Project Research Associate Zhuo Yang（Miyata Group, formerly Kohama Group）has received 20th Young Scientist Award of the Physical Society of Japan (Division 8: Strongly Correlated Electron Systems). The prize is awarded to young researchers to recognize outstanding achievements in their early research careers.

The awarded research is titled “Hidden fine structure in the thermodynamic probing of Landau quantization at high magnetic field”.

Quantum oscillations serve as a fundamental experimental tool for characterizing the electronic structure of quantum materials and revealing exotic quasiparticles. To date, studies on quantum oscillations have primarily focused on magnetization (dHvA) and magnetoresistance (SdH) measurements, which are typically interpreted within the framework of the Lifshitz–Kosevich (L-K) theory. However, investigations into the quantum oscillations of specific heat—a thermodynamic quantity directly linked to entropy—remain scarce.

Zhuo Yang investigated the quantum oscillations of specific heat in graphite^[1]. The experiments revealed that a distinct “double-peak structure” emerges in the specific heat as Landau levels cross the Fermi level, in contrast to the single-peak behavior predicted by the L-K theory. This unique phenomenon offers a novel approach for evaluating the Landé g-factor and effective mass. Furthermore, this double-peak structure is not exclusive to specific heat quantum oscillations; it can emerge whenever a Van Hove singularity exists in the fermionic density of states (e.g., at a Lifshitz transition).

Notably, this double-peak structure was recently observed in the topological Kondo insulator YbB₁₂^[2], pointing to the existence of exotic fermionic quasiparticles within an insulator.

This work is highly significant in demonstrating that specific heat can serve as a powerful probe of electronic structure. In particular, it offers a new perspective for exploring quantum materials hosting exotic quasiparticles and for deepening our understanding of topological phenomena.

Through its pioneering approach to quantum-oscillation measurements and its clear indication that specific heat can act as a key diagnostic tool, this research has been recognized as an important contribution that will help advance future studies of electronic structure.

Publications

1. Z. Yang et al., Nature Communications 14, 7006 (2023)
2. Z. Yang et al., Nature Communications 15, 7801 (2024)

Related page

• 20th Young Scientist Award of the Physical Society of Japan
• Physical Society of Japan (Division 8: Strongly Correlated Electron Systems), (Japanese page)
• Miyata Group, ISSP, UTokyo
• Kohama Group, ISSP, UTokyo