“Even-odd transition in the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in a two-dimensional electron gas subjected to periodic magnetic and electric modulations”. Shi J, Peeters FM, Edmonds KW, Gallagher BL, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 66, 035328 (2002). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.66.035328
Abstract: We investigate low-temperature magnetotransport of high-mobility two-dimensional electron gases subjected to one-dimensional periodic magnetic and electric modulations. Our previous quantum perturbation theory is extended to lower temperatures and the energy broadening due to impurity scattering is incorporated. Numerical calculations are made for situations where several Landau bands overlap. We find that the Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations are dominated by collisional resistance. The amplitudes of the SdH oscillations are strongly modulated and the positions of the SdH minima switch between even and odd Landau-level filling factors, in the resistance both parallel and perpendicular to the one-dimensional modulation. This is a consequence of the internal structure (i.e., smeared out van Hove singularities) of overlapping Landau bands. Our theoretical results are in good agreement with recent experiments.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 32
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.66.035328
|
“Optoelectronic properties of confined water in angstrom-scale slits”. Shekarforoush S, Jalali H, Yagmurcukardes M, Milošević, MV, Neek-Amal M, Physical Review B 102, 235406 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.102.235406
Abstract: The optoelectronic properties of confined water form one of the most active research areas in the past few years. Here we present the multiscale methodology to discern the out-of-plane electronic and dipolar dielectric constants (epsilon(el)(perpendicular to) and epsilon(diP)(perpendicular to)) of strongly confined water. We reveal that epsilon(perpendicular to el) and epsilon(diP)(perpendicular to) become comparable for water confined in angstrom-scale channels (with a height of less than 15 angstrom) within graphene (GE) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) bilayers. Channel height (h) associated with a minimum in both epsilon(e)(l)(perpendicular to) and epsilon(dip)(perpendicular to) is linked to the formation of the ordered structure of ice for h approximate to (7 -7.5) angstrom. The recently measured total dielectric constant epsilon(T)(perpendicular to) of nanoconfined water [L. Fumagalli et al., Science 360, 1339 (2018)] is corroborated by our results. Furthermore, we evaluate the contribution from the encapsulating membranes to the dielectric properties, as a function of the interlayer spacing, i.e., the height of the confining channel for water. Finally, we conduct analysis of the optical properties of both confined water and GE membranes, and show that the electron energy loss function of confined water strongly differs from that of bulk water.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.102.235406
|
“Neutron-scattering and electron microscopy studies of premartensitic phenomena in NixAl100-x alloys”. Shapiro SM, Yang BX, Noda Y, Tanner LE, Schryvers D, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 44, 9301 (1991)
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.736
Times cited: 123
|
“Size-dependent enhancement of superconductivity in Al and Sn nanowires: shape-resonance effect”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Zgirski M, Peeters FM, Arutyunov K, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 74, 052502 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.74.052502
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 95
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.74.052502
|
“Giant drop in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer coherence length induced by quantum size effects in superconducting nanowires”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Vagov A, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 82, 104524 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.82.104524
Abstract: The BCS coherence length in low-dimensional superconductors is dramatically modified by quantum-size effects. In particular, for nanowires made of conventional superconducting materials, we show that the longitudinal zero-temperature coherence length exhibits width-dependent drops by 23 orders of magnitude each time when the bottom of one of single-electron subbands formed due to the transverse quantization of electron motion is situated in a close vicinity to the Fermi level. This phenomenon has strong similarities to the well-known BCS-BEC (Bose-Einstein condensation) crossover in ultracold fermionic condensates but with an important exception: it is driven by the transverse quantization of the electron motion rather than by the externally controlled strength of the fermion-fermion interaction.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 29
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.82.104524
|
“Magnetic-field induced quantum-size cascades in superconducting nanowires”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 78, 024505 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.78.024505
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 42
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.78.024505
|
“Oscillations of the superconducting temperature induced by quantum well states in thin metallic films: numerical solution of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 75, 014519 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.75.014519
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 85
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.75.014519
|
“Superconducting nanofilms: Andreev-type states induced by quantum confinement”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : solid state 78, 054505 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.78.054505
Abstract: Quantum confinement of the transverse electron motion is the major effect governing the superconducting properties of high-quality metallic nanofilms, leading to a nonuniform transverse distribution of the superconducting condensate. In this case the order parameter can exhibit significant local enhancements due to these quantum-size effects and, consequently, quasiparticles have lower energies when they avoid the local enhancements of the pair condensate. Such excitations can be considered as new Andreev-type quasiparticles but now induced by quantum confinement. By numerically solving the Bogoliubovde Gennes equations and using Anderson's approximate solution to these equations, we: (a) formulate a criterion for such new Andreev-type states (NATS) and (b) study their effect on the superconducting characteristics in metallic nanofilms. We also argue that nanofilms made of low-carrier-density materials, e.g., of superconducting semiconductors, can be a more optimal choice for the observations of NATS and other quantum-size superconducting effects.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 14
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.78.054505
|
“Shape resonances in the superconducting order parameter of ultrathin nanowires”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 73, 012510 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.73.012510
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 41
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.73.012510
|
“Integer and half-integer quantum Hall effect in silicene: Influence of an external electric field and impurities”. Shakouri K, Vasilopoulos P, Vargiamidis V, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 235423 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.235423
Abstract: The influence of silicene's strong spin-orbit interaction and of an external electric field E-z on the transport coefficients are investigated in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field B. For finite E-z the spin and valley degeneracy of the Landau levels is lifted and leads to additional plateaus in the Hall conductivity, at half-integer values of 4e(2)/h, due to spin intra-Landau-level transitions that are absent in graphene. These plateaus are more sensitive to disorder and thermal broadening than the main plateaus, occurring at integral values of 4e(2)/h, when the Fermi level passes through the Landau levels. We also evaluate the Hall and longitudinal resistivities and critically contrast the results with those for graphene on a substrate.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 32
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.235423
|
“Spin- and valley-dependent magnetotransport in periodically modulated silicene”. Shakouri K, Vasilopoulos P, Vargiamidis V, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 125444 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.125444
Abstract: The low-energy physics of silicene is described by Dirac fermions with a strong spin-orbit interaction and its band structure can be controlled by an external perpendicular electric field E-z. We investigate the commensurability oscillations in silicene modulated by a weak periodic potential V = V-0 cos(2 pi y/a(0)) with a(0) as its period, in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field B and of a weak sinusoidal electric field E-z = E-0 cos(2 pi y/b(0)), where b(0) is its period. We show that the spin and valley degeneracy of the Landau levels is lifted, due to the modulation, and that the interplay between the strong spin-orbit interaction and the potential and electric field modulations can result in spin- and valley-resolved magnetotransport. At very weak magnetic fields the commensurability oscillations induced by a weak potential modulation can exhibit a beating pattern depending on the strength of the homogenous electric field Ez but this is not the case when only Ez is modulated. The Hall conductivity plateaus acquire a step structure, due to spin and valley intra-Landau-level transitions, that is absent in unmodulated silicene. The results are critically contrasted with those for graphene and the two-dimensional electron gas.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 31
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.125444
|
“Effective spin-orbit interaction Hamiltonian for quasi-one-dimensional quantum rings”. Shakouri K, Szafran B, Esmaeilzadeh M, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 165314 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.165314
Abstract: The effective Hamiltonian for an electron in a quasi-one-dimensional quantum ring in the presence of spin-orbit interactions is derived. We demonstrate that, when both coupling types are simultaneously present, the effective Hamiltonian derived by the lowest-radial-state approximation produces energy spectra and charge densities which deviate strongly from the exact ones. For equal Rashba and Dresselhaus coupling constants the lowest-radial-state approximation opens artifactal avoided crossings in the energy spectra and deforms the circular symmetry of the confined charge densities. In this case, there does not exist a ring thin enough to justify the restriction to the lowest radially quantized energy state. We derive the effective Hamiltonian accounting for both the lowest and the first excited radial states, and show that the inclusion of the latter restores the correct features of the exact solution. Relation of this result to the states of a quantum wire is also discussed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 32
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.165314
|
“Tunable spin and charge transport in silicene nanoribbons”. Shakouri K, Simchi H, Esmaeilzadeh M, Mazidabadi H, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 92, 035413 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.92.035413
Abstract: Using the tight-binding formalism, we study spin and charge transport through a zigzag silicene ribbon subject to an external electric field E-z. The effect of an exchange field M-z is also taken into account and its consequences on the band structure as well as spin transport are evaluated. We show that the band structure lacks spin inversion symmetry in the presence of intrinsic spin-orbit interaction in combination of E-z and M-z fields. Our quantum transport calculations indicate that for certain energy ranges of the incoming electrons the silicene ribbon can act as a controllable high-efficiency spin polarizer. The polarization maxima occur simultaneously with the van Hove singularities of the local density of states. In this case, the combination of electric and exchange fields is the key to achieving nearly perfect spin polarization, which also leads to the appearance of additional narrow plateaus in the quantum conductance. Moreover, we demonstrate that the output current still remains completely spin-polarized for low-energy carriers even when a few edge vacancies are present.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 70
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.92.035413
|
“Spin- and pseudospin-polarized quantum Hall liquids in HgTe quantum wells”. Shakouri K, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 92, 045416 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.92.045416
Abstract: A Hg(Cd)Te insulator heterostructure hosts a two-dimensional electron system that can simulate the physics of Dirac fermions with only a single valley. We investigate the magnetotransport properties of this structure and show that, unlike most two-dimensional crystals with spin and valley coupled levels, the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations exhibit a high spin polarization in the absence of any valley degree of freedom. This effect can be observed using magnetospectroscopy measurements for quantum well thicknesses corresponding to either the topologically trivial or quantum spin Hall phases. The pseudospin texture of the electrons near the Fermi level is also studied and we show that a tunable pseudospin-polarized quantum Hall liquid can only be observed for thicknesses corresponding to the inverted regime.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.92.045416
|
“Effect of spin-orbit couplings in graphene with and without potential modulation”. Shakouri K, Masir MR, Jellal A, Choubabi EB, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 88, 115408 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.88.115408
Abstract: We investigate the effect of Rashba and intrinsic spin-orbit couplings on the electronic properties and spin configurations of Dirac fermions confined in: (i) a flat graphene sheet, (ii) a graphene wire with p-n-p structure, and (iii) a superlattice of graphene wires. The interplay between the spin-orbit interaction mechanisms breaks the electron-hole symmetry and the spin configuration induced by Rashba spin-orbit coupling lacks inversion symmetry in k space. We show that the Rashba spin-orbit interaction doubles the Fabry-Perot resonant modes in the transmission spectrum of a graphene wire and opens new channels for the electron transmission. Moreover, it leads to the appearance of spin split extra Dirac cones in the energy spectrum of a graphene superlattice. It is shown that the spin of the electrons and holes confined in a flat graphene sheet is always perpendicular to their motion while this is not the case for the other nanostructures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 36
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.88.115408
|
“Helical liquid of snake states”. Shakouri K, Badalyan SM, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 88, 195404 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.88.195404
Abstract: We derive an exact solution to the problem of spin snake states induced in a nonhomogeneous magnetic field by a combined action of the Rashba spin-orbit and Zeeman fields. The electron spin behavior as a function of the cyclotron orbit center position and an external homogeneous magnetic field was obtained. It is shown that in an antisymmetric magnetic field the electron spin in the snake states has only an in-plane projection, perpendicular to the magnetic interface, which vanishes at large positive momenta. Applying an external homogeneous magnetic field adds a finite out-of-plane spin component and simultaneously gaps out the spectral branches, which results in regular beating patterns of the spin current components.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.88.195404
|
“Controlling the hybridization gap and transport in a thin-film topological insulator : effect of strain, and electric and magnetic field”. Shafiei M, Fazileh F, Peeters FM, Milošević, MV, Physical review B 106, 035119 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.106.035119
Abstract: In a thin-film topological insulator (TI), the edge states on two surfaces may couple by quantum tunneling, opening a gap known as the hybridization gap. Controlling the hybridization gap and transport has a variety of potential uses in photodetection and energy-harvesting applications. In this paper, we report the effect of strain, and electric and magnetic field, on the hybridization gap and transport in a thin Bi2Se3 film, investigated within the tight-binding theoretical framework. We demonstrate that vertical compression decreases the hybridization gap, as does tensile in-plane strain. Applying an electric field breaks the inversion symmetry and leads to a Rashba-like spin splitting proportional to the electric field, hence closing and reopening the gap. The influence of a magnetic field on thin-film TI is also discussed, starting from the role of an out-of-plane magnetic field on quantum Hall states. We further demonstrate that the hybridization gap can be controlled by an in-plane magnetic field, and that by applying a sufficiently strong field a quantum phase transition from an insulator to a semimetal can be achieved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.106.035119
|
“Landau levels in asymmetric graphene trilayer”. Sena SHR, Pereira JM, Peeters FM, Farias GA, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 84, 205448 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.84.205448
Abstract: The electronic spectrum of three coupled graphene layers (graphene trilayers) is investigated in the presence of an external magnetic field. We obtain analytical expressions for the Landau level spectrum for both the ABA and ABC type of stacking, which exhibit very different dependence on the magnetic field. We show that layer asymmetry and an external gate voltage can strongly influence the properties of the system.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.84.205448
|
“Cyclotron resonance of trilayer graphene”. Sena SHR, Pereira JM, Farias GA, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 085412 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.085412
Abstract: The cyclotron resonance energies, the corresponding oscillator strengths, and the cyclotron absorption spectrum for trilayer graphene are calculated for both ABA and ABC stacking. A gate potential across the stacked layers leads to (1) a reduction of the transition energies, (2) a lifting of the degeneracy of the zero Landau level, and (3) the removal of the electron-hole symmetry.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.085412
|
“Phonon hydrodynamics, thermal conductivity, and second sound in two-dimensional crystals”. Scuracchio P, Michel KH, Peeters FM, Physical review B 99, 144303 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.99.144303
Abstract: Starting from our previous work in which we obtained a system of coupled integrodifferential equations for acoustic sound waves and phonon density fluctuations in two-dimensional (2D) crystals, we derive here the corresponding hydrodynamic equations, and we study their consequences as a function of temperature and frequency. These phenomena encompass propagation and damping of acoustic sound waves, diffusive heat conduction, second sound, and Poiseuille heat flow, all of which are characterized by specific transport coefficients. We calculate these coefficients by means of correlation functions without using the concept of relaxation time. Numerical calculations are performed as well in order to show the temperature dependence of the transport coefficients and of the thermal conductivity. As a consequence of thermal tension, mechanical and thermal phenomena are coupled. We calculate the dynamic susceptibilities for displacement and temperature fluctuations and study their resonances. Due to the thermomechanical coupling, the thermal resonances such as the Landau-Placzek peak and the second-sound doublet appear in the displacement susceptibility, and conversely the acoustic sound wave doublet appears in the temperature susceptibility, Our analytical results not only apply to graphene, but they are also valid for arbitrary 2D crystals with hexagonal symmetry, such as 2D hexagonal boron nitride, 2H-transition-metal dichalcogenides, and oxides.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 16
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.99.144303
|
“Role of atomic vacancies and boundary conditions on ballistic thermal transport in graphene nanoribbons”. Scuracchio P, Costamagna, Peeters FM, Dobry A, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 035429 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.035429
Abstract: Quantum thermal transport in armchair and zigzag graphene nanoribbons is investigated in the presence of single atomic vacancies and subject to different boundary conditions. We start with a full comparison of the phonon polarizations and energy dispersions as given by a fifth-nearest-neighbor force-constant model (5NNFCM) and by elasticity theory of continuum membranes (ETCM). For free-edge ribbons, we discuss the behavior of an additional acoustic edge-localized flexural mode, known as fourth acoustic branch (4ZA), which has a small gap when it is obtained by the 5NNFCM. Then, we show that ribbons with supported edges have a sample-size dependent energy gap in the phonon spectrum which is particularly large for in-plane modes. Irrespective to the calculation method and the boundary condition, the dependence of the energy gap for the low-energy optical phonon modes against the ribbon width W is found to be proportional to 1/W for in-plane, and 1/W-2 for out-of-plane phonon modes. Using the 5NNFCM, the ballistic thermal conductance and its contributions from every single phonon mode are then obtained by the nonequilibrium Green's function technique. We found that, while edge and central localized single atomic vacancies do not affect the low-energy transmission function of in-plane phonon modes, they reduce considerably the contributions of the flexural modes. On the other hand, in-plane modes contributions are strongly dependent on the boundary conditions and at low temperatures can be highly reduced in supported-edge samples. These findings could open a route to engineer graphene based devices where it is possible to discriminate the relative contribution of polarized phonons and to tune the thermal transport on the nanoscale.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.035429
|
“Influence of the confinement geometry on surface superconductivity”. Schweigert VA, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 60, 3084 (1999). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.60.3084
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 88
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.60.3084
|
“Phase transitions in thin mesoscopic superconducting disks”. Schweigert VA, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 57, 13817 (1998). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.57.13817
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 200
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.57.13817
|
“Spectral properties of classical two-dimensional clusters”. Schweigert VA, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 51, 7700 (1995)
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.736
Times cited: 237
|
“Enhanced stability of the square lattice of a classical bilayer Wigner crystal”. Schweigert IV, Schweigert VA, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 60, 14665 (1999). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.60.14665
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 31
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.60.14665
|
“Properties of two-dimensional Coulomb clusters confined in a ring”. Schweigert IV, Schweigert VA, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 54, 10827 (1996). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.54.10827
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.736
Times cited: 27
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.54.10827
|
“Graphene ripples as a realization of a two-dimensional Ising model : a scanning tunneling microscope study”. Schoelz JK, Xu P, Meunier V, Kumar P, Neek-Amal M, Thibado PM, Peeters FM, Physical review: B: condensed matter and materials physics 91, 045413 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.045413
Abstract: Ripples in pristine freestanding graphene naturally orient themselves in an array that is alternately curved-up and curved-down; maintaining an average height of zero. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to apply a local force, the graphene sheet will reversibly rise and fall in height until the height reaches 60%-70% of its maximum at which point a sudden, permanent jump occurs. We successfully model the ripples as a spin-half Ising magnetic system, where the height of the graphene plays the role of the spin. The permanent jump in height, controlled by the tunneling current, is found to be equivalent to an antiferromagnetic-to-ferromagnetic phase transition. The thermal load underneath the STM tip alters the local tension and is identified as the responsible mechanism for the phase transition. Four universal critical exponents are measured from our STM data, and the model provides insight into the statistical role of graphene's unusual negative thermal expansion coefficient.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 21
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.91.045413
|
“Real-space simulations of spin-polarized electronic transitions in iron”. Schattschneider P, Verbeeck J, Mauchamp V, Jaouen M, Hamon A-L, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 82, 144418 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.82.144418
Abstract: After the advent of energy-loss magnetic chiral dichroism (EMCD) in 2006, rapid progress in theoretical understanding and in experimental performance was achieved, recently demonstrating a spatial resolution of better than 2 nm. Similar to the x-ray magnetic circular dichroism technique, EMCD is used to study atom specific magnetic moments. The latest generation of electron microscopes opens the road to the mapping of spin moments on the atomic scale with this method. Here the theoretical background to reach this challenging aim is elaborated. Numerical simulations of the L3 transition in an Fe specimen, based on a combination of the density-matrix approach for inelastic electron scattering with the propagation of the probe electron in the lattice potential indicate the feasibility of single spin mapping in the electron microscope.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.82.144418
|
“Mapping spin-polarized transitions with atomic resolution”. Schattschneider P, Schaffer B, Ennen I, Verbeeck J, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 134422 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.134422
Abstract: The coupling of angstrom-sized electron probes with spin-polarized electronic transitions shows that the inelastically scattered probe electron is in a mixed state containing electron vortices with nonzero orbital angular momentum. These electrons create an asymmetric intensity distribution in energy filtered diffraction patterns, giving access to maps of the magnetic moments with atomic resolution. A feasibility experiment shows evidence of the predicted effect. Potential applications are column-by-column maps of magnetic ordering, and the creation of angstrom-sized free electrons with orbital angular momentum by inelastic scattering in a thin ferromagnetic foil.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 41
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.134422
|
“Oxidation of the GaAs(001) surface : insights from first-principles calculations”. Scarrozza M, Pourtois G, Houssa M, Heyns M, Stesmans A, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 195307 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195307
Abstract: We performed a detailed investigation of the oxidation of the technologically relevant GaAs(001)-beta 2(2x4) surface via density functional calculations. The purpose is to gain insights on the atomistic mechanisms and local bondings that underlie the degradation of the surface properties once exposed to oxygen. The study comprises the adsorption of single O atoms, through the sampling of several adsorption sites, and the subsequent formation of the O adsorbate at increasing coverage by taking into account multiple-atom adsorption. Based on the evaluation of the energetics and the structural properties of the atomistic models generated, the results here reported delineate a consistent picture of the initial stage of the surface oxidation: (i) at low coverage, in the limit of single O insertions, oxygen is incorporated on the surface forming a twofold-bridging Ga-O-As bond; (ii) at increasing coverage, as multiple O atoms are involved, this is accompanied by the formation of a threefold-coordinated bond (with two Ga and one As atoms); (iii) the latter has important implications regarding the electronic properties of the adsorbate since this O bonding may result in the formation of As dangling bonds. Moreover, a clear trend of increased energy gain for the incorporation of neighboring O atoms compared to single O insertions indicates that the formation of oxide clusters is favored over a regime of uniform oxidation. Our findings provide a detailed description of the O bonding and stress the importance of modeling the adsorption of multiple O atoms for an accurate description of the surface oxidation.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195307
|