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Layered transition-metal trichalcogenides have become one of the research frontiers as two-dimensional magnets and candidate materials used for phase-change memory devices. Herein we report the high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction and resistivity measurements on Cr2Ge2Te6 (CGT) single crystal by using diamond anvil cell techniques, which reveal a mixture of crystalline-to-crystalline and crystalline-to-amorphous transitions taking place concurrently at 18.3-29.2 GPa. The polymorphic transition could be interpreted by atomic layer reconstruction and the amorphization could be understood in connection with randomly flipping atoms into van der Waals gaps. The amorphous (AM) phase is quenchable to ambient conditions. The electrical resistance of CGT shows a bouncing point at ~ 18 GPa, consistent with the polymorphism phase transition. Interestingly, the high-pressure AM phase exhibits metallic resistance with the magnitude comparable to that of high-pressure crystalline phases, whereas the resistance of the AM phase at ambient pressure fails to exceed that of the crystalline phase, indicating that the AM phase of CGT appeared under high pressure is quite unique and similar behavior has never been observed in other phase-change materials. The results definitely would have significant implications for the design of new functional materials., 14 pages,7 figures, 2 tables, 1 supporting information. JPCC in press

The composite layered structures including paper corrugation, paper honeycomb and expandable polyethylene are innovative structures of cushioning energy absorption, and the compression and impact resistances of the expandable polyethylene can be enhanced by laminating the corrugated paperboard or honeycomb paperboard. This article evaluated the compression performance and cushioning energy absorption of the composite layered structures by the static compression and drop impact compression tests. On one hand, the static compression properties showed that the total energy absorption, energy absorption per unit volume and stroke efficiency of the composite layered structures were all higher than those of expandable polyethylene. The specific energy absorption was enhanced with the increase in compression strain but almost not affected by the compression rate. The specific energy absorption of the composite layered structures including the expandable polyethylene and honeycomb paperboard was greater than those of the expandable polyethylene and corrugated paperboard. The energy absorption efficiency of the composite layered structures including the expandable polyethylene and corrugated paperboard was large for the low compression stress level, yet that of the composite layered structures including the expandable polyethylene and honeycomb paperboard was large for the high compression stress level. On the other hand, the dynamic compression characteristics showed that the peak stress, energy absorption per unit area, energy absorption per unit volume and specific energy absorption of the composite layered structures embodying paper sandwich cores and expandable polyethylene had linear increasing trends with the increase of drop shock energy. At the same drop impact condition, the composite layered structures including the honeycomb paperboard and expandable polyethylene had better cushioning energy absorption, the peak stress decreased by 23.6% on average, the energy absorption efficiency raised by 8.85% on average and the specific energy absorption increased by 18.1% on average than those including the corrugated paperboard and expandable polyethylene. Therefore, the corrugated paperboard and honeycomb paperboard can helpfully improve the cushioning energy absorption of the expandable polyethylene, and the composite layered structures embodying the expandable polyethylene, corrugated paperboard and honeycomb paperboard may hold excellent packaging protection.

We report herein the nontrivial topological states in an intrinsic type-II superconductor BaSn5 (Tc ~ 4.4 K) probed via measuring the magnetizations, specific heat, de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) effect and performing first principles calculations. The first principles calculations reveal a topological nodal ring structure centering at the H point in the kz = {\pi} plane of the Brillouin zone (BZ), which could be gapped by spin-orbit coupling (SOC), yielding rather small gaps below and above the Fermi level about 0.04 eV and 0.14 eV, respectively. The SOC also results in a pair of Dirac points along the {\Gamma}-A direction and located ~ 0.2 eV above the Fermi level. The analysis of the dHvA quantum oscillations supports the calculations by revealing nontrivial Berry phase originated from three hole and one electron pockets related to the bands forming the Dirac cones. Our study thus provides an excellent avenue for investigating the interplay between superconductivity and nontrivial topological states., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, 1 tables

As a van der Waals ferromagnet with high Curie temperature, Fe5–x GeTe2 has attracted tremendous interests recently. Here, using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we systematically investigated the electronic structure of Fe5–x GeTe2 crystals and its temperature evolution. Our ARPES measurement reveals two types of band structures from two different terminations with slight kz evolution. Interestingly, across the ferromagnetic transition, we observed the merging of two split bands above the Curie temperature, suggesting the band splitting due to the exchange interaction within the itinerant Stoner model. Our results provide important insights into the electronic and magnetic properties of Fe5–x GeTe2 and the understanding of magnetism in a two-dimensional ferromagnetic system.

The finite element model for paper honeycomb was constructed, and the finite element method of out-of-plane compression for the paper honeycomb was studied. Then four kinds of paper honeycomb with different structural parameters were simulated and analyzed using finite element software ABAQUS. Moreover, the results obtained from finite element method were verified based on the existing theoretical research results and experimental results, respectively. The results show that stress–strain curves obtained from finite element method clearly show the four deformation stages of the paper honeycomb under out-of-plane compression, which is basically consistent with the trend of the typical curve. The values of initial peak stress, plateau stress and densification strain are close to the theoretical results. The stress–strain curves and deformation contours coincide with experiments well. The differences of initial peak stress σpk, plateau stress σpl and densification strain εD between theoretical, finite element method and experimental results are less than 15%. Therefore, the finite element method can be used to analyze the stress–strain curves and deformation characteristics of paper honeycomb. In addition, the results also show that the thickness of specimen has little effect on the stress and strain. However, people often prefer to use the thicker paper honeycomb to get better cushioning effect in practical applications, which was explained.

We present extensive investigations of the crystallographic phase diagram and electronic properties of the Fe-based superconductor FeSe under extreme conditions (high pressure (HP) and low temperature (LT)) by synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). An isostructural phase transition (Tetragonal (T) →high-pressure Tetragonal (Tʹ)) is discovered in FeSe at ∼2.8 GPa based on the axial ratio c/a with finer pressure step as observed in Fe-As-based superconductor such as EuFe2As2. We also find a pressure-induced Tʹ → MnP-type phase transition at 7.6 GPa in FeSe, which is consistent with the documented pressure-induced high-spin → low-spin transition (∼6–7 GPa). These results reveal the pressure-induced structural phase transition sequence in FeSe at room temperature to be T → Tʹ → Tʹ+MnP-type at pressures of 0–10.6 GPa, enriching the crystallographic phase diagram. The HPLT XRD data also indicate that a sluggish structural phase transition (Cmma → Pnma) begins at 7.5 GPa, and these two phases coexist up to 26.5 GPa. The HP X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) measurement shows that Eo of Se experiences a pressure-induced shift to high energy, evidencing strongly charge transfer between Fe and Se under high pressure. Our results shed lights on the correlation between crystallographic/electronic structure and superconductivity in this material.

Recently, layered copper chalcogenides ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}X$ family $(X=\mathrm{S}, \mathrm{Se}, \mathrm{Te})$ has attracted tremendous research interests due to their high thermoelectric performance, which is partly due to the superionic behavior of mobile Cu ions, making these compounds ``phonon liquids.'' Here, we systematically investigate the electronic structure and its temperature evolution of the less studied single crystal ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Te}$ by the combination of angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and scanning tunneling microscope/spectroscopy (STM/STS) experiments. While the band structure of the ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Te}$ shows agreement with the calculations, we clearly observe a $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2$ surface reconstruction from both our low temperature ARPES and STM/STS experiments which survives up to room temperature. Interestingly, our low temperature STM experiments further reveal multiple types of reconstruction patterns, which suggests the origin of the surface reconstruction being the distributed deficiency of liquidlike Cu ions. Our findings reveal the electronic structure and impurity level of ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}\mathrm{Te}$, which provides knowledge about its thermoelectric properties from the electronic degree of freedom.

The magnetic van der Waals crystals MnBi_{2}Te_{4}/(Bi_{2}Te_{3})_{n} have drawn significant attention due to their rich topological properties and the tunability by external magnetic field. Although the MnBi_{2}Te_{4}/(Bi_{2}Te_{3})_{n} family have been intensively studied in the past few years, their close relatives, the MnSb_{2}Te_{4}/(Sb_{2}Te_{3})_{n} family, remain much less explored. In this work, combining magnetotransport measurements, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and first principles calculations, we find that MnSb_{4}Te_{7}, the n=1 member of the MnSb_{2}Te_{4}/(Sb_{2}Te_{3})_{n} family, is a magnetic topological system with versatile topological phases that can be manipulated by both carrier doping and magnetic field. Our calculations unveil that its A-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state stays in a Z_{2} AFM topological insulator phase, which can be converted to an inversion-symmetry-protected axion insulator phase when in the ferromagnetic (FM) state. Moreover, when this system in the FM phase is slightly carrier doped on either the electron or hole side, it becomes a Weyl semimetal with multiple Weyl nodes in the highest valence bands and lowest conduction bands, which are manifested by the measured notable anomalous Hall effect. Our work thus introduces a new magnetic topological material with different topological phases that are highly tunable by carrier doping or magnetic field.

Probabilistic uncertain linguistic sets (PULTSs) have widely been used in MADM or MAGDM. The CODAS method, which is a novel MADM or MAGDM tool, aims to acquire the optimal choice which have the largest Euclidean & Hamming distances from the NIS. This paper designs the probabilistic uncertain linguistic CODAS (PUL-CODAS) method with sine entropy weight. Finally, a numerical example for green supplier selection is given and the obtained results are compared with some existing models. First published online 05 February 2021

Exotic phenomenon can be achieved in quantum materials by confining electronic states into two dimensions. For example, relativistic fermions are realised in a single layer of carbon atoms, the quantized Hall effect can result from two-dimensional (2D) systems, and the superconducting transition temperature can be enhanced significantly in a one-atomic-layer material. Ordinarily, 2D electronic system can be obtained by exfoliating the layered materials, growing monolayer materials on substrates, or establishing interfaces between different materials. Herein, we use femtosecond infrared laser pulses to invert the periodic lattice distortion sectionally in a three-dimensional (3D) charge density wave material, creating macroscopic domain walls of transient 2D ordered electronic states with exotic properties. The corresponding ultrafast electronic and lattice dynamics are captured by time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and MeV ultrafast electron diffraction. Surprisingly, a novel energy gap state, which might be a signature of light-induced superconductivity, is identified in the photoinduced 2D domain wall near the surface. Such optical modulation of atomic motion is a new path to realise 2D electronic states and will be a new platform for creating novel phases in quantum materials., Comment: 31 pages, 10 figures

Bipolar fuzzy set theory has been successfully applied in some areas, but there are situations in real life which can’t be represented by bipolar fuzzy sets. However, all the existing approaches are unsuitable to describe the positive and negative membership degree an element to an uncertain linguistic label to have an interval value, which can reflect the decision maker’s confidence level when they are making an evaluation. In order to overcome this limit, we propose the definition of interval-valued bipolar uncertain linguistic sets (IVBULSs) to solve this problem based on the bipolar fuzzy sets and uncertain linguistic information processing models. In this paper, we extend the traditional information aggregating operators to interval-valued bipolar uncertain linguistic sets (IVBULSs) and propose some IVBUL aggregating operators. Then, we extend the CODAS method to solve multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) issues with interval-valued bipolar uncertain linguistic numbers (IVBULNs) based on these operators. An example for risk assessment of Chinese enterprises’ overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&As) is given to illustrate the proposed methodology.

Author(s): Huang, K; Luo, AY; Chen, C; Zhang, GN; Liu, XL; Li, YW; Wu, F; Cui, ST; Sun, Z; Jozwiak, C; Bostwick, A; Rotenberg, E; Yang, HF; Yang, LX; Xu, G; Guo, YF; Liu, ZK; Chen, YL | Abstract: The interplay between topological electronic structure and superconductivity has attracted tremendous research interests recently as they could induce topological superconductivity (TSCs) which may be used to realize topological qubits for quantum computation. Among various TSC candidates, superconducting BaSn3 (Tc∼4.4K) has been predicted to be a topological Dirac semimetal (TDS) hosting two pairs of Dirac points along the Γ-A direction. Here, by combining the use of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, we identified the predicted topological Dirac fermions and confirmed the TDS nature of the compound. In addition, we observed surface states connecting the Dirac points. Our observations demonstrate BaSn3 as a superconductor with nontrivial topological electronic structures.

The newfound two-dimensional antiferromagnetic $\mathrm{Gd}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ has great potential in novel magnetic twistronic and spintronic devices because it has the highest carrier mobility among all known layered magnetic materials. Here, we used high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to investigate its Fermi-surface topology and low-lying electronic band structure. The Fermi surface is partially gapped by charge-density waves below the transition temperature. Very steep and nearly linear band dispersion near the Fermi energy contributes to the high carrier mobility in $\mathrm{Gd}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$. We find that the scattering rate of the quasiparticle increases linearly as a function of binding energy within a wide energy range, indicating that $\mathrm{Gd}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ is a non-Fermi-liquid metal. Our results in this paper provide a fundamental understanding of this layered antiferromagnetic material to guide future studies on it.

The nature of the interaction between magnetism and topology in magnetic topological semimetals remains mysterious, but may be expected to lead to a variety of novel physics. We present $ab$ $initio$ band calculations, electrical transport and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements on the magnetic semimetal EuAs$_3$, demonstrating a magnetism-induced topological transition from a topological nodal-line semimetal in the paramagnetic or the spin-polarized state to a topological massive Dirac metal in the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state at low temperature, featuring a pair of massive Dirac points, inverted bands and topological surface states on the (010) surface. Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations in the AFM state identify nonzero Berry phase and a negative longitudinal magnetoresistance ($n$-LMR) induced by the chiral anomaly, confirming the topological nature predicted by band calculations. When magnetic moments are fully polarized by an external magnetic field, an unsaturated and extremely large magnetoresistance (XMR) of $\sim$ 2$\times10^5$ % at 1.8 K and 28.3 T is observed, likely arising from topological protection. Consistent with band calculations for the spin-polarized state, four new bands in quantum oscillations different from those in the AFM state are discerned, of which two are topologically protected. Nodal-line structures at the $Y$ point in the Brillouin zone (BZ) are proposed in both the spin-polarized and paramagnetic states, and the latter is proven by ARPES. Moreover, a temperature-induced Lifshitz transition accompanied by the emergence of a new band below 3 K is revealed. These results indicate that magnetic EuAs$_3$ provides a rich platform to explore exotic physics arising from the interaction of magnetism with topology., 15 pages, with METHODS AND EXTENDED DATA

The nature of the interaction between magnetism and topology in magnetic topological semimetals remains mysterious, but may be expected to lead to a variety of novel physics. We systematically studied the magnetic semimetal EuAs3, demonstrating a magnetism-induced topological transition from a topological nodal-line semimetal in the paramagnetic or the spin-polarized state to a topological massive Dirac metal in the antiferromagnetic ground state at low temperature. The topological nature in the antiferromagnetic state and the spin-polarized state has been verified by electrical transport measurements. An unsaturated and extremely large magnetoresistance of ~2 × 105% at 1.8 K and 28.3 T is observed. In the paramagnetic states, the topological nodal-line structure at the Y point is proven by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Moreover, a temperature-induced Lifshitz transition accompanied by the emergence of a new band below 3 K is revealed. These results indicate that magnetic EuAs3 provides a rich platform to explore exotic physics arising from the interaction of magnetism with topology., Magnetic topological materials have a variety of interesting properties, but very few material realizations exist. Here, the authors report a topological nodal-line semimetal and a topological massive Dirac metal phase in EuAs3 and demonstrate a magnetism-driven transition between these phases.

Layered structural materials have been a fertile playground to investigate mechanisms of fundamental physics and explore potential applications. Here, we report investigations on ferromagnetic van der Waals $\mathrm{Cr}\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ via high-pressure synchrotron x-ray diffraction, electrical resistance, and magnetoresistance measurements. Under compression, $\mathrm{Cr}\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ undergoes an insulator-metal transition and a structural transition at $\ensuremath{\sim}7.5$ GPa. Concomitantly with the structural transition, the magnetoresistance changes sign, the negative Hall coefficient increases dramatically, and superconductivity emerges at 3 K. The superconductivity persists up to the highest measured pressure of 47.1 GPa with a maximum ${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}$ 4.5 K at $\ensuremath{\sim}30$ GPa. Our results suggest that $\mathrm{Cr}\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ is paramagnetic in the pressure range of superconductivity. The discoveries of superconductivity and magnetic transition in ferromagnetic $\mathrm{Cr}\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ under pressure provide new perspectives to explore the interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in Cr-based two-dimensional van der Waals materials.

${\mathrm{Pb}}_{2}\mathrm{Co}\mathrm{Os}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ is a newly synthesized polar metal in which inversion symmetry is broken by the magnetic frustration in an antiferromagnetic ordering of Co and Os sublattices. The coupled magnetic and structural transition occurs at 45 K at ambient pressure. Here, we perform transport measurements and first-principles calculations to study the pressure effects on the magnetic/structural coupled transition of ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{2}\mathrm{Co}\mathrm{Os}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$. Experimentally, we monitor the resistivity anomaly at ${T}_{N}$ under various pressures up to 11 GPa in a cubic anvil cell apparatus. We find that ${T}_{N}$ determined from the resistivity anomaly first increases quickly with pressure in a large slope of $d{T}_{N}/dP=+6.8(8)\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}/\mathrm{GPa}$ for $Pl4\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ and, then, increases with a much reduced slope of 1.8(4) K/GPa above 4 GPa. Our first-principles calculations suggest that the observed discontinuity of $d{T}_{N}/dP$ around 4 GPa may be attributed to the vanishing of the Os magnetic moment under pressure. Pressure substantially reduces the Os moment and completely suppresses it above a critical value, which relieves the magnetic frustration in the antiferromagnetic ordering of ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{2}\mathrm{Co}\mathrm{Os}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$. The Co and Os polar distortions decrease with the increasing pressure and simultaneously vanish at the critical pressure. Therefore, above the critical pressure, a new centrosymmetric antiferromagnetic state emerges in ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{2}\mathrm{Co}\mathrm{Os}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$, distinct from the one under ambient pressure, thus, showing a discontinuity in $d{T}_{N}/dP$.

Orthorhombic (space group: Pnma) Nb2P5 is a high-pressure phase that is quenchable to ambient pressure, which could viewed as the zigzag infinite P chain-inserted NbP2. We report herein the high-pressure crystal growth of Nb2P5 and the discovery of its superconducting transition at Tc ~ 2.6 K. The electrical resistivity, magnetization, and specific heat capacity measurements on the high-quality crystal unveiled a conventional type-II weakly coupled s-wave nature of the superconductivity, with the upper critical field Hc2(0) ~ 0.5 T, the electron-phonon coupling strength {\lambda}ep ~ 0.5 - 0.8, and the Ginzburg-Landau parameter \k{appa} ~ 100. The ab initio calculations on the electronic band structure unveiled nodal-line structures protected by different symmetries. The one caused by band inversion, for example, on the {\Gamma}-X and U-R paths of the Brillouin zone, likely could bring nontrivial topology and hence possible nontrivial surface state on the surface. The surface states on the (100), (010) and (110) surfaces were also calculated and discussed. The discovery of the phosphorus-rich Nb2P5 superconductor would be instructive for the design of more metal phosphides superconductors which might host unconventional superconductivity or potential technical applications., Comment: 8 pages,8 figures in the main text + 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 table in the supplementary information

In this article, we combine some fundamental theories of the Pythagorean 2-tuple linguistic sets (P2TLSs) with EDAS method and design the Pythagorean 2-tuple linguistic number (P2TLN) EDAS (P2TLN-EDAS) method for multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) issue. Firstly, the basic concepts of P2TLSs are introduced. Next, two aggregation operators of P2TLN are defined, and then the calculation steps of EDAS method are listed briefly. Furthermore, P2TLN-EDAS method is given for MAGDM problems and computing steps are proposed in detail. Finally, a computational example related to construction safety assessment is used to expound the effectiveness of the designed method. Meanwhile, we also carried out some comparative analysis between P2TLN-EDAS method and P2TLWA/P2TLWG operators and another P2TLN-TODIM method. The results show that P2TLN-EDAS method derives the same best alternative as P2TLWA, P2TLWG operators and P2TLN-TODIM method. First published online 24 September 2020

There has been an upsurge in the discovery of topological quantum materials, where various topological insulators and semimetals have been theoretically predicted and experimentally observed. However, very few of them contain silicon, the most widely used element in the electronics industry. Recently, ternary compound $\mathrm{CaA}{\mathrm{l}}_{2}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{i}}_{2}$ has been predicted to be a topological Dirac semimetal, hosting Lorentz-symmetry-violating quasiparticles with a strongly tilted conical band dispersion. In this work, by using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we investigated the comprehensive electronic structure of $\mathrm{CaA}{\mathrm{l}}_{2}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{i}}_{2}$. A pair of topological Dirac crossings is observed along the ${k}_{z}$ direction, in good agreement with the ab initio calculations, confirming the topological Dirac semimetal nature of the compound. Our study expands the topological material family on Si-containing compounds, which have great application potential in realizing low-cost, nontoxic electronic devices with topological quantum states.

We have investigated the magnetic correlations in the candidate Weyl semimetals ${\mathrm{EuCd}}_{2}P{n}_{2}$ ($Pn=\mathrm{As}$, Sb) by resonant elastic x-ray scattering at the ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{2+}$ ${M}_{5}$ edge. The temperature and field dependence of the diffuse scattering of ${\mathrm{EuCd}}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ provide direct evidence that the Eu moments exhibit slow ferromagnetic (FM) correlations well above the N\'eel temperature. By contrast, the diffuse scattering in the paramagnetic phase of isostructural ${\mathrm{EuCd}}_{2}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ is at least an order of magnitude weaker. The FM correlations present in the paramagnetic phase of ${\mathrm{EuCd}}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ could create short-lived Weyl nodes.

We reveal an ultrafast purely electronic phase transition in ${\mathrm{Ta}}_{2}{\mathrm{NiSe}}_{5}$, which is a plausible excitonic insulator, after excited by an ultrafast infrared laser pulse. Specifically, the order parameter of the strong electron-hole binding shrinks with enhancing the pump pulse, and above a critical pump fluence, a photoexcited semimetallic state is experimentally identified with the absence of ultrafast structural transition. In addition, the bare valence and conduction bands and also the effective masses in ${\mathrm{Ta}}_{2}{\mathrm{NiSe}}_{5}$ are determined. These findings and detailed analysis suggest a bare nonequilibrium semimetallic phase in ${\mathrm{Ta}}_{2}{\mathrm{NiSe}}_{5}$ and the strong electron-hole binding cannot be exclusively driven by Coulomb interaction.

We have systematically reported the magnetic and magneto-transport properties of two-dimensional itinerant ferromagnetic compound Fe

${\mathrm{AlFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}$, a layered ferromagnet with a Curie temperature near room temperature (${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\sim}270$ K), has attracted growing attention recently in condensed-matter physics and materials science. Utilizing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, we provide evidence of a linear band and a saddlelike flat band in the vicinity of the Fermi energy (${E}_{F}$) in ${\mathrm{AlFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}$, consisting of slabs of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}$ atoms separated by layers of Al. The anomalous scattering rate of the linear band varies linearly with the kinetic energy up to 120 meV, showing non-Fermi-liquid behavior consistent with T-linear dependence of resistivity. The flat band with ${d}_{xy}$ orbital character and with strong ${k}_{y}$ dispersion may be associated with spin orientation along the $a$ axis in layered ${\mathrm{AlFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}$. Electronic and magnetic correlation can be modulated by tuning the flat band near ${E}_{F}$ in layered ternary borides. Our findings have important implications to exploit emergent physics and quantum phases in $3d$ transition metals.

Two-dimensional materials provide extraordinary opportunities for exploring phenomena arising in atomically thin crystals. Beginning with the first isolation of graphene, mechanical exfoliation has been a key to provide high-quality two-dimensional materials, but despite improvements it is still limited in yield, lateral size and contamination. Here we introduce a contamination-free, one-step and universal Au-assisted mechanical exfoliation method and demonstrate its effectiveness by isolating 40 types of single-crystalline monolayers, including elemental two-dimensional crystals, metal-dichalcogenides, magnets and superconductors. Most of them are of millimeter-size and high-quality, as shown by transfer-free measurements of electron microscopy, photo spectroscopies and electrical transport. Large suspended two-dimensional crystals and heterojunctions were also prepared with high-yield. Enhanced adhesion between the crystals and the substrates enables such efficient exfoliation, for which we identify a gold-assisted exfoliation method that underpins a universal route for producing large-area monolayers and thus supports studies of fundamental properties and potential application of two-dimensional materials.

We report herein the results of magnetotransport measurements and ab initio calculations on single crystalline $\mathrm{CaA}{\mathrm{l}}_{2}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{i}}_{2}$ semimetal. The transport properties could be understood in connection with the two-band model, agreeing well with the theoretical calculations indicating four main sheets of Fermi surface consisting of three hole pockets centered at the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ point and one electron pocket centered at the $M$ point in the Brillouin zone. Magnetotransport measurements showed striking Shubnikov--de Haas oscillations associated with a nontrivial Berry phase, which originate from a hole Fermi pocket indicated by the ab initio calculations. The calculations also unveiled that the hole Fermi surface encloses a nodal line setting around the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ point close to the Fermi level without considering the spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Once the SOC is included, the fragile nodal-line will be gapped and a pair of Dirac points emerge along the high symmetric $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}\text{\ensuremath{-}}A$ direction located at the Brillouin zone coordinates (0, 0, ${k}_{z}^{D}\ensuremath{\approx}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.278\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\frac{2\ensuremath{\pi}}{c}$), about 1.22 eV below the Fermi level. In addition, the SOC can also induce a topological insulator state along the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}\text{\ensuremath{-}}A$ direction with a gap of about 3 meV. The results demonstrate $\mathrm{CaA}{\mathrm{l}}_{2}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{i}}_{2}$ as an excellent platform for the study of novel topological physics with multiple nontrivial topological states.

The van der Waals ferromagnet $\mathrm{F}{\mathrm{e}}_{3}\mathrm{GeT}{\mathrm{e}}_{2}$ has attracted great research attention recently due to its extraordinary properties. Here, using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we systematically investigate the temperature evolution of the electronic structure of bulk $\mathrm{F}{\mathrm{e}}_{3}\mathrm{GeT}{\mathrm{e}}_{2}$. We observe largely dispersive energy bands with exchange splitting that are in overall agreement with our density-functional theory calculation. Interestingly, the band dispersions barely change upon heating towards the ferromagnetic transition near 225 K, except for the reduction of quasiparticle coherence, which strongly deviates from the itinerant Stoner model. We suggest that the local magnetic moments may play a crucial role in the ferromagnetic ordering and the electronic structure of $\mathrm{F}{\mathrm{e}}_{3}\mathrm{GeT}{\mathrm{e}}_{2}$, which will shed light on the generic understanding of itinerant magnetism in correlated materials.

The van der Waals ferromagnet Fe

High-magnetic-field transport measurements and ab initio calculations on the layered superconductor TaSe3 have provided evidence for the existence of a three-dimensional strong topological state. Longitudinal magnetotransport measurements up to similar to 33 T unveiled striking Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations with two fundamental frequencies at 100 and 175 T corresponding to a nontrivial hole Fermi pocket at the Gamma point and a nontrivial electron Fermi pocket at the B point, respectively, in the Brillouin zone. However, calculations revealed one more electron pocket at the B point which was not detected by the magnetotransport measurements, presumably due to the limited carrier momentum relaxation time. Angle-dependent quantum oscillations by rotating the sample with respect to the magnetic field revealed clear changes in the two fundamental frequencies, indicating anisotropic electronic Fermi pockets. The ab initio calculations gave the topological Z(2) invariant of (1; 100) and revealed a single Dirac cone on the (1 0 -1) surface at the (X) over bar point with helical spin texture at a constant energy contour, suggesting a strong topological state. The results demonstrate TaSe3 as an excellent platform to study the interplay between the topological phase and superconductivity and a promising system for the exploration of topological superconductivity.

Pyrite-structured PdSb2 with the nonsymmorphic crystalline symmetry, has long been predicted to host sixfold-degenerate exotic fermions beyond Dirac and Weyl. Although magnetotransport measurements on PdSb2 have suggested its topologically nontrivial character, the direct spectroscopic evidence still remains absent. By utilizing high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we present a systematic study on the low-energy bulk and surface electronic structure of pyrite-structured PdSb2. Through careful comparison with first-principles calculations, we verify the existence of sixfold fermions in this compound, which are formed by three doubly degenerate bands centered at the R point in the Brillouin zone. These bands exhibit parabolic dispersion close to sixfold fermion nodes, in sharp contrast to previously reported sixfold double spin-1 chiral fermions. Furthermore, our findings reveal no protected Fermi arcs in PdSb2, which is compatible with its achiral structure. Our findings suggest that pyrite-structured PdSb2 provides an ideal platform for the investigation of fermions and their potential applications.

The three-dimensional and temperature-dependent electronic structures of the heavy-fermion superconductor ${\mathrm{CePt}}_{2}{\mathrm{In}}_{7}$ are investigated. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy using variable photon energy establishes the existence of quasi-two- and three-dimensional Fermi surface topologies. Temperature-dependent $4d\text{\ensuremath{-}}4f$ on-resonance photoemission spectroscopies data reveal that heavy quasiparticle bands begin to form at a temperature well above the characteristic (coherence) temperature ${T}^{*}$. The emergence of low-lying crystal electric field excitation may be responsible for the ``relocalization'' or the precursor to the establishment of heavy electrons coherence in heavy-fermion compounds. These findings provide critical insight into understanding the hybridization in heavy-fermion systems.

The van der Waals ferromagnet Fe5GeTe2 has a Curie temperature TC of about 270 K, which can be raised above room temperature by tuning the Fe deficiency content. To achieve insights into its ferromagnetic exchange, we have studied the critical behavior by measuring the magnetization in bulk Fe5GeTe2 crystal around the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition. The analysis of the magnetization by employing various techniques including the modified Arrott plot, Kouvel-Fisher plot and critical isotherm analysis achieved a set of reliable critical exponents with TC = 273.7 K, beta = 0.3457, gamma = 1.40617, and delta = 5.021, suggesting a three-dimensional magnetic exchange with the distance decaying as J(r) ~ (r)$^-4.916, which is close to that of a three-dimensional Heisenberg model with long-range magnetic coupling., 22 pages, 2 tables, 6 figures

Some dynamics behaviors for the nonautonomous stochastic fifth-order Swift–Hohenberg equation with additive white noise are considered. The existence of pullback random attractors for the nonautonomous stochastic fifth-order Swift–Hohenberg equation with some properties is mainly investigated on the bounded domain and unbounded domain, through the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck transformation and tail-term estimates. Furthermore, on the basis of some conditions, the finiteness of fractal dimension of random attractor is proved.

Triangular lattice of rare-earth ions with interacting effective spin-$1/2$ local moments is an ideal platform to explore the physics of quantum spin liquids (QSLs) in the presence of strong spin-orbit coupling, crystal electric fields, and geometrical frustration. The Yb delafossites, NaYbCh$_2$ (Ch=O, S, Se) with Yb ions forming a perfect triangular lattice, have been suggested to be candidates for QSLs. Previous thermodynamics, nuclear magnetic resonance, and muon spin rotation measurements on NaYbCh$_2$ have supported the suggestion of the QSL ground states. The key signature of a QSL, the spin excitation continuum, arising from the spin quantum number fractionalization, has not been observed. Here we perform both elastic and inelastic neutron scattering measurements as well as detailed thermodynamic measurements on high-quality single-crystalline NaYbSe$_2$ samples to confirm the absence of long-range magnetic order down to 40 mK, and further reveal a clear signature of magnetic excitation continuum extending from 0.1 to 2.5 meV. The comparison between the structure of the magnetic excitation spectra and the theoretical expectation from the spinon continuum suggests that the ground state of NaYbSe$_2$ is a QSL with a spinon Fermi surface., Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures

The antiferromagnet Mn${}_{3}$Ge has been recently shown to exhibit a large spontaneous anomalous Hall effect, which can be switched by a small magnetic field and which has been attributed to topologically protected Weyl nodes. Up till now, the true ground-state magnetic structure of the compound has eluded countless experimental studies, which began some fifty years ago. Here, the authors report the use of an advanced polarized neutron scattering technique to resolve unambiguously the magnetic structure of this compound.

We report on the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of two new double-perovskites synthesized under high pressure; Pb2CaOsO6 and Pb2ZnOsO6. Upon cooling below 80 K, Pb2CaOsO6 simultaneously undergoes a metal--insulator transition and develops antiferromagnetic order. Pb2ZnOsO6, on the other hand, remains a paramagnetic metal down to 2 K. The key difference between the two compounds lies in their crystal structure. The Os atoms in Pb2ZnOsO6 are arranged on an approximately face-centred cubic lattice with strong antiferromagnetic nearest-neighbor exchange couplings. The geometrical frustration inherent to this lattice prevents magnetic order from forming down to the lowest temperatures. In contrast, the unit cell of Pb2CaOsO6 is heavily distorted up to at least 500 K, including antiferroelectric-like displacements of the Pb and O atoms despite metallic conductivity above 80 K. This distortion relieves the magnetic frustration, facilitating magnetic order which in turn drives the metal--insulator transition. Our results suggest that the phase transition in Pb2CaOsO6 is spin-driven, and could be a rare example of a Slater transition., Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures. Accepted as a regular article in Phys. Rev. B

Background: In the renewable energy investment market, there are risks such as fossil fuel price fluctuations, environmental risks caused by pollutant emissions, electricity price fluctuations caused by energy policies, and so on, which bring certain difficulties to measure the investment efficiency. Methods: In this regard, the paper applies the portfolio theory to the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to evaluate investment efficiency. First of all, the Monte Carlo method is used to simulate the four uncertain factors of fuel unit price, feed-in tariff, annual operating hours, and carbon price, so as to quantitatively measure the risk and return of different power generation. According to the portfolio theory, it evaluates the portfolio risks and returns, respectively as input and output indicators, so as to build a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to estimate investment efficiency. Conclusion: The simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented method. In details, we select a poor efficiency sample, and then, we propose an optimization measure to improve the efficiency. By adjusting the proportion of its investment, the result proves that increasing the proportion of renewable energy can realize optimization and validity of renewable energy investment. Thus, it provides auxiliary support for the investment decision of renewable energy and realizes the coordinated allocation and efficient utilization of renewable energy.

The solutions of phenol and the mixture of phenol and ammonia were gasified in a continuous supercritical water reactor to evaluate the influences of ammonia on the hydrogen production and the degradation pathways of phenol. The effects of temperature (560–640 °C), reaction time (2–20 s) and concentration of ammonia (500–2000 mg/L) on gaseous distributions, gasification efficiencies and reactants removal efficiencies were investigated. In addition, the effects of ammonia on the kinds of intermediate products were analyzed. Results showed that the increasing temperature greatly promoted the hydrogen production and degradation of phenol. Longer reaction time gave a positive effect on gasification efficiencies in 10 s, while the effect was little when the reaction time longer than 10 s. Ammonia prevented the production of hydrogen and the degradation of phenol, which was mainly due to the generation of more stable nitrogen polycyclic compounds. The possible degradation pathways for the mixture of phenol and ammonia were proposed.

The intrinsic magnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4 exhibits rich topological effects such as quantum anomalous Hall effect and axion electrodynamics. Here, by combining the use of synchrotron and laser light sources, we carry out comprehensive and high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy studies on MnBi2Te4 and clearly identify its topological electronic structure. In contrast to theoretical predictions and previous studies, we observe topological surface states with diminished gap forming a characteristic Dirac cone. We argue that the topological surface states are mediated by multidomains of different magnetization orientations. In addition, the temperature evolution of the energy bands clearly reveals their interplay with the magnetic phase transition by showing interesting differences between the bulk and surface states, respectively. The investigation of the detailed electronic structure of MnBi2Te4 and its temperature evolution provides important insight into not only the exotic properties of MnBi2Te4, but also the generic understanding of the interplay between magnetism and topological electronic structure in magnetic topological quantum materials.

The existence and approximation of manifolds for the Swift-Hohenberg equation with a proper parameter have mainly been studied. Using the backward-forward systems from Swift-Hohenberg equation, the existence and specific representation forms of manifolds for Swift-Hohenberg equation with a parameter have been obtained. Meanwhile, we make use of technique of deposition of lower and higher frequency spaces of solutions and assume the reduced system to obtain the main numeration approximation system of approximation solution for the original system Swift-Hohenberg equation with a proper parameter.

We report the synthesis of Na1-xCaxIrO3 (x = 0–1) at 3 GPa and 900 °C by using the high-pressure technique. Structure analysis indicates that all samples characterize in the post-perovskite (Ppv) structure. Physical properties characterizations reveal that Na1-xCaxIrO3 shows an insulator-metal transition (IMT) at x ≤ 0.1, and then exhibits a metal-insulator transition (MIT) with further increasing the Ca concentration to a level between x = 0.6 and 0.7. The transitions are associated with a gradual alternation of the paramagnetic ground state to an antiferromagnetic one due to the increase of Ir4+ ions (S = 1/2, t2g5) in the nonmagnetic Ir5+ (S = 0, t2g4) host. The IMIT are discussed by involving the delicate interactions in 5d oxides such as the spin-orbit coupling (SOC), electronic correlation, width of the 5d t2g band, and the crystal-field splitting energy within the t2g shell. The observation not only would be instructive for inducing novel electronic states via tuning the delicate interactions in 5d oxides but also might pave a way for studying the continuous crossover of a band insulator to a Mott insulator.

We investigated the magnetic structure and dynamics of YbMnBi$_2$, with elastic and inelastic neutron scattering, to shed light on the topological nature of the charge carriers in the antiferromagnetic phase. We confirm C-type antiferromagnetic ordering of the Mn spins below $T_{\rm N} = 290$ K, and determine that the spins point along the $c$-axis to within about $3^\circ$. The observed magnon spectrum can be described very well by the same effective spin Hamiltonian as was used previously to model the magnon spectrum of CaMnBi$_2$. Our results show conclusively that the creation of Weyl nodes in YbMnBi$_2$ by the time-reversal-symmetry breaking mechanism can be excluded in the bulk.

Combination of nontrivial topology of band structure and magnetism in a single material would provide an excellent platform for studying their interplay as well as for discovering exotic physical properties. Alternative to the angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurement that usually suffers disturbance from magnetic domains, the magnetotransport could support useful clues about the nontrivial topological states by measuring the Fermi surface of a magnetic topological system. We report herein the magnetization and magnetotransport measurements of the Kondo semimetal CeBi, a proposed magnetic topological semimetal. The magnetotransport measurements unveil striking Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations associated with a nontrivial Berry phase in its spin-polarized state. The behavior could be interpreted by the appearance of a pair of Weyl points close to the Fermi level on the Γ-X high symmetry direction as uncovered by the first principles calculations. The results would be valuable for verifying a Kondo magnetic topological semimetal as well as be instructive for the study of nontrivial topological states in the Kondo-lattice system.

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals material is a focus of research for its widespread application in optoelectronics, memories, and spintronics. The ternary compound Nb2SiTe4 is a van der Waals semiconductor with excellent air stability and small cleavage energy, which is suitable for preparing a few layers counterpart to explore novel properties. Here, properties of bulk Nb2SiTe4 with large in-plane electrical anisotropy are demonstrated. It is found that hole carriers dominate at a temperature above 45 K with a carrier active energy of 31.3 meV. The carrier mobility measured at 100 K is about 213 cm2⋅V−1⋅s−1 in bulk Nb2SiTe4, higher than the reported results. In a thin flake Nb2SiTe4, the resistivity ratio between the crystalline axes of a and b is reaching about 47.3 at 2.5 K, indicating that there exists a large anisotropic transport behavior in their basal plane. These novel transport properties provide accurate information for modulating or utilizing Nb2SiTe4 for electronic device applications.

Topological superconductors (TSCs) have been widely investigated in recent years due to their novel physics and ability to host Majorana fermions (MFs) which are key to topological quantum computation. Despite the great interest, only a few compounds have been proposed as candidates of intrinsic TSCs, such as iron-based superconductor FeSe0.55Te0.45 and 2M-WS2. Among them, quasi-one-dimensional superconductor TaSe3 possesses fascinating properties such as its simple stoichiometry, layered nature and chemical stability. Here, using scanning tunneling microscope/spectroscopy (STM/STS), we systematically investigate the topography and electronic structure of TaSe3. Our STM/STS measurement reveals large atomically flat, defect-free surfaces suitable for the search of MF; electronic density of states consistent with our angle-resolved photoemission result and band-structure calculations, and a uniform superconducting gap with a typical size of ∼ 0.25 meV. Remarkably, additional edge states are observed in the vicinity of the terrace edge, suggesting they may have a topological origin. Our result proves the coexistence of superconductivity and topological electronic structure in TaSe3, making it an intriguing platform to investigate topological superconductivity.

We have unveiled a magnetic exchange-induced topological phase transition in a bulk natural van der Waals crystal MnSb2Te4, based on magnetization and magnetotransport measurements and first principles calculations. At the A-type antiferromagnetic ground state, MnSb2Te4 is a topologically trivial insulator with a bandgap of ∼ 42 meV at the Γ point of the Brillouin zone. A small magnetic field less than 1.4 T along the c axis can drive the system into a spin fully polarized state, which hosts only a single pair of Weyl points setting near the Γ point at the Fermi level without other band mixing, supported by both the first principles calculations and the measured anomalous Hall effect. The results would setup an excellent paradigm for the study of interplay between magnetism and nontrivial topology of the electronic band structure.

Phenol, acetic acid, and naphthalene, as the most common and refractory intermediates during the supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of biomass were selected as the model compounds, and the their mutual interactive effects during the SCWG process were investigated. The gasification performances of one-component solutions and their two- and three-components mixtures were thoroughly studied in a tubular reactor at 550°C, 25 MPa, reaction time of 20 s. Results showed that for the one-component solutions, the difficulty degree of degradation order of the three compounds was naphthalene > phenol > acetic acid, and concentration of the reactants showed little influence on the gasification efficiencies. For the two-components solutions, acetic acid promoted the degradation of phenol and naphthalene, and the gasification of phenol and naphthalene inhibited each other. The 3D curved surface for gas yields and total organic concentration (TOC) removal efficiencies of three-components mixture clearly showed that the increasing concentration of acetic acid increased the H2 and CO2 yields. While the interactive effects of the three compounds were favorable for CH4 yield. Acetic acid played a positive effect on TOC removal, while the increasing concentration of naphthalene was unfavorable for the degradation of TOC, and the inhibition effect was higher when phenol existed. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2017