Deposits of clastic carbonate-dominated (calciclastic) sedimentary slope systems in the rock record have been identified mostly as linearly-consistent carbonate apron deposits, even though most ancient clastic carbonate slope deposits fit the submarine fan systems better. Calciclastic submarine fans are consequently rarely described and are poorly understood. Subsequently, very little is known especially in mud-dominated calciclastic submarine fan systems. Presented in this study are a sedimentological core and petrographic characterisation of samples from eleven boreholes from the Lower Carboniferous of Bowland Basin (Northwest England) that reveals a >250 m thick calciturbidite complex deposited in a calciclastic submarine fan setting. Seven facies are recognised from core and thin section characterisation and are grouped into three carbonate turbidite sequences. They include: 1) Calciturbidites, comprising mostly of highto low-density, wavy-laminated bioclast-rich facies; 2) low-density densite mudstones which are characterised by planar laminated and unlaminated muddominated facies; and 3) Calcidebrites which are muddy or hyper-concentrated debrisflow deposits occurring as poorly-sorted, chaotic, mud-supported floatstones. These

Phd by thesis

Recent technical advances in the atomic-scale synthesis of oxide heterostructures have provided a fertile new ground for creating novel states at their interfaces. Different symmetry constraints can be used to design structures exhibiting phenomena not found in the bulk constituents. A characteristic feature is the reconstruction of the charge, spin and orbital states at interfaces on the nanometre scale. Examples such as interface superconductivity, magneto-electric coupling, and the quantum Hall effect in oxide heterostructures are representative of the scientific and technological opportunities in this rapidly emerging field.

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Emergent phenomena at oxide interfaces

Extraordinary electron systems can be generated at well-defined interfaces between complex oxides. In recent years, progress has been achieved in exploring and making use of the fundamental properties of such interfaces, and it has become clear that these electron systems offer the potential for possible future devices. We trace the state of the art of this emerging field of electronics and discuss some of the challenges and pitfalls that may lie ahead.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/327/5973/1607.full.pdf

Oxide Interfaces—An Opportunity for Electronics

We report high transition temperature superconductivity in one unit-cell (UC) thick FeSe films grown on a Se-etched SrTiO3 (001) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). A superconducting gap as large as 20 meV and the magnetic field induced vortex state revealed by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) suggest that the superconductivity of the 1 UC FeSe films could occur around 77 K. The control transport measurement shows that the onset superconductivity temperature is well above 50 K. Our work not only demonstrates a powerful way for finding new superconductors and for raising TC, but also provides a well-defined platform for systematic studies of the mechanism of unconventional superconductivity by using different superconducting materials and substrates.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0256-307X/29/3/037402/pdf

Interface-Induced High-Temperature Superconductivity in Single Unit-Cell FeSe Films on SrTiO3

Interfaces between complex oxides are emerging as one of the most interesting systems in condensed matter physics. In this special setting, in which translational symmetry is artificially broken, a variety of new and unusual electronic phases can be promoted. Theoretical studies predict complex phase diagrams and suggest the key role of the charge carrier density in determining the systems' ground states. A particularly fascinating system is the conducting interface between the band insulators LaAlO(3) and SrTiO(3) (ref. 3). Recently two possible ground states have been experimentally identified: a magnetic state and a two-dimensional superconducting condensate. Here we use the electric field effect to explore the phase diagram of the system. The electrostatic tuning of the carrier density allows an on/off switching of superconductivity and drives a quantum phase transition between a two-dimensional superconducting state and an insulating state. Analyses of the magnetotransport properties in the insulating state are consistent with weak localization and do not provide evidence for magnetism. The electric field control of superconductivity demonstrated here opens the way to the development of new mesoscopic superconducting circuits.

Electric field control of the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface ground state.

At interfaces between complex oxides, electronic systems with unusual electronic properties can be generated. We report on superconductivity in the electron gas formed at the interface between two insulating dielectric perovskite oxides, LaAlO3 and SrTiO3. The behavior of the electron gas is that of a two-dimensional superconductor, confined to a thin sheet at the interface. The superconducting transition temperature of ≅ 200 millikelvin provides a strict upper limit to the thickness of the superconducting layer of ≅ 10 nanometers.

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Superconducting Interfaces Between Insulating Oxides

The first heavy fermion superconductor CeCu${}_{2}$Si${}_{2}$ has not revealed all its striking mysteries yet. At high pressures, superconductivity is supposed to be mediated by valence fluctuations, in contrast to ambient pressure, where spin fluctuations most likely act as pairing glue. We have carried out a multiprobe (electric transport, thermopower, ac specific heat, Hall and Nernst effects) experiment up to $7\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}\text{GPa}$ on a high-quality CeCu${}_{2}$Si${}_{2}$ single crystal. For the first time, the resistivity data make it possible quantitatively to draw the valence crossover line within the $p\ensuremath{-}T$ plane and to locate the critical end point at $4.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}\text{GPa}$ and a slightly negative temperature. In the same pressure region, remarkable features have also been detected in the other physical properties, presumably acting as further signatures of the Ce valence crossover and the associated critical fluctuations: We observe maxima in the Hall and Nernst effects and a sign change and a strong sensitivity on magnetic field in the thermopower signal.

/pdf/heavy-fermion-superconductor-cecu-2-si-2-under-high-pressure-459aaw55ud.pdf

Heavy fermion superconductor CeCu 2 Si 2 under high pressure: Multiprobing the valence crossover

The advantage of Bridgman anvil pressure cells is their wide pressure range and the large number of wires which can be introduced into the pressure chamber. In these pressure cells, soft solid pressure mediums such as steatite are used. We have succeeded in adapting the Bridgman cell to liquid pressure mediums. With this breakthrough, it is now possible to measure in very good hydrostatic pressure conditions up to 7GPa, which is about twice the pressure attainable in piston-cylinder cells. The pressure gradient in the cell, estimated from the superconducting transition width of lead, is reduced by a factor of 5 in the liquid medium with respect to steatite. By using nonmagnetic materials for the anvils and the clamp and due to the small dimensions of the latter, our device is specially suitable for magnetotransport measurements in dilution fridges. This pressure cell has been developed to measure very fragile and brittle samples such as organic conductors. Resistivity measurements of (TMTTF)2BF4 performed...

Adaptation of the Bridgman anvil cell to liquid pressure mediums.

The first heavy fermion superconductor CeCu2Si2 is still only partially understood. At high pressures, superconductivity is supposed to be mediated by a different mechanism than at ambient pressure, where spin fluctuations most likely act as pairing glue. We have obtained and analyzed new resistivity data up to 7?GPa on a good quality CeCu2Si2 single crystal with an unprecedented high transition temperature. For the first time, we establish quantitatively that CeCu2Si2 lies in proximity to a valence transition: the critical end point could be located at 4.5?0.2?GPa and a slightly negative temperature, and the corresponding valence cross-over line has been added to the p-T phase diagram. This outcome is essential for the theoretically predicted critical valence fluctuations scenario, and opens new routes for further investigations in other Ce-based compounds.

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1209/0295-5075/98/17012/pdf

Proximity to valence transition in heavy fermion superconductor CeCu 2 Si 2 under pressure

High pressure resistivity measurements of the organic compound (TMTTF)2BF4 have been performed in a newly developped Bridgman cell providing good pressure conditions on a wide pressure range. For the first time in this compound a zero resistance superconducting state is observed between 3 and 4 GPa. At temperatures above the superconducting transition, the resistivities of the two high quality samples show a different behavior. One sample, provides indications for a magnetic quantum critical point at the maximum of Tc, whereas in the other antiferromagnetic spin-fluctuations are present above Tc.

/pdf/high-pressure-study-of-the-organic-compound-tmttf-2bf4-53xzow7d2v.pdf

Anna-Sabina Ruetschi

Papers

Superconducting Interfaces Between Insulating Oxides

Heavy fermion superconductor CeCu 2 Si 2 under high pressure: Multiprobing the valence crossover

Adaptation of the Bridgman anvil cell to liquid pressure mediums.

Proximity to valence transition in heavy fermion superconductor CeCu 2 Si 2 under pressure

High pressure study of the organic compound (TMTTF)2BF4