An important theoretical criterion to evaluate the ductility of metals with a body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice is the mechanical failure mode of their perfect crystals under tension along $\langle 100\rangle$ directions. When the tensile stress reaches the ideal tensile strength, the pure W crystal fails by a cleavage fracture along the $\left\{100\right\}$ plane so that it is intrinsically brittle. To discover the strategy to improve its ductility, we performed density functional theory and density functional perturbation theory calculations to study the ideal tensile strength and the lattice instability under $\langle 100\rangle$ tension for both W-Ta and W-Re alloys. Anisotropic linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) theory and Rice's criterion were also applied to analyze the mechanical instability at the crack tip under $\langle 100\rangle$ tension based on the competition between cleavage propagation and dislocation emission. The results show that the intrinsic ductility can be achieved in both W-Ta and W-Re, however, by different mechanisms. Even though W-Ta alloys with low Ta concentrations are still intrinsically brittle, the intrinsic ductility of W-Ta alloys with high Ta concentrations is promoted by elastic shear instability before the cleavage failure. The intrinsic ductility of W-Re alloys is produced by unstable transverse phonon waves before the cleavage failure, and the corresponding phonon mode is related to the generation of $\frac{1}{2}\langle 111\rangle \left\{\overline{2}11\right\}$ dislocation in bcc crystals. The ideal tensile calculations, phonon analyses, and anisotropic LEFM examinations are mutually consistent in the evaluation of intrinsic ductility. These results bring us physical insights on the ductility-brittle mechanisms of W alloys under extreme stress conditions.

We investigate the influence of lateral variations of the second-order perpendicular anisotropy in thin films on the effective anisotropies required to represent this structure using a macrospin approximation. Second-order and fourth-order effective anisotropies are required for the macrospin approximation. In the case of quasistatic calculations, the fourth-order effective anisotropy is closely linked to deviations of the average magnetization angle from the field direction and lateral variations of the magnetization direction in the structure leading to dependence on the field strength and the lateral length scale of anisotropy variations of the effective anisotropies. We find that the field and lateral length-scale dependence of the effective anisotropies extracted from simulations of the magnetization dynamics are profoundly different from those of the quasistatic simulations. This is caused by resonance localization that depends on the orientation of the external magnetic field.

An alternating current (ac) magnetic field or spin current can reduce the switching field of a ferromagnet through resonance excitation of a large-angle precession of magnetization. The nonlinear magnetization dynamics of this switching scheme completely differ from the general ferromagnetic resonance phenomenon, which is linearly excited by a small ac magnetic field. To understand these dynamics, it is necessary to evaluate the effective potential barrier height for switching, $\mathrm{\Delta }{U}^{\mathrm{eff}}$. However, most previous studies have measured the consequent precession angle in the nonlinear dynamics by magneto-optical methods and/or by applying a magneto-resistive effect. Here, we applied the cooperative switching method, which evaluates the $\mathrm{\Delta }{U}^{\mathrm{eff}}$ of the nonlinear dynamics under a sub-ns-wide magnetic field impulse, and observed a nontrivial reduction of $\mathrm{\Delta }{U}^{\mathrm{eff}}$ in a submicron-wide NiFe strip. The strong reduction of $\mathrm{\Delta }{U}^{\mathrm{eff}}$ under a negative magnetic field was caused by a saddle-node bifurcation in the nonlinear dynamics. In a micromagnetics simulation, we also confirmed that the magnetization is nonuniformly excited at the shallowest $\mathrm{\Delta }{U}^{\mathrm{eff}}$.

In the framework of path-integral formalism and Keldysh technique for a nonequilibrium system we explore the kinetics of the polariton condensate in a quantum well embedded in an optical microcavity. We take into account pumping and leakage of excitons and photons. We make an ab initio derivation of the equations governing the dynamics of the condensates and reservoirs and show that the real open polariton system has a non-Markovian character at times comparable to the Rabi oscillation period.

Superconductivity is a result of quantum coherence at macroscopic scales. Two superconductors separated by a metallic or insulating weak link exhibit the AC Josephson effect: the conversion of a DC voltage bias into an AC supercurrent. This current may be used to activate mechanical oscillations in a suspended weak link. As the DC-voltage bias condition is remarkably difficult to achieve in experiments, here we analyze theoretically how the Josephson effect can be exploited to activate and detect mechanical oscillations in the experimentally relevant condition with purely DC current bias. We unveil how changing the strength of the electromechanical coupling results in two qualitatively different regimes showing dramatic effects of the oscillations on the DC-voltage characteristic of the device. These include the appearance of Shapiro-type plateaus for weak coupling and a sudden mechanically induced retrapping for strong coupling. Our predictions, measurable in state-of-the-art experimental setups, allow the determination of the frequency and quality factor of the resonator using DC only techniques.

We study the applicability of the time-dependent variational principle in matrix-product state manifolds for the long time description of quantum interacting systems. By studying integrable and nonintegrable systems for which the long time dynamics are known we demonstrate that convergence of long time observables is subtle and needs to be examined carefully. Remarkably, for the disordered nonintegrable system we consider the long time dynamics are in good agreement with the rigorously obtained short time behavior and with previous obtained numerically exact results, suggesting that at least in this case, the apparent convergence of this approach is reliable. Our study indicates that, while great care must be exercised in establishing the convergence of the method, it may still be asymptotically accurate for a class of disordered nonintegrable quantum systems.

We report the structural, magnetic, transport, and electronic properties of Nb-substituted ${\mathrm{LaCo}}_{1-x}{\mathrm{Nb}}_x{\mathrm{O}}_3$ ($x=0–0.2$). The Rietveld refinement of x-ray diffraction data demonstrate structural phase transitions from rhombohedral to orthorhombic and further to monoclinic with increasing the Nb concentration up to $x\ge 0.2$. Interestingly, we observed dramatic changes in the magnetization ($M$) with increasing the Nb concentration, as the $M$ sharply increases below 10 K even at 2.5% substitution. Furthermore, ac susceptibility data show the spin glass behavior in $x=0.1$ sample. We find that the density of states near the Fermi level decreases and the activation energy increases, which results in the decreasing conductivity with higher Nb concentration. A significant shift in the peak position of $A_{2g}$ phonon mode has been observed using Raman spectroscopy, which indicates the change in the coupling due to the structural distortion with Nb substitution. The core-level photoemission study confirms that the Nb is present in $5+$ valence state. Our study reveals that the nonmagnetic ${\mathrm{Nb}}^{5+}$ ($d^0$) substitution converts ${\mathrm{Co}}^{3+}$ ions to ${\mathrm{Co}}^{2+}$ and stabilizes both in the high-spin state. Our results suggest that structural and spin-state transitions as well as the difference in the ionic radii between ${\mathrm{Nb}}^{5+}$ and ${\mathrm{Co}}^{3+}$ are playing an important role in tuning the physical properties.

Topological noncollinear magnetic phases of matter are at the heart of many proposals for future information nanotechnology, with novel device concepts based on ultrathin films and nanowires. Their operation requires understanding and control of the underlying dynamics, including excitations such as spin waves. So far, no experimental technique has attempted to probe large wave-vector spin waves in noncollinear low-dimensional systems. In this paper, we explain how inelastic electron scattering, being suitable for investigations of surfaces and thin films, can detect the collective spin-excitation spectra of noncollinear magnets. To reveal the particularities of spin waves in such noncollinear samples, we propose the usage of spin-polarized electron-energy-loss spectroscopy augmented with a spin analyzer. With the spin analyzer detecting the polarization of the scattered electrons, four spin-dependent scattering channels are defined, which allow us to filter and select specific spin-wave modes. We take as examples a topological nontrivial skyrmion lattice, a spin-spiral phase, and the conventional ferromagnet. Then we demonstrate that, counterintuitively and in contrast to the ferromagnetic case, even non-spin-flip processes can generate spin waves in noncollinear substrates. The measured dispersion and lifetime of the excitation modes permit us to fingerprint the magnetic nature of the substrate.

Unconventional metallic or strange metal (SM) behavior with non-Fermi liquid (NFL) properties, generic features of heavy-fermion systems near quantum phase transitions, are yet to be understood microscopically. A paradigmatic example is the magnetic field-tuned quantum critical heavy-fermion metal ${\mathrm{YbRh}}_2{\mathrm{Si}}_2$, revealing a possible SM state over a finite range of fields at low temperatures when substituted with Ge. Above a critical field, the SM state gives way to a heavy Fermi liquid with Kondo correlation. The NFL behavior, most notably a linear-in-temperature electrical resistivity and a logarithmic-in-temperature followed by a power-law singularity in the specific heat coefficient at low temperatures, still lacks a definite understanding. We propose the following mechanism as origin of the experimentally observed behavior: a quasi-$2d$ fluctuating short-ranged resonating-valence-bond spin liquid competing with the Kondo correlation. Applying a field-theoretical renormalization group analysis on an effective field theory beyond a large-$N$ approach to an antiferromagnetic Kondo-Heisenberg model, we identify the critical point and explain remarkably well the SM behavior. Our theory goes beyond the well-established framework of quantum phase transitions and serves as a basis to address open issues in quantum critical heavy-fermion systems.

By tuning the magnetic flux, the two ends of a 1D topological superconductor weakly coupled to a normal metal as a ring-shaped junction can host split Majorana zero modes (MZMs). When this ring geometry becomes Coulomb blockaded, and the two leads come into contact with the two wire ends, the current moves through the superconductor or the normal metal as an interferometer. The two-terminal interference conductance can be experimentally measured as a function of gate voltage and magnetic flux through the ring. However, a $4\pi$ periodicity in the conductance-phase relation (often considered the hallmark of MZMs), which can arise both in a topological superconductor and in a trivial metal, cannot establish the existence of MZMs. We show that the trivial metal phase can be ruled out in favor of a topological superconductor by studying persistent conductance distribution patterns. In particular, in the presence of MZMs, the conductance peak spacings of the Coulomb blockaded junction would manifest line crossings as the magnetic flux varies. The locations of the line crossings can distinguish line crossings stemming from the trivial metal.

We report a comprehensive investigation of the electrical, thermal, and thermoelectric transport properties of bulk single-crystalline black phosphorus in wide temperature (2–300 K) and field (0–9 T) ranges. Electrical transport below $T\approx$ 250 K is found to be dominated by extrinsic hole-type charge carriers with large mobility exceeding ${10}^4$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$/V s at low temperatures. While thermal transport measurements reveal an enhanced in-plane thermal conductivity maximum $\kappa$ = 180 W/m K at $T\approx$ 25 K, it appears still to be largely constrained by extrinsic phonon scattering processes, e.g., the electron-phonon process, in addition to intrinsic umklapp scattering. The thermoelectric power and Nernst effect seem to be strongly influenced by ambipolar transport of charge carriers with opposite signs in at least the high-temperature region above 200 K, which diminishes the thermoelectric power factor of this material. Our results provide a timely update to the transport properties of bulk black phosphorus for future fundamental and applied research.

The specularity of phonons at crystal surfaces is of direct importance to thermal transport in nanostructures and to dissipation in nanomechanical resonators. Wave scattering theory provides a framework for estimating wavelength-dependent specularity, but experimental validation remains elusive. Widely available thermal conductivity data presents poor validation since the involvement of the infinitude of phonon wavelengths in thermal transport presents an underconstrained test for specularity theory. Here, we report phonon specularity by measuring the lifetimes of individual coherent longitudinal acoustic phonon modes excited in ultrathin (36–205 nm) suspended silicon membranes at room temperature over the frequency range $\sim 20–118$ GHz. Phonon surface scattering dominates intrinsic Akhiezer damping at frequencies $\gtrsim 60$ GHz, enabling measurements of phonon boundary scattering time over wavelengths $\sim 72–140\mathrm{nm}$. We obtain detailed statistics of the surface roughness at the top and bottom surfaces of membranes using HRTEM imaging. We find that the specularity of the excited modes are in good agreement with solutions of wave scattering only when the TEM statistics are corrected for projection errors. The often-cited Ziman formula for phonon specularity also appears in good agreement with the data, contradicting previous results. This work helps to advance the fundamental understanding of phonon scattering at the surfaces of nanostructures.

Pressure induced solid-solid reconstructive phase transitions for graphite-diamond, and wurtzite-rocksalt in GaN and AlN occur at significantly higher pressure than expected from equilibrium coexistence and their transition paths are always inconsistent with each other. These indicate that the underlying nucleation and growth mechanism in the solid-solid reconstructive phase transitions are poorly understood. Here, we propose an elastic-strain dominated mechanism in a reconstructive phase transition, $\beta -\mathrm{LiGa}{\mathrm{O}}_2$ to $\gamma -\mathrm{LiGa}{\mathrm{O}}_2$, based on in situ high-pressure angle dispersive x-ray diffraction and single-crystal Raman scattering. This mechanism suggests that the pressure induced solid-solid reconstructive phase transition is neither purely diffusionless nor purely diffusive, as conventionally assumed, but a combination. The large elastic strains are accumulated, with the coherent nucleation, in the early stage of the transition. The elastic strains along the $\langle 100\rangle$ and $\langle 001\rangle$ directions are too large to be relaxed by the shear stress, so an intermediate structure emerges reducing the elastic strains and making the transition energetically favorable. At higher pressures, when the elastic strains become small enough to be relaxed, the phase transition to $\gamma -\mathrm{LiGa}{\mathrm{O}}_2$ begins and the coherent nucleation is substituted with a semicoherent one with Li and Ga atoms disordered.

We examine the presence and evolution of magnetic Dirac nodes in the Heisenberg honeycomb lattice. Using linear spin theory, we evaluate the collinear phase diagram as well as the change in the spin dynamics with various exchange interactions. We show that the ferromagnetic structure produces bosonic Dirac and Weyl points due to the competition between the interactions. Furthermore, it is shown that the criteria for magnetic Dirac nodes are coupled to the magnetic structure and not the overall crystal symmetry, where the breaking of inversion symmetry greatly affects the antiferromagnetic configurations. The tunability of the nodal points through variation of the exchange parameters leads to the possibility of controlling Dirac symmetries through an external manipulation of the orbital interactions.

The transition metal dichalcogenide ${\mathrm{PdTe}}_2$ was recently shown to be a unique system where a type-II Dirac semimetallic phase and a superconducting phase coexist. This observation has led to wide speculation on the possibility of the emergence of an unconventional topological superconducting phase in ${\mathrm{PdTe}}_2$. Here, through direct measurement of the superconducting energy gap by scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and temperature and magnetic-field evolution of same, we show that the superconducting phase in ${\mathrm{PdTe}}_2$ is conventional in nature. The superconducting energy gap is measured to be 326 $\mu \mathrm{eV}$ at 0.38 K, and it follows a temperature dependence that is well described within the framework of Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer's theory of conventional superconductivity. This is surprising because our quantum oscillation measurements confirm that at least one of the bands participating in transport has topologically nontrivial character.

In this paper the origin of flux-jumps in Nb thin films is established during magnetization measurements using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Magnetization measurements of the flux avalanche activity show its strong dependence on frequency and amplitude of VSM vibration. In particular, under certain conditions the vibrations induce a transition from a stable superconducting critical state to an undercritical state, accompanied by the 20-fold drop in the magnetic moment. These features allow the elucidation of the origin of the flux-jumps. In contrast to the commonly assumed thermomagnetic instabilities to be responsible for the flux-jumps in Nb films, our results provide solid support for an alternative explanation being due to criticality-built instability well represented by a sandpile. Considering properties of the flux-flow during a flux avalanche regime allows us to estimate nonuniformity of a magnetic field in a VSM sample space developed as a result of vibrations.

We propose the weak localization of magnons in a disordered two-dimensional antiferromagnet. We derive the longitudinal thermal conductivity ${\kappa }_{xx}$ for magnons of a disordered Heisenberg antiferromagnet in the linear-response theory with the linear-spin-wave approximation. We show that the back scattering of magnons is enhanced critically by the particle-particle-type multiple impurity scattering. This back scattering causes a logarithmic suppression of ${\kappa }_{xx}$ with the length scale in two dimensions. We also argue a possible effect of inelastic scattering on the temperature dependence of ${\kappa }_{xx}$. This weak localization is useful to control turning the magnon thermal current on and off.

We present quantum molecular dynamics calculations of thermodynamic properties of expanded liquid tungsten. Experiments on shock compression of porous tungsten and its subsequent expansion into different anvil materials are successfully reproduced. Special attention is paid to available isobaric expansion experimental data and theoretical estimations of the critical point. Density on our first-principles 1 kbar isobar of liquid tungsten is slightly higher than in most wire-explosion experiments and the slope of the isobar is more flat. The dependence of the specific enthalpy on temperature is in good agreement with dynamic heating experimental data. A special Monte Carlo analysis has been applied for the estimation of the liquid-gas coexistence curve and critical point parameters of tungsten. The result is close to an estimation obtained with Likalter's similarity relation.