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The delafossite series of layered oxides include some of the highest conductivity metals ever discovered. Of these, PtCoO2, with a room temperature resistivity of 1.8 microOhmcm for in-plane transport, is the most conducting of all. The high conduction takes place in triangular lattice Pt layers, separated by layers of Co-O octahedra, and the electronic structure is determined by the interplay of the two types of layer. We present a detailed study of quantum oscillations in PtCoO2, at temperatures down to 35 mK and magnetic fields up to 30 T. As for PdCoO2 and PdRhO2, the Fermi surface consists of a single cylinder with mainly Pt character, and an effective mass close to the free electron value. Due to Fermi-surface warping, two close-lying high frequencies are observed. Additionally, a pronounced difference frequency appears. By analysing the detailed angular dependence of the quantum-oscillation frequencies, we establish the warping parameters of the Fermi surface. We compare these results to the predictions of first-principles electronic structure calculations including spin-orbit coupling on Pt and Co and on-site correlation U on Co, and hence demonstrate that electronic correlations in the Co-O layers play an important role in determining characteristic features of the electronic structure of PtCoO2.

The magnetic field-induced changes in the conductivity of metals are the subject of intense interest, both for revealing new phenomena and as a valuable tool for determining their Fermi surface. Here, we report a hitherto unobserved magnetoresistive effect in ultra-clean layered metals, namely a negative longitudinal magnetoresistance that is capable of overcoming their very pronounced orbital one. This effect is correlated with the inter-layer coupling disappearing for fields applied along the so-called Yamaji angles where the inter-layer coupling vanishes. Therefore, it is intrinsically associated with the Fermi points in the field-induced quasi-one-dimensional electronic dispersion, implying that it results from the axial anomaly among these Fermi points. In its original formulation, the anomaly is predicted to violate separate number conservation laws for left- and right-handed chiral- (e.g. Weyl) fermions. Its observation in PdCoO$_2$, PtCoO$_2$ and Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ suggests that the anomaly affects the transport of clean conductors, particularly near the quantum limit., Comment: Nature Communications (in press)

Fermi systems in the crossover regime between weakly coupled Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) and strongly coupled Bose-Einstein-condensate (BEC) limits are among the most fascinating objects to study the behavior of an assembly of strongly interacting particles. The physics of this crossover has been of considerable interest both in the fields of condensed matter and ultracold atoms. One of the most challenging issue in this regime is the effect of large spin imbalance on a Fermi system under magnetic fields. Although several exotic physical properties have been predicted theoretically, the experimental realization of such an unusual superconducting state has not been achieved so far. Here we show that pure single crystals of superconducting FeSe offer the possibility to enter the previously unexplored realm where the three energies, Fermi energy $\varepsilon_{\rm F}$, superconducting gap $\Delta$ and Zeeman energy, become comparable. Through the superfluid response, transport, thermoelectric response, and spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscopy, we demonstrate that $\varepsilon_{\rm F}$ of FeSe is extremely small, with the ratio $\Delta/\varepsilon_{\rm F}\sim1 (\sim0.3)$ in the electron (hole) band. Moreover, thermal-conductivity measurements give evidence of a distinct phase line below the upper critical field, where the Zeeman energy becomes comparable to $\varepsilon_{\rm F}$ and $\Delta$. The observation of this field-induced phase provides insights into previously poorly understood aspects of the highly spin-polarized Fermi liquid in the BCS-BEC crossover regime., Comment: Accepted for publication in PNAS

In Mott insulators, the strong electron-electron Coulomb repulsion prevents metallicity and charge excitations are gapped. In dimensions greater than one, their spins are usually ordered antiferromagnetically at low temperatures. Geometrical frustrations can destroy this long-range order, leading to exotic quantum spin liquid (QSL) states. However, their magnetic ground states have been a long-standing mystery. Here we show that a QSL state in the organic Mott insulator EtMe$_3$Sb[Pd(dmit)$_2$]$_2$ with two-dimensional triangular lattice has Pauli-paramagnetic-like low-energy excitations, which are a hallmark of itinerant fermions. Our torque magnetometry down to low temperatures (30 mK) up to high fields (32 T) reveal distinct residual paramagnetic susceptibility comparable to that in a half-filled two-dimensional metal. This demonstrates that the system is in a magnetically gapless ground state, a critical state with infinite magnetic correlation length. Moreover, our results are robust against deuteration, pointing toward the emergence of an extended `quantum critical phase', in which low-energy spin excitations behave as in paramagnetic metals with Fermi surface, despite the frozen charge degree of freedom., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Published in Nature communication

We report the results of the angular-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations (AMROs), which can determine the shape of bulk Fermi surfaces in quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) systems, in a highly hole-doped Fe-based superconductor KFe$_2$As$_2$ with $T_c \approx$ 3.7 K. From the AMROs, we determined the two Q2D FSs with rounded-square cross sections, corresponding to 12% and 17% of the first Brillouin zone. The rounded-squared shape of the FS cross section is also confirmed by the analyses of the interlayer transport under in-plane fields. From the obtained FS shape, we infer the character of the 3d orbitals that contribute to the FSs., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted in Phys. Rev. Lett

We report on the upper critical field B_c2 of a superconducting LiFeAs single crystal with T_c~16 K, determined from magnetic torque measurements in dc-magnetic fields up to 35 T and at temperatures down to 0.3 K. B_c2 at 0.3 K is obtained to be 26.4 T and 15.5 T for the applied field B_a||ab and B_a||c, respectively. The anisotropy parameter $\Gamma$=$B_c2^ab / B_c2^c$ is ~ 3 at T_c and decreases to 1.7 as $T \rightarrow 0$, showing rather isotropic superconductivity. While B_c2 is orbitally-limited for B_a||c, the spin-paramagnetic effect is evident in the temperature dependence of B_c2 for B_a||ab, Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, revised version to be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. as a letter article

High-pressure electrical resistivity measurements up to 3.0GPa have been performed on EuFe2As2 single crystals with residual resistivity ratios RRR=7 and 15. At ambient pressure, a magnetic / structural transition related to FeAs-layers is observed at T0 =190K and 194K for samples with RRR=7 and 15, respectively. Application of hydrostatic pressure suppresses T0, and then induces similar superconducting behavior in the samples with different RRR values. However, the critical pressure 2.7GPa, where T0=0, for the samples with RRR=15 is slightly but distinctly larger than 2.5GPa for the samples with RRR=7., Comment: To be published in J. Phys.: Conf. Ser

The angular dependent magnetoresistance of (Per)2[Au(mnt)2] under pressure has revealed geometrical effects associated with the crystallographic parameters. Pressure suppresses the charge density wave ground state of the material, and in the metallic state both geometrical and orbital quantum interference effects appear. Through magnetic field dependence and orientation, the orbital and geometrical effects are independently identified. We compare the results from (Per)2[Au(mnt)2] with previous studies of the well-known Bechgaard salts., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures

We have performed $^{77}$Se NMR on a single crystal sample of the field induced superconductor $\lambda$-(BETS)$_{2}$FeCl$_{4}$. Our results obtained in the paramagnetic state provide a microscopic insight on the exchange interaction $J$ between the spins \textbf{s} of the BETS $\pi$ conduction electrons and the Fe localized $d$ spins \textbf{S}. The absolute value of the Knight shift \textbf{K} decreases when the polarization of the Fe spins increases. This reflects the ``negative'' spin polarization of the $\pi$ electrons through the exchange interaction $J$. The value of $J$ has been estimated from the temperature and the magnetic field dependence of \textbf{K} and found in good agreement with that deduced from transport measurements (L. Balicas \textit{et al}. Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{87}, 067002 (2001)). This provides a direct microscopic evidence that the field induced superconductivity is due to the compensation effect predicted by Jaccarino and Peter (Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{9}, 290 (1962)). Furthermore, an anomalous broadening of the NMR line has been observed at low temperature, which suggests the existence of charge disproportionation in the metallic state neighboring the superconducting phase.

We have explored the presence of a two-peak feature spanning the peak effect (PE) region in the ac susceptibility data and the magnetization hysteresis measurements over a wide field-temperature regime in few weakly pinned single crystals of $2H$-NbSe$_2$, which display reentrant characteristic in the PE curve near $T_c$(0). We believe that the two-peak feature evolves into distinct second magnetization peak anomaly well separated from the PE with gradual enhancement in the quenched random pinning., Comment: 9 figures

The charge density wave (CDW) transition temperature in the quasi-one dimensional (Q1D) organic material of (Per)$_2$Au(mnt)$_2$ is relatively low (TCDW = 12 K). Hence in a mean field BCS model, the CDW state should be completely suppressed in magnetic fields of order 30 - 40 T. To explore this possibility, the magnetoresistance of (Per)$_2$Au(mnt)$_2$ was investigated in magnetic fields to 45 T for 0.5 K < T < 12 K. For fields directed along the Q1D molecular stacking direction, TCDW decreases with field, terminating at about ~ 37 T for temperatures approaching zero. Results for this field orientation are in general agreement with theoretical predictions, including the field dependence of the magnetoresistance and the energy gap, $\Delta_{CDW}$. However, for fields tilted away from the stacking direction, orbital effects arise above 15 T that may be related to the return of un-nested Fermi surface sections that develop as the CDW state is suppressed. These findings are consistent with expectations that quasi-one dimensional metallic behavior will return outside the CDW phase boundary., Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures

The normal-state Hall effect and magnetoresisitance (MR) have been measured in the quasi-2D heavy fermion superconductor CeCoIn_5. In the non-Fermi liquid region where the reistivity rho_xx exhibits an almost perfect T-linear dependence, the Hall angle varies as cot theta_H propto T^2 and the MR displays a strong violation of Kohler's rule. We demonstrate a novel relation between the MR and the Hall conductivity, Delta rho_xx/rho_xx propto (sigma_xy rho_xx)^2. These results bear a striking resemblance to the normal-state properties of high-T_c cuprates, indicating universal transport properties in the presence of quasi-2D antiferromagnetic fluctuations near a quantum critical point., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

We show for the intermediate valence compound YbAl$_{3}$ that the high field (40 $\lesssim B \lesssim$ 60T) effective masses measured by the de Haas-van Alphen experiment for field along the $<111>$ direction are smaller by approximately a factor of two than the low field masses. The field $B^{*} \sim$ 40T for this reduction is much smaller than the Kondo field $B_{K} \sim k_{B}T_{K}/\mu_{B}$ ($T_{K}\sim$ 670K) but is comparable to the field $k_{B}T_{coh}/\mu_{B}$ where $T_{coh}\sim$ 40K is the temperature for the onset of Fermi liquid coherence. This suggests that the field scale $B^{*}$ does not arise from 4$f$ polarization but is connected with the removal of the anomalies that are known to occur in the Fermi liquid state of this compound., Comment: 7 pages plus 3 figures Submitted to PRL 9/12/02

The resistivity and Hall effect in CeNiSn are measured at temperatures down to 35 mK and in magnetic fields up to 20 T with the current applied along the {\it b} axis. The resistivity at zero field exhibits quadratic temperature dependence below $\sim$0.16 K with a huge coefficient of the $T^2$ term (54 $\mu$$\Omega$cm/K$^2$). The resistivity as a function of field shows an anomalous maximum and dip, the positions of which vary with field directions. Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations with a frequency {\it F} of $\sim$100 T are observed for a wide range of field directions in the {\it ac} and {\it bc} planes, and the quasiparticle mass is determined to be $\sim$10-20 {\it m}$_e$. The carrier density is estimated to be $\sim10^{-3}$ electron/Ce. In a narrow range of field directions in the {\it ac} plane, where the magnetoresistance-dip anomaly manifests itself clearer than in other field directions, a higher-frequency ($F=300\sim400\text{T}$) SdH oscillation is found at high fields above the anomaly. This observation is discussed in terms of possible field-induced changes in the electronic structure., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. B (15 Sept. 2002 issue)

The ac susceptibility and de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) effect in UGe$_2$ are measured at pressures {\it P} up to 17.7 kbar for the magnetic field {\it B} parallel to the {\it a} axis, which is the easy axis of magnetization. Two anomalies are observed at {\it B$_x$}({\it P}) and {\it B}$_m$({\it P}) ({\it B$_x$} $>$ {\it B}$_m$ at any {\it P}), and the {\it P}-{\it B} phase diagram is presented. The Fermi surface and quasiparticle mass are found to vary smoothly with pressure up to 17.7 kbar unless the phase boundary {\it B$_x$}({\it P}) is crossed. The observed dHvA frequencies may be grouped into three according to their pressure dependences, which are largely positive, nearly constant or negative. It is suggested that the quasiparticle mass moderately increases as the boundary {\it B$_x$}({\it P}) is approached. DHvA effect measurements are also performed across the boundary at 16.8 kbar., Comment: to be published in Phys. Rev. B

We examine magnetic field dependent properties associated with the newly discovered field-induced superconducting state (FISC) in lambda-BETS2FeCl4. These include the metal-to-antiferromagnetic insulator transition, the critical field of the FISC state in tilted magnetic fields, and the low-pressure, magnetic field dependence of the insulating and superconducting phases., Comment: 6 pages, Yamada Conference LVI, the Fourth International Symposium on Crystalline Organic Metals, Superconductors, and Ferromagnets, ISCOM 2001

We investigate by electrical transport the field-induced superconducting state (FISC) in the organic conductor $\lambda$-(BETS)$_2$FeCl$_4$. Below 4 K, antiferromagnetic-insulator, metallic, and eventually superconducting (FISC) ground states are observed with increasing in-plane magnetic field. The FISC state survives between 18 and 41 T, and can be interpreted in terms of the Jaccarino-Peter effect, where the external magnetic field {\em compensates} the exchange field of aligned Fe$^{3+}$ ions. We further argue that the Fe$^{3+}$ moments are essential to stabilize the resulting singlet, two-dimensional superconducting state, Comment: 9 pages 3 figures

Two organic conducting materials, where unusual aspects of their composition play important roles, are explored: beta''-(BEDT-TTF)2SF5XSO3 which exhibits superconductivity, or a metal-insulator transition (for X=CH2CF2 or CHF respectively), and tau-(P-S, S -DMEDT-TTF)2 (AuBr2) (AuBr2)y which exhibits a large, hysteretic, negative magnetoresistance. Detailed angular dependent magnetoresistance studies that allow a tomographic view of the electronic structure of these materials with increasing magnetic fields are presented., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, Conference paper submitted to Pacifichem 2000, Honolulu, Dec. 14-19, and Synt. Met., to be published

Shubnikov-De Haas effect (SdH) effect and angular dependent magnetoresistance oscillations (AMRO) were observed in the organic superconductor: $\kappa$-(BETS)$_2$FeBr$_4$. In contrast to its isostructural compound $\kappa-(BETS)$_2$FeCl$_4$, SdH oscillations, for fields perpendicular to the conducting planes, reveal three Fermi Surface (FS) closed orbits $\alpha$, $\beta$, and $\gamma$ whose cross sectional areas are 19.8 %, 99.9 %, and 2.4 % of the first Brillouin zone, respectively. The conduction electron effective masses were found to be: $\mu_{\alpha} = (4.7 \pm 0.2)$ m$_e$, $\mu_{\beta} = (8.0 \pm 1.0)$ m$_e$, and $\mu_{\gamma} = (2.0 \pm 0.2)$ m$_e$. The observation of a $\gamma$ orbit is not expected from band structure calculations, $\mu_{\beta}$ is among the heaviest masses ever reported for an organic conductor. The observed Yamaji-like AMRO indicates a 2-D closed FS, warped along the $k_z$ direction., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures

Detailed studies of the magnetoresistance of alpha-(ET)2KHg(SCN)4 and alpha-(ET)2TlHg(SCN)4 as a function of temperature, magnetic field strength, and field orientation are reported. Below 15 K, the temperature dependence of the magnetoresistance is metallic (dR/dT > 0) for magnetic field orientation corresponding to an angular dependent magnetoresistance oscillation (AMRO) minimum and nonmetallic (dR/dT < 0) at all other field orientations. We find that this behavior can be explained in terms of semiclassical models without the use of a non-Fermi liquid description. The alternating temperature dependence (metallic/nonmetallic)with respect to field orientation is common to any system with either quasi-one or two-dimensional AMRO. Furthermore, we report a new metallic property of the high field and low temperature regime of alpha-(ET)2MHg(SCN)4 (where M = K, Rb, or Tl) compounds., Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures, shown at the APS march meeting 1999, appears in the Ph.D. thesis of J. S. Qualls (Florida State University, 1999), submitted to PRB