Directional-dependent Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition at EuO/KTaO$_3$(111) interfaces
Authors:
Zongyao Huang,
Zhengjie Wang,
Xiangyu Hua,
Huiyu Wang,
Zhaohang Li,
Shihao Liu,
Zhiwei Wang,
Feixiong Quan,
Zhen Wang,
Jing Tao,
James Jun He,
Ziji Xiang,
Xianhui Chen
Abstract:
In two dimensions, a phase-coherent superconducting state is established via a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition, whose critical temperature $T_{\rm BKT}$ is determined by the global superfluid stiffness in uniform superconducting systems. We report that at the interface between (111)-oriented KTaO$_3$ and ferromagnetic EuO, the two-dimensional superconducting state exhibits a BKT t…
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In two dimensions, a phase-coherent superconducting state is established via a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition, whose critical temperature $T_{\rm BKT}$ is determined by the global superfluid stiffness in uniform superconducting systems. We report that at the interface between (111)-oriented KTaO$_3$ and ferromagnetic EuO, the two-dimensional superconducting state exhibits a BKT transition relying on the direction of in-plane bias current. The highest $T_{\rm BKT}$ occurs when current is applied along one of the [11$\bar{2}$] axes of KTaO$_3$, underscoring a spontaneous breaking of the threefold lattice rotational symmetry. Such directional dependence of $T_{\rm BKT}$ is consistently reflected in the nonreciprocal signals stemming from superconducting fluctuations above the transition. We attribute this phenomenon to an interfacial phase segregation; the phase with higher $T_{\rm BKT}$ self-organizes into quasi-one-dimensional textures that stretch along one of the [11$\bar{2}$] directions. Our results point toward the emergence of exotic phases of matter beyond the description of conventional BKT physics at a superconducting interface that is subjected to ferromagnetic proximity.
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Submitted 1 April, 2026;
originally announced April 2026.
Atomic-scale spin sensing of a 2D $d$-wave altermagnet via helical tunneling
Authors:
Zhuying Wang,
Shuikang Yu,
Xingkai Cheng,
Xiaoyu Xiao,
Wanru Ma,
Feixiong Quan,
Hongxi Song,
Kunming Zhang,
Yunmei Zhang,
Yitian Ma,
Wenhao Liu,
Priti Yadav,
Xiangbiao Shi,
Zhijun Wang,
Qian Niu,
Yang Gao,
Bin Xiang,
Junwei Liu,
Zhenyu Wang,
Xianhui Chen
Abstract:
Altermagnetism simultaneously possesses nonrelativistic spin responses and zero net magnetization, thus combining advantages of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. This superiority originates from its unique dual feature, i.e., opposite-magnetic sublattices in real space and alternating spin polarization in momentum space enforced by the same crystal symmetry. Therefore, the determination of an…
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Altermagnetism simultaneously possesses nonrelativistic spin responses and zero net magnetization, thus combining advantages of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. This superiority originates from its unique dual feature, i.e., opposite-magnetic sublattices in real space and alternating spin polarization in momentum space enforced by the same crystal symmetry. Therefore, the determination of an altermagnetic order and its unique spin response inherently necessitates atomic-scale spin-resolved measurements in real and momentum spaces, an experimental milestone yet to be achieved. Here, via utilizing the helical edge (hinge) modes of a higher order topological insulator as the spin sensor, we realize spin-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy which enables us to pin down the dual-space feature of a layered $d$-wave altermagnet, KV$_2$Se$_2$O. In real space, atomic-registered mapping demonstrates the checkerboard antiferromagnetic order together with density-wave lattice modulation, and in momentum space, spin-resolved spectroscopic imaging provides a direct visualization of d-wave spin splitting of the band structure. Critically, using this new topology-guaranteed spin filter we directly reveal the unidirectional, spin-polarized quasiparticle excitations originating from the crystal symmetry-paired X and Y valleys around opposite magnetic sublattices simultaneously --the unique spin response for $d$-wave altermagnetism. Our experiments establish a solid basis for the exploration and utilization of altermagnetism in layered materials and further facilitate access to atomic-scale spin sensing and manipulating of 2D quantum materials.
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Submitted 29 December, 2025;
originally announced December 2025.