Inter-grain tunneling in the half-metallic double-perovskites Sr2_2BB'O6_6 (BB'-- FeMo, FeRe, CrMo, CrW, CrRe

The zero-field conductivities ($\sigma$) of the polycrystaline title materials, are governed by inter-grain transport. In the majority of cases their $\sigma$(T) can be described by the "fluctuation induced tunneling" model. Analysis of the results in terms of this model reveals two remarkable features: 1. For \emph{all} Sr$_2$FeMoO$_6$ samples of various microstructures, the tunneling constant (barrier width $\times$ inverse decay-length of the wave-function) is $\sim$ 2, indicating the existence of an intrinsic insulating boundary layer with a well defined electronic (and magnetic) structure. 2. The tunneling constant for \emph{all} cold-pressed samples decreases linearly with increasing magnetic-moment/formula-unit.Comment: 10 pages, 2 tables, 3 figure

Pulsed versus DC I-V characteristics of resistive manganites

We report on pulsed and DC I-V characteristics of polycrystalline samples of three charge-ordered manganites, Pr_{2/3}Ca_{1/3}MnO_3, Pr_{1/2}Ca_{1/2}MnO_3, Bi_{1/2}Sr_{1/2}MnO_3 and of a double-perovskite Sr_2MnReO_6, in a temperature range where their ohmic resistivity obeys the Efros-Shklovskii variable range hopping relation. For all samples, the DC I(V) exhibits at high currents negative differential resistance and hysteresis, which mask a perfectly ohmic or a moderately nonohmic conductivity obtained by pulsed measurements. This demonstrates that the widely used DC I-V measurements are usually misleading.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication to AP

Proximity induced superconductivity by Bi in topological Bi2Te2SeBi_2Te_2Se and Bi2Se3Bi_2Se_3 films: Evidence for a robust zero energy bound state possibly due to Majorana Fermions

Point contact conductance measurements on topological $Bi_2Te_2Se$ and $Bi_2Se_3$ films reveal a signature of superconductivity below 2-3 K. In particular, critical current dips and a robust zero bias conductance peak are observed. The latter suggests the presence of zero energy bound states which could be assigned to Majorana Fermions in an unconventional topological superconductor. We attribute these novel observations to proximity induced local superconductivity in the films by small amounts of superconducting Bi inclusions or segregation to the surface, and provide supportive evidence for these effects.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review B (Dec. 20, 2011), 15 figures. Version V1: arXiv:1111.3445v1 [cond-mat.supr-con] 15 Nov 201

Inter-grain tunnelling in the half-metallic double-perovskites Sr2BB'O6 (BB'= FeMo, FeRe, CrMo, CrW, CrRe)

The zero-field conductivities (σ) of polycrystalline title materials, are governed by intergrain transport. In the majority of cases their σ(T) can be described by the "fluctuation induced tunnelling" model. Analysis of the results in terms of this model reveals two remarkable features: 1. For all Sr2FeMoO6 samples of various microstructures, the tunnelling constant (barrier width × inverse decay-length of the wave-function) is ~ 2, indicating the existence of an intrinsic insulating boundary layer with a well-defined electronic (and magnetic) structure. 2. The tunnelling constant for all cold-pressed samples decreases linearly with increasing magnetic-moment/formula-unit

I-V Characteristics of Resistive Oxides: DC versus Pulsed Measurements

We investigated pulsed and DC I-V characteristics of a variety of resistive oxides. Examples of pulsed, compared with DC characteristics, are shown for samples of La$\text{}_{1.2}$Sr$\text{}_{1.8}$Mn$\text{}_{2}$O$\text{}_{7}$ (a double layer manganite), Pr$\text{}_{2}\text{}_{/}\text{}_{3}$ Ca$\text{}_{1}\text{}_{/}\text{}_{3}$ MnO$\text{}_{3}$ and Bi$\text{}_{1}\text{}_{/}\text{}_{2}$ Sr$\text{}_{1}\text{}_{/}\text{}_{2}$ MnO$\text{}_{3}$ (charge-ordered manganites), Sr$\text{}_{2}$FeMoO$\text{}_{6}$, Sr$\text{}_{2}$CrWO$\text{}_{6}$ and Ba$\text{}_{2}$MnReO$\text{}_{6}$ (double perovskites). For pulsed measurements, single pulses in the ms range were applied. For short-rise-time square pulses, the Joule heating is negligible, as long as the response remains independent of time. The DC I-V characteristics were measured up to current runaway in the negative resistance regime;Δ T never exceeded a fraction of a degree. In most cases the DC characteristics mask a perfectly ohmic or moderately non-ohmic conductivity obtained by pulsed measurements. This demonstrates that the widely used DC I-V measurements in the high current regime are frequently misleading

Evolution of the fermi surface of a doped topological insulator with carrier concentration

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