Showing 1–50 of 226 results for author: Xue, D

Tunable Narrowband Terahertz Radiation from van der Waals Ferroelectrics

Authors: Chun-Ying Huang, Taketo Handa, Daniel G. Chica, Zhihao Cui, Ding Xu, Jeongheon Choe, Yiliu Li, Margalit L. Feuer, Milan E. Delor, Michael Fechner, David R. Reichman, Xavier Roy, Xiaoyang Zhu

Abstract: The terahertz (THz) spectral range is central to high-speed communication, precision metrology, sensing technologies, and a range of fundamental scientific investigations. Achieving these capabilities in practical systems increasingly demands chip-scale integration of THz photonic components that are typically bulky. In this context, van der Waals (vdW) materials provide a unique platform for inte… ▽ More The terahertz (THz) spectral range is central to high-speed communication, precision metrology, sensing technologies, and a range of fundamental scientific investigations. Achieving these capabilities in practical systems increasingly demands chip-scale integration of THz photonic components that are typically bulky. In this context, van der Waals (vdW) materials provide a unique platform for integrated nonlinear photonics in the visible and near-infrared regimes, and extending this framework into the THz domain would constitute a significant advance. Here, we report tunable, intense, and narrowband THz radiation from ferroelectric niobium oxyhalides. Through halogen substitution and alloying, we achieve continuous and precise control over the emission frequency from 3.1 to 5.8 THz. We show that the narrowband THz radiation is driven by phonons associated with the ferroelectric polarization. We further demonstrate dynamic and nonvolatile control of the polarity of the coherent THz wave with external electric field. This work demonstrates efficient narrowband THz emission from vdW ferroeletrics and provides microscopic insight into its origin, paving the way for on-chip THz technology for a broad range of applications. △ Less

Submitted 5 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 24 pages, 5 figures, and 15 pages SI

Effects of thermal annealing and film thickness on the structural and optical properties of indium-tin-oxide thin films

Authors: Ding Xu, Wen Zhou, Yuxin Du, Junying Zhang, Wei Zhang, Jiangjing Wang

Abstract: Indium-tin oxide (ITO) has been leveraged as a crucial functional layer in the optoelectronic frameworks, such as non-volatile color display thin films based on the ITO/phase-change material (PCM)/ITO/reflective metal multilayer structures on a silicon substrate. In addition to non-volatile color tuning by PCMs, phase transition of ITO may pose a substantial impact on display performances. Yet, a… ▽ More Indium-tin oxide (ITO) has been leveraged as a crucial functional layer in the optoelectronic frameworks, such as non-volatile color display thin films based on the ITO/phase-change material (PCM)/ITO/reflective metal multilayer structures on a silicon substrate. In addition to non-volatile color tuning by PCMs, phase transition of ITO may pose a substantial impact on display performances. Yet, a comprehensive colormap of ITO thin films as functions of annealing temperature and film thickness is missing. In this work, we systematically investigate properties of ITO films based on X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic ellipsometry and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry measurements. We provide a colormap of the ITO/platinum/silicon structure in terms of the annealing temperature (150-350 °C) and thickness (5-100 nm) for the non-volatile color display, and we observe strong color changes under 250 °C annealing treatment for the 50-nm and 100-nm-thick ITO films. We suggest that the intrinsic change in colors of the ITO functional thin-film layers should also be taken into account, when the PCM-based reconfigurable color devices are used in practice. △ Less

Submitted 1 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

The spin Hall conductivity in the hole-doped bilayer Haldane-Hubbard model with odd-parity ALM

Authors: Minghuan Zeng, Ling Qin, Shiping Feng, Dong-Hui Xu, Rui Wang

Abstract: Spin current generated electrically is among the core phenomena of spintronics for driving high-performance spin device applications. Here, on the basis of systematic investigations for the hole doped single-layer Haldane-Hubbard(HH) model, we propose a new bilayer HH model to realize the compensated odd-parity spin splitting and the $T$-even spin Hall conductivity where the two layers are connect… ▽ More Spin current generated electrically is among the core phenomena of spintronics for driving high-performance spin device applications. Here, on the basis of systematic investigations for the hole doped single-layer Haldane-Hubbard(HH) model, we propose a new bilayer HH model to realize the compensated odd-parity spin splitting and the $T$-even spin Hall conductivity where the two layers are connected by the time reversal transformation. Our results show that the vanishing layer-dependent electric potential $V_{L}$ gives rise to odd-parity ALM protected by the combined symmetry $TM_{xy}$ with $T$ and $M_{xy}$ being the time reversal and mirror reflection perpendicular to $z$ axis, and the $T$-even spin Hall conductivity simultaneously. In addition, though the staggered magnetization within each layer is substantially impacted by the layer-dependent electric potential, small $V_{L}$'s only bring negligible changes to the net magnetization and the spin Hall conductivity, indicating that the alternating spin splitting in momentum space and the spin Hall conductivity are insusceptible to external elements. Most importantly, our work provides a general framework for the simultaneous realization of the compensated odd-parity spin splitting in momentum space and the spin Hall conductivity in collinear magnets, in terms of stacked multi-layer systems. △ Less

Submitted 14 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 7 pages, 3 figures

Scalable accuracy gains from postselection in quantum error correcting codes

Authors: Hongkun Chen, Daohong Xu, Grace M. Sommers, David A. Huse, Jeff D. Thompson, Sarang Gopalakrishnan

Abstract: Decoding stabilizer codes such as the surface and toric codes involves evaluating free-energy differences in a disordered statistical mechanics model, in which the randomness comes from the observed pattern of error syndromes. We study the statistical distribution of logical failure rates across observed syndromes in the toric code, and show that, within the coding phase, logical failures are pred… ▽ More Decoding stabilizer codes such as the surface and toric codes involves evaluating free-energy differences in a disordered statistical mechanics model, in which the randomness comes from the observed pattern of error syndromes. We study the statistical distribution of logical failure rates across observed syndromes in the toric code, and show that, within the coding phase, logical failures are predominantly caused by exponentially unlikely syndromes. Therefore, postselecting on not seeing these exponentially unlikely syndrome patterns offers a scalable accuracy gain. In general, the logical error rate can be suppressed from $p_f$ to $p_f^b$, where $b \geq 2$ in general; in the specific case of the toric code with perfect syndrome measurements, we find numerically that $b = 3.1(1)$. Our arguments apply to general topological stabilizer codes, and can be extended to more general settings as long as the decoding failure probability obeys a large deviation principle. △ Less

Submitted 20 October, 2025; v1 submitted 6 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 17 pages, 11 figures

Spin-Orbital Altermagnetism

Authors: Zi-Ming Wang, Yang Zhang, Song-Bo Zhang, Jin-Hua Sun, Elbio Dagotto, Dong-Hui Xu, Lun-Hui Hu

Abstract: Altermagnet is a newly discovered magnetic phase, characterized by non-relativistic spin-splitting that has been experimentally observed. Here, we introduce a framework dubbed {\it spin-orbital altermagnetism} to achieve spin-orbital textures in altermagnetic materials. We identify two distinct classes of spin-orbital altermagnetism: intrinsic and extrinsic. The intrinsic type emerges from symmetr… ▽ More Altermagnet is a newly discovered magnetic phase, characterized by non-relativistic spin-splitting that has been experimentally observed. Here, we introduce a framework dubbed {\it spin-orbital altermagnetism} to achieve spin-orbital textures in altermagnetic materials. We identify two distinct classes of spin-orbital altermagnetism: intrinsic and extrinsic. The intrinsic type emerges from symmetry-compensated magnetic orders with spontaneously broken parity-time symmetry, while the extrinsic type stems from translational-symmetry breaking between sublattices, as exemplified by the Jahn-Teller-driven structural phase transition. In addition to directly measuring the spin-orbital texture, we propose spin conductivity and spin-resolved orbital polarization as effective methods for detecting these altermagnets. Additionally, a symmetry-breaking mechanism induces weak spin magnetization, further revealing the peculiar feature of spin-orbital altermagnetism. We also utilize the staggered susceptibility to illustrate a potential realization of this phase in a two-orbital interacting system. Our work provides a new platform to explore spin-orbital locked physics, extending the materials classes that may display complex spin textures from the standard $4d-5d$ compounds to $3d$ compounds. △ Less

Submitted 19 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: PRL in press

Generative Inversion for Property-Targeted Materials Design: Application to Shape Memory Alloys

Authors: Cheng Li, Pengfei Danga, Yuehui Xiana, Yumei Zhou, Bofeng Shi, Xiangdong Ding, Jun Suna, Dezhen Xue

Abstract: The design of shape memory alloys (SMAs) with high transformation temperatures and large mechanical work output remains a longstanding challenge in functional materials engineering. Here, we introduce a data-driven framework based on generative adversarial network (GAN) inversion for the inverse design of high-performance SMAs. By coupling a pretrained GAN with a property prediction model, we perf… ▽ More The design of shape memory alloys (SMAs) with high transformation temperatures and large mechanical work output remains a longstanding challenge in functional materials engineering. Here, we introduce a data-driven framework based on generative adversarial network (GAN) inversion for the inverse design of high-performance SMAs. By coupling a pretrained GAN with a property prediction model, we perform gradient-based latent space optimization to directly generate candidate alloy compositions and processing parameters that satisfy user-defined property targets. The framework is experimentally validated through the synthesis and characterization of five NiTi-based SMAs. Among them, the Ni$_{49.8}$Ti$_{26.4}$Hf$_{18.6}$Zr$_{5.2}$ alloy achieves a high transformation temperature of 404 $^\circ$C, a large mechanical work output of 9.9 J/cm$^3$, a transformation enthalpy of 43 J/g , and a thermal hysteresis of 29 °C, outperforming existing NiTi alloys. The enhanced performance is attributed to a pronounced transformation volume change and a finely dispersed of Ti$_2$Ni-type precipitates, enabled by sluggish Zr and Hf diffusion, and semi-coherent interfaces with localized strain fields. This study demonstrates that GAN inversion offers an efficient and generalizable route for the property-targeted discovery of complex alloys. △ Less

Submitted 11 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Observation and Control of Chiral Spin Frustration in BiYIG Thin Films

Authors: Jinlong Wang, Hanchen Wang, Zhewen Xu, Artim L. Bassant, Junfeng Hu, Wenjie Song, Chaozhong Li, Xiangrui Meng, Mengqi Zhao, Song Liu, Guozhi Chai, Peng Gao, Wanjun Jiang, Desheng Xue, Dapeng Yu, William Legrand, Christian L. Degen, Rembert A. Duine, Pietro Gambardella, Haiming Yu

Abstract: Chiral interactions within magnetic layers stabilize the formation of noncollinear spin textures, which can be leveraged to design devices with tailored magnetization dynamics. Here, we introduce chiral spin frustration in which energetically degenerate magnetic states frustrate the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. We demonstrate magnon-driven switching of the chirally frustrated spin states in… ▽ More Chiral interactions within magnetic layers stabilize the formation of noncollinear spin textures, which can be leveraged to design devices with tailored magnetization dynamics. Here, we introduce chiral spin frustration in which energetically degenerate magnetic states frustrate the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. We demonstrate magnon-driven switching of the chirally frustrated spin states in Bi-substituted yttrium iron garnet thin films. These states are defined by an in-plane macrospin neighboring two out-ofplane spins on either side with opposing chirality. Using scanning nitrogen-vacancy magnetometry and spin pumping, we identified four degenerate frustrated states and achieved their controllable switching via magnon spin torque. Crucially, the switching is unidirectional, with selectivity determined by the incoming magnon direction. This mechanism provides a powerful approach to manipulate frustrated spin states with magnons. Chiral spin frustration unlocks the geometry constraints of conventional frustration, and therefore opens new horizons for frustrated magnetism, paving the way for energy-efficient spintronic devices based on frustratio △ Less

Submitted 9 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: Accepted version, 8 pages, 5 figures

Journal ref: Physical Review Letters 135, 066705 (2025)

Quantum Spin Hall Effect with Extended Topologically Protected Features in Altermangetic Multilayers

Authors: Zhiyu Chen, Fangyang Zhan, Zheng Qin, Da-Shuai Ma, Dong-Hui Xu, Rui Wang

Abstract: Conventional topological classification theory dictates that time-reversal symmetry confines the quantum spin Hall (QSH) effect to a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ classification, permitting only a single pair of gapless helical edge states. Here, we utilize the recently discovered altermagnetism to circumvent this fundamental constraint. We demonstrate the realization of a unique QSH phase possessing multiple pa… ▽ More Conventional topological classification theory dictates that time-reversal symmetry confines the quantum spin Hall (QSH) effect to a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ classification, permitting only a single pair of gapless helical edge states. Here, we utilize the recently discovered altermagnetism to circumvent this fundamental constraint. We demonstrate the realization of a unique QSH phase possessing multiple pairs of gapless helical edge states in altermagnetic multilayers. This exotic QSH phase, characterized by a mirror-spin Chern number, emerges from the interplay of spin-orbit coupling and $d$-wave altermagnetic ordering. Moreover, using first-principles calculations, we identify altermagnetic Fe$_2$Se$_2$O multilayers as promising material candidates, in which the number of gapless helical edge states scales linearly with the number of layers, leading to a correspondingly large, exactly quantized, and experimentally accessible spin-Hall conductance. Our findings unveil a new mechanism for stabilizing multiple pairs of gapless helical edge states, significantly expanding the scope of QSH effects, and provide a blueprint for utilizing altermagnetism to engineer desired topological phases. △ Less

Submitted 11 August, 2025; v1 submitted 5 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, 9 figures

Light-induced Odd-parity Magnetism in Conventional Collinear Antiferromagnets

Authors: Shengpu Huang, Zheng Qin, Fangyang Zhan, Dong-Hui Xu, Da-Shuai Ma, Rui Wang

Abstract: Recent studies have drawn growing attention on non-relativistic odd-parity magnetism in the wake of altermagnets. Nevertheless, odd-parity spin splitting is often believed to appear in non-collinear magnetic configurations. Here, using symmetry arguments and effective model analysis, we show that Floquet engineering offers a universal strategy for achieving odd-parity magnetism in two-dimensional… ▽ More Recent studies have drawn growing attention on non-relativistic odd-parity magnetism in the wake of altermagnets. Nevertheless, odd-parity spin splitting is often believed to appear in non-collinear magnetic configurations. Here, using symmetry arguments and effective model analysis, we show that Floquet engineering offers a universal strategy for achieving odd-parity magnetism in two-dimensional (2D) collinear antiferromagnets under irradiation of periodic driving light fields such as circularly polarized light, elliptically polarized light, and bicircular light. A comprehensive classification of potential candidates for collinear monolayer or bilayer antiferromagnets is established. Strikingly, the light-induced odd-parity spin splitting can be flexibly controlled by adjusting the crystalline symmetry or the polarization state of incident light, enabling the reversal or conversion of spin-splitting. By combining first-principles calculations and Floquet theorem, we present illustrative examples of 2D collinear antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials to verify the light-induced odd-parity magnetism. Our work not only offers a powerful approach for uniquely achieving odd-parity spin-splitting with high tunability, but also expands the potential of Floquet engineering in designing unconventional compensated magnetism. △ Less

Submitted 5 August, 2025; v1 submitted 28 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 16pages, 11figures

Quasicrystalline Altermagnetism

Authors: Rui Chen, Bin Zhou, Dong-Hui Xu

Abstract: Altermagnets are a recently discovered class of magnetic materials that combine a collinear, zero-magnetization spin structure, characteristic of antiferromagnets, with spin-split electronic bands, a hallmark of ferromagnets. This unique behavior arises from the breaking of combined time-reversal and spatial symmetries (such as inversion or lattice translation), which are preserved in conventional… ▽ More Altermagnets are a recently discovered class of magnetic materials that combine a collinear, zero-magnetization spin structure, characteristic of antiferromagnets, with spin-split electronic bands, a hallmark of ferromagnets. This unique behavior arises from the breaking of combined time-reversal and spatial symmetries (such as inversion or lattice translation), which are preserved in conventional antiferromagnets. To date, research has focused on altermagnetic phases in periodic crystals, where the order is linked to specific crystallographic rotation symmetries. In this work, we demonstrate that quasicrystals, which possess rotational symmetries forbidden in periodic lattices, can host exotic altermagnetic orders. Using symmetry analysis and self-consistent mean-field theory, we predict stable $g$-wave and $i$-wave altermagnetism in octagonal and dodecagonal quasicrystals, respectively. These novel phases are characterized by global $C_8T$ and $C_{12}T$ symmetries and manifest as unique anisotropic spin-splittings in their spectral functions and spin conductance, featuring characteristic eight- and twelve-fold nodal structures that serve as unambiguous experimental fingerprints. Our findings establish quasicrystals as a versatile platform for realizing unconventional altermagnetic orders beyond the constraints of crystallographic symmetry. △ Less

Submitted 24 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Siamese Neural Network for Label-Efficient Critical Phenomena Prediction in 3D Percolation Models

Authors: Shanshan Wang, Dian Xu, Jianmin Shen, Feng Gao, Wei Li, Weibing Deng

Abstract: Percolation theory serves as a cornerstone for studying phase transitions and critical phenomena, with broad implications in statistical physics, materials science, and complex networks. However, most machine learning frameworks for percolation analysis have focused on two-dimensional systems, oversimplifying the spatial correlations and morphological complexity of real-world three-dimensional mat… ▽ More Percolation theory serves as a cornerstone for studying phase transitions and critical phenomena, with broad implications in statistical physics, materials science, and complex networks. However, most machine learning frameworks for percolation analysis have focused on two-dimensional systems, oversimplifying the spatial correlations and morphological complexity of real-world three-dimensional materials. To bridge this gap and improve label efficiency and scalability in 3D systems, we propose a Siamese Neural Network (SNN) that leverages features of the largest cluster as discriminative input. Our method achieves high predictive accuracy for both site and bond percolation thresholds and critical exponents in three dimensions, with sub-1% error margins using significantly fewer labeled samples than traditional approaches. This work establishes a robust and data-efficient framework for modeling high-dimensional critical phenomena, with potential applications in materials discovery and complex network analysis. △ Less

Submitted 5 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 14 pages, 9 figures

The electronic and transport properties in odd-parity altermagnets

Authors: Minghuan Zeng, Zheng Qin, Ling Qin, Shiping Feng, Dong-Hui Xu, Rui Wang

Abstract: Following recent intensive studies on altermagnets(ALM) characterized by non-relativistic even-parity spin splitting, realizing unconventional odd-parity magnetism has also attracted increasing interest. Here, using symmetry arguments based on spin-group analyses, we elucidate the sufficient condition, the breaking nonmagnetic time reversal symmetry(TRS), for the presence of odd-parity spin splitt… ▽ More Following recent intensive studies on altermagnets(ALM) characterized by non-relativistic even-parity spin splitting, realizing unconventional odd-parity magnetism has also attracted increasing interest. Here, using symmetry arguments based on spin-group analyses, we elucidate the sufficient condition, the breaking nonmagnetic time reversal symmetry(TRS), for the presence of odd-parity spin splitting in the collinear antiferromagnetic(AFM) systems, which is also proved as a standard odd-parity ALM. Then, we utilize the well-known Haldane-Hubbard model to identify the odd-parity spin splitting in the collinear AFM ground state where the nonmagnetic TRS is broken by sublattice currents coming from the Haldane hopping term. A comprehensive phase diagram involving the Haldane hopping strength and on-site coulomb repulsion is established to elucidate correlation-driven electronic phases. Moreover, we calculate the optical conductivity to illustrate the sublattice current induced odd-parity ALM, displaying a significant spin-degenerate peak in the vicinity of the single-particle energy gap. This work reveals the underlying mechanism for the realization of the unconventional odd-parity ALM in collinear AFM systems. △ Less

Submitted 5 September, 2025; v1 submitted 14 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 7 pages, 3 figures

Exciton Delocalization Suppresses Polariton Scattering

Authors: Yongseok Hong, Ding Xu, Milan Delor

Abstract: Exciton-polaritons (EPs) are part-light part-matter quasiparticles that combine large exciton-mediated nonlinearities with long-range coherence, ideal for energy harvesting and nonlinear optics. Optimizing EPs for these applications is predicated on a still-elusive understanding of how disorder affects their propagation and dephasing times. Here, using cutting-edge femtosecond spatiotemporal micro… ▽ More Exciton-polaritons (EPs) are part-light part-matter quasiparticles that combine large exciton-mediated nonlinearities with long-range coherence, ideal for energy harvesting and nonlinear optics. Optimizing EPs for these applications is predicated on a still-elusive understanding of how disorder affects their propagation and dephasing times. Here, using cutting-edge femtosecond spatiotemporal microscopy, we directly image EP propagation at light-like speeds in systems ranging from two-dimensional semiconductors to amorphous molecular films with systematically varied exciton-phonon coupling, exciton delocalization, and static disorder. Despite possessing similar EP dispersions, we observe dramatically different transport velocities and scattering times across systems. We establish a robust scaling law linking EP scattering to exciton transfer integral, demonstrating that polaritons based on materials with large exciton bandwidths are immune to disorder even for highly excitonic EPs. This observation cannot be deduced from the systems' linear optical properties, including EP dispersion and linewidth disorder. Our work highlights the critical and often-overlooked role of the matter component in dictating polariton properties, and provides precise guidelines for simultaneously optimizing EP propagation and nonlinearities. △ Less

Submitted 10 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Journal ref: Chem, 2025, 102759

Spontaneously broken chiral symmetry in the interacting Kane-Mele model

Authors: Minghuan Zeng, Junjie Zeng, Ling Qin, Shiping Feng, Donghui Xu, Rui Wang

Abstract: The essential properties of the half-filled interacting Kane-Mele model on a hexagon lattice is studied using the slave rotor approach. It is shown clearly that a long-range charge-order state with spontaneously broken chiral symmetry emerges in the weak and moderate interaction regimes, as well as a presumed site-selected topological Mott insulator state in the stronger interaction regime… ▽ More The essential properties of the half-filled interacting Kane-Mele model on a hexagon lattice is studied using the slave rotor approach. It is shown clearly that a long-range charge-order state with spontaneously broken chiral symmetry emerges in the weak and moderate interaction regimes, as well as a presumed site-selected topological Mott insulator state in the stronger interaction regime with U < UMott, where UMott is the critical interaction strength, and in the case of U > UMott, the system is transited into the usual topological Mott state. This new charge-order state has lower energy compared to the usual topological band insulator (TBI) state with chiral symmetry, and thus is named as non-chiral TBI state. More specifically, in this non-chiral TBI state without any long-range magnetic order, a long-range charge order with different electron occupation on two sublattices appears in the absence of external sublattice field. The spontaneously broken chiral symmetry gives rise to a special helical edge state, which has different spin accumulation on opposite edges of the cylinder with periodic boundary condition in the zigzag direction, and thus leads to a net spin current across the system. This net spin current would be further strengthened if the nearest neighbor electron Coulomb interaction is taken into account as well, because it is favorable for the long-range charge order with different electron occupation on sublattices. △ Less

Submitted 9 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 18 pages, 11 figures

Observation of Coherent Ferrons

Authors: Jeongheon Choe, Taketo Handa, Chun-Ying Huang, André Koch Liston, Jordan Cox, Jonathan Stensberg, Yongseok Hong, Daniel G. Chica, Ding Xu, Fuyang Tay, Samra Husremovic, Vinicius da Silveira Lanza Avelar, Eric A. Arsenault, Zhuquan Zhang, James McIver, Dmitri N. Basov, Milan Delor, Xavier Roy, X. -Y. Zhu

Abstract: Excitation of ordered quantum phases gives rise to collective modes and quasiparticles, as exemplified by spin waves and magnons emerging from magnetic order. Extending this paradigm to ferroelectric materials suggests the existence of polarization waves and their fundamental quanta, ferrons. Here, we report the generation and transport of polarization waves, i.e., coherent ferrons, in the van der… ▽ More Excitation of ordered quantum phases gives rise to collective modes and quasiparticles, as exemplified by spin waves and magnons emerging from magnetic order. Extending this paradigm to ferroelectric materials suggests the existence of polarization waves and their fundamental quanta, ferrons. Here, we report the generation and transport of polarization waves, i.e., coherent ferrons, in the van der Waals ferroelectric material NbOI2. Upon excitation by a short laser pulse, the polarization wave emits intense and narrow-band terahertz (THz) radiation at the ferroelectric transverse optical phonon frequency, modulates the ferroelectric order parameter, and propagates uniaxially along the polar axis at hypersonic velocities of ~105 m/s. These long-lived, uniaxial, and dipole-carrying polarization waves may find applications in narrow-band THz emission, ferronic information processing, and coherent electric control. △ Less

Submitted 16 August, 2025; v1 submitted 28 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: 40 pages, 4 figures, 10 supporting figures

Crystal growth, structure and physical properties of quasi-one-dimensional tellurides Fe$_{4-x}$VTe$_{4-y}$ ($x=1.01$, $y=0.74$) and V$_{4.64}$Te$_4$

Authors: S. N. Sun, D. Y. Xu, C. L. Shang, B. X. Shi, J. L. Huang, X. J. Gui, Z. C. Sun, J. J. Liu, J. C. Wang, H. X. Zhang, P. Cheng

Abstract: A new ternary compound Fe$_{4-x}$VTe$_{4-y}$ ($x=1.01$, $y=0.74$) with Ti5Te4-type structure is identified. Fe and V atoms tend to occupy different crystallographic positions and form quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) Fe-V chains along the c-axis. Millimeter-sized single crystal of Fe$_{2.99}$VTe$_{3.26}$ (FVT) with slender-stick shape could be grown by chemical vapor transport method which reflect… ▽ More A new ternary compound Fe$_{4-x}$VTe$_{4-y}$ ($x=1.01$, $y=0.74$) with Ti5Te4-type structure is identified. Fe and V atoms tend to occupy different crystallographic positions and form quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) Fe-V chains along the c-axis. Millimeter-sized single crystal of Fe$_{2.99}$VTe$_{3.26}$ (FVT) with slender-stick shape could be grown by chemical vapor transport method which reflects its quasi-1D crystal structure. Magnetization measurements reveal that FVT orders antiferromagnetically below T$_N$=93 K with strong easy ab-plane magnetic anisotropy. Although a weak glassy-like behavior appears below 10 K, FVT is dominant by long-range antiferromagnetic order in contrast to the spin-glass state in previously reported isostructural Fe$_{5}$Te$_{4}$. We also synthesize V$_{4.64}$Te$_4$ with similar quasi-1D V-chains and find it has weak anomalies at 144 K on both resistivity and susceptibility curves. However, no clear evidence is found for the development of magnetic or charge order. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Curie-Weiss fit reveal that the effective moments for Fe$^{2+}$ and V$^{4+}$ in both compounds have large deviations from the conventional local moment model, which may possibly result from the formation of Fe/V metal-metal bondings. Furthermore the resistivity of both FVT and V$_{4.64}$Te$_4$ exhibits semiconducting-like temperature-dependent behavior but with average values close to typical bad metals, which resembles the transport behavior in the normal state of Fe-based superconductors. These quasi-1D compounds have shown interesting physical properties for future condensed matter physics research. △ Less

Submitted 17 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 19 pages, 5 figures

Amorphous phase-change memory alloy with no resistance drift

Authors: Xiaozhe Wang, Ruobing Wang, Suyang Sun, Ding Xu, Chao Nie, Zhou Zhou, Chenyu Wen, Junying Zhang, Ruixuan Chu, Xueyang Shen, Wen Zhou, Zhitang Song, Jiang-Jing Wang, En Ma, Wei Zhang

Abstract: Spontaneous structural relaxation is intrinsic to glassy materials due to their metastable nature. For phase-change materials (PCMs), the resultant temporal change in electrical resistance seriously hamper in-memory computing (IMC) applications. Here, we report an ab-initio-calculation-informed design of amorphous PCM composed of robust "molecule-like" motifs with minimal Peierls distortion, depri… ▽ More Spontaneous structural relaxation is intrinsic to glassy materials due to their metastable nature. For phase-change materials (PCMs), the resultant temporal change in electrical resistance seriously hamper in-memory computing (IMC) applications. Here, we report an ab-initio-calculation-informed design of amorphous PCM composed of robust "molecule-like" motifs with minimal Peierls distortion, depriving the amorphous alloy of structural ingredients that would gradually evolve upon aging to entail resistance drift. We demonstrate amorphous CrTe3 thin films that display practically no resistance drift at any working temperature from -200 to 165 degree C. We achieve multilevel programming of CrTe3 through both step-wise crystallization and step-wise amorphization using a hybrid opto-electronic device at various temperatures. Moreover, the application potential of CrTe3 in neuromorphic computing is testified by its incorporation in a vehicle with automatic path-tracking function. Our work opens a new avenue to achieving IMC-requisite properties via judicious design of the composition and atomic-level structure of disordered PCM alloys. △ Less

Submitted 15 September, 2025; v1 submitted 27 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: 23 pages, 10 figures

Floquet control of topological phases and Hall effects in Z2 nodal line semimetals

Authors: Pu Liu, Chaoxi Cui, Lei Li, Runze Li, Dong-Hui Xu, Zhi-Ming Yu

Abstract: Dynamic control of topological properties in materials is central to modern condensed matter physics, and Floquet engineering, utilizing periodic light fields, provides a promising avenue. Here, we use Floquet theory to theoretically study the topological response of a Z2 nodal line semimetal (NLSM) when driven by circularly polarized light (CPL). We demonstrate that the direction of CPL irradiati… ▽ More Dynamic control of topological properties in materials is central to modern condensed matter physics, and Floquet engineering, utilizing periodic light fields, provides a promising avenue. Here, we use Floquet theory to theoretically study the topological response of a Z2 nodal line semimetal (NLSM) when driven by circularly polarized light (CPL). We demonstrate that the direction of CPL irradiation critically dictates the resulting topological phase transitions. Specifically, when light is incident perpendicular to the nodal line plane, increasing the light amplitude induces two successive topological phase transitions: first, from the Z2 NLSM to a vortex NLSM, a rare and intriguing topological state; and second, a transition from the vortex NLSM to a semimetal with a pair of Weyl points (WPs). In stark contrast, irradiation along other directions directly transforms the Z2 nodal line into a pair of WPs. We further investigate the transport properties of the Floquet Z2 NLSM, focusing on the anomalous and planar Hall effects. The anomalous Hall effect exhibits a direction-dependent amplitude variation, deviating from conventional two-band NLSM behavior. Importantly, we reveal a significant and tunable planar Hall effect, a phenomenon largely unexplored in Floquet topological materials, which is highly sensitive to both light amplitude and direction. Our findings not only present a novel route to realize the vortex NLSM, but also establish an efficient way to control Hall transport phenomena in Z2 NLSMs. △ Less

Submitted 27 March, 2025; v1 submitted 25 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: 9 pages, 5 figures

Identifying Ising and percolation phase transitions based on KAN method

Authors: Dian Xu, Shanshan Wang, Wei Li, Weibing Deng, Feng Gao, Jianmin Shen

Abstract: Modern machine learning, grounded in the Universal Approximation Theorem, has achieved significant success in the study of phase transitions in both equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems. However, identifying the critical points of percolation models using raw configurations remains a challenging and intriguing problem. This paper proposes the use of the Kolmogorov-Arnold Network, which is based… ▽ More Modern machine learning, grounded in the Universal Approximation Theorem, has achieved significant success in the study of phase transitions in both equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems. However, identifying the critical points of percolation models using raw configurations remains a challenging and intriguing problem. This paper proposes the use of the Kolmogorov-Arnold Network, which is based on the Kolmogorov-Arnold Representation Theorem, to input raw configurations into a learning model. The results demonstrate that the KAN can indeed predict the critical points of percolation models. Further observation reveals that, apart from models associated with the density of occupied points, KAN is also capable of effectively achieving phase classification for models where the sole alteration pertains to the orientation of spins, resulting in an order parameter that manifests as an external magnetic flux, such as the Ising model. △ Less

Submitted 5 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: 10 pagees, 9 figures, 1 table

Neural network learning of multi-scale and discrete temporal features in directed percolation

Authors: Feng Gao, Jianmin Shen, Shanshan Wang, Wei Li, Dian Xu

Abstract: Neural network methods are increasingly applied to solve phase transition problems, particularly in identifying critical points in non-equilibrium phase transitions, offering more convenience compared to traditional methods. In this paper, we analyze the (1+1)-dimensional and (2+1)-dimensional directed percolation models using an autoencoder network. We demonstrate that single-step configurations… ▽ More Neural network methods are increasingly applied to solve phase transition problems, particularly in identifying critical points in non-equilibrium phase transitions, offering more convenience compared to traditional methods. In this paper, we analyze the (1+1)-dimensional and (2+1)-dimensional directed percolation models using an autoencoder network. We demonstrate that single-step configurations after reaching steady state can replace traditional full configurations for learning purposes. This approach significantly reduces data size and accelerates training time.Furthermore, we introduce a multi-input branch autoencoder network to extract shared features from systems of different sizes. The neural network is capable of learning results from finite-size scaling. By modifying the network input to include configurations at discrete time steps, the network can also capture temporal information, enabling dynamic analysis of non-equilibrium phase boundaries. Our proposed method allows for high-precision identification of critical points using both spatial and temporal features. △ Less

Submitted 11 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Universal Semantic Embeddings of Chemical Elements for Enhanced Materials Inference and Discovery

Authors: Yunze Jia, Yuehui Xian, Yangyang Xu, Pengfei Dang, Xiangdong Ding, Jun Sun, Yumei Zhou, Dezhen Xue

Abstract: We present a framework for generating universal semantic embeddings of chemical elements to advance materials inference and discovery. This framework leverages ElementBERT, a domain-specific BERT-based natural language processing model trained on 1.29 million abstracts of alloy-related scientific papers, to capture latent knowledge and contextual relationships specific to alloys. These semantic em… ▽ More We present a framework for generating universal semantic embeddings of chemical elements to advance materials inference and discovery. This framework leverages ElementBERT, a domain-specific BERT-based natural language processing model trained on 1.29 million abstracts of alloy-related scientific papers, to capture latent knowledge and contextual relationships specific to alloys. These semantic embeddings serve as robust elemental descriptors, consistently outperforming traditional empirical descriptors with significant improvements across multiple downstream tasks. These include predicting mechanical and transformation properties, classifying phase structures, and optimizing materials properties via Bayesian optimization. Applications to titanium alloys, high-entropy alloys, and shape memory alloys demonstrate up to 23% gains in prediction accuracy. Our results show that ElementBERT surpasses general-purpose BERT variants by encoding specialized alloy knowledge. By bridging contextual insights from scientific literature with quantitative inference, our framework accelerates the discovery and optimization of advanced materials, with potential applications extending beyond alloys to other material classes. △ Less

Submitted 19 February, 2025; originally announced February 2025.

Comments: 5 figures

Nonreciprocal Control of the Speed of Light Using Cavity Magnonics

Authors: Jiguang Yao, Chenyang Lu, Xiaolong Fan, Desheng Xue, Greg E. Bridges, C. -M. Hu

Abstract: We demonstrate nonreciprocal control of the speed of light by sending a microwave pulse through a cavity magnonics device. In contrast to reciprocal group velocity controlled by conventional electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect, incorporating dissipative magnon-photon coupling establishes a non-reciprocal EIT effect, allowing slow and fast light propagation in opposite directions… ▽ More We demonstrate nonreciprocal control of the speed of light by sending a microwave pulse through a cavity magnonics device. In contrast to reciprocal group velocity controlled by conventional electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect, incorporating dissipative magnon-photon coupling establishes a non-reciprocal EIT effect, allowing slow and fast light propagation in opposite directions at the same frequency with comparable amplitude. Remarkably, reversing the magnetic field enables a directional switch between non-reciprocal fast and slow light. This discovery may offer new possibilities for pulse time regulation in microwave signal communications, neuromorphic computing, and quantum signal processing. △ Less

Submitted 14 February, 2025; originally announced February 2025.

Comments: 7 pages, 4 figures

Probing $k$-Space Alternating Spin Polarization via the Anomalous Hall Effect

Authors: Rui Chen, Zi-Ming Wang, Hai-Peng Sun, Bin Zhou, Dong-Hui Xu

Abstract: Altermagnets represent a recently discovered class of collinear magnets, characterized by antiparallel neighboring magnetic moments and alternating-sign spin polarization in momentum-space($k$-space). However, experimental methods for probing the $k$-space spin polarization in altermagnets remain limited. In this work, we propose an approach to address this challenge by interfacing an altermagnet… ▽ More Altermagnets represent a recently discovered class of collinear magnets, characterized by antiparallel neighboring magnetic moments and alternating-sign spin polarization in momentum-space($k$-space). However, experimental methods for probing the $k$-space spin polarization in altermagnets remain limited. In this work, we propose an approach to address this challenge by interfacing an altermagnet with the surface of a topological insulator. The massless Dirac fermions on the topological insulator surface acquire a mass due to the time-reversal symmetry breaking. The local $k$-space magnetic moment at the Dirac point directly determines both the sign and magnitude of this Dirac mass, resulting in an anomalous Hall effect. By measuring the Hall conductance, we can extract the local $k$-space magnetic moment. Moreover, we can map the global magnetic moment distribution by tuning the Dirac point position using an in-plane magnetic field, thereby revealing the $k$-space spin density of the altermagnet. This work establishes the Dirac fermion on the topological insulator surface as a sensitive probe for unveiling spin characters of altermagnets and those of other unconventional antiferromagnets. △ Less

Submitted 23 January, 2025; originally announced January 2025.

Electron-phonon coupling in lattice engineering of lithium niobate single crystal thin films

Authors: Guoqiang Shi, Kunfeng Chen, Hui Hu, Gongbin Tang, Dongfeng Xue

Abstract: Lithium niobate (LN) single crystal thin films are a high-performance photonic platform with applications in electro-optic modulators, nonlinear optical devices, optical frequency combs, and acousto-optic modulators. LN's significance in photonics parallels silicon's in electronics, addressing challenges like high power consumption and slow communication speeds, and offering potential for broad ap… ▽ More Lithium niobate (LN) single crystal thin films are a high-performance photonic platform with applications in electro-optic modulators, nonlinear optical devices, optical frequency combs, and acousto-optic modulators. LN's significance in photonics parallels silicon's in electronics, addressing challenges like high power consumption and slow communication speeds, and offering potential for broad applications in optical communications, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. Despite progress in developing LN-based photonic structures, achieving low-loss, reconfigurable, and large-scale devices requires improved processing techniques. This work introduces a quantum design methodology based on LN's crystal structure, utilizing electron-phonon coupling through external field perturbations. Multiscale structural analysis is performed with techniques such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption spectra to identify and control defect structures. Angle-resolved Raman spectroscopy, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, and Density Functional Theory further reveal the mechanisms of electron-phonon coupling. These findings establish a framework for designing LN-based quantum devices with enhanced performance and diverse functionalities. △ Less

Submitted 9 January, 2025; v1 submitted 9 January, 2025; originally announced January 2025.

Design and construction of the multiplexing cold neutron spectrometer BOYA with double-column Rowland focusing analyzers

Authors: Jinchen Wang, Daye Xu, Juanjuan Liu, Wei Luo, Peng Cheng, Hongxia Zhang, Wei Bao

Abstract: Developing neutron spectrometers with higher counting efficiency has been an essential pursuit in neutron instrumentation. In this work, we present BOYA, a multiplexing cold neutron spectrometers designed and implemented at the China Advanced Research Reactor. Equipped with 34 angular analyzing channels spanning 119°, each containing 5 inelastic channels and 1 diffraction channel, BOYA enhances th… ▽ More Developing neutron spectrometers with higher counting efficiency has been an essential pursuit in neutron instrumentation. In this work, we present BOYA, a multiplexing cold neutron spectrometers designed and implemented at the China Advanced Research Reactor. Equipped with 34 angular analyzing channels spanning 119°, each containing 5 inelastic channels and 1 diffraction channel, BOYA enhances the measurement efficiency by two orders of magnitude over a traditional triple-axis spectrometer. To optimize both intensity and energy resolution, innovative double-column Rowland focusing analyzers have been developed. By filling the crystal gaps in the traditional Rowland focusing geometry, our design enhances the neutron beam coverage without introducing appreciable double-scattering. Our commissioning results on vanadium and MnWO4 have confirmed the success of the design, establishing BOYA as a successful multiplexing instrument for neutron spectroscopy. △ Less

Submitted 13 July, 2025; v1 submitted 2 January, 2025; originally announced January 2025.

Journal ref: Rev. Sci. Instrum. 96, 073902 (2025)

Spatiotemporal imaging of nonlinear optics in van der Waals waveguides

Authors: Ding Xu, Zhi Hao Peng, Chiara Trovatello, Shan-Wen Cheng, Xinyi Xu, Aaron Sternbach, Dmitri N. Basov, P. James Schuck, Milan Delor

Abstract: Van der Waals (vdW) semiconductors have emerged as promising platforms for efficient nonlinear optical conversion, including harmonic and entangled photon generation. Although major efforts are devoted to integrating vdW materials in nanoscale waveguides for miniaturization, the realization of efficient, phase-matched conversion in these platforms remains challenging. To address this challenge, we… ▽ More Van der Waals (vdW) semiconductors have emerged as promising platforms for efficient nonlinear optical conversion, including harmonic and entangled photon generation. Although major efforts are devoted to integrating vdW materials in nanoscale waveguides for miniaturization, the realization of efficient, phase-matched conversion in these platforms remains challenging. To address this challenge, we develop a far-field ultrafast imaging method to track the propagation of both fundamental and harmonic waves within vdW waveguides with extreme spatiotemporal resolution. Our approach allows systematic optimization of nonlinear conversion by determining the phase-matching angles, mode profiles, and losses in waveguides without a priori knowledge of material properties. We focus on light propagation in slab waveguides of rhombohedral-stacked MoS2, an emerging vdW semiconductor with giant nonlinear susceptibility. Our results reveal that these waveguides support birefringent phase-matching, demonstrating the material's potential for efficient on-chip nonlinear optics. This work establishes spatiotemporal imaging of light propagation in waveguides as an incisive and general method to identify new materials and architectures for efficient nonlinear nanophotonics. △ Less

Submitted 10 December, 2024; originally announced December 2024.

Structural and magnetic characterization of CeTa$_7$O$_{19}$ and YbTa$_7$O$_{19}$ with two-dimensional pseudospin-1/2 triangular lattice

Authors: Feihao Pan, Songnan Sun, Alexander I. Kolesnikov, Matthew B. Stone, Jiale Huang, Daye Xu, Chenglin Shang, Bingxian Shi, Xuejuan Gui, Zhongcen Sun, Jinchen Wang, Juanjuan Liu, Hongxia Zhang, Zhengxin Liu, Peng Cheng

Abstract: Triangular lattice antiferromagnets are prototypes for frustrated magnetism and may potentially realize novel quantum magnetic states such as a quantum spin liquid ground state. A recent work suggests NdTa$_7$O$_{19}$ with rare-earth triangular lattice is a quantum spin liquid candidate and highlights the large family of rare-earth heptatantalates as a framework for quantum magnetism investigation… ▽ More Triangular lattice antiferromagnets are prototypes for frustrated magnetism and may potentially realize novel quantum magnetic states such as a quantum spin liquid ground state. A recent work suggests NdTa$_7$O$_{19}$ with rare-earth triangular lattice is a quantum spin liquid candidate and highlights the large family of rare-earth heptatantalates as a framework for quantum magnetism investigation. In this paper, we report the structural and magnetic characterization of CeTa$_7$O$_{19}$ and YbTa$_7$O$_{19}$. Both compounds are isostructural to NdTa$_7$O$_{19}$ with no detectable structural disorder. For CeTa$_7$O$_{19}$, the crystal field energy levels and parameters are determined by inelastic neutron scattering measurements. Based on the crystal field result, the magnetic susceptibility data could be well fitted and explained, which reveals that CeTa$_7$O$_{19}$ is a highly anisotropic Ising triangular-lattice antiferromagnet ($g_z$/$g_{xy}$$\sim$3) with very weak exchange interaction (J$\sim$0.22~K). For YbTa$_7$O$_{19}$, millimeter sized single crystals could be grown. The anisotropic magnetization and electron spin resonance data show that YbTa$_7$O$_{19}$ has a contrasting in-plane magnetic anisotropy with $g_z$/$g_{xy}$$\sim$0.67 similar as that of YbMgGaO$_4$. The above results indicate that CeTa$_7$O$_{19}$ and YbTa$_7$O$_{19}$ with pseudospin-1/2 ground states might either be quantum spin liquid candidate materials or find applications in adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration due to the weak exchange interaction. △ Less

Submitted 26 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Comments: 10 pages, 7 figures

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. B 110(2024)174448

A 2D van der Waals Material for Terahertz Emission with Giant Optical Rectification

Authors: Taketo Handa, Chun-Ying Huang, Yiliu Li, Nicholas Olsen, Daniel G. Chica, David D. Xu, Felix Sturm, James W. McIver, Xavier Roy, Xiaoyang Zhu

Abstract: Exfoliation and stacking of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) crystals have created unprecedented opportunities in the discovery of quantum phases. A major obstacle to the advancement of this field is the limited spectroscopic access due to a mismatch in sample sizes (1 - 10 micrometer) and wavelengths (0.1 - 1 millimeter) of electromagnetic radiation relevant to their low-energy excitation… ▽ More Exfoliation and stacking of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) crystals have created unprecedented opportunities in the discovery of quantum phases. A major obstacle to the advancement of this field is the limited spectroscopic access due to a mismatch in sample sizes (1 - 10 micrometer) and wavelengths (0.1 - 1 millimeter) of electromagnetic radiation relevant to their low-energy excitations. Here, we introduce a new member of the 2D vdW material family: a terahertz (THz) emitter. We show intense and broadband THz generation from the vdW ferroelectric semiconductor NbOI2 with optical rectification efficiency over one-order-of-magnitude higher than that of the current standard THz emitter, ZnTe. The NbOI2 THz emitter can be easily integrated into vdW heterostructures for on-chip near-field THz spectroscopy of a target vdW material/device. Our approach provides a general spectroscopic tool for the rapidly expanding field of 2D vdW materials and quantum matter. △ Less

Submitted 14 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Comments: 18 pages, 3 figures, 15 pages of Supplementary Information

The tricritical point of tricritical directed percolation is determined based on neural network

Authors: Feng Gao, Jianmin Shen, Shanshan Wang, Wei Li, Dian Xu

Abstract: In recent years, neural networks have increasingly been employed to identify critical points of phase transitions. For the tricritical directed percolation model, its steady-state configurations encompass both first-order and second-order phase transitions. Due to the presence of crossover effects, identifying the critical points of phase transitions becomes challenging. This study utilizes Monte… ▽ More In recent years, neural networks have increasingly been employed to identify critical points of phase transitions. For the tricritical directed percolation model, its steady-state configurations encompass both first-order and second-order phase transitions. Due to the presence of crossover effects, identifying the critical points of phase transitions becomes challenging. This study utilizes Monte Carlo simulations to obtain steady-state configurations under different probabilities $p$ and $q$, and by calculating the increments in average particle density, we observe first-order transitions, second-order transitions, and regions where both types of transitions interact.These Monte Carlo-generated steady-state configurations are used as input to construct and train a convolutional neural network, from which we determine the critical points $p_{c}$ for different probabilities $q$. Furthermore, by learning the steady-state configurations associated with the superheated point $p=p_u$, we locate the tricritical point at $q_{t}=0.893$. Simultaneously, we employed a three-output CNN model to obtain the phase transition boundaries and the range of the crossover regions. Our method offers a neural network-based approach to capture critical points and distinguish phase transition boundaries, providing a novel solution to this problem. △ Less

Submitted 7 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Gyrotropic Magnetic Effect in Black Phosphorus Irradiated with Bicircular Light

Authors: Fangyang Zhan, Xin Jin, Da-Shuai Ma, Jing Fan, Peng Yu, Dong-Hui Xu, Rui Wang

Abstract: The gyrotropic magnetic effect (GME), which emerges as the low-frequency limit of natural gyrotopy, is a fundamental property of Bloch electrons on the Fermi surface in materials lacking inversion symmetry. While Weyl semimetals were among the first systems predicted to host the GME, this effect has not yet been experimentally observed in these materials. Here, we theoretically propose a robust sc… ▽ More The gyrotropic magnetic effect (GME), which emerges as the low-frequency limit of natural gyrotopy, is a fundamental property of Bloch electrons on the Fermi surface in materials lacking inversion symmetry. While Weyl semimetals were among the first systems predicted to host the GME, this effect has not yet been experimentally observed in these materials. Here, we theoretically propose a robust scheme to generate a significant GME in anisotropic nodal-line semimetals using Floquet engineering with bicircular light (BCL). We show that BCL irradiation can selectively break spatial and time-reversal symmetries, inducing a topological phase transition from a nodal-line semimetal to a Weyl semimetal with a minimal number of Weyl nodes. Crucially, the Weyl nodes with opposite chirality are separated in energy, a key requirement for a non-zero GME. Using first-principles calculations combined with Floquet theory, we identify compressed black phosphorus as an ideal material platform. The intrinsic anisotropy of black phosphorus amplifies the GME, resulting in a measurable gyrotropic current that is several orders of magnitude larger than that in previously proposed systems. Our work not only provides a concrete path toward the experimental realization of GME but also opens new avenues for exploring the interplay of light, symmetry, and topology in quantum materials. △ Less

Submitted 5 November, 2025; v1 submitted 5 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Comments: 5 pages, 2 figures

Higher-order topology in twisted multilayer systems: a review

Authors: Chunbo Hua, Dong-Hui Xu

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in higher-order topological phases (HOTPs) across various disciplines within the field of physics. These unique phases are characterized by their ability to harbor topological protected boundary states at lower-dimensional boundaries, a distinguishing feature that sets them apart from conventional topological phases and is attributed to the highe… ▽ More In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in higher-order topological phases (HOTPs) across various disciplines within the field of physics. These unique phases are characterized by their ability to harbor topological protected boundary states at lower-dimensional boundaries, a distinguishing feature that sets them apart from conventional topological phases and is attributed to the higher-order bulk-boundary correspondence. Two-dimensional (2D) twisted systems offer an optimal platform for investigating HOTPs, owing to their strong controllability and experimental feasibility. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research advancements on HOTPs in 2D twisted multilayer systems. We will mainly review the HOTPs in electronic, magnonic, acoustic, photonic and mechanical twisted systems, and finally provide a perspective of this topic. △ Less

Submitted 21 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Comments: Invited review

Journal ref: Chin. Phys. B 34 037301 (2025)

Exploring Nanoscale Photoresponse Mechanisms for Enhanced Photothermoelectric Effects in van der Waals Interfaces

Authors: Da Xu, Qiushi Liu, Boqun Liang, Ning Yu, Xuezhi Ma, Yaodong Xu, Takashi Taniguchi, Roger K. Lake, Ruoxue Yan, Ming Liu

Abstract: Integrated photodetectors are crucial for their high speed, sensitivity, and efficient power consumption. In these devices, photocurrent generation is primarily attributed to the photovoltaic (PV) effect, driven by electron hole separations, and the photothermoelectric (PTE) effect, which results from temperature gradients via the Seebeck effect. As devices shrink, the overlap of these mechanisms-… ▽ More Integrated photodetectors are crucial for their high speed, sensitivity, and efficient power consumption. In these devices, photocurrent generation is primarily attributed to the photovoltaic (PV) effect, driven by electron hole separations, and the photothermoelectric (PTE) effect, which results from temperature gradients via the Seebeck effect. As devices shrink, the overlap of these mechanisms-both dependent on the Fermi level and band structure-complicates their separate evaluation at the nanoscale. This study introduces a novel 3D photocurrent nano-imaging technique specifically designed to distinctly map these mechanisms in a Schottky barrier photodiode featuring a molybdenum disulfide and gold (MoS2 Au) interface. We uncover a significant PTE-dominated region extending several hundred nanometers from the electrode edge, a characteristic facilitated by the weak electrostatic forces typical in 2D materials. Unexpectedly, we find that incorporating hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), known for its high thermal conductivity, markedly enhances the PTE response. This counterintuitive enhancement stems from an optimal overlap between thermal and Seebeck profiles, presenting a new pathway to boost device performance. Our findings highlight the capability of this imaging technique to not only advance optoelectronic applications but also to deepen our understanding of light matter interactions within low-dimensional systems. △ Less

Submitted 16 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Higher-Order Band Topology in Twisted Bilayer Kagome Lattice

Authors: Xiaolin Wan, Junjie Zeng, Ruixiang Zhu, Dong-Hui Xu, Baobing Zheng, Rui Wang

Abstract: Topologically protected corner states serve as a key indicator for two-dimensional higher-order topological insulators, yet they have not been experimentally identified in realistic materials. Here, by utilizing the effective tight-binding model and symmetry arguments, we establish a connection between higher-order topological insulators and twisted bilayer kagome lattices. We find that the topolo… ▽ More Topologically protected corner states serve as a key indicator for two-dimensional higher-order topological insulators, yet they have not been experimentally identified in realistic materials. Here, by utilizing the effective tight-binding model and symmetry arguments, we establish a connection between higher-order topological insulators and twisted bilayer kagome lattices. We find that the topologically nontrivial bulk band gap arises in the twisted bilayer kagome lattice system due to twist-induced intervalley scattering, leading to the emergence of higher-order topological insulators with a range of commensurate twist angles, and the higher-order band topology is verified by the second Stiefel-Whitney number and fractionally quantized corner charges. Moreover, we investigate the influence of disorder and charge density wave order on the stability of higher-order topological insulator phases. The results show that the corner states of twisted bilayer kagome lattice systems are robust with respect to disorder and charge density wave. Our work not only provides a feasible approach to realize the readily controllable higher-order topological insulator phases by employing a simple twist technique, but also demonstrates that the twisted bilayer kagome lattice systems exhibit the robustness of higher-order band topology, making it feasible to check above prediction in experiments. △ Less

Submitted 14 October, 2024; v1 submitted 10 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Comments: 7 pages, 4 figures

FePd2Te2: An Anisotropic Two-Dimensional Ferromagnet with One-Dimensional Fe Chains

Authors: Bingxian Shi, Yanyan Geng, Hengning Wang, Jianhui Yang, Chenglin Shang, Manyu Wang, Shuo Mi, Jiale Huang, Feihao Pan, Xuejuan Gui, Jinchen Wang, Juanjuan Liu, Daye Xu, Hongxia Zhang, Jianfei Qin, Hongliang Wang, Lijie Hao, Mingliang Tian, Zhihai Cheng, Guolin Zheng, Peng Cheng

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) magnets have attracted significant attentions in recent years due to their importance in the research on both fundamental physics and spintronic applications. Here, we report the discovery of a new ternary compound FePd2Te2. It features a layered quasi-2D crystal structure with one-dimensional Fe zigzag chains extending along the b-axis in the cleavage plane. Single crystals o… ▽ More Two-dimensional (2D) magnets have attracted significant attentions in recent years due to their importance in the research on both fundamental physics and spintronic applications. Here, we report the discovery of a new ternary compound FePd2Te2. It features a layered quasi-2D crystal structure with one-dimensional Fe zigzag chains extending along the b-axis in the cleavage plane. Single crystals of FePd2Te2 with centimeter-size could be grown. Density functional theory calculations, mechanical exfoliation and atomic force microscopy on these crystals reveal that they are 2D materialsthat can be thinned down to 5 nm. Magnetic characterization shows that FePd2Te2 is an easy-plane ferromagnet with Tc 183 K and strong in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. Magnetoresistance and anomalous Hall effect demonstrate that ferromagnetism could maintain in FePd2Te2 flakes with large coercivity. A crystal twinning effect is observed by scanning tunneling microscopy which makes the Fe chains right-angle bent in the cleavage plane and creates an intriguing spin texture. Our results show that FePd2Te2 is a correlated anisotropic 2D magnets that may attract multidisciplinary research interests. △ Less

Submitted 7 September, 2024; originally announced September 2024.

Journal ref: J.Am.Chem.Soc.2024,146,21546-21554

Perspective: Floquet engineering topological states from effective models towards realistic materials

Authors: Fangyang Zhan, Rui Chen, Zhen Ning, Da-Shuai Ma, Ziming Wang, Dong-Hui Xu, Rui Wang

Abstract: With significant advances in classifying and cataloguing topological matter, the focus of topological physics has shifted towards quantum control, particularly the creation and manipulation of topological phases of matter. Floquet engineering, the concept of tailoring a system by periodic fields, offers a powerful tool to manipulate electronic properties of condensed systems, and even to create ex… ▽ More With significant advances in classifying and cataloguing topological matter, the focus of topological physics has shifted towards quantum control, particularly the creation and manipulation of topological phases of matter. Floquet engineering, the concept of tailoring a system by periodic fields, offers a powerful tool to manipulate electronic properties of condensed systems, and even to create exotic non-equilibrium topological states that are impossibly present in equilibrium scenarios. In this perspective, we give a brief review of recent progress in theoretical investigations of Floquet engineering topological states from effective models towards realistic materials. We show that light irradiation can realize various desired topological states through the introduction of symmetry breaking, such as first- and higher-order Weyl fermions, quadrupole topological insulator with periodic driving and disorder, quantum anomalous Hall effects with a tunable Chern number, as well as beyond. Moreover, based on first-principles calculations and Floquet theorem, we show several realistic material candidates proposed as potential hosts for promising Floquet topological states, facilitating their verification in experiments. We believe that our perspective on Floquet engineering of topological states will advance further studies of rich exotic light-induced phenomena in condensed matter physics. △ Less

Submitted 9 September, 2024; v1 submitted 4 September, 2024; originally announced September 2024.

Comments: 40 pages, 11 figures

Anomalous Hall effects in magnetic weak topological insulator films

Authors: Rui Chen, Xiao-Xia Yi, Bin Zhou, Dong-Hui Xu

Abstract: The interplay between magnetism and strong topological insulator gives rise to distinct new topological phases and various intriguing phenomena, attracting significant attention in recent years. However, magnetic effects in weak topological insulators remain largely unexplored. In this work, we systematically investigate the magnetic effect on thin films of weak topological insulators. We focus on… ▽ More The interplay between magnetism and strong topological insulator gives rise to distinct new topological phases and various intriguing phenomena, attracting significant attention in recent years. However, magnetic effects in weak topological insulators remain largely unexplored. In this work, we systematically investigate the magnetic effect on thin films of weak topological insulators. We focus on ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic effects, which have been extensively studied in strong topological insulators, as well as the recently highlighted altermagnetic effect. We reveal that the interplay between magnetism and weak topological insulators leads to a variety of Hall effects in the absence of an external magnetic field, including the metallic quantum anomalous Hall effect without chiral edge states, the quantum anomalous Hall effect with a higher Hall conductance plateau, the quantized layer Hall effect, the metallic half-quantized valley-like Hall effect, and a quantized valley-like Hall effect. This work provides valuable insights for exploring magnetic effect on weak topological insulators. △ Less

Submitted 3 September, 2024; originally announced September 2024.

Order metrics of jammed solids: Structures, hyperuniformity, and implications for ultra-stable glasses

Authors: Ding Xu, Qinyi Liao, Ning Xu

Abstract: Due to the lack of long-range order, it remains challenging to characterize the structure of disordered solids and understand the nature of the glass transition. Here we propose a new structural order parameter by taking into account multiple rotational symmetries. By studying its statistics for two-dimensional disordered packings of hard particles along the jamming transition line, we observe the… ▽ More Due to the lack of long-range order, it remains challenging to characterize the structure of disordered solids and understand the nature of the glass transition. Here we propose a new structural order parameter by taking into account multiple rotational symmetries. By studying its statistics for two-dimensional disordered packings of hard particles along the jamming transition line, we observe the evolution from disordered-particle-rich states to ordered-particle-rich states with the increase of packing fraction, together with the unusual non-monotonic change of the degree of hyperuniformity. At the high packing fraction end of the jamming transition line, the packings are mostly composed of ordered particles and are nearly hyperuniform beyond a finite length. Our work links the local order fluctuations to the thermodynamic stability and density fluctuations of disordered solids. Taking advantage of the order parameter, we propose the structural characteristic of ultra-stable glasses: Although globally disordered evaluated by any single symmetry, they are rich of ordered particles and effectively `globally ordered' with crystal-like density fluctuations. △ Less

Submitted 23 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 10 pages, 4 figures

Inverse designing metamaterials with programmable nonlinear functional responses in graph space

Authors: Marco Maurizi, Derek Xu, Yu-Tong Wang, Desheng Yao, David Hahn, Mourad Oudich, Anish Satpati, Mathieu Bauchy, Wei Wang, Yizhou Sun, Yun Jing, Xiaoyu Rayne Zheng

Abstract: Material responses to static and dynamic stimuli, represented as nonlinear curves, are design targets for engineering functionalities like structural support, impact protection, and acoustic and photonic bandgaps. Three-dimensional metamaterials offer significant tunability due to their internal structure, yet existing methods struggle to capture their complex behavior-to-structure relationships.… ▽ More Material responses to static and dynamic stimuli, represented as nonlinear curves, are design targets for engineering functionalities like structural support, impact protection, and acoustic and photonic bandgaps. Three-dimensional metamaterials offer significant tunability due to their internal structure, yet existing methods struggle to capture their complex behavior-to-structure relationships. We present GraphMetaMat, a graph-based framework capable of designing three-dimensional metamaterials with programmable responses and arbitrary manufacturing constraints. Integrating graph networks, physics biases, reinforcement learning, and tree search, GraphMetaMat can target stress-strain curves spanning four orders of magnitude and complex behaviors, as well as viscoelastic transmission responses with varying attenuation gaps. GraphMetaMat can create cushioning materials for protective equipment and vibration-damping panels for electric vehicles, outperforming commercial materials, and enabling the automatic design of materials with on-demand functionalities. △ Less

Submitted 12 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 19 pages, 5 figures

Controllable Weyl Nodes and Fermi Arcs from Floquet Engineering Triple Fermions

Authors: Shengpu Huang, Fangyang Zhan, Xianyong Ding, Dong-Hui Xu, Da-Shuai Ma, Rui Wang

Abstract: Floquet engineering with periodic driving as a powerful tool for designing desirable topological states has been the subject of intense recent studies. Here, we present the application of Floquet engineering to investigate evolution of topological triple fermions under irradiation of circularly polarized light (CPL), a phenomenon that currently remains a mystery. By using first-principles calculat… ▽ More Floquet engineering with periodic driving as a powerful tool for designing desirable topological states has been the subject of intense recent studies. Here, we present the application of Floquet engineering to investigate evolution of topological triple fermions under irradiation of circularly polarized light (CPL), a phenomenon that currently remains a mystery. By using first-principles calculations and Floquet theorem, we demonstrate that WC-type TiO and its analogues are promising candidates for Floquet engineering of triple fermions. The symmetry analysis reveals that the electric field of CPL can break the specific symmetries, such as the time-reversal symmetry and its combination of spatial symmetries, inducing a transition to a flexibly controllable Weyl semimetallic phase. The survived spatial symmetry, controlled by light, guarantees that the Weyl nodes are located along the high-symmetry line or in high-symmetry planes in momentum space. Our findings focusing on Floquet engineering in realistic materials featured by triple fermions would facilitate both theoretical and experimental interest. △ Less

Submitted 20 September, 2024; v1 submitted 9 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 6 pages, 4 figures

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. B 110, L121118 (2024)

Helical Superconductors with Multiple Majorana Kramers Pairs in Rashba Bilayers

Authors: Qi-Sheng Xu, Zi-Ming Wang, Chui-Zhen Chen, Lun-Hui Hu, Rui Wang, Dong-Hui Xu

Abstract: The momentum dependence of Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC) is a key ingredient for engineering topological superconductors (TSCs), but research has largely focused on the linear-in-momentum form. This focus has restricted time-reversal invariant TSCs to helical $p$-wave states with only a single Majorana Kramers pair, whose existence is tied to the criterion of an odd number of Fermi surfaces (F… ▽ More The momentum dependence of Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC) is a key ingredient for engineering topological superconductors (TSCs), but research has largely focused on the linear-in-momentum form. This focus has restricted time-reversal invariant TSCs to helical $p$-wave states with only a single Majorana Kramers pair, whose existence is tied to the criterion of an odd number of Fermi surfaces (FSs). In this Letter, we demonstrate that a bilayer system with pure cubic RSOC and intrinsic odd-parity pairing on a single FS yields a rare 2D helical $f$-wave TSC. This state is characterized by a large mirror Chern number (MCN) of ${\cal N}_{\text{M}}=3$ and hosts three Kramers pairs of Majorana edge modes. Remarkably, the interplay of linear and cubic RSOCs in this bilayer can generate a helical hybrid $p+f$-wave TSC with an even larger MCN of ${\cal N}_{\text{M}}=4$ from a normal state with two FSs, thereby circumventing the conventional odd-FS criterion. Our work establishes higher-order RSOC as a powerful design principle for realizing TSCs with multiple Majorana Kramers channels, fundamentally reshapes the helical hybrid for helical TSCs, and holds immediate relevance for tunable platforms like oxide heterostructures. △ Less

Submitted 17 September, 2025; v1 submitted 4 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 4+ pages, 3 figures

Tunable corner-like modes in generalized quadrupole topological insulator

Authors: Rui Chen, Bin Zhou, Dong-Hui Xu

Abstract: Higher-order topological insulators harbor unique corner modes that hold immense potential for applications in information storage. However, the practical manipulation of these states has been constrained by the fixed positions and energies of conventional corner modes. In this work, we present a theoretical framework for generating topologically protected corner-like modes in higher-order topolog… ▽ More Higher-order topological insulators harbor unique corner modes that hold immense potential for applications in information storage. However, the practical manipulation of these states has been constrained by the fixed positions and energies of conventional corner modes. In this work, we present a theoretical framework for generating topologically protected corner-like modes in higher-order topological insulators, exhibiting unprecedented tunability in their positions. These corner-like modes are characterized by a quantized generalized quadrupole moment, indicative of the presence of fractional charges. Moreover, we demonstrate the remarkable ability to modulate the energy of these topological corner modes. Our findings pave the way for the controlled manipulation of corner modes in higher-order topological insulators, opening up new avenues for their applications in advanced information technologies. △ Less

Submitted 28 June, 2024; originally announced June 2024.

Additive engineering for Sb$_2$S$_3$ indoor photovoltaics with efficiency exceeding 17%

Authors: Xiao Chen, Xiaoxuan Shu, Jiangcheng Zhou, Lei Wan, Peng Xiao, Yuchen Fu, Junzhi Ye, Yi-Teng Huang, Bin Yan, Dingjiang Xue, Tao Chen, Jiejie Chen, Robert L. Z. Hoye, Ru Zhou

Abstract: Indoor photovoltaics (IPVs) have attracted increasing attention for sustainably powering Internet of Things (IoT) electronics. Sb$_2$S$_3$ is a promising IPV candidate material with a bandgap of ~1.75 eV, which is near the optimal value for indoor energy harvesting. However, the performance of Sb$_2$S$_3$ solar cells is limited by nonradiative recombination, closely associated with the poor-qualit… ▽ More Indoor photovoltaics (IPVs) have attracted increasing attention for sustainably powering Internet of Things (IoT) electronics. Sb$_2$S$_3$ is a promising IPV candidate material with a bandgap of ~1.75 eV, which is near the optimal value for indoor energy harvesting. However, the performance of Sb$_2$S$_3$ solar cells is limited by nonradiative recombination, closely associated with the poor-quality absorber films. Additive engineering is an effective strategy to improved the properties of solution-processed films. This work shows that the addition of monoethanolamine (MEA) into the precursor solution allows the nucleation and growth of Sb$_2$S$_3$ films to be controlled, enabling the deposition of high-quality Sb$_2$S$_3$ absorbers with reduced grain boundary density, optimized band positions and increased carrier concentration. Complemented with computations, it is revealed that the incorporation of MEA leads to a more efficient and energetically favorable deposition for enhanced heterogeneous nucleation on the substrate, which increases the grain size and accelerates the deposition rate of Sb$_2$S$_3$ films. Due to suppressed carrier recombination and improved charge-carrier transport in Sb$_2$S$_3$ absorber films, the MEA-modulated Sb$_2$S$_3$ solar cell yields a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.22% under AM1.5G illumination, and an IPV PCE of 17.55% under 1000 lux white light emitting diode (WLED) illumination, which is the highest yet reported for Sb$_2$S$_3$ IPVs. Furthermore, we construct high performance large-area Sb$_2$S$_3$ IPV modules to power IoT wireless sensors, and realize the long-term continuous recording of environmental parameters under WLED illumination in an office. This work highlights the great prospect of Sb$_2$S$_3$ photovoltaics for indoor energy harvesting. △ Less

Submitted 10 June, 2024; originally announced June 2024.

Comments: 28 pages, 6 figures

Ideal noncrystals: A possible new class of ordered matter without apparent broken symmetry

Authors: Xinyu Fan, Ding Xu, Jianhua Zhang, Hao Hu, Peng Tan, Ning Xu, Hajime Tanaka, Hua Tong

Abstract: Order and disorder constitute two fundamental and opposite themes in condensed matter physics and materials science. Crystals are considered the epitome of order, characterised by long-range translational order. The discovery of quasicrystals, which exhibit rotational symmetries forbidden in crystals and lack periodicity, led to a paradigm shift in solid-state physics. Moving one step forward, it… ▽ More Order and disorder constitute two fundamental and opposite themes in condensed matter physics and materials science. Crystals are considered the epitome of order, characterised by long-range translational order. The discovery of quasicrystals, which exhibit rotational symmetries forbidden in crystals and lack periodicity, led to a paradigm shift in solid-state physics. Moving one step forward, it is intriguing to ask whether ordered matter can exist without apparent symmetry breaking. The same question arises considering how ordered amorphous (noncrystalline) solids can be structured. Here, we present the discovery of ideal noncrystals in two dimensions, which are disordered in the conventional sense, lacking Bragg peaks, but exhibit high orderliness based on the steric order, i.e., they are ideally packed. A path-integral-like scheme reveals the underlying long-range structural correlation. We find that these ideal noncrystals are characterised by phononic vibrational modes following the Debye law, fully affine elastic responses, and suppressed density fluctuations at longer wavelengths, reminiscent of hyperuniformity -- all characteristics typically associated with crystals. Therefore, ideal noncrystals represent a peculiar form of matter with a mixed nature -- noncrystalline yet possessing crystal-like properties. Notably, these states are found to be thermodynamically favourable, indicating them as a possible new class of ordered matter without apparent symmetry breaking. Our findings significantly broaden the conceptualization of ordered states of matter and may contribute to a deeper understanding of entropy-driven ordering, particularly in generic amorphous materials. △ Less

Submitted 17 August, 2024; v1 submitted 26 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Flexible Control of Chiral Superconductivity in Optically Driven Nodal Point Superconductors with Antiferromagnetism

Authors: Zhen Ning, Junjie Zeng, Da-Shuai Ma, Dong-Hui Xu, Rui Wang

Abstract: Recent studies have attracted widespread attention on magnet-superconductor hybrid systems with emergent topological superconductivity. Here, we present the Floquet engineering of realistic two-dimensional topological nodal-point superconductors that are composed of antiferromagnetic monolayers in proximity to an s-wave superconductor. We show that Floquet chiral topological superconductivity aris… ▽ More Recent studies have attracted widespread attention on magnet-superconductor hybrid systems with emergent topological superconductivity. Here, we present the Floquet engineering of realistic two-dimensional topological nodal-point superconductors that are composed of antiferromagnetic monolayers in proximity to an s-wave superconductor. We show that Floquet chiral topological superconductivity arises naturally due to light-induced breaking of the effective time-reversal symmetry. More strikingly, we find that the Floquet chiral topological superconducting phases can be flexibly controlled by irradiating elliptically polarized light, with the photon-dressed quasi-energy spectrum carrying different Chern numbers. Such optically switchable topological transition is attributed to the simultaneous creations (or annihilations) of valley pairs. Our findings provide a feasible approach for achieving the Floquet chiral topological superconductivity with flexible tunability, which would draw extensive attention in experiments. △ Less

Submitted 11 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Spin Signature of Majorana Fermions in Topological Nodal-Point Superconductors

Authors: Junjie Zeng, James Jun He, Zhen Ning, Dong-Hui Xu, Rui Wang

Abstract: In two-dimensional topological nodal superconductors, Majorana edge states have been conventionally believed to exhibit only spin-triplet pairing correlations. However, we reveal a substantial spin-singlet pairing component in Majorana edge states of antiferromagnetic topological nodal-point superconductors. This unexpected phenomenon emerges from the interplay between antiferromagnetic order and… ▽ More In two-dimensional topological nodal superconductors, Majorana edge states have been conventionally believed to exhibit only spin-triplet pairing correlations. However, we reveal a substantial spin-singlet pairing component in Majorana edge states of antiferromagnetic topological nodal-point superconductors. This unexpected phenomenon emerges from the interplay between antiferromagnetic order and symmetry, resulting in Majorana edge states with a nearly flat band dispersion, deviating from the strictly flat band. Crucially, this phenomenon is detectable through spin-selective Andreev reflection, where the zero-bias conductance peaks are maximized when the spin of incident electrons is nearly antiparallel to that of Majorana edge excitations. This discovery unveils a unique spin signature for Andreev reflection resonances, advancing our fundamental understanding of spin-dependent mechanisms in topological superconductivity and representing a significant step towards the experimental detection of Majorana fermions. △ Less

Submitted 5 June, 2024; v1 submitted 4 March, 2024; originally announced March 2024.

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures

Journal ref: npj Quantum Mater. 10, 48 (2025)

Higher-order topology in Fibonacci quasicrystals

Authors: Chaozhi Ouyang, Qinghua He, Dong-Hui Xu, Feng Liu

Abstract: In crystalline systems, higher-order topology, characterized by topological states of codimension greater than one, typically arises from the mismatch between Wannier centers and atomic sites, leading to filling anomalies. However, this phenomenon is less understood in aperiodic systems, such as quasicrystals, where Wannier centers are not well defined. In this study, we examine Fibonacci chains a… ▽ More In crystalline systems, higher-order topology, characterized by topological states of codimension greater than one, typically arises from the mismatch between Wannier centers and atomic sites, leading to filling anomalies. However, this phenomenon is less understood in aperiodic systems, such as quasicrystals, where Wannier centers are not well defined. In this study, we examine Fibonacci chains and squares, a quintessential type of quasicrystal, to investigate their higher-order topological properties. We discover that topological interfacial states, including corner states, can be inherited from their higher-dimensional periodic counterparts, such as the two-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. This finding is validated through numerical simulations of both phononic and photonic Fibonacci quasicrystals by the finite element method, revealing the emergence of topological edge and corner states at interfaces between Fibonacci quasicrystals with differing topologies inherited from their parent systems. Our results not only provide insight into the higher-order topology of quasicrystals but also open avenues for exploring novel topological phases in aperiodic structures. △ Less

Submitted 26 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: 9 pages, 6 figures

Disorder-induced phase transitions in higher-order nodal line semimetals

Authors: Yue-Ran Ding, Dong-Hui Xu, Chui-Zhen Chen

Abstract: Higher-order nodal line semimetals represent a recently proposed topological semimetal class that harbors bulk nodal lines and features gapless hinge Fermi arc excitations, governed by the bulk-hinge correspondence. In this study, we investigate the disorder effect on a higher-order nodal line semimetal and the consequent phase transitions. Within the pristine higher-order nodal line semimetal mod… ▽ More Higher-order nodal line semimetals represent a recently proposed topological semimetal class that harbors bulk nodal lines and features gapless hinge Fermi arc excitations, governed by the bulk-hinge correspondence. In this study, we investigate the disorder effect on a higher-order nodal line semimetal and the consequent phase transitions. Within the pristine higher-order nodal line semimetal model, we unveil three distinct phases: higher-order nodal line semimetal, conventional nodal line semimetal, and normal insulator. The higher-order nodal line semimetal is characterized by one-dimensional hinge Fermi arc states connecting a pair of nodal rings, contrasting with conventional nodal line semimetals that exhibit two-dimensional drumhead surface states. We demonstrate that disorder can trigger multiple phase transitions within this system. Significantly, intermediate disorder can induce higher-order topology in an initial conventional nodal line semimetal or even an initial normal insulator. Further increase in disorder drives the system through a diffusive metallic phase before ultimately reaching the Anderson insulator regime. Employing a combination of finite-size scaling analysis and an effective medium theory, we construct a comprehensive phase diagram, elucidating the intricate interplay between disorder and topology. △ Less

Submitted 24 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: 8 pages, 9 figures.Comments are welcome

Interferometric Single-Shot Parity Measurement in an InAs-Al Hybrid Device

Authors: Morteza Aghaee, Alejandro Alcaraz Ramirez, Zulfi Alam, Rizwan Ali, Mariusz Andrzejczuk, Andrey Antipov, Mikhail Astafev, Amin Barzegar, Bela Bauer, Jonathan Becker, Umesh Kumar Bhaskar, Alex Bocharov, Srini Boddapati, David Bohn, Jouri Bommer, Leo Bourdet, Arnaud Bousquet, Samuel Boutin, Lucas Casparis, Benjamin James Chapman, Sohail Chatoor, Anna Wulff Christensen, Cassandra Chua, Patrick Codd, William Cole , et al. (137 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The fusion of non-Abelian anyons or topological defects is a fundamental operation in measurement-only topological quantum computation. In topological superconductors, this operation amounts to a determination of the shared fermion parity of Majorana zero modes. As a step towards this, we implement a single-shot interferometric measurement of fermion parity in indium arsenide-aluminum heterostruct… ▽ More The fusion of non-Abelian anyons or topological defects is a fundamental operation in measurement-only topological quantum computation. In topological superconductors, this operation amounts to a determination of the shared fermion parity of Majorana zero modes. As a step towards this, we implement a single-shot interferometric measurement of fermion parity in indium arsenide-aluminum heterostructures with a gate-defined nanowire. The interferometer is formed by tunnel-coupling the proximitized nanowire to quantum dots. The nanowire causes a state-dependent shift of these quantum dots' quantum capacitance of up to 1 fF. Our quantum capacitance measurements show flux h/2e-periodic bimodality with a signal-to-noise ratio of 1 in 3.7 $μ$s at optimal flux values. From the time traces of the quantum capacitance measurements, we extract a dwell time in the two associated states that is longer than 1 ms at in-plane magnetic fields of approximately 2 T. These results are consistent with a measurement of the fermion parity encoded in a pair of Majorana zero modes that are separated by approximately 3 $μ$m and subjected to a low rate of poisoning by non-equilibrium quasiparticles. The large capacitance shift and long poisoning time enable a parity measurement error probability of 1%. △ Less

Submitted 2 April, 2024; v1 submitted 17 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: Added data on a second measurement of device A and a measurement of device B, expanded discussion of a trivial scenario. Refs added, author list updated

Journal ref: Nature 638, 651 (2025)

Magnetic properties of van der Waals layered single crystals DyOBr and SmOCl

Authors: Feihao Pan, Daye Xu, Songnan Sun, Jiale Huang, Chenglin Shang, Bingxian Shi, Xuejuan Gui, Jianfei Qin, Hongliang Wang, Lijie Hao, Jinchen Wang, Juanjuan Liu, Hongxia Zhang, Peng Cheng

Abstract: Two-dimensional van der Waals single crystals DyOBr and SmOCl have been grown by flux method and their anisotropic magnetic properties are reported. DyOBr orders antiferromagnetically at T$_{N}$=9.5 K with magnetic moments lying along $a$-axis, similar as DyOCl. Its magnetic susceptibility shows an anomaly at T$^{*}$=30 K possibly due to the crystal field effect. Furthermore a 1/3 magnetization pl… ▽ More Two-dimensional van der Waals single crystals DyOBr and SmOCl have been grown by flux method and their anisotropic magnetic properties are reported. DyOBr orders antiferromagnetically at T$_{N}$=9.5 K with magnetic moments lying along $a$-axis, similar as DyOCl. Its magnetic susceptibility shows an anomaly at T$^{*}$=30 K possibly due to the crystal field effect. Furthermore a 1/3 magnetization plateau is clearly observed under H$\parallel$a and H$\parallel$[110], which might be a field-induced spin-flop phase or some exotic quantum magnetic state. On the other hand, isostructural SmOCl undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at T$_{N}$=7.1 K and exhibits a contrasting Ising-like perpendicular $c$-axis magnetic anisotropy, which could be well explained by our crystal field calculations. Both DyOBr and SmOCl are insulators with band gap of $\sim$5 eV, our results suggest they are promising in building van der Waals heterostructures and applications in multifunctional devices. △ Less

Submitted 7 July, 2024; v1 submitted 12 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: 6 pages, 5 figures

Anisotropic magnetoresistance in single cubic crystals: A theory and its verification

Authors: Yu Miao, Junwen Sun, Cunxu Gao, Desheng Xue, X. R. Wang

Abstract: A theory of anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) and planar Hall effect (PHE) in single cubic crystals and its experimental verifications are presented for the current in the (001) plane. In contrast to the general belief that AMR and PHE in single crystals are highly sensitive to many internal and external effects and have no universal features, the theory predicts universal angular dependencies o… ▽ More A theory of anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) and planar Hall effect (PHE) in single cubic crystals and its experimental verifications are presented for the current in the (001) plane. In contrast to the general belief that AMR and PHE in single crystals are highly sensitive to many internal and external effects and have no universal features, the theory predicts universal angular dependencies of longitudinal and transverse resistivity and various characteristics when magnetization rotates in the (001) plane, the plane perpendicular to the current, and the plane containing the current and [001] direction. The universal angular dependencies are verified by the experiments on Fe30Co70 single cubic crystal film. The findings provide new avenues for fundamental research and applications of AMR and PHE, because single crystals offer advantages over polycrystalline materials for band structure and crystallographic orientation engineering. △ Less

Submitted 30 November, 2023; originally announced December 2023.