Probing the Ionic Dielectric Constant Contribution in the Ferroelectric Phase of the Fabre-Salts

In strongly correlated organic materials it has been pointed out that charge-ordering could also achieve electronic ferroelectricity at the same critical temperature $T_{co}$. A prototype of such phenomenon are the quasi-one dimensional (TMTTF)$_2X$ Fabre-salts. However, the stabilization of a long-range ferroelectric ground-state below $T_{co}$ requires the break of inversion symmetry, which should be accompanied by a lattice deformation. In this work we investigate the role of the monovalent counter-anion $X$ in such mechanism. For this purpose, we measured the quasi-static dielectric constant along the $c^{*}$-axis direction, where layers formed by donors and anions alternate. Our findings show that the ionic charge contribution is three orders of magnitude lower than the intra-stack electronic response. The $c^{*}$ dielectric constant ($\epsilon'_{c^*}$) probes directly the charge response of the monovalent anion $X$, since the anion mobility in the structure should help to stabilize the ferroelectric ground-state. Furthermore, our $\epsilon'_{c^*}$ measurements %conjugated with earlier investigations of the $c^*$ lattice thermal expansion, show that the dielectric response is thermally broaden below $T_{co}$ if the ferroelectric transition occurs in the temperature range where the anion movement begin to freeze in their methyl groups cavity. In the extreme case of the PF$_6$-H$_{12}$ salt, where $T_{co}$ occurs at the freezing point, a relaxor-type ferroelectricity is observed. Also, because of the slow kinetics of the anion sub-lattice, global hysteresis effects and reduction of the charge response upon successive cycling are observed. In this context, we propose that anions control the order-disorder or relaxation character of the ferroelectric transition of the Fabre-salts.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures. To appear in Physical Review

Giant caloric effects close to anyany critical end point

The electrocaloric effect (ECE), i.e., the reversible temperature change due to the adiabatic variation of the electric field, is of great interest due to its potential technological applications. Based on entropy arguments, we present a new framework to attain giant ECE. Our findings are fourfold: $i$) we employ the recently-proposed electric Gr\"uneisen parameter $\Gamma_E$ to quantify the ECE and discuss its advantages over the existing so-called electrocaloric strength; $ii$) prediction of giant caloric effects $close$ to $any$ critical end point; $iii$) proposal of potential key-ingredients to enhance the ECE; $iv$) demonstration of $\Gamma_E$ as a proper parameter to probe quantum ferroelectricity in connection with the celebrated Barrett's formula. Our findings enable us to interpret the recently-reported large ECE at room-temperature in oxide multilayer capacitors [Nature 575, 468 (2019)], paving thus the way for new venues in the field.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Gr\"uneisen parameter as an entanglement compass

The Gr\"uneisen ratio $\Gamma$, i.e., the singular part of the ratio of thermal expansion to the specific heat, has been broadly employed to explore both finite-$T$ and quantum critical points (QCPs). For a genuine quantum phase transition (QPT), thermal fluctuations are absent and thus the thermodynamic $\Gamma$ cannot be employed. We propose a quantum analogue to $\Gamma$ that computes entanglement as a function of a tuning parameter and show that QPTs take place only for quadratic non-diagonal Hamiltonians. We showcase our approach using the quantum 1D Ising model with transverse field and Kane's quantum computer. The slowing down of the dynamics and thus the ``creation of mass'' close to any QCP/QPT is also discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, comments are wellcome

Estudo das propriedades de materiais supercondutores

Superconductivity was discovered by the dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes (1853 1926) employing liquefied 4He to investigate the the behavior of the electrical resistance of a mercury (Hg) sample cooled until 4 K, noticing that the electrical resistance became zero below a certain critical temperature. The main goal of this bachelor work is to review some concepts of modern Physics, discuss some properties of superconducting materials and perform a brief discussion about the BCS theory and its predictions. Furthermore, a literature review of the binary alloy FeSe1x was made to explore phases, since one of them superconducts below 8.5 KO fenômeno da supercondutividade foi descoberto pelo físico holandêes Heike Kamerlingh Onnes (1853 1926) utilizando 4He liquefeito para monitorar o comportamento da resistência elétrica de uma amostra de mercúrio (Hg) resfriada até a temperatura de 4 K, observando que a resistência elétrica do Hg tornava-se zero abaixo de uma temperatura crítica. O objetivo principal deste trabalho de conclusão de curso é fazer uma breve revisão de Física Moderna, discutir algumas propriedades dos materiais supercondutores e realizar uma breve discussão sobre a teoria BCS e suas predições. Adicionalmente foi realizada uma revisão da literatura sobre a liga binária FeSe1x com a finalidade de explorar as fases da mesma, uma vez que uma delasé supercondutora abaixo de 8,5

Exploring the expansion of the universe using the Grüneisen parameter

For a perfect fluid, pressure p and energy density ρ are related via the equation of state (EOS) ω=p/ρ, where ω is the EOS parameter, being its interpretation usually constrained to a numerical value for each universe era. Here, based on the Mie–Grüneisen EOS, we show that ω is recognized as the effective Grüneisen parameter Γeff, whose singular contribution, the so-called Grüneisen ratio Γ, quantifies the barocaloric effect. Our analysis suggests that the negative p associated with dark-energy implies a metastable state and that in the dark-energy-dominated era ω is time-dependent, which reinforces recent proposals of a time-dependent cosmological constant. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Γeff is embodied in the energy–momentum stress tensor in the Einstein field equations, enabling us to analyse, in the frame of an imperfect fluid picture, anisotropic effects of the universe expansion. We propose that upon going from decelerated- to accelerated-expansion, a phase transition-like behaviour can be inferred. Yet, our analysis in terms of entropy, Γ, and a by us adapted version of Avramov/Casalini’s model to Cosmology unveil hidden aspects related to the expansion of the universe. Our findings pave the way to interpret cosmological phenomena in connection with concepts of condensed matter Physics via Γeff