Infrared spectroscopy under multi-extreme conditions: Direct observation of pseudo gap formation and collapse in CeSb

Infrared reflectivity measurements of CeSb under multi-extreme conditions (low temperatures, high pressures and high magnetic fields) were performed. A pseudo gap structure, which originates from the magnetic band folding effect, responsible for the large enhancement in the electrical resistivity in the single-layered antiferromagnetic structure (AF-1 phase) was found at a pressure of 4 GPa and at temperatures of 35 - 50 K. The optical spectrum of the pseudo gap changes to that of a metallic structure with increasing magnetic field strength and increasing temperature. This change is the result of the magnetic phase transition from the AF-1 phase to other phases as a function of the magnetic field strength and temperature. This result is the first optical observation of the formation and collapse of a pseudo gap under multi-extreme conditions.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

3alpha clustering in the excited states of 16C

The alpha cluster states of 16C are investigated by using the antisymmetrized molecular dynamics. It is shown that two different types of alpha cluster states exist: triangular and linear-chain states. The former has an approximate isosceles triangular configuration of alpha particles surrounded by four valence neutrons occupying sd-shell, while the latter has the linearly aligned alpha particles with two sd-shell neutrons and two pf-shell neutrons. It is found that the structure of the linear-chain state is qualitatively understood in terms of the 3/2 pi- and 1/2 sigma- molecular orbit as predicted by molecular-orbital model, but there exists non-negligible Be+alpha+2n correlation. The band-head energies of the triangular and linear-chain rotational bands are 8.0 and 15.5 MeV, and the latter is close to the He+Be threshold energy. It is also shown that the linear-chain state becomes the yrast sstate at J=10 with excitation energy 27.8 MeV owing to its very large moment-of-inertia comparable with hyperdeformation.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Anisotropic Electronic Structure of the Kondo Semiconductor CeFe2Al10 Studied by Optical Conductivity

We report temperature-dependent polarized optical conductivity [$\sigma(\omega)$] spectra of CeFe$_2$Al$_{10}$, which is a reference material for CeRu$_2$Al$_{10}$ and CeOs$_2$Al$_{10}$ with an anomalous magnetic transition at 28 K. The $\sigma(\omega)$ spectrum along the b-axis differs greatly from that in the $ac$-plane, indicating that this material has an anisotropic electronic structure. At low temperatures, in all axes, a shoulder structure due to the optical transition across the hybridization gap between the conduction band and the localized $4f$ states, namely $c$-$f$ hybridization, appears at 55 meV. However, the gap opening temperature and the temperature of appearance of the quasiparticle Drude weight are strongly anisotropic indicating the anisotropic Kondo temperature. The strong anisotropic nature in both electronic structure and Kondo temperature is considered to be relevant the anomalous magnetic phase transition in CeRu$_2$Al$_{10}$ and CeOs$_2$Al$_{10}$.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Antisymmetrized molecular dynamics studies for exotic clustering phenomena in neutron-rich nuclei

We present a review of recent works on clustering phenomena in unstable nuclei studied by antisymmetrized molecular dynamics (AMD). The AMD studies in these decades have uncovered novel types of clustering phenomena brought about by the excess neutrons. Among them, this review focuses on the molecule-like structure of unstable nuclei. One of the earliest discussions on the clustering in unstable nuclei was made for neutron-rich Be and B isotopes. AMD calculations predicted that the ground state clustering is enhanced or reduced depending on the number of excess neutrons. Today, the experiments are confirming this prediction as the change of the proton radii. Behind this enhancement and reduction of the clustering, there are underlying shell effects called molecular- and atomic-orbits. These orbits form covalent and ionic bonding of the clusters analogous to the atomic molecules. It was found that this "molecular-orbit picture" reasonably explains the low-lying spectra of Be isotopes. The molecular-orbit picture is extended to other systems having parity asymmetric cluster cores and to the three cluster systems. O and Ne isotopes are the candidates of the former, while the $3\alpha$ linear chains in C isotopes are the latter. For both subjects, many intensive studies are now in progress. We also pay a special attention to the observables which are the fingerprint of the clustering. In particular, we focus on the monopole and dipole transitions which are recently regarded as good probe for the clustering. We discuss how they have and will reveal the exotic clustering.Comment: 96 pages, 44 figure

Phase separation in the vicinity of the surface of κ\kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2_2Cu[N(CN)2_2]Br by fast cooling

Partial suppression of superconductivity by fast cooling has been observed in the organic superconductor $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu[N(CN)$_2$]Br by two means: a marked sample size effect on the magnetic susceptibility and direct imaging of insulating regions by scanning microregion infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Macroscopic insulating regions are found in the vicinity of the crystalline surface after fast cooling, with diameters of 50--100 $\mu$m and depths of a few $\mu$m. The very large in-plane penetration depth reported to date ($\sim$ 24--100 $\mu$m) can be explained by the existence of the insulating regions.Comment: Several rhetoric alternations to avoid misleadings. 6 pages, 3 figures. to be publihsed in Phys. Rev.

Superdeformation and clustering in 40^{40}Ca studied with Antisymmetrized Molecular Dynamics

Deformed states in $^{40}$Ca are investigated with a method of antisymmetrized molecular dynamics. Above the spherical ground state, rotational bands arise from a normal deformation and a superdeformation as well as an oblate deformation. The calculated energy spectra and $E2$ transition strengths in the superdeformed band reasonably agree to the experimental data of the superdeformed band starting from the $0^+_3$ state at 5.213 MeV. By the analysis of single-particle orbits, it is found that the superdeformed state has particle-hole nature of an $8p$-$8h$ configuration. One of new findings is parity asymmetric structure with $^{12}$C+$^{28}$Si-like clustering in the superdeformed band. We predict that $^{12}$C+$^{28}$Si molecular bands may be built above the superdeformed band due to the excitation of inter-cluster motion. They are considered to be higher nodal states of the superdeformed state. We also suggest negative-parity bands caused by the parity asymmetric deformation.Comment: 13 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Magnetic characterization and switching of Co nano-rings in current-perpendicular-to-plane configuration

We fabricated Co nano-rings incorporated in the vertical pseudo-spin-valve nanopillar structures with deep submicron lateral sizes. It is shown that the current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance can be used to characterize a very small magnetic nano-ring effectively. Both the onion state and the flux-closure vortex state are observed. The Co nano-rings can be switched between the onion states as well as between onion and vortex states not only by the external field but also by the perpendicularly injected dc current