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The interplay of magnetic correlations, crystal electric field interactions, and spin-orbit coupling in low-dimensional frustrated magnets fosters novel ground states with unusual excitations. Here, we report the magnetic properties and crystal electric field (CEF) scheme of a rare-earth-based square-lattice antiferromagnet NdKNaNbO$_5$ investigated via magnetization, specific heat, electron spin resonance (ESR), and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments. The low-temperature Curie-Weiss temperature $\theta_{\rm CW} \simeq -0.6$ K implies net antiferromagnetic interactions between the Nd$^{3+}$ ions. Two broad maxima are observed in the low temperature specific heat data in magnetic fields, indicating multilevel Schottky anomalies due to the effect of CEF. No magnetic long-range-order is detected down to 0.4 K. The CEF excitations of Kramers' ion Nd$^{3+}$ ($J=9/2$) probed via INS experiments evince dispersionless excitations characterizing the transitions among the CEF energy levels. The fit of the INS spectra enabled the mapping of the CEF Hamiltonian and the energy eigenvalues of the Kramers' doublets. The simulation using the obtained CEF parameters reproduces the broad maxima in specific heat in zero-field as well as in different applied fields. The significant contribution from $J_z = \pm 1/2$ state to the wave function of the ground state doublet indicates the role of strong quantum fluctuations at low temperatures. The magnetic ground state is found to be a Kramers' doublet with effective spin $J_{\rm eff} = 1/2$ at low temperatures., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures

A detailed study of the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of a garnet compound Mn$_{3}$Cr$_{2}$Ge$_{3}$O$_{12}$ is carried out using x-ray diffraction, magnetization, heat capacity, and neutron diffraction measurements as well as \textit{ab initio} band-structure calculations. This compound manifests two successive magnetic transitions at $T_{\rm N1} \simeq 4.5$ K and $T_{\rm N2} \simeq 2.7$ K. Neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal that these two transitions correspond to the collinear and non-collinear antiferromagnetic ordering of the nonfrustrated Cr$^{3+}$ and frustrated Mn$^{2+}$ sublattices, respectively. The interactions within each of the Cr and Mn sublattices are antiferromagnetic, while the inter-sublattice interactions are ferromagnetic. The $H-T$ phase diagram is quite complex and displays multiple phases under magnetic field, which can be attributed to the frustrated nature of the spin lattice. Mn$_{3}$Cr$_{2}$Ge$_{3}$O$_{12}$ shows a large magnetocaloric effect with a maximum value of isothermal entropy change $\Delta S_{\rm m} \simeq -23$ J/kg-K and adiabatic temperature change $\Delta T_{\rm ad} \simeq 9$ K for a field change of 7 T. Further, a large value of the relative cooling power ($RCP \simeq 360$ J/kg) demonstrates the promise of using this compound in magnetic refrigeration., Comment: Phys. Rev. B (Accepted) 12 pages, 10 figures, 54 references

The kagome lattice has emerged as a promising platform for hosting unconventional chiral charge order at high temperatures. Notably, in LaRu$_{3}$Si$_{2}$, a room-temperature charge-ordered state with a propagation vector of ($\frac{1}{4}$,~0,~0) has been recently identified. However, understanding the interplay between this charge order and superconductivity, particularly with respect to time-reversal-symmetry breaking, remains elusive. In this study, we employ single crystal X-ray diffraction, magnetotransport, and muon-spin rotation experiments to investigate the charge order and its electronic and magnetic responses in LaRu$_{3}$Si$_{2}$ across a wide temperature range down to the superconducting state. Our findings reveal the emergence of a charge order with a propagation vector of ($\frac{1}{6}$,~0,~0) below $T_{\rm CO,2}$ ${\simeq}$ 80 K, coexisting with the previously identified room-temperature primary charge order ($\frac{1}{4}$,~0,~0). The primary charge-ordered state exhibits zero magnetoresistance. In contrast, the appearance of the secondary charge order at $T_{\rm CO,2}$ is accompanied by a notable magnetoresistance response and a pronounced temperature-dependent Hall effect, which experiences a sign reversal, switching from positive to negative below $T^{*}$ ${\simeq}$ 35 K. Intriguingly, we observe an enhancement in the internal field width sensed by the muon ensemble below $T^{*}$ ${\simeq}$ 35 K. Moreover, the muon spin relaxation rate exhibits a substantial increase upon the application of an external magnetic field below $T_{\rm CO,2}$ ${\simeq}$ 80 K. Our results highlight the coexistence of two distinct types of charge order in LaRu$_{3}$Si$_{2}$ within the correlated kagome lattice, namely a non-magnetic charge order ($\frac{1}{4}$,~0,~0) below $T_{\rm co,1}$ ${\simeq}$ 400 K and a time-reversal-symmetry-breaking charge order below $T_{\rm CO,2}$., Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures

Vacancies play a crucial role in solid-state physics, but their impact on materials with strong electron-electron correlations has been underexplored. A recent study on the Ir-Sb binary system, Ir$_{16}$Sb$_{18}$ revealed a novel extended buckled-honeycomb vacancy (BHV) order. Superconductivity is induced by suppressing the BHV ordering through high-pressure growth with excess Ir atoms or isovalent Rh substitution, although the nature of superconducting pairing has remained unexplored. Here, we conduct muon spin rotation experiments probing the temperature-dependence of the effective magnetic penetration depth $\lambda_{eff}\left(T\right)$ in Ir$_{1-{\delta}}$Sb (synthesized at 5.5 GPa with $T_{\rm c}$ = 4.2 K) and ambient pressure synthesized optimally Rh-doped Ir$_{1-x}$Rh$_{x}$Sb ($x$=0.3, $T_{\rm c}$ = 2.7 K). The exponential temperature dependence of the superfluid density $n_{\rm s}$/m$^{*}$ at low temperatures indicates a fully gapped superconducting state in both samples. Notably, the ratio of $T_{\rm c}$ to the superfluid density is comparable to previously measured unconventional superconductors. A significant increase in $n_{\rm s}$/m$^{*}$ in the high-pressure synthesized sample correlates with $T_{\rm c}$, a hallmark feature of unconventional superconductivity. We further demonstrate a similar effect induced by chemical pressure (Rh substitution) and hydrostatic pressure in Ir$_{1-x}$Rh$_{x}$Sb, highlighting that the dome-shaped phase diagram is a fundamental feature of the material. These findings underscore the unconventional nature of the observed superconductivity, and classifies IrSb as the first unconventional superconducting parent phase with ordered vacancies., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures

We probe the magnetic field-induced Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (TLL) state in the bond-alternating spin-$1/2$ antiferromagnetic (AFM) chain compound NaVOPO$_4$ using thermodynamic as well as local $\mu$SR and $^{31}$P NMR probes down to milli-K temperatures in magnetic fields up to 14~T. The $\mu$SR and NMR relaxation rates in the gapless TLL regime decay slowly following characteristic power-law behaviour, enabling us to directly determine the interaction parameter $K$ as a function of the magnetic field. These estimates are cross-checked using magnetization and specific heat data. The field-dependent $K$ lies in the range of $0.4 < K < 1$ and indicates repulsive nature of interactions between the spinless fermions, in line with the theoretical predictions. This renders NaVOPO$_4$ the first experimental realization of TLL with repulsive fermionic interactions in hitherto studied $S=1/2$ bond-alternating AFM-AFM chain compounds., Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, 47 references

Two triangular lattice antiferromagnets Sr$_3$Co(Nb,Ta)$_2$O$_9$ with an effective $j_{\rm eff}=1/2$ of Co$^{2+}$ are synthesized and their magnetic properties are investigated via magnetization and heat capacity measurements. The leading in-plane antiferromagnetic exchange coupling is estimated to be $J/k_{\rm B} \simeq 4.7$ K and 5.8 K, respectively. Both the compounds feature two-step magnetic transitions at low temperatures [($T_{\rm N1} \simeq 1.47$ K and $T_{\rm N2} \simeq 1.22$ K) and ($T_{\rm N1} \simeq 0.88$ K and $T_{\rm N2} \simeq 0.67$ K), respectively], driven by weak easy-axis anisotropy. Under magnetic field Sr$_3$CoNb$_2$O$_9$ evinces a plateau at $1/3$ magnetization. Interestingly, the high field magnetization of Sr$_3$CoTa$_2$O$_9$ reveals an exotic regime (between $H_{\rm S1}$ and $H_{\rm S2}$), below the fully polarized state in which the heat capacity at low temperatures is governed by a power law ($C_{\rm p} \propto T^{\alpha}$) with a reduced exponent $\alpha \simeq 2$. These results demonstrate an unusual field induced state with gapless excitations in the strongly frustrated magnet Sr$_3$CoTa$_2$O$_9$. The complete $T-H$ phase diagram is discussed for both the compounds., Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables

We delineate quantum magnetism in the strongly spin-orbit coupled, distorted honeycomb-lattice antiferromagnet BiYbGeO$_{5}$. Our magnetization and heat capacity measurements reveal that its low-temperature behavior is well described by an effective $J_{\rm eff}=1/2$ Kramers doublet of Yb$^{3+}$. The ground state is nonmagnetic with a tiny spin gap. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility, magnetization isotherm, and heat capacity could be modeled well assuming isolated spin dimers with anisotropic exchange interactions $J_{\rm Z} \simeq 2.6$~K and $J_{\rm XY} \simeq 1.3$~K. Heat capacity measurements backed by muon spin relaxation suggest the absence of magnetic long-range order down to at least 80\,mK both in zero field and in applied fields. This sets BiYbGeO$_5$ apart from Yb$_2$Si$_2$O$_7$ with its unusual regime of magnon Bose-Einstein condensation and suggests negligible interdimer couplings, despite only a weak structural deformation of the honeycomb lattice., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures

We present the ground state properties of a new quantum antiferromagnet YbBO$_3$ in which the isotropic Yb$^{3+}$ triangular layers are separated by a non-magnetic layer of partially occupied B and O(2) sites. The magnetization and heat capacity data establish a spin-orbit entangled effective spin $J_{\rm eff} = 1/2$ state of Yb$^{3+}$ ions at low temperatures, interacting antiferromagnetically with an intra-layer coupling $J/k_{\rm B} \simeq 0.53$ K. The absence of oscillations and a $1/3$ tail in the zero-field muon asymmetries rule out the onset of magnetic long-range-order as well as spin-freezing down to 20~mK. An anomalous broad maximum in the temperature dependent heat capacity with a unusually reduced value and a broad anomaly in zero-field muon depolarization rate centered at $T^*\simeq 0.7 \frac{J}{k_{\rm B}}$ provide compelling evidence for a wide fluctuating regime ($0.182 \leq T/J \leq 1.63$) with slow relaxation. We infer that the fluctuating regime is a universal feature of a highly frustrated triangular lattice antiferromagnets while the absence of magnetic long-range-order is due to perfect two-dimensionality of the spin-lattice protected by non-magnetic site disorder., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures

We report the low-temperature magnetothermal properties and spin dynamics of a mixed pyrochlore, Dy2GaSbO7 through the coordination of measurements of dc magnetization, ac susceptibility, and heat capacity, and CF computation. In Dy2GaSbO7, the spins freeze at temperature Tice = 3.1 K, corresponding to dynamical spin-freezing into a disordered state in compliance with the spin-ice rules, but with enhanced zero-point entropy, unlike cannonical dipolar spin-ice materials, Dy2Ti2O7 and Ho2Ti2O7, due to random disorder and varied chemical pressure of B-site (GaSb tetrahedra) ions., Comment: 21 pages, 7 figures

Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of modified cubic spinel compound LiNi$_{0.5}$Mn$_{1.5}$O$_{4}$ are studied via x-ray diffraction, resistivity, DC and AC magnetization, heat capacity, neutron diffraction, $^7$Li nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetocaloric effect, magnetic relaxation, and magnetic memory effect experiments. We stabilized this compound in a cubic structure with space group $P4_{3}32$. It exhibits semiconducting character with an electronic band gap of $\Delta/k_{\rm B} \simeq 0.4$ eV. The interaction within each Mn$^{4+}$ and Ni$^{2+}$ sub-lattice and between Mn$^{4+}$ and Ni$^{2+}$ sublattices is found to be ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM), respectively which leads to the onset of a ferrimagnetic transition at $T_{\rm C} \simeq 125$~K. The reduced values of frustration parameter ($f$) and ordered moments reflect magnetic frustration due to competing FM and AFM interactions. From the $^7$Li NMR shift vs susceptibility plot, the average hyperfine coupling between $^7$Li nuclei and Ni$^{2+}$ and Mn$^{4+}$ spins is calculated to be $\sim 672.4$~Oe/$\mu_{\rm B}$. A detailed critical behaviour study is done in the vicinity of $T_{\rm C}$ using modified-Arrott plot, Kouvel-Fisher plot, and universal scaling of magnetization isotherms. The estimated critical exponents correspond to the 3D XY universality class. A large magneto-caloric effect is observed with a maximum isothermal change in entropy $\Delta S_m \simeq - 11.3$~J/Kg-K and a maximum relative cooling power $RCP \simeq 604$~J/Kg for 9~T magnetic field change. The imaginary part of the AC susceptibility depicts a strong frequency dependent hump at $T=T_{\rm f2}$ well below the blocking temperature $T_{\rm b}\simeq120$~K. The Arrhenius behaviour of frequency dependent $T_{\rm f2}$ and the absence of ZFC memory confirm the existence of superparamagnetism in the ferrimagnetically ordered state., Comment: 23 pages, 22 figures, and 4 tables; Phys. Rev. B (Accepted)

We report the fabrication and human trial of a novel wearable temperature sensor based on WS2-QDs/RGO; which performs instant measurement like thermometer in a wide temperature range: 77K-398 K, in both static- and instant mode. The device is simple, scalable, flexible and cost-effective, where nanoscience and technology played a vital role behind its concept and realization. The WS2-QDs/RGO heterostructure is developed by decorating WS2-QDs on pre-RGO coated cotton textile. In static mode, the crucial parameters such as temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and thermal hysteresis (Hth) were analyzed in depth to get the intricate mechanism behind the working of a temperature sensor; and check its worthiness to be a better candidate in the field of temperature sensor. Temperature sensing data at both high- and low temperatures are very much encouraging; and endorses its viability. Human trial is conducted to make reliable and hassle free temperature monitoring like thermometer where the sensor device is found capable to measure accurate body temperature with exceptional resolution i.e. the minimum change in temperature the device can measure is ~0.06K in addition to, fast response- and recovery time ~1.4 s and 1.7 s respectively. In every sense, the developed sensor has exhibited highest degree of superiority vis-a-vis its counterpart commercial thermometer used in healthcare. Besides, the device has passed through all deformation test successfully and proved its mettle. This sensor device proved its flexibility and stability under various mechanical deformation(s), showing its promising potential for future generation wearable health monitoring devices. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on WS2 in general, and WS2-QDs, in specific, based temperature sensing device and its operational demonstration as of now.

We investigate the ultrafast transient absorption spectrum of Bi2Se3 topological insulator. Bi2Se3 single crystal is grown through conventional solid-state reaction routevia self-flux method. The structural properties have been studied in terms of high-resolution Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD). Detailed Rietveld analysis of PXRD of the crystal showed that sample is crystallized in the rhombohedral crystal structure with a space group of R-3m, and the lattice parameters are a=b=4.14A and c=28.7010A. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) result shows perfectly crystalline structure with layered type morphology which evidenced from surface XRD. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis determined quantitative amounts of the constituent atoms, found to be very close to their stoichiometric ratio. Further the fluence dependent nonlinear behaviour is studied by means of ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. The ultrafast spectroscopy also predicts the capability of this single crystal to generate Terahertz (THz) radiations (T-rays)., Comment: 4 Pages Text + Figs Accepted AIP Proceedings

We report the detailed study of structural micro-structuraland high magnetic field magneto transport propertiesof Bi2Se3single crystal. Bi2Se3 single crystal is grown through conventional solid-state reaction route via the self-flux method. Rietveld analysis on Powder X-ray Diffraction showed that the studied Bi2Se3 crystal is crystallized in single-phase without any impurity. The surface morphology analyzed through Scanning Electron Microscopy study which shows that as-grown single crystal exhibit layered type structure and the quantitative weight of the atomic constituents (Bi and Se) are found to be closeto the stoichiometric amount in energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Low temperature (2.5K) magneto-resistance (MR) exhibited a v-type cusp around origin at lower magnetic field, which is the sign of weak anti-localization effect. Further, Bi2Se3 single crystal magneto conductivity data is fitted by well-known HLN equation in different magnetic field range of 2Tesla, 4Tesla and 6Tesla and the resultant found that the conduction mechanism of Bi2Se3 is dominated by WAL state., Comment: 4 Pages Text + Figs

A break in traditional pore morphology approach, is presented here to see its niche merit over the conventional sensors for water vapour detection. Tubular pores were replaced with normal cone for trace- and inverse cone for RH- level detection. The normal conical pore was fabricated by sheer manipulation of reaction rates of electrolytes, anodic polarization rate and time; and the procedure made reversed in case of inverse cone structure. Sensor with normal cone geometry exhibits response in ppm level with sensitivity of 13pF/ppm, lower detection limit(LOD)~120 ppm with excellent response/recovery time. Lowering LOD further requires alteration of conical geometric parameters in tandem with kinetic theory of water vapour molecules. In contrast, sensor developed from inverse conical structure shows response in RH level and LOD touches down to even less than 20 RH% unlike 45 RH% in conventional RH sensors. Linear response characteristics with sensitivity of 5.14 pF/RH%; surprisingly, the limitations such as nonlinear response, large response recovery time and high hysteresis as observed in conventional anodic alumina based humidity sensors have been removed. Sensing mechanism in both the structures have been suitably demonstrated and ratified with experimental data. Trace level detection is interpreted with the statistical probabilistic approach in the light of kinetic theory of gases and Brownian energy. A correlation between top surface pore diameter (through which water molecule enters) and the optimized mean free path of vapour molecule is established, and demonstrated its effectiveness for humidity detection in trace level. Results are encouraging and same concept may be tried for detection of other gaseous stimuli including organic vapours., Comment: 20 pages

We report successful growth of magnetic topological insulator (MTI) MnBi2Te4. The heating schedule basically deals with growth of the crystal from melt at 900C and very slow cooling (1C/hr) to around 600C with 24 hours hold time, followed by cooling to room temperature. Our detailed, PXRD Reitveld analysis showed that the resultant crystal is dominated mainly by MnBi2Te4 and minor phases of Bi2Te3 and MnTe. The transport measurements showed a step like behavior at around 150K followed by cusp like structure in resistivity at around 25K (TP) due reported anti-ferromagnetic ordering of Mn. Both the resistivity transitions are seen clearly in dR/dT measurements at 150K and 20K respectively. The 25K transition of the compound is also seen in magnetic susceptibility. Low temperature (5K) magnetoresistance (MR) in applied field of up to 6 Tesla exhibited negative ve MR below 3 Tesla and +ve for higher fields. Also, seen are steps in MR below one Tesla. The studied MnBi2Te4 MTI crystal could be a possible candidate for Quantum Anomalous Hall (QAH) effect., Comment: 14 Pages Text + Figs. Accepted Letter - J. Sup. & Novel Mag

The structural and magnetic properties of the square-cupola antiferromagnet Sr(TiO)Cu$_{4}$(PO$_{4}$)$_{4}$ are investigated via x-ray diffraction, magnetization, heat capacity, and $^{31}$P nuclear magnetic resonance experiments on polycrystalline samples, as well as density-functional band-structure calculations. The temperature-dependent unit cell volume could be described well using the Debye approximation with the Debye temperature of $\theta_{\rm D} \simeq $ 550~K. Magnetic response reveals a pronounced two-dimensionality with a magnetic long-range-order below $T_{\rm N} \simeq 6.2$~K. High-field magnetization exhibits a kink at $1/3$ of the saturation magnetization. Asymmetric $^{31}$P NMR spectra clearly suggest strong in-plane anisotropy in the magnetic susceptibility, as anticipated from the crystal structure. From the $^{31}$P NMR shift vs bulk susceptibility plot, the isotropic and axial parts of the hyperfine coupling between $^{31}$P nuclei and the Cu$^{2+}$ spins are calculated to be $A_{\rm hf}^{\rm iso} \simeq 6539$ and $A_{\rm hf}^{\rm ax} \simeq 952$~Oe/$\mu_{\rm B}$, respectively. The low-temperature and low-field $^{31}$P NMR spectra indicate a commensurate antiferromagnetic ordering. Frustrated nature of the compound is inferred from the temperature-dependent $^{31}$P NMR spin-lattice relaxation rate and confirmed by our microscopic analysis that reveals strong frustration of the square cupola by next-nearest-neighbor exchange couplings., Comment: 11 pages, 13 figures, 1 table, Phys. Rev. B (Accepted, 2018)