Approaching the quantum critical point in a highly-correlated all-in-all-out antiferromagnet

Continuous quantum phase transition involving all-in–all-out (AIAO) antiferromagnetic order in strongly spin-orbit-coupled 5d compounds could give rise to various exotic electronic phases and strongly-coupled quantum critical phenomena. Here we experimentally trace the AIAO spin order in Sm₂Ir₂O₇ using direct resonant x-ray magnetic diffraction techniques under high pressure. The magnetic order is suppressed at a critical pressure P_c=6.30GPa, while the lattice symmetry remains in the cubic Fd−3m space group across the quantum critical point. Comparing pressure tuning and the chemical series R₂Ir₂O₇ reveals that the approach to the AIAO quantum phase transition is characterized by contrasting evolutions of the pyrochlore lattice constant a and the trigonal distortion surrounding individual Ir moments, which affects the 5d bandwidth and the Ising anisotropy, respectively. We posit that the opposite effects of pressure and chemical tuning lead to spin fluctuations with different Ising and Heisenberg character in the quantum critical region. Finally, the observed low pressure scale of the AIAO quantum phase transition in Sm₂Ir₂O₇ identifies a circumscribed region of P-T space for investigating the putative magnetic Weyl semimetal state

Status of the standard vector—axial-vector model for nuclear beta decay

The complete set of experimental results on correlations in nuclear beta decay is analyzed in terms of the general Hamiltonian including scalar, vector, axial vector, and tensor interactions with an arbitrary degree of parity violation. It is concluded that the standard vector minus axial-vector model with maximal parity violation (left-handed lepton current) is compatible with the data and rigorous limits are obtained for the values of possible additional coupling constants. In the scalar and tensor case the new constraints are considerably tighter than those published before: |CS / CV| and |CS′ / CV|≤0.2, |(CS+CS′) / CV|≤0.06; |CT / CA| and |CT′ / CA|≤0.09, |(CT+CT′) / CA|≤0.01, all at the 95% confidence level. On the other hand, rather large admixtures of the right-handed lepton currents (CV′ / CV≠1 or CA′ / CA≠1) are allowed by the data. An analysis of the correlations between various coupling constants implied by the data is also performed

Strong (π,0)(\pi,0) spin fluctuations in β\beta-FeSe observed by neutron spectroscopy

We have performed powder inelastic neutron scattering measurements on the unconventional superconductor $\beta$-FeSe ($T_{\rm c} \simeq 8\,\mathrm{K}$). The spectra reveal highly dispersive paramagnetic fluctuations emerging from the square-lattice wave vector $(\pi,0)$ extending beyond 80 meV in energy. Measurements as a function of temperature at an energy of $\sim 13\,\mathrm{meV}$ did not show any variation from $T_{\rm c}$ to $104\,\mathrm{K}$. The results show that FeSe is close to an instability towards $(\pi,0)$ antiferromagnetism characteristic of the parent phases of the high-$T_{\rm c}$ iron arsenide superconductors, and that the iron paramagnetic moment is neither affected by the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal structural transition at $T_{\rm s} \simeq 90\,\mathrm{K}$ nor does it undergo a change in spin state over the temperature range studied.Comment: Revised version, includes Supplementary Materia

State resolved rotational excitation cross sections and rates in H2+H2 collisions

Rotational transitions in molecular hydrogen collisions are computed. The two most recently developed potential energy surfaces for the H2-H2 system are used from the following works: 1) A.I. Boothroyd, P.G. Martin, W.J. Keogh, M.J. Peterson, J. Chem. Phys., 116 (2002) 666, and 2) P. Diep, J.K. Johnson, J. Chem. Phys., 113 (2000) 3480; ibid. 112, 4465. Cross sections for rotational transitions 00->20, 22, 40, 42, 44 and corresponding rate coefficients are calculated using a quantum-mechanical approach. Results are compared for a wide range of kinetic temperatures 300 K < T < 3000 K.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 3 table

Coexistence of incommensurate magnetism and superconductivity in Fe_{1+y}Se_xTe_{1-x}

We report an investigation into the superconducting and magnetic properties of Fe_{1+y}Se_{x}Te_{1-x} single crystals by magnetic susceptibility, muon spin rotation, and neutron diffraction. We find three regimes of behavior in the phase diagram for 0\leq x\leq 0.5: (i) commensurate magnetic order for x< 0.1, (ii) bulk superconductivity for $x\lesssim 0.1$, and (iii) a range \sim 0.25\leq x\leq 0.45 in which superconductivity coexists with static incommensurate magnetic order. The results are qualitatively consistent with a two-band mean-field model in which itinerant magnetism and extended s-wave superconductivity are competing order parameters.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

The modelling of intermediate-age stellar populations: I- near-infrared properties

In this paper, we discuss how the integrated properties of intermediate-age single burst population, especially in the near-infrared, behave as a function of age and metallicity. Our models take into account all stellar evolutionary phases that affect the evolution of the integrated optical and near-infrared spectrum of such a population. Particular care was dedicated to the Asymptotic Giant Brach stars, which can be dominant at near-infrared wavelengths. First we present new synthetic model that takes into account the relevant physical processes that control the evolution through the thermally pulsing AGB. In the isochrone presented in this paper the lifetime and the nature of the AGB stars are established as consequences of the interplay between the physical processes that control the AGB star evolution. The contribution of these stars to the integrated light of the population is thus obtained in a consistent way. We optimize our models by using a new stellar library that explicitly takes into account the spectral features thar characterize only AGB stars in comparison to other cool and luminous stars (abriged)Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 19 page

Dynamical charge inhomogeneity and crystal-field fluctuations for 4f ions in high-Tc cuprates

The main relaxation mechanism of crystal-field excitations in rare-earth ions in cuprates is believed to be provided by the fluctuations of crystalline electric field induced by a dynamic charge inhomogeneity generic for the doped cuprates. We address the generalized granular model as one of the model scenario for such an ingomogeneity where the cuprate charge subsystem remind that of Wigner crystal with the melting transition and phonon-like positional excitation modes. Formal description of R-ion relaxation coincides with that of recently suggested magnetoelastic mechanism.Comment: 4 page