High-temperature superconductors belong to the group of strongly correlated materials. In these compounds, complex repulsive electron interactions and a large number of degrees of freedom lead to a rich variety of states of matter. Exotic phases like the pseudogap, charge-, spin- and pair-density waves, but also the remarkable phenomenon of superconductivity emerge, depending on doping level and temperature. However, up to now it is unclear what exactly causes these states, to what extent they are coexisting or competing, and where their borders in the phase diagram lie. A better understanding could help in finding the mechanism behind high-temperature superconductivity, but would also provide a better insight into the puzzling behavior of strongly correlated materials. This thesis tries to resolve some of these questions with focus on the underdoped pseudogap regime. Mesa structures of bismuth-based cuprate superconductors were studied using intrinsic tunneling, which allows spectroscopic characterizations of electronic density of states inside the material. A micro/nano fabrication method was developed to further reduce mesa areas into the sub square-micrometer range, in order to minimize the effect of crystal defects and measurement artifacts caused by heating induced by the measurement current. The comparison of energy scales in Bi-2201 and Bi-2212 cuprates shows that the pseudogap phenomenon is not connected to superconductivity, but possibly represents a competing spin-singlet order that is universal to all cuprates. The analysis of the upper critical field in Bi-2201 reveals a low anisotropy, which gives evidence of paramagnetically limited superconductivity. Furthermore, a new electrical doping method is demonstrated, which enables the reversible tuning the doping level of Bi-2212 and study a broad doping range upon a single sample. Using this method, two distinct critical points were observed under the superconducting dome in the phase diagram: one at the overdoped side, associated with the onset of the pseudogap and a metal to insulator transition, and one at optimal doping, associated with an enhanced "dressed" electron energy. Finally, a novel angular-dependent magnetotunneling technique is introduced, which allows for the separation of the superconducting and non-superconducting contributions to the pseudogap phenomenon. The method reveals that after an abrupt decay of the energy gap for T→Tc, weak superconducting correlations persist up to several tens of degrees above Tc.

Research on spintronics has galvanized the design of new devices that exploit the electronic spin in order to augment the performance of current microelectronic technologies. The sucessful implementation of these devices is largely contingent on a quantitative understanding of nonequilibrium magnetism in conducting ferromagnets. This thesis is largely devoted to expanding the microscopic theory of magnetization relaxation and current-induced spin torques in transition metals ferromagnets as well as in (III,Mn)V dilute magnetic semiconductors. We start with two theoretical studies of the Gilbert damping in electric equilibrium, which treat disorder exactly and include atomic-scale spatial inhomogeneities of the exchange field. These studies enable us to critically review the accuracy of the conventional expressions used to evaluate the Gilbert damping in transition metals. We follow by generalizing the calculation of the Gilbert damping to current-carrying steady states. We find that the magnetization relaxation changes in presence of an electric current. We connect this change with the non-adiabatic spin transfer torque parameter, which is an elusive yet potentially important quantity of nonequilibrium magnetism. This connection culminates in a concise analytical expression that will lead to the first ab initio estimates of the non-adiabatic spin transfer torque in real materials. Subsequently we predict that in gyrotropic ferromagnets the magnetic anisotropy can be altered by a dc current. In these systems spin-orbit coupling, broken inversion symmetry and chirality conspire to yield current-induced spin torques even for uniform magnetic textures. We thus demonstrate that a transport current can switch the magnetization of strained (Ga,Mn)As. This thesis concludes with the transfer of some fundamental ideas from nonequilibrium magnetism into the realm of superconductors, which may be viewed as easy-plane ferromagnets in the particle-hole space. We emphasize on the analogies between nonequilibrium magnetism and superconductivity, which have thus far been studied as completely separate disciplines. Our approach foreshadows potentially new effects in superconductors. / text

La compréhension du rôle du désordre sur la supraconductivité reste un problème fondamental de la physique du solide. Ce sujet illustre la compétition entre les phénomènes de localisation par le désordre qui conduisent à des isolants et la formation de paires de Cooper qui conduit à une conductivité infinie. Ces effets prennent un caractère spectaculaire en dimension 2, dimension limite pour l'existence de l'état métallique ou de l'état supraconducteur. Généralement le système décrit une Transition directe Supraconducteur -- Isolant (TSI) qui a les caractéristiques d'une Transition de Phase Quantique, transitions définies à T=0 et provoquées par le franchissement d'une valeur critique par le paramètre moteur de la transition. Parmi ces paramètres (intrinsèques au système), on peut citer la densité d'états électroniques, le désordre microscopique et l'épaisseur. L'alliage Nb(x)Si(1-x) est un matériau particulièrement intéressant pour l'étude de cette TSI. Le matériau est amorphe et homogène jusqu'à des épaisseurs de 2,5 nm et des températures de recuit de 250°C et nous observons une TSI induite par la composition, le recuit et l'épaisseur, que nous avons étudiée par rapport aux théories fermionique (Finkel'stein) d'affaiblissement de la supraconductivité par le désordre et bosonique (Dirty Boson Model de Fisher) s'interprétant par la localisation des paires de Cooper. Ces expériences remettent en cause la possibilité de réduire la mesure du " désordre " par un unique paramètre tel que la résistance carrée ou le produit k_F l du vecteur d'onde de Fermi par le libre parcours moyen électronique. En particulier, elles soulignent l'effet spécifique de l'épaisseur. Par ailleurs, pour certaines valeurs des paramètres, nous observons une phase " métallique " qui apparaît à très basse température entre les phases supraconductrices et isolantes, contredisant les théories de la non-existence d'un métal à 2D. Nous avons montré que le diagramme de phase associé à ces échantillons pouvait s'interpréter en introduisant le concept de " métal de Bose", prédit par Das & Doniach. Le Nb(x)Si(1-x) est donc un système prometteur pour l'étude plus approfondie de ce nouvel état métallique.

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In this thesis we demonstrate the power of the Gross-Pitaevskii and the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations by numerically solving them for various fundamental problems related to superfluidity and superconductivity. We start by studying the motion of a massive object through a quantum fluid modelled by the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. Below a critical velocity, the object does not exchange momentum or energy with the fluid. This is a manifestation of its superfluid nature. We discuss the effect of applying a constant force to the object and show that for small forces a vortex ring is created to which the object becomes attached. For a larger force the object detaches from the vortex ring and we observe periodic shedding of rings. All energy transfered to the system is contained within the vortex rings and the drag force on the object is due to the recoil of the vortex emission. If we exceed the speed of sound, there is an additional contribution to the drag from sound emission. To make a link to superconductivity, we then discuss vortex states in a rotating system. In the ground state, regular arrays of vortices are observed which, for systems containing many vortices, mimic solid-body rotation. In the second part of the thesis, we initially review solutions to the Ginzburg-Landau equations in an applied magnetic field. For superconducting disks we observe vortex arrays similar to those in rotating superfluids. Finally, we study an electrical current flow along a superconducting wire subject to an external magnetic field. We observe the motion of flux lines, and hence dissipation, due to the Lorentz force. We measure the V – I curve which is analogous to the drag force in a superfluid. With the introduction of impurities, flux lines become pinned which gives rise to an increased critical current.

Pendant la première année le microscope à microSQUID était mis en fonctionnement. On a avancé sur le plan cryogenique (dilution) et électronique (programmation de boucles de régulation et d'une détection synchrone). Les composants étaient testés à température ambiante et on est en train de tout tester à basse température. Une méthode était conçu pour déterminer la longueur de pénétration du champ magnétique dans un supraconducteur avec les données qui pourront être fait avec notre microscope. Ceci va être utilisé pour l'échantillon PrOs4Sb12. Il s'agit de trancher le débat sur la nature multibande de la supraconductivité dans ce composé. En deuxième année le developpement a continué, en particulière le microscope était mis à froid. Des différents problèmes due aux basses températures (mouvement de moteur, thermalisation, câblage) ont été resolues. Ensuite on a avancé sur le plan informatique, notamment le contrôle de differents composants. Pendant le deuxième année quelques images magnétique ont été faites, validant le concept. En troisième année on a commence a mésurer des domaines magnetiques d'un supraconducteur ferromagnetique (UCoGe) en Avril - Aout. On a obtenu des resultats tres interessants. Le même dispositif sera ainsi opérationnel pour l'imagerie de domaines dans des bolomètres supraconducteurs. / Pendant cette thèse un microscope à SQUID et AFM à balayage, l'électronique et les logiciels de contrôle ont été conçus. Pour la calibration des mesures sur un film de niobium (avec des motifs) ont été effectuées, montrant la possibilité de faire des image de la topographie at la distribution du champ magnétique au dessus de l'échantillon simultanément. On présent les premières image dans l'espace réel de la structure de domaines dans le ferro supraconducteur UCoGe, un échantillon basé sur l'uranium (fermion lourd) avec un transition supra à environ 0.5K à la pression ambiante. On montre l'évolution de la transition ferromagnétique en fonction de la température. La microscope a été aussi utilisé pour des mésures sur un couche mince de Rhenium, un supraconducteur conventionel. On a obtenu une estimation pour la force de piégeage de vortex on utilisant l'interaction entre SQUID et vortex. En plus, on a déterminé la longueur de pénétration en fonction de la température.

Neste trabalho estudamos a influencia da temperatura e tempo de reação e sinterização na preparação de amostras cerâmicas supercondutoras pelo método de reação no estado sólido. Os resultados indicam claramente que algumas propriedades destes supercondutores, tais como: temperatura crítica (Tc), susceptibilidade magnética (X), resistividade (&#961), microestruturas, densidade e porosidade aparente, sofrem forte influencia das condições de tratamento térmico. Foram preparadas várias amostras dos sistemas YBa2Cu3O6.5+x e TmBa2Cu3O6.5+x, sendo que a temperatura e tempo ideal de reação encontrados foram de 950&#176C por 6 horas e 925&#176C por 48 horas, respectivamente; ambas tratadas em fluxo de oxigênio. A caracterização destas amostras foram feitas pelas técnicas de difração de raios-x, técnica de quatro-pontas (medida da variação da resistividade pela temperatura), ponte de Hartshorn (para a medida da variação da susceptibilidade magnética pela temperatura), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (para análise das microestruturas) e método de imersão (para a medida da densidade e porosidade aparente). A maior temperatura crítica encontrada foi de aproximadamente 94K para YBa2Cu3O6.5+x e de aproximadamente 91K para o TmBa2Cu3O6.5+x / The influence of the temperature and time in the reaction and sinterization of superconducting ceramics prepared by a solid state reaction was determined. The results clearly showed that some of its properties, such as critical temperature (Tc), magnetic susceptibility (X), resistivity (&#961), microstructure, apparent density, and porosity undergo a strong influence of the preparation conditions. Some samples in the YBa2Cu3O6.5+x and TmBa2Cu3O6.5+x systems were prepared. The ideal reaction temperature and time were 950&#176C for 6 hours and 925&#176C for 48 hours, respectively. Both annealed in O2 flow. The sample characterization was made by using X-ray diffraction, standard four probe (measures the variation of resistivity versus temperature), Bridge of Hartshorn (the variation of susceptibility versus temperature), scanning electron micrograph (microstructure analysis), and immersion method (measures the apparent density and porosity). The greatest critical temperature was approximately 94K for YBa2Cu3O6.5+x and 91K for TmBa2Cu3O6.5+x

Esta tese visa o estudo das propriedades magnéticas de um sistema formado por um substrato de alumina nanoporosa contendo um arranjo organizado de nanofios de Ni sob o qual é depositado um filme supercondutor de Nb. Os substratos foram obtidos através da técnica de anodização em dois passos, seguida de uma eletrodeposição AC do material ferromagnético. O filme de Nb foi depositado via magnetron sputtering. A resposta magnética deste sistema foi investigado num amplo intervalo de temperaturas através de medidas de susceptibilidade magnética AC, magnetização DC e imagens de magneto-ótica (MOI). Inicialmente foram estudadas as propriedades magnéticas do sistema de nanofios de Ni. Para isto, realizamos medidas de magnetização a temperaturas acima da temperatura de transição supercondutora do Nb, no intervalo de 10 a 300 K, onde o filme supercondutor não contribui a magnetização. Estes resultados mostraram o forte caráter uniaxial da anisotropia efetiva neste tipo de sistemas, assim como também a sua dependência com a temperatura e com os diferentes parâmetros estruturais dos nanofios. Medidas de curvas de inversão magnética de primeira ordem (FORC) evidenciaram a presença predominante de interações magnéticas desmagnetizantes, assim como efeitos não lineares nos campos de interações. Propriedades supercondutoras do filme de Nb foram estudadas a partir de medidas de susceptibilidade AC e curvas de magnetização M(H) para diferentes temperaturas abaixo de Tc. As curvas de histerese magnéticas mostraram claramente anomalias em altos campos, comportamento que é atribuído a efeitos de correspondência (matching) entre a rede de vórtices no filme de Nb e o arranjo poroso com nanofios do substrato. As medidas mostraram que o substrato gera um forte potencial de aprisionamento de vórtices no filme supercondutor, o qual incrementa a sua eficiência a medida que a temperatura é diminuída. A análise das curvas de inversão de primeira ordem realizada na região supercondutora mostraram uma distribuição de eventos mais complexa do que o normalmente observado para um ferromagneto. Por causa disso, realizamos medidas FORC num sistema mais simples formado por um filme de Nb crescido num substrato de Si. No diagrama de níveis se observaram regiões negativas associadas a eventos de queda na magnetização, e regiões positivas fortemente localizadas como consequência da mudança na densidade de vórtices no supercondutor quando o campo é variado. Uma análise através de imageamento magneto-ótico (MOI) mostra que em baixas temperaturas e baixos campos as amostras apresentam um padrão de penetração de fluxo conhecido como avalanches de vórtices, efeito que aparece como consequência de um processo de instabilidade termomagnética em diferentes regiões do filme supercondutor. Esta penetração de fluxo é suave quando a temperatura é próxima à Tc do supercondutor, mas quando a temperatura é diminuída a penetração de fluxo adota um perfil dendrítico aleatório. / In this work we have studied the magnetic properties of a system formed by a Nb thin film deposited on top of an array of ferromagnetic Ni nanowires embedded in a ordered porous alumina membrane as substrate. The substrates were obtained by the two-step anodization technique, followed by an electrodeposition AC of the ferromagnetic material. The Nb film was deposited via magnetron sputtering. The magnetic response of this system was investigated over a wide range of temperatures through AC susceptibility, DC magnetization and magneto-optical images (MOI) measurements. Initially, the magnetic properties of Ni nanowire system were studied. We perform magnetization measurements above the superconducting transition temperature of Nb, in the range of 10 to 300 K where the superconducting film does not contribute to magnetization. These results showed the strong uniaxial character of the effective anisotropy in such systems, as well as its dependence on the temperature and the different structural parameters of the nanowires. First order reversal curves measurements showed the predominant of demagnetizing magnetic interactions, as well as non linear effects in the interaction fields. Superconducting properties of Nb thin film were studied from AC susceptibility and magnetization DC measurements at different temperatures below Tc. Magnetic hysteresis curves clearly showed anomalies in high fields, a behavior that is attributed to matching effects between the network of vortices in the Nb film and the porous arrangement with nanowires in the substrate. These measurements show that the substrate generates a strong vortex potential pinning which increases its efficiency as the temperature is decreased. Because of this, we performed FORC measurements on a simpler system consisting of a Nb film grown on a Si substrate. In the diagram of levels we observed negative regions associated with events of magnetization drop, and positive regions strongly localized as a consequence of the variation in density of vortices in the superconductor when the field is changed. An analysis using magneto-optical imaging (MOI) shows that at low temperatures and low magnetic fields the samples exhibit a flux penetration pattern known as vortex avalanches, an effect that appears as a consequence of a thermomagnetic instability process in different regions of the superconductor. This flux penetration is smooth when the temperature is close to Tc, but when the temperature is decreased the flux penetration adopts a random dendritic profile.