This thesis covers the structural, electronic, magnetic, and vibrational properties of graphene and silicene. In Chapter I, we will start with an introduction to graphene and silicene. In Chapter II, we will briefly discuss about the methodology (i. e. density functional theory)In Chapter III, we will introduce band gap opening in graphene either by introducing defects/doping or by creating superlattices with h-BN substrate. In Chapter IV, we will focus on the structural and electronic properties of K and Ge-intercalated graphene on SiC(0001). In addition, the enhancement of the superconducting transition temperature in Li-decorated graphene supported by h-BN substrate will be discussed. In Chapter V, we will discuss the vibrational properties of free-standing silicene. In addition, superlattices of silicene with h-BN as well as the phase transition in silicene by applying an external electric field will be discussed. The electronic and magnetic properties transition metal decorated silicene will be discussed, in particular the realization of the quantum anomalous Hall effect will be addressed. Furthermore, the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of Mn decorated silicene supported by h-BN substrate will be discussed. The conclusion is included in Chapters VI. Finally, we will end with references and a list of publications for this thesis.

Thesis advisor: Michael J. Naughton / Synchrotron based experiments of quantum coupled states reveal a delicate balance of energy levels facilitating the Mott driven antiferromagnetic state responsible for High Temperature Superconductivity (HTSC). High resolution spectroscopic experiments including Angle Resolved Photoemission (ARPES), Resonant Elastic X-ray Scattering (REXS), X-ray Natural and Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XNCD & XMCD) are used to investigate the Cuprate, Iridate, and Rutheno-Iridate systems. Highly correlated Mott driven systems producing the antiferromagnetic Cuprate and Iridate series of layered perovskites are perturbed using doping and temperature to elucidate the correlation of states within the materials. Similar to the Cuprate HTSC, the Rutheno-Iridate system undergoes a phase segregation of magnetic domains resulting in Sr₃IrRuO₇ where ARPES measurements reveal a temperature and momentum dependent pseudogap. Electronic band structure investigations yield a Fermi surface with gap parameters similar to extended s-wave symmetry. Additional observations of a p-wave symmetry centered at the (π, π) scattering vector within Fermi surface maps provide evidence for long range magnetic coupling. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2019. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Physics.

Vortex motion plays an important role in the transport properties of high Tc superconductors. In the presence of a sufficiently large applied current vortices will drift creating an ohmic resistance in the material, while defects in the material will tend to inhibit their motion. Some types of material defects are more effective at pinning then others, and therefore, above the depinning threshold, may effect the motion of vortices differently. To investigate their motion, voltage noise generated by moving vortices is studied for different material defect types using a nonequilibrium Metropolis Monte Carlo simulation. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics obtained from the simulation for various vortex densities and defect types show features similar to those obtained in experiments. The power spectra generated for point and columnar disorder are then compared for increasing vortex density. Above, but near the depinning threshold, broadband noise associated with plastic vortex flow is observed for columnar defects at low vortex densities, while for higher densities a triangular lattice is obtained along with a washboard signal and higher harmonics. For point defects a washboard signal with higher harmonics is always observed in the region investigated. These results suggest that power spectra for both point and columnar defects are qualitatively similar for higher vortex densities (larger magnetic fields). A second comparison is made by observing, on the one hand, the power spectra for finite linear defects increasing in length and, on the other hand, increasing point defect strength. Power spectra and structure factor results are very similar for these results as well. Both show a trend from an ordered to a disordered system with a washboard peak first increasing and then decreasing in power with increasing pinning efficiency. For both defect types the power spectrum is eventually dominated by broadband noise indicating the approach to the pinned glassy phases. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the radiation from high-temperature superconducting mesas of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+ (BSCCO). This is motivated by the need for coherent sources of continuous wave terahertz (THz) emission capable of radiating practically in the THz frequency band. As BSCCO has been shown to be tunable from 0.5–2.4 THz (i.e., through the entire socalled terahertz gap centered about 1 THz), and has a higher peak operating temperature near 1 THz than most alternative sources, it is a good candidate for imaging and spectroscopy device applications [1]. When a static DC voltage is applied to a BSCCO mesa, the stack of Josephson junctions intrinsic to this type-II layered superconductor synchronously radiate. Adjustment of the bath temperature and applied voltage allows for the high degree of tunability observed for such an emitter [2]. To determine the angular dependence of radiation from BSCCO mesas, the dual source model from antenna theory is employed, and Love’s equivalence principle is used to simplify this framework. The total emission power obtained in this manner for the pie-shaped wedge is then fit to experimental results for a thin isosceles triangular mesa using the method of least squares, resulting in a standard deviation of = 0:4657. Additionally, symmetry is shown to play a significant role in the emissions for the transverse magnetic (TM) cavity modes of the equilateral triangular mesa. When the full group symmetry is imposed, the density of allowed modes is heavily diminished, and the original first excited even mode becomes the C3v symmetric ground state. These results for the equilateral triangle suggest, along with earlier experiments on the regular pentagonal mesa [3], that symmetry breaking effects can be used for purposes of tuning the characteristic frequency and angular dependence of the power radiated from BSCCO mesas with a high degree of symmetry.

Spintronics is a research field that focuses on the manipulation of the quantum mechanical spin of charge carriers in solid state materials for future technological applications. Creating large spin currents with large relaxation times is sought after in the field of spintronics which may be aided by combining spintronics with superconductivity. This thesis provides a phenomological study of the effective change in ferromagnetic resonance linewidth, by dynamical spin injection into a permalloy-copper-niobium tri-layer in the superconducting state. The ferromagetic resonance linewidth was measured from 2-14 K. It was observed that there was a change in the behavior of the resonance as well as a change in the linewidth from the between 6-8 K. An observed change in the resonance field, Hr, shows a clear non monotonic behavior as a function of temperature below 7-8 K. The decrease in linewidth was attributed to the suppression of the spin sinking mechanisms due to the superconducting state of niobium.

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