Revisiting the valence-band and core-level photoemission spectra of NiO

We have re-examined the valence-band (VB) and core-level electronic structure of NiO by means of hard and soft x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (PES). The spectral weight of the lowest energy state found to be enhanced in the bulk sensitive Ni 2p core-level PES. A configuration-interaction model including the bound state screening has shown significant agreement with the core-level spectra, and the off and on-resonance VB spectra. These results identify the lowest energy state in core-level and VB-PES as the Zhang-Rice doublet bound state, consistent with the spin-fermion model and recent ab initio calculation with dynamical mean-field theory (LDA + DMFT).Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Expression of GABAergic Receptors in Mouse Taste Receptor Cells

) while it is terminated by the re-uptake of GABA through transporters (GATs).- immunoreactivity were detected in the peripheral taste receptor cells. We also used transgenic mice that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) in either the Type II taste cells, which can respond to bitter, sweet or umami taste stimuli, or in the Type III GAD67 expressing taste cells. Thus, we were able to identify that GABAergic receptors are expressed in some Type II and Type III taste cells. Mouse GAT4 labeling was concentrated in the cells surrounding the taste buds with a few positively labeled TRCs at the margins of the taste buds.The presence of GABAergic receptors localized on Type II and Type III taste cells suggests that GABA is likely modulating evoked taste responses in the mouse taste bud

Strong valence fluctuation in the quantum critical heavy fermion superconductor beta-YbAlB4: A hard x-ray photoemission study

Electronic structures of the quantum critical superconductor beta-YbAlB4 and its polymorph alpha-YbAlB4 are investigated by using bulk-sensitive hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. From the Yb 3d core level spectra, the values of the Yb valence are estimated to be ~2.73 and ~2.75 for alpha- and beta-YbAlB4, respectively, thus providing clear evidence for valence fluctuations. The valence band spectra of these compounds also show Yb2+ peaks at the Fermi level. These observations establish an unambiguous case of a strong mixed valence at quantum criticality for the first time among heavy fermion systems, calling for a novel scheme for a quantum critical model beyond the conventional Doniach picture in beta-YbAlB4.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, revised version accepted for publication in PR

Inelastic neutron scattering studies of Crystal Field Levels in PrOs4_4As12_{12}

We use neutron scattering to study the Pr$^{3+}$ crystalline electric field (CEF) excitations in the filled skutterudite PrOs$_4$As$_{12}$. By comparing the observed levels and their strengths under neutron excitation with the theoretical spectrum and neutron excitation intensities, we identify the Pr$^{3+}$ CEF levels, and show that the ground state is a magnetic $\Gamma_4^{(2)}$ triplet, and the excited states $\Gamma_1$, $\Gamma_4^{(1)}$ and $\Gamma_{23}$ are at 0.4, 13 and 23 meV, respectively. A comparison of the observed CEF levels in PrOs$_4$As$_{12}$ with the heavy fermion superconductor PrOs$_4$Sb$_{12}$ reveals the microscopic origin of the differences in the ground states of these two filled skutterudites.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

Temperature dependent Eu 3d-4f X-ray Absorption and Resonant Photoemission Study of the Valence Transition in EuNi2(Si0.2Ge0.8)2EuNi_2(Si_{0.2}Ge_{0.8})_2

We study the mixed valence transition ($T$$_{v}$ $\sim$80 K) in EuNi$_{2}$(Si$_{0.2}$Ge$_{0.8}$)$_{2}$ using Eu 3$d-4f$ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonant photoemission spectroscopy (RESPES). The Eu$^{2+}$ and Eu$^{3+}$ main peaks show a giant resonance and the spectral features match very well with atomic multiplet calculations. The spectra show dramatic temperature ($T$)-dependent changes over large energies ($\sim$10 eV) in RESPES and XAS. The observed non-integral mean valencies of $\sim$2.35 $\pm$ 0.03 ($T$ = 120 K) and $\sim$2.70 $\pm$ 0.03 ($T$ = 40 K) indicate homogeneous mixed valence above and below $T$$_{v}$. The redistribution between Eu$^{2+}$$4f^7$+$[spd]^0$ and Eu$^{3+}$$4f^6$+$[spd]^1$ states is attributed to a hybridization change coupled to a Kondo-like volume collapse.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Temperature-Dependence of Magnetically-Active Charge Excitations in Magnetite across the Verwey Transition

We have studied the electronic structure of bulk single crystals and epitaxial films of magnetite Fe$_3$O$_4$. Fe $2p$ core-level spectra show clear differences between hard x-ray (HAX-) and soft x-ray (SX-) photoemission spectroscopy (PES), indicative of surface effects. The bulk-sensitive spectra exhibit temperature ($T$)-dependent charge excitations across the Verwey transition at $T_V$=122 K, which is missing in the surface-sensitive spectra. An extended impurity Anderson model full-multiplet analysis reveals roles of the three distinct Fe-species (A-Fe$^{3+}$, B-Fe$^{2+}$, B-Fe$^{3+}$) below $T_V$ for the Fe $2p$ spectra, and its $T-$dependent evolution. The Fe $2p$ HAXPES spectra show a clear magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) in the metallic phase of magnetized 100-nm-thick films. The model calculations also reproduce the MCD and identify the magnetically distinct sites associated with the charge excitations. Valence band HAXPES shows finite density of states at $E_F$ for the polaronic metal with remnant order above $T_V$, and a clear gap formation below $T_V$. The results indicate that the Verwey transition is driven by changes in the strongly correlated and magnetically active B-Fe$^{2+}$ and B-Fe$^{3+}$ electronic states, consistent with resistivity and bulk-sensitive optical spectra.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures Accepted in Physical Review Letter