Abstract: A systematic modification of the entropy trajectory (Sm(T)) is observed at very low temperature in magnetically frustrated systems as a consequence of the constraint (Sm≥0) imposed by the Nernst postulate. The lack of magnetic order allows to explore and compare new thermodynamic properties by tracing the specific heat (Cm) behavior down to the sub-Kelvin range. Some of the most relevant findings are: (i) a common Cm/T|T→0≈7 J/mol K2 ‘plateau’ in at least five Yb-based very-heavy-fermions (VHF) compounds; (ii) quantitative and qualitative differences between VHF and standard non-Fermi-liquids; (iii) entropy bottlenecks governing the change of Sm(T) trajectories in a continuous transition into alternative ground states. A comparative analysis of Sm(T→0) dependencies is performed in compounds suitable for adiabatic demagnetization processes according to their ∂2Sm/∂T2 derivatives.

Abstract: Visualization using tracer particles is a relatively new tool available for the study of superfluid turbulence and flow, which is applied here to oscillating objects submerged in the liquid. We report observations of a structure seen in videos taken from outside a cryostat filled with superfluid helium at 2 K, which is possibly a vortex loop attached to an oscillator. The feature, which has the shape of an incomplete arch, is visualized due to the presence of solid H2 tracer particles and is attached to a beam oscillating at 38 Hz in the liquid. It has been recorded in videos taken at 240 frames per second, fast enough to take ∼6 images per period. This makes it possible to follow the structure, and to see that it is not rigid. It moves with respect to the oscillator, and its displacement is in phase with the velocity of the moving beam. Analyzing the motion, we come to the conclusion that we may be observing a superfluid vortex attached to the beam and decorated by the hydrogen particles. An alternative model, considering a solid hydrogen filament, has also been analyzed, but the observed phase between the movement of the beam and the filamentary structure is better explained by the superfluid vortex hypothesis.

Abstract: We study the effect of quenched disorder in the thermodynamic magnitudes entailed in the first-order vortex phase transition of the extremely layered Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+δ compound. We track the temperature-evolution of the enthalpy and the entropy jump at the vortex solidification transition by means of AC local magnetic measurements. Quenched disorder is introduced to the pristine samples by means of heavy-ion irradiation with Pb and Xe producing a random columnar-track pins distribution with different densities (matching field BΦ ). In contrast with previous magneto-optical reports, we find that the first-order phase transition persists for samples with BΦ up to 100 Gauss. For very low densities of quenched disorder (pristine samples), the evolution of the thermodynamic properties can be satisfactorily explained considering a negligible effect of pinning and only electromagnetic coupling between pancake vortices lying in adjacent CuO planes. This description is not satisfactory on increasing magnitude of quenched disorder.

Abstract: A number of specific heat Cm anomalies are reported in Ce- and Yb-lattice compounds around 1 K which cannot be associated to usual phase transitions despite of their robust magnetic moments. Instead of a Cm(T) jump, these anomalies show coincident morphology: (i) a significant tail in Cm/T , with similar power law decay above their maxima ( T>Tm ), (ii) whereas a Cm(T2) dependence is observed below Tm . (iii) The comparison of their respective entropy gain Sm(T) indicates that ≈0.7R ln2 is condensed within the T>Tm tail, in coincidence with an exemplary spin-ice compound. Such amount of entropy arises from a significant increase of the density of low energy excitations, reflected in a divergent Cm(T>Tm)/T dependence. (iv) Many of their lattice structures present conditions for magnetic frustration. The origin of these anomalies can be attributed to an interplay between the divergent density of magnetic excitations at T→0 and the limited amount of degrees of freedom: Sm = R ln2 for a doublet-ground state. Due to this “entropy bottleneck,” the paramagnetic minimum of energy blurs out and the system slides into an alternative minimum through a continuous transition. A relevant observation in these very heavy fermion systems is the possible existence of an upper limit for Cm/TLimT→0 ≈7 J/mol K 2 observed in four Yb- and Pr-based compounds.

Abstract: We study the geometrical confinement effect in Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+δ mesoscopic vortex matter with edge-to-surface ratio of 7–12 %. Samples have in-plane square and circular edges, 30 μ m widths, and ∼ 2 μ m thickness. Direct vortex imaging reveals the compact planes of the structure align with the sample edge by introducing topological defects. The defect density is larger for circular than for square edges. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that this density is not an out-of-equilibrium property but rather determined by the geometrical confinement.