$ 0.5T (H $||$ c). At the lower field (50mT $<$ H $<$ 200mT), we have observed the presence of flux jumps, which seem to relate to a structural change in the local symmetry of the flux line lattice (a first order re-orientation transition across a local field in some parts of the sample, in the range of 100mT to 150mT). These flux jumps are also observed in a single crystal of $LuNi_2B_2C$ for H $||$ c in the field region from 2 mT to 25 mT, which are compatible with the occurrence of a re-orientation transition at a lower field in a cleaner crystal of this compound, as compared to those of $YNi_2B_2C$. Vortex phase diagrams drawn for H $||$ c in $LuNi_2B_2C$ and $YNi_2B_2C$ show that the ordered elastic glass phase spans a larger part of (H, T) space in the former as compared to latter, thereby, reaffirming the difference in the relative purity of the two samples.Comment: 11 pages, 14 figure

Local electromagnetic properties of magnetic pnictides: A comparative study probed by NMR measurement

75As and 31P NMR studies are performed in PrCoAsO and NdCoPO respectively. The Knight shift data in PrCoAsO indicate the presence of an antiferromagnetic interaction between the 4f moments along the c axis in the ferromagnetic state of Co 3d moments. We propose a possible spin structure in this system. The 75As quadrupolar coupling constant, $\nu_Q$ increases continuously with the decrease of temperature and is found to vary linearly with the intrinsic spin susceptibility, Kiso. This indicates a possibility of the presence of a coupling between charge density and spin density fluctuations. Further, 31P NMR Knight shift and spin lattice relaxation rate (1/T1) in the paramagnetic state of NdCoPO indicate that the differences between LaCoPO and NdCoPO with SmCoPO are due to the decrement of inter layer separation and not due to the moments of 4f electrons. Nuclear spin lattice relaxation time (T1) in NdCoPO shows weak anisotropy at 300 K. Using self consistent renormalization (SCR)theory of itinerant ferromagnet, it is shown that in the ab plane, the spin fluctuations are three dimensional ferromagnetic in nature. From SCR theory the important spin fluctuation parameters ($T_0$, $T_A$, $\bar{F}_1$) are evaluated. The similarities and dissimilarities of the NMR results in As and P based systems, with different rare earths have also been discussed.Comment: 18 pages,13 figures, accepted for publication in J. Phys. Condens. Matte

Topological Aspect of high-TcT_c Superconductivity, Fractional Quantum Hall Effect and Berry Phase

We have analysed here the equivalence of RVB states with $\nu=1/2$ FQH states in terms of the Berry Phase which is associated with the chiral anomaly in 3+1 dimensions. It is observed that the 3-dimensional spinons and holons are characterised by the non-Abelian Berry phase and these reduce to 1/2 fractional statistics when the motion is confined to the equatorial planes. The topological mechanism of superconductivity is analogous to the topological aspects of fractional quantum Hall effect with $\nu=1/2$.Comment: 12 pages latex fil