Yi Zhou

Bio: Yi Zhou is an academic researcher from Chinese Academy of Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pairing & Hubbard model. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 97 publications receiving 1954 citations. Previous affiliations of Yi Zhou include Nanjing University & Zhejiang University.

Quantum spin liquid states

Abstract: This is an introductory review of the physics of quantum spin liquid states. Quantum magnetism is a rapidly evolving field, and recent developments reveal that the ground states and low-energy physics of frustrated spin systems may develop many exotic behaviors once we leave the regime of semiclassical approaches. The purpose of this article is to introduce these developments. The article begins by explaining how semiclassical approaches fail once quantum mechanics become important and then describe the alternative approaches for addressing the problem. Mainly spin-1/2 systems are discussed, and most of the time is spent in this article on one particular set of plausible spin liquid states in which spins are represented by fermions. These states are spin-singlet states and may be viewed as an extension of Fermi liquid states to Mott insulators, and they are usually classified in the category of so-called SU(2), U(1), or Z2 spin liquid states. A review is given of the basic theory regarding these states and the extensions of these states to include the effect of spin-orbit coupling and to higher spin (S>1/2) systems. Two other important approaches with strong influences on the understanding of spin liquid states are also introduced: (i) matrix product states and projected entangled pair states and (ii) the Kitaev honeycomb model. Experimental progress concerning spin liquid states in realistic materials, including anisotropic triangular-lattice systems [κ-(ET)2Cu2(CN)3 and EtMe3Sb[Pd(dmit)2]2], kagome-lattice system [ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2], and hyperkagome lattice system (Na4Ir3O8), is reviewed and compared against the corresponding theories.

Helicity-protected ultrahigh mobility Weyl fermions in NbP

Abstract: Noncentrosymmetric transition-metal monopnictides, including TaAs, TaP, NbAs, and NbP, are emergent topological Weyl semimetals (WSMs) hosting exotic relativistic Weyl fermions. In this Rapid Communication, we elucidate the physical origin of the unprecedented charge carrier mobility of NbP, which can reach $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{V}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at 1.5 K. Angle- and temperature-dependent quantum oscillations, supported by density function theory calculations, reveal that NbP has the coexistence of $p$- and $n$-type WSM pockets in the ${k}_{z}=1.16\ensuremath{\pi}/c$ plane (W1-WSM) and in the ${k}_{z}=0$ plane near the high symmetry points $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}$ (W2-WSM), respectively. Uniquely, each W2-WSM pocket forms a large dumbbell-shaped Fermi surface enclosing two neighboring Weyl nodes with the opposite chirality. The magnetotransport in NbP is dominated by these highly anisotropic W2-WSM pockets, in which Weyl fermions are well protected from defect backscattering by real spin conservation associated to the chiral nodes. However, with a minimal doping of $\ensuremath{\sim}1%$ Cr, the mobility of NbP is degraded by more than two orders of magnitude, due to the invalidity of helicity protection to magnetic impurities. Helicity protected Weyl fermion transport is also manifested in chiral anomaly induced negative magnetoresistance, controlled by the W1-WSM states. In the quantum regime below 10 K, the intervalley scattering time by impurities becomes a large constant, producing the sharp and nearly identical conductivity enhancement at low magnetic field.

Even parity, orbital singlet, and spin triplet pairing for superconducting LaFeAsO1-xFx.

Abstract: We examine the spin-triplet superconducting state of even parity mediated by ferromagnetic Hund's coupling between electrons in two almost degenerate orbital bands. This state may be realized in the recently discovered LaFeAsO(1-x)F(x). It is robust against orbital-independent disorder. The splitting of the orbital degeneracy suppresses superconductivity and leads to an anisotropic spectrum in the Bogoliubov quasiparticle. The former predicts a strong pressure dependence of T(c) and the latter predicts Fermi pockets, which may be tested in angle resolved photoemission spectra.

Strong coupling theory for superconducting iron pnictides.

Abstract: Superconductivity in iron pnictides is studied by using a two-orbital Hubbard model in the large U limit. The Coulomb repulsion induces an orbital-dependent pairing between charge carriers. The pairing is found mainly from the scattering within the same Fermi pocket. The interpocket pair scatterings determine the symmetry of the superconductivity, which is extended s wave at small Hund's coupling, and d wave at large Hund's coupling and large U. The former is consistent with recent experiments of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and Andreev reflection spectroscopy.

Two-Dimensional Superconductivity at the LaAlO 3 / KTaO 3 ( 110 ) Heterointerface

Abstract: We report on the observation of a ${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\sim}0.9\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$ superconductivity at the interface between ${\mathrm{LaAlO}}_{3}$ film and the $5d$ transition metal oxide ${\mathrm{KTaO}}_{3}(110)$ single crystal. The interface shows a large anisotropy of the upper critical field, and its superconducting transition is consistent with a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. Both facts suggest that the superconductivity is two-dimensional (2D) in nature. The carrier density measured at 5 K is $\ensuremath{\sim}7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{13}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. The superconducting layer thickness and coherence length are estimated to be $\ensuremath{\sim}8$ and $\ensuremath{\sim}30\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{nm}$, respectively. Our result provides a new platform for the study of 2D superconductivity at oxide interfaces.

Weyl and Dirac semimetals in three-dimensional solids

Abstract: Weyl and Dirac semimetals are three-dimensional phases of matter with gapless electronic excitations that are protected by topology and symmetry. As three-dimensional analogs of graphene, they have generated much recent interest. Deep connections exist with particle physics models of relativistic chiral fermions, and, despite their gaplessness, to solid-state topological and Chern insulators. Their characteristic electronic properties lead to protected surface states and novel responses to applied electric and magnetic fields. The theoretical foundations of these phases, their proposed realizations in solid-state systems, and recent experiments on candidate materials as well as their relation to other states of matter are reviewed.

Topological properties and dynamics of magnetic skyrmions

Abstract: Magnetic skyrmions are particle-like nanometre-sized spin textures of topological origin found in several magnetic materials, and are characterized by a long lifetime. Skyrmions have been observed both by means of neutron scattering in momentum space and microscopy techniques in real space, and their properties include novel Hall effects, current-driven motion with ultralow current density and multiferroic behaviour. These properties can be understood from a unified viewpoint, namely the emergent electromagnetism associated with the non-coplanar spin structure of skyrmions. From this description, potential applications of skyrmions as information carriers in magnetic information storage and processing devices are envisaged.

Quantum Inverse Scattering Method and Correlation Functions

Abstract: One-dimensional Bose-gas One-dimensional Heisenberg magnet Massive Thirring model Classical r-matrix Fundamentals of inverse scattering method Algebraic Bethe ansatz Quantum field theory integral models on a lattice Theory of scalar products Form factors Mean value of operator Q Assymptotics of correlation functions Temperature correlation functions Appendices References.

Negative magnetoresistance without well-defined chirality in the Weyl semimetal TaP

Abstract: Weyl semimetals (WSMs) are topological quantum states wherein the electronic bands disperse linearly around pairs of nodes with fixed chirality, the Weyl points In WSMs, nonorthogonal electric and magnetic fields induce an exotic phenomenon known as the chiral anomaly, resulting in an unconventional negative longitudinal magnetoresistance, the chiral-magnetic effect However, it remains an open question to which extent this effect survives when chirality is not well-defined Here, we establish the detailed Fermi-surface topology of the recently identified WSM TaP via combined angle-resolved quantum-oscillation spectra and band-structure calculations The Fermi surface forms banana-shaped electron and hole pockets surrounding pairs of Weyl points Although this means that chirality is ill-defined in TaP, we observe a large negative longitudinal magnetoresistance We show that the magnetoresistance can be affected by a magnetic field-induced inhomogeneous current distribution inside the sample