JPS Hot Topics

Using Pulsed Cold Neutrons to Measure Neutron Lifetime

Scientists measure the lifetime of a neutron with pulsed neutron beams to explore the cause of a puzzling discrepancy in their previously measured lifetime.

Elementary particles, fields, and strings

Uncovering the Superlattice Structure of Calcium Iridium Oxide at Phase Transition

Order parameter of non-magnetic phase transition at 105 K, which is called "hidden order", was revealed in spin-orbit coupled iridate Ca₅Ir₃O₁₂. This discover of order parameter with rotational and directional degrees of freedom in atomic scale will lead to development of energy saving devices with a fast cross-correlated response.

Electron states in condensed matter

Structure and mechanical and thermal properties in condensed matter

Overlooked Materials Host Rich Physics of Strongly Correlated Electrons

An international team of researchers reviews the research progress on strongly spin-orbit coupled systems, providing an overview of theoretically predicted electronic phases, candidate materials, and unusual experimental observations.

Electron states in condensed matter

Magnetic properties in condensed matter

Electronic transport in condensed matter

Detecting Weak Quantum Magnetism at High Pressures

Improved device and method to measure magnetization under high pressure was developed, which brings a quick tool to screen phases of interest in weakly magnetic materials including quantum magnets.

Measurement, instrumentation, and techniques

Magnetic properties in condensed matter

Exotic Superconducting States in Transition Metal Tellurides

Nb₂Pd₃Te₅ was found to show bulk superconductivity at 3.3 K. In contrast, Ta₂Pd₃Te₅, a 5d analogue of Nb₂Pd₃Te₅, showed nonmetallic electronic conduction, which was changed to show bulk superconductivity by chemical doping.

Superconductivity

Descriptor of Thermogalvanic Cell for Waste-heat Harvesting

The scaling relation between the Seebeck coefficient and solvent viscosity would enable for the design of improved thermogalvanic cells.

Structure and mechanical and thermal properties in condensed matter

How a Potentially Novel Effect Converts AC Current into DC Heat Flow

A novel current-induced thermoelectric phenomenon, the nonlinear anomalous Ettingshausen effect, was discussed. As an example, the weak charge ordering state in an organic conductor α-(BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ was focused on. This effect generates a transverse heat current with rectifying characteristics, namely unidirectionality even under AC fields.

Electronic transport in condensed matter

Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces and nanostructures

Structure and mechanical and thermal properties in condensed matter

Electric Quadrupole Orders in f-Electron Systems on the fcc Lattice

We theoretically showed that electric quadrupoles in some heavy fermion materials exhibit a very rich phase diagram including unique partially-ordered phases stabilized by an interaction specific to these systems.

Magnetic properties in condensed matter

Dielectric, optical, and other properties in condensed matter

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Electronic Nematic Ordering Driven by Atomic-scale Multipoles

Theoretical investigations have unearthed a plethora of electronic nematic orderings driven by the spatial distribution of atomic-scale electric quadrupoles.

Magnetic properties in condensed matter

Dielectric, optical, and other properties in condensed matter

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

A Solvent Viscosity-dependent Thermoelectric Conversion Efficiency

We found a beautiful empirical rule (α ∝ η^-0.4) between the electrochemical Seebeck coefficient α for Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ redox pair and viscosity coefficient η of the organic solvent.

Structure and mechanical and thermal properties in condensed matter