Showing 1–50 of 578 results for author: He, Y

Fortuitous Universality of Bose-Kondo Impurities

Authors: Abhijat Sarma, Zheng Zhou, Ryan A. Lanzetta, Yin-Chen He

Abstract: We use the fuzzy-sphere approach to study the Bose-Kondo impurity problem, namely a spin-$S$ impurity coupled to the $(2+1)$-dimensional $O(3)$ Wilson-Fisher CFT (Heisenberg universality class). We demonstrate that for $S=1/2,1,3/2$ the impurity flows to a distinct stable interacting conformal defect for each $S$. Using large-scale exact diagonalization and density-matrix renormalization group met… ▽ More We use the fuzzy-sphere approach to study the Bose-Kondo impurity problem, namely a spin-$S$ impurity coupled to the $(2+1)$-dimensional $O(3)$ Wilson-Fisher CFT (Heisenberg universality class). We demonstrate that for $S=1/2,1,3/2$ the impurity flows to a distinct stable interacting conformal defect for each $S$. Using large-scale exact diagonalization and density-matrix renormalization group methods, we observe integer-spaced defect spectrum consistent with defect conformal symmetry and compute several low-lying defect primary operators as well as the RG monotonic $g$-function. Our findings show that despite sharing the same symmetry and anomaly, Bose-Kondo impurities flow to distinct stable infrared conformal fixed points, which we refer to as \emph{fortuitous universality}. We expect this fortuitous universality to persist for all $S$, extending to $S\rightarrow\infty$, with each spin-$S$ impurity flowing to its own stable infrared conformal fixed point. △ Less

Submitted 8 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures + 11 pages appendix

In-situ Observation of Magnetostriction Crossover in a Strongly Dipolar Two-Dimensional Bose Gas

Authors: Yifei He, Xin-Yuan Gao, Haoting Zhen, Mithilesh K. Parit, Yangqian Yan, Gyu-Boong Jo

Abstract: Magnetostriction, the anisotropic spatial deformation, is a hallmark of dipolar gases with strong long-range interactions, yet it poses a challenge for in-situ characterization. Here, we observe a magnetostriction crossover from the strongly anisotropic superfluid phase to the nearly isotropic normal phase using in-situ imaging of quasi-two-dimensional 166Er gases. Then, we develop a quasi-2D Hart… ▽ More Magnetostriction, the anisotropic spatial deformation, is a hallmark of dipolar gases with strong long-range interactions, yet it poses a challenge for in-situ characterization. Here, we observe a magnetostriction crossover from the strongly anisotropic superfluid phase to the nearly isotropic normal phase using in-situ imaging of quasi-two-dimensional 166Er gases. Then, we develop a quasi-2D Hartree-Fock-mean-field framework that provides a robust tool for interaction-aware thermometry, enabling the determination of temperature and chemical potential across all dipole orientations from a single fit. We further demonstrate that the low-density wings effectively obey a local-density equation of state. Finally, we reveals the crossover from the isotropic thermal wings to the anisotropic coherent core in a single in-situ image, providing a pathway for future accurate studies of strongly dipolar superfluidity and thermodynamics in 2D. △ Less

Submitted 8 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Approximate vortex lattices of atomic Fermi superfluid on a spherical surface

Authors: Keshab Sony, Yan He, Chih-Chun Chien

Abstract: While planar Fermi superfluids form Abrikosov vortex lattices under magnetic or effective gauge fields, spherical geometry forbids perfect lattices above 20 vortices. We characterize approximate vortex structures of atomic Fermi superfluids under an effective monopole field on a spherical surface as an analogue of the planar vortex-lattice problem by two constructions based on the Ginzburg-Landau… ▽ More While planar Fermi superfluids form Abrikosov vortex lattices under magnetic or effective gauge fields, spherical geometry forbids perfect lattices above 20 vortices. We characterize approximate vortex structures of atomic Fermi superfluids under an effective monopole field on a spherical surface as an analogue of the planar vortex-lattice problem by two constructions based on the Ginzburg-Landau theory. The first one is geometric and uses the random, geodesic-dome, and Fibonacci lattices as scaffolds to construct the order parameter from the degenerate monopole harmonics. The second one minimizes the free energy by numerically adjusting the coefficients to find the solution with the minimal Abrikosov parameter. We have verified the vortices from both constructions are zeros of the order parameter with circulating currents around the vortex cores. As the number of vortices increases, the Abrikosov parameters of both the Fibonacci-lattice and minimization solutions extrapolate to the planar value. We briefly discuss implications for ultracold atoms in thin spherical-shell geometry. △ Less

Submitted 6 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Comments: 9 pages, 5 figures, submitted

Computation of thermal entropy for the doped Hubbard Model

Authors: Yu-Feng Song, Youjin Deng, Yuan-Yao He

Abstract: We develop a highly efficient framework for computing the thermal entropy in the doped Fermi-Hubbard model within the grand-canonical ensemble. The framework comprises four calculation schemes that express the entropy as path integrals in the parameter space of temperature, interaction strength, and chemical potential. The integrands involve only fundamental observables, including the total energy… ▽ More We develop a highly efficient framework for computing the thermal entropy in the doped Fermi-Hubbard model within the grand-canonical ensemble. The framework comprises four calculation schemes that express the entropy as path integrals in the parameter space of temperature, interaction strength, and chemical potential. The integrands involve only fundamental observables, including the total energy, fermion density, and double occupancy, which are readily accessible in a wide range of theoretical and numerical methods. We further derive useful Maxwell relations connecting the entropy to other quantities, and present practical formulas for directly evaluating the grand potential. As an application, we compute the entropy of the doped Hubbard model in two and three dimensions, using the numerically unbiased auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo method. The test results show excellent agreement across the different schemes and quantitatively verify the Maxwell relations, confirming the reliability of the framework. In two dimensions, we further benchmark our entropy results in physically relevant parameter regimes against diagrammatic Monte Carlo calculations and observe excellent quantitative consistency between the two approaches. By providing an efficient and broadly applicable route for entropy evaluation, our work facilitates the thermodynamic characterization of complex correlated states in the doped Hubbard model. △ Less

Submitted 19 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 19 pages, 11 figures

Monolithic integration of diverse crystalline thin films on diamond for near-junction thermal management

Authors: Tiancheng Zhao, Tianqi Bai, Yang He, Wenhui Xu, Xinxin Yu, Ruochen Shi, Zhenyu Qu, Jiaxin Liu, Rui Shen, Haodong Jiang, Yeliang Wang, Jiaxin Ding, Dongchen Sui, Shibin Zhang, Lei Zhu, Ailun Yi, Kai Huang, Min Zhou, Huarui Sun, Zhonghui Li, Peng Gao, Tiangui You, Xin Ou

Abstract: The pursuit of extreme miniaturization and high power in 6G RF front-ends has cast thermal dissipation as the central challenge. Here, we have demonstrated the monolithic integration of functionally distinct single-crystal thin films, including \b{eta}-Ga2O3, Si, GaN, and LiTaO3, onto a single diamond substrate using a multi-step transfer printing technique. Focusing on the critical \b{eta}-Ga2O3/… ▽ More The pursuit of extreme miniaturization and high power in 6G RF front-ends has cast thermal dissipation as the central challenge. Here, we have demonstrated the monolithic integration of functionally distinct single-crystal thin films, including \b{eta}-Ga2O3, Si, GaN, and LiTaO3, onto a single diamond substrate using a multi-step transfer printing technique. Focusing on the critical \b{eta}-Ga2O3/diamond interface, we achieve an exceptional interfacial thermal conductance (ITC) of 149 MW m-2 K-1 through ultra-high vacuum (UHV) annealing, creating an atomically sharp interface featuring covalent bonding. Vibrational electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis combining with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal that distinctive interfacial phonon modes at the \b{eta}-Ga2O3/diamond heterointerface dominate ultrahigh ITC. We experimentally demonstrate that by improving the ITC, the thermal resistance (Rth) of a diamond-based \b{eta}-Ga2O3 MOSFET is driven to a record-low value of 1.58 K mm W-1, underscoring the critical role of interface engineering in near-junction thermal management for diamond-integrated devices. This work demonstrates a scalable, diamond-based monolithic integration platform designed to solve the near-junction thermal challenges in high-power RF front-ends. △ Less

Submitted 16 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Hybrid Tribo/piezoelectic Electrospun Nanofibers for Energy Harvesting Enhancement in Flexible Electronics

Authors: Hao Zhang, Yurong He, Yaofeng Jin, Hui Wang, Wanqi Ye, Lidong Chen, Kaiyang Zeng

Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerators or TENGs and piezoelectric nanogenerators or PENGs have emerged as promising platforms for harvesting mechanical energy and converting it into electrical energy for powering flexible electronic devices. However, the material selection and structure design of such hybrid nanogenerator, and mechanisms of energy output still remain challenges. In this work, electrospinnin… ▽ More Triboelectric nanogenerators or TENGs and piezoelectric nanogenerators or PENGs have emerged as promising platforms for harvesting mechanical energy and converting it into electrical energy for powering flexible electronic devices. However, the material selection and structure design of such hybrid nanogenerator, and mechanisms of energy output still remain challenges. In this work, electrospinning is employed for the fabrication of nanofibers, particularly polyvinylidene fluoride or PVDF based nanofibers, due to its capability to generate high beta phase contents that effectively increase the piezoelectric performance of the PVDF friction layer, thereby enhancing the overall electrical performance for flexible electronics by merging tribo-piezoelectric power. Furthermore, various concentrations carbon nanotubes or CNT or graphene nanosheets or GNS are individually incorporated into the PVDF solution as nanofillers or NF to enhance the piezoelectric responses of the PVDF based nanofibers. The introduction of nanofillers is found to not only alter the fiber diameter but also modify the surface roughness of the electrospun nanofibers, and thus, enhancing the triboelectric effect. In addition, the output performance of the fabricated nanogenerator is predominantly governed by the piezoelectric effect rather than triboelectric effect, as the electrical output shows a strong positive correlation with the beta phase content of PVDF based nanofibers: the highest beta phase content reached to 85.3 percent and consistently resulted in the optimal energy output of 1.133 watt per meter square. Notably, the power density achieved by the prototype device reaches to the level of watt/m2, representing a substantial improvement compared with that of the conventional TENGs or PENGs reported to date, providing expanded opportunities for flexible electronic devices △ Less

Submitted 16 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 27 pages, 6 figures, journal paper

Self-Assembled H2NC Molecular Lattices as a Platform for Substrate-Tunable Quantum Superlattices

Authors: Adrian Bahri, Zhibo Kang, Ziyan Zhu, Eric I. Altman, Yu He, Chunjing Jia

Abstract: Compared to van der Waals moiré systems, molecular assembly has emerged as an exciting alternative platform for superlattice engineering via heterointegration. The electronic properties of the self-assembled square lattice monolayer molecular crystal of metal-free naphthalocyanine (H2Nc), in particular the electronic band dispersion and their tunability by metal substrates, remain less explored. U… ▽ More Compared to van der Waals moiré systems, molecular assembly has emerged as an exciting alternative platform for superlattice engineering via heterointegration. The electronic properties of the self-assembled square lattice monolayer molecular crystal of metal-free naphthalocyanine (H2Nc), in particular the electronic band dispersion and their tunability by metal substrates, remain less explored. Using density functional theory, supported by angle-resolved photoemission and scanning tunneling microscopy, we compare the electronic structure of a free-standing H2Nc monolayer with that of H2Nc lattice assembled on noble metal substrates. In the freestanding film, we identify both nearly flat, molecule-localized states and more dispersive bands, and we show that each can be compactly described by an anisotropic tight-binding Hamiltonian that yields band-resolved hopping anisotropies. We further reveal wide tunability in the Coulomb interaction and inter-site hopping based on different molecular orbitals. Adsorption on Ag(100) drives strong orbital hybridization, charge transfer, and C2 symmetry breaking, producing partially filled, substrate-mediated dispersive states that metallize the molecular lattice. Orbital analysis identifies C2-even and C2-odd components and maps the spatial pattern of charge redistribution tied to symmetry breaking. Complementary ARPES on H2Nc/Au(111) qualitatively corroborates the predicted dispersion and partial filling. These results clarify how metal substrates convert H2Nc from isolated molecules into a tunable 2D lattice and highlight molecular superlattices as a versatile platform to simulate anisotropic lattice models. △ Less

Submitted 15 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 11 pages, 5 figures

Third-order transitions in Ising and Potts models on Watts--Strogatz small-world networks

Authors: Fangfang Wang, Wei Liu, Ke Zhang, Yongjian He, Kai Qi, Ying Tang, Zengru Di

Abstract: We study third-order transitions in the two-dimensional Ising and Potts model on regular lattices and Watts--Strogatz small-world networks. Cluster observables are used to track post-critical boundary reorganization and pre-critical cluster breakup. For the Ising model, the critical temperature $T_c$ is calibrated independently from Binder-cumulant crossings and susceptibility peaks, whereas for t… ▽ More We study third-order transitions in the two-dimensional Ising and Potts model on regular lattices and Watts--Strogatz small-world networks. Cluster observables are used to track post-critical boundary reorganization and pre-critical cluster breakup. For the Ising model, the critical temperature $T_c$ is calibrated independently from Binder-cumulant crossings and susceptibility peaks, whereas for the Potts model on small-world networks it is identified operationally from the dominant critical peak of $\mathrm d\langle P\rangle/\mathrm dT$. The independent and dependent third-order transitions are identified from the isolated-spin peak and the post-critical structural extremum, respectively. For both lattice and small-world topologies, we find the robust ordering $T_{\mathrm{ind}}<T_c<T_{\mathrm{dep}}$. Increasing the rewiring probability shifts all three characteristic temperatures upward and enhances the visibility of the post-critical transition. The effect is especially clear in the Potts model, where perimeter-based observables are more sensitive to multistate boundary fluctuations. The systematic persistence of the characteristic temperature hierarchy across topologies and finite sizes argues against interpreting these features as incidental finite-size irregularities. Instead, our results support their interpretation as genuine third-order transitions whose structural detectability can be amplified by network topology. △ Less

Submitted 12 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 16 pages, 9 figures

Bulk OsO2 Single Crystals: Superior Catalysts for Water Oxidation

Authors: Guojian Zhao, Zhihao Li, Ziang Meng, Shucheng Wang, Li Liu, Zhiyuan Duan, Xiaoning Wang, Hongyu Chen, Yuzhou He, Jingyu Li, Sixu Jiang, Xiaoyang Tan, Qinghua Zhang, Qianfan Zhang, Peixin Qin, Zhiqi Liu

Abstract: Although rutile RuO2 has been a well-known and almost the best oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst, the OER properties for the similar rutile oxide OsO2 with the same group element with Ru have been unknown, mainly due to long-standing synthesis difficulties. In this work, we report the successful synthesis of high-quality OsO2 single crystals, and the ground micrometer-size single crystals a… ▽ More Although rutile RuO2 has been a well-known and almost the best oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst, the OER properties for the similar rutile oxide OsO2 with the same group element with Ru have been unknown, mainly due to long-standing synthesis difficulties. In this work, we report the successful synthesis of high-quality OsO2 single crystals, and the ground micrometer-size single crystals are chemically stable in alkaline solutions and exhibit robust OER performance. In sharp contrast, OsO2 nanopowder reacts quickly with KOH solutions and cannot work for OER. Compared with commercial RuO2 nanopowder, the OsO2 single crystals show comparable catalytic current densities, remarkably lower overpotentials at high current densities and better stability. These findings question the universal applicability of nanoscaling and highlight crystal integrity as a key descriptor for achieving stable and efficient OER electrocatalysis. △ Less

Submitted 6 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 36 pages,18 figures, published online at Advanced Functional Materials

Pressure-Induced Metal-Insulator and Paramagnet-Altermagnet Transitions in Rutile OsO2 Single Crystals

Authors: Guojian Zhao, Ziang Meng, Wencheng Huang, Peixin Qin, Shaoheng Ruan, Liang Ma, Lin Zhu, Yuzhou He, Li Liu, Zhiyuan Duan, Xiaoning Wang, Hongyu Chen, Sixu Jiang, Jingyu Li, Xiaoyang Tan, K. Ozawa, Bosen Wang, Jinguang Cheng, Qinghua Zhang, Jianfeng Wang, Chaoyu Chen, Zhiqi Liu

Abstract: Altermagnets with compensated spin structures and nonrelativistic spin splitting have emerged as a new class of magnetic materials. Rutile OsO2 has been theoretically predicted to be altermagnetic, but experimental studies have been limited by synthesis challenges. We have succeeded in synthesizing high-quality single crystals of rutile OsO2. Electrical transport studies reveal that OsO2 is highly… ▽ More Altermagnets with compensated spin structures and nonrelativistic spin splitting have emerged as a new class of magnetic materials. Rutile OsO2 has been theoretically predicted to be altermagnetic, but experimental studies have been limited by synthesis challenges. We have succeeded in synthesizing high-quality single crystals of rutile OsO2. Electrical transport studies reveal that OsO2 is highly conductive and exhibits clear Fermi liquid behavior, indicating strong electron-electron scattering. Magnetic measurements show that the crystals are isotropically paramagnetic. Density-functional theory calculations indicate that bulk OsO2 is semimetallic with coexisting electron and hole pockets, with its magnetic ground state strongly dependent on the on-site Coulomb correlation U. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy studies unveil that the bulk bands do not yet show altermagnetic spin splitting. Interestingly, resistivity is rather pressure sensitive: at 44 GPa, a clear metal-insulator transition occurs. Hybrid functional calculations reveal that applying pressure significantly increases the Hubbard U value, driving a phase transition from a paramagnetic metal to an altermagnetic metal, and eventually to an altermagnetic insulator. These findings suggest that tuning external pressure effectively modulates the magnetic ground state of OsO2, providing a pathway to realize altermagnetism in this material. △ Less

Submitted 6 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 20 pages, 7 figures, published at Newton

Journal ref: Newton, 2, 100441 (2026)

Quantum Monte Carlo study of the metal-insulator crossover in the square-lattice Hubbard model

Authors: Mingzhong Lu, Yu-Feng Song, Youjin Deng, Yuan-Yao He

Abstract: The interaction-driven evolution from a Fermi liquid to a Mott insulator is a hallmark of strongly correlated fermion systems. In this work, we present a {\it numerically unbiased} study of such metal-to-insulator crossover in the half-filled square-lattice Hubbard model at finite temperatures, employing auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo method. By jointly analyzing thermodynamic and dynamical o… ▽ More The interaction-driven evolution from a Fermi liquid to a Mott insulator is a hallmark of strongly correlated fermion systems. In this work, we present a {\it numerically unbiased} study of such metal-to-insulator crossover in the half-filled square-lattice Hubbard model at finite temperatures, employing auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo method. By jointly analyzing thermodynamic and dynamical observables, we establish the crossover diagram of the model in the temperature-interaction ($T$-$U$) plane. With increasing $U$, our numerical results reveal an extended crossover regime, which we refer to as the {\it Bad Metal}, that separates the Fermi liquid and Mott insulator. During the crossover, we also examine the antiferromagnetic spin correlations and observe pronounced nodal-antinodal dichotomy in the momentum-resolved single-particle spectral functions. Furthermore, we investigate the temperature dependence of several commonly used observables in the model. As representative results, we achieve an accurate map of the thermal entropy across the crossover diagram, and identify the parameter regions in which the model exhibits the Pomeranchuk cooling, characterized by an adiabatic cooling with increasing $U$. Beyond offering a more refined understanding of the crossover phenomenon, our work also provides valuable benchmark and guideline for future optical lattice experiments on the square-lattice Hubbard model. △ Less

Submitted 26 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: 17 pages, 17 figures

Lowering the temperature of two-dimensional fermionic tensor networks with cluster expansions

Authors: Sander De Meyer, Atsushi Ueda, Yuchi He, Nick Bultinck, Jutho Haegeman

Abstract: Representing the time-evolution operator as a tensor network constitutes a key ingredient in several algorithms for studying quantum lattice systems at finite temperature or in a non-equilibrium setting. For a Hamiltonian composed of strictly short-ranged interactions, the Suzuki-Trotter decomposition is the main technique for obtaining such a representation. In [B.~Vanhecke, L.~Vanderstraeten and… ▽ More Representing the time-evolution operator as a tensor network constitutes a key ingredient in several algorithms for studying quantum lattice systems at finite temperature or in a non-equilibrium setting. For a Hamiltonian composed of strictly short-ranged interactions, the Suzuki-Trotter decomposition is the main technique for obtaining such a representation. In [B.~Vanhecke, L.~Vanderstraeten and F.~Verstraete, Physical Review A, L020402 (2021)], an alternative strategy, the cluster expansion, was introduced. This approach naturally preserves internal and lattice symmetries and can more easily be extended to higher-order representations or longer-ranged interactions. We extend the cluster expansion to two-dimensional fermionic systems, and employ it to construct projected entangled-pair operator (PEPO) approximations of Gibbs states. We also discuss and benchmark different truncation schemes for multiplying layers of PEPOs together. Applying the resulting framework to a two-dimensional spinless fermion model with attractive interactions, we resolve a clear phase boundary at finite temperature. △ Less

Submitted 25 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Teleportation transition of surface codes on a superconducting quantum processor

Authors: Yiren Zou, Hong-Kuan Xia, Aosai Zhang, Xuhao Zhu, Feitong Jin, Qingyuan Wang, Yu Gao, Chuanyu Zhang, Ning Wang, Zhengyi Cui, Fanhao Shen, Zehang Bao, Zitian Zhu, Jiarun Zhong, Gongyu Liu, Jia-Nan Yang, Yihang Han, Yiyang He, Jiayuan Shen, Han Wang, Yanzhe Wang, Jiahua Huang, Xinrong Zhang, Sailang Zhou, Hang Dong , et al. (10 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The topological surface code is a leading candidate for harnessing long-range entanglement to protect logical quantum information against errors, and teleportation of logical states is desirable for robust quantum information processing. Nevertheless, scaling up the surface code in quantum teleportation poses a formidable challenge to experiment. Here on a superconducting quantum processor with 12… ▽ More The topological surface code is a leading candidate for harnessing long-range entanglement to protect logical quantum information against errors, and teleportation of logical states is desirable for robust quantum information processing. Nevertheless, scaling up the surface code in quantum teleportation poses a formidable challenge to experiment. Here on a superconducting quantum processor with 125 qubits, we demonstrate the robust teleportation of topological rotated surface code prepared by a linear-depth unitary circuit, with code distances up to 7. We obtain the teleportation phase diagram by tuning the local entangling gates uniformly across a finite threshold. Furthermore, we show that the entangling threshold can be boosted by coherent qubit rotations that inject magic resources beyond the Clifford regime, restoring the duality symmetry of the topological phase, which serves as a guiding principle to minimize the entanglement resource. Our results shed light on simulating and leveraging topological quantum matter on quantum devices, and pave the way to the ultimate goal of distributed fault tolerant quantum computation. △ Less

Submitted 24 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Phase Transitions in Neural Networks Pruning

Authors: Diego Pesce, Yang-Hui He, Guido Caldarelli

Abstract: Deep neural networks are strongly over-parameterized, often containing far more weights than required for their task. Although such redundancy can aid optimization, it leads to inefficient deployment and high computational cost, motivating model compression techniques. Among these, network pruning provides a clear and effective route to sparsity. We study pruning from a statistical-physics perspec… ▽ More Deep neural networks are strongly over-parameterized, often containing far more weights than required for their task. Although such redundancy can aid optimization, it leads to inefficient deployment and high computational cost, motivating model compression techniques. Among these, network pruning provides a clear and effective route to sparsity. We study pruning from a statistical-physics perspective, interpreting performance degradation under weight removal as a phase transition. Focusing on magnitude-based pruning with fine-tuning, we show that deep networks undergo a sharp transition from a cooperative, functional phase to a disordered phase with collapsed performance. This transition is characterized by scaling laws consistent with second-order critical behavior, with connectivity as the control parameter. Our findings suggest universal pruning-induced criticality across architectures and datasets. Finally, we show that there exists a large class of subnetworks sharing the same nodes' degrees with similar learning ability, thus linking model performance to its topological properties. △ Less

Submitted 16 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: 4 pages 4 figures and supplemental information

Epitaxial Growth and Anomalous Hall Effect in High-Quality Altermagnetic $α$-MnTe Thin Films

Authors: Tian-Hao Shao, Xingze Dai, Wenyu Hu, Ming-Yuan Zhu, Yuanqiang He, Lin-He Yang, Jingjing Liu, Meng Yang, Xiang-Rui Liu, Jing-Jing Shi, Tian-Yi Xiao, Yu-Jie Hao, Xiao-Ming Ma, Yue Dai, Meng Zeng, Qinwu Gao, Gan Wang, Junxue Li, Chao Wang, Chang Liu

Abstract: The recent identification of $α$-MnTe as a candidate altermagnet has attracted considerable interest, particularly for its potential application in magnetic random-access memory. However, the development of high-quality thin films - essential for practical implementation - has remained limited. Here, we report the epitaxial growth of centimeter-scale $α$-MnTe thin films on InP(111) substrates via… ▽ More The recent identification of $α$-MnTe as a candidate altermagnet has attracted considerable interest, particularly for its potential application in magnetic random-access memory. However, the development of high-quality thin films - essential for practical implementation - has remained limited. Here, we report the epitaxial growth of centimeter-scale $α$-MnTe thin films on InP(111) substrates via molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, we construct a MnTe phase diagram that provides clear guidance for stabilizing the pure $α$-MnTe phase, revealing that it is favored under high Te/Mn flux ratios and elevated growth temperatures. Cross-sectional electron microscopy confirms an atomically sharp film-substrate interface, consistent with a layer-by-layer epitaxial growth mode. Remarkably, these high-quality $α$-MnTe films exhibit a pronounced anomalous Hall effect (AHE) originating from Berry curvature, despite a net magnetic moment approaching zero - a signature of robust altermagnetic character. Our work establishes a viable route for synthesizing wafer-scale $α$-MnTe thin films and highlights their promise for altermagnet-based spintronics and magnetic sensing. △ Less

Submitted 12 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: 27 pages, 5 figures. Submitted on Jan. 21, 2026

Generalizing Deconfined Criticality to 3D $N$-Flavor $\mathrm{SU}(2)$ Quantum Chromodynamics on the Fuzzy Sphere

Authors: Emilie Huffman, Zheng Zhou, Yin-Chen He, Johannes S. Hofmann

Abstract: The infra-red behaviour of gauge theories coupled to matter remains an open problem in quantum field theory. For a given gauge group, such theories are expected to flow to an interacting conformal fixed point over a range of fermion or scalar flavours, known as the `conformal window.' Their nature is important for understanding critical phases and phase transitions beyond the Landau paradigm like… ▽ More The infra-red behaviour of gauge theories coupled to matter remains an open problem in quantum field theory. For a given gauge group, such theories are expected to flow to an interacting conformal fixed point over a range of fermion or scalar flavours, known as the `conformal window.' Their nature is important for understanding critical phases and phase transitions beyond the Landau paradigm like the deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP), yet remains challenging for conventional non-perturbative approaches. In this work, we study a family of fuzzy-sphere models corresponding to non-linear sigma models with $\mathrm{Sp}(N)$ global symmetry extended to the strongly-coupled region. These theories are expected have an infra-red fixed point described by $\mathrm{SU}(2)$ quantum chromodynamics (QCD) in three space-time dimensions with $N$ flavours of fermions. They can be viewed as a generalisation of the $\mathrm{SO}(5)$ DQCP, corresponding to $N=2$. We investigate them using quantum Monte Carlo for $N$ up to $16$. We find evidence that for $N\geq4$ the phase diagram contains a critical phase that appears to be absent for $N=2$. Within this phase, we measure the two-point correlation function and the excitation spectrum, which exhibit emergent conformal symmetry. We also extract the scaling dimension $Δ_φ$ of a leading operator and find consistency with large-$N$ expectations. △ Less

Submitted 11 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: 11 pages, 7 figures

Machine learning determines the Mg2SiO4 P-T phase diagram

Authors: Siyu Zhou, Daohong Liu, Chuanyu Zhang, Yu He, Xuben Wang, Xiaopan Zuo

Abstract: Phase transitions among Mg2SiO4 and its high-pressure polymorphs (wadsleyite and ringwoodite) are central to mantle dynamics and deep-mantle material cycling. However, the locations and Pressure-Temperature (P-T) dependences of these phase boundaries remain debated, largely due to experimental limitations at extreme conditions and the high computational cost of first-principles free-energy calcula… ▽ More Phase transitions among Mg2SiO4 and its high-pressure polymorphs (wadsleyite and ringwoodite) are central to mantle dynamics and deep-mantle material cycling. However, the locations and Pressure-Temperature (P-T) dependences of these phase boundaries remain debated, largely due to experimental limitations at extreme conditions and the high computational cost of first-principles free-energy calculations. Here, a machine-learning-potential driven workflow combining non-equilibrium thermodynamic integration (NETI) and two-phase coexistence simulations is employed to enable large-scale, long-timescale molecular dynamics sampling. Within this workflow, the melting curve of forsterite is evaluated and a complete P-T phase diagram is constructed. Relative to conventional ab initio approaches, this strategy reduces computational expense while retaining thermodynamic consistency in phase-stability assessment. The workflow is applicable to efficient evaluation of phase stability and thermodynamic properties in deep-Earth silicate systems. △ Less

Submitted 2 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Realization of a Wigner-Mott insulator in 6R-TaS$_2$ superconductor

Authors: Hongqin Xiao, Geng Li, Yuxuan He, Ke Zhu, Yuhan Ye, Yumeng Li, Lijing Huang, Pucen Xiong, Haitao Yang, Ziqiang Wang, Hong-Jun Gao

Abstract: Wigner-Mott insulating states represent a paradigmatic manifestation of strong electronic correlations, in which long-range Coulomb interactions drive spontaneous charge ordering and enable Mott localization at fractional electronic fillings. Such states have been theoretically proposed to arise from the cooperative interplay between onsite and inter-site Coulomb interactions. However, experimenta… ▽ More Wigner-Mott insulating states represent a paradigmatic manifestation of strong electronic correlations, in which long-range Coulomb interactions drive spontaneous charge ordering and enable Mott localization at fractional electronic fillings. Such states have been theoretically proposed to arise from the cooperative interplay between onsite and inter-site Coulomb interactions. However, experimental realizations of the simultaneous microscopic observation of interaction-driven charge order and genuine Mott localization, which are the defining hallmarks of a Wigner-Mott insulator, have remained elusive. Here we report the observation of a Wigner-Mott insulating state in 6R-TaS$_2$ using scanning tunneling microscopy. By locally injecting electrons into the depleted 1T layer, we induce distinct Star-of-David charge-ordered superstructures and realize a cascade of insulating phases. In particular, a $\sqrt{3}\times \sqrt{3}$ charge-ordered superstructure at one-third filling hosts a robust Mott gap despite fractional filling. The spontaneous relaxation from excited states back to the ground state demonstrates that this Wigner-Mott phase is stabilized by the cooperative effects of onsite and inter-site Coulomb interactions. Our results provide direct microscopic evidence for a Wigner-Mott mechanism and establish 6R-TaS$_2$ as a platform for the controlled realization and investigation of Wigner-Mott insulating states. △ Less

Submitted 4 February, 2026; v1 submitted 27 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Photoinduced metastable cation disorder in metal halide double perovskites

Authors: Shunran Li, Burak Guzelturk, Conrad A. Kocoj, Donald A. Walko, Du Chen, Haidan Wen, Xian Xu, Xiaoming Wang, Bongjun Choi, Borui Li, Zhibo Kang, Cunming Liu, Suchismita Sarker, Benjamin T. Diroll, Xiaoyi Zhang, Yong Q. Cai, Yu He, Deep Jariwala, Yanfa Yan, Diana Y. Qiu, Peijun Guo

Abstract: Lead-free perovskites have emerged as environmentally benign alternatives to lead-halide counterparts for optoelectronics. Among them, the double perovskite Cs2AgInCl6 family exhibits remarkable white-light emission with proper composition engineering, enabled by strong electron-phonon coupling and the formation of self-trapped excitons (STEs). Despite these advantages, the fundamental photo- and… ▽ More Lead-free perovskites have emerged as environmentally benign alternatives to lead-halide counterparts for optoelectronics. Among them, the double perovskite Cs2AgInCl6 family exhibits remarkable white-light emission with proper composition engineering, enabled by strong electron-phonon coupling and the formation of self-trapped excitons (STEs). Despite these advantages, the fundamental photo- and structural dynamics governing their excited-state behavior remain poorly understood. Here, we report a long-lived metastable phase in the Cs2AgInCl6 double perovskite family and unravel this process and the concomitant electronic and structural evolution using a suite of tools including transient optical spectroscopy, time-resolved X-ray diffraction (TR-XRD) and X-ray absorption (TR-XAS). We show that the photoinduced, transient metastable phase is associated with B-site (Ag-In) disorder, which induces a dramatically reduced optical bandgap. Supported by TR-XRD and first-principles calculations, the Ag-In disorder drives the formation of Ag-rich and In-rich domains with millisecond lifetimes, with lifetimes increasing at lower temperatures. TR-XAS further reveals that photogenerated STEs oxidize Ag+ to Ag2+, facilitating this highly temporally asymmetric order-disorder transition. Our findings demonstrate a new mechanism, mediated by hole-localized STE formation, that enables prolongation of transient light-induced states to the multi-millisecond regime in double perovskites, opening possibilities to harvesting the functional properties of metastable phases of these materials. △ Less

Submitted 22 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Protonic thermoelectric effect of Superionic H2O and magnetic field generation in Uranus and Neptune

Authors: Daohong Liu, Wei Zhang, Yu He, Xinzhuan Guo, Chuanyu Zhang, Yang Sun

Abstract: Uranus and Neptune are characterized by anomalously tilted and multi-dipole magnetic fields, which poses substantial challenges for elucidating the internal mechanisms generating magnetic fields. Recent investigations confirmed that superionic H2O is thermodynamically stable and constitutes the dominant H2O phase within their icy mantles. In this study, we demonstrate that the superionic H2O ice e… ▽ More Uranus and Neptune are characterized by anomalously tilted and multi-dipole magnetic fields, which poses substantial challenges for elucidating the internal mechanisms generating magnetic fields. Recent investigations confirmed that superionic H2O is thermodynamically stable and constitutes the dominant H2O phase within their icy mantles. In this study, we demonstrate that the superionic H2O ice exhibits a pronounced protonic thermoelectric effect, in which the maximum Seebeck coefficient within the interior of Uranus can reach approximately 620 uV/K, whereas that of Neptune is lower, within the range of 570-585 uV/K. Consequently, temperature gradients in the icy mantles can induce proton convection, which in turn drives magnetic field generation. Based on this novel mechanism, the disparities in magnetic field strength between Uranus and Neptune can be accounted for exclusively by their differing internal temperature gradients, and the predicted values are in agreement with observations. △ Less

Submitted 1 March, 2026; v1 submitted 7 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

The Madelung Problem of Finite Crystals

Authors: Yihao Zhao, Yang He, Zhonghan Hu

Abstract: The Coulomb potential at an interior ion in a finite crystal of size $p$ is given by a linear superposition of contributions from displacement vectors ${\mathbf r}=(x,y,z)$ to its neighbors. This additive structure underlies universal relationships among Madelung constants and applies to both standard periodic boundary conditions and alternative Clifford supercells. Each pairwise contribution deco… ▽ More The Coulomb potential at an interior ion in a finite crystal of size $p$ is given by a linear superposition of contributions from displacement vectors ${\mathbf r}=(x,y,z)$ to its neighbors. This additive structure underlies universal relationships among Madelung constants and applies to both standard periodic boundary conditions and alternative Clifford supercells. Each pairwise contribution decomposes into three physically distinct components: a periodic bulk term, a quadratic boundary term, and a finite-size correction whose leading order term is $[24r^4-40(x^4+y^4+z^4)]/[9\sqrt{3} (2p+1)^2]$ for cubic crystals with unit lattice constant. Combining this decomposition with linear superposition yields a rapidly convergent direct-summation scheme, accurate even at $p=1$ ($3^3$ unit cells), enabling hands-on calculations of Madelung constants for a wide range of ionic crystals. △ Less

Submitted 9 April, 2026; v1 submitted 19 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 12 pages, 3 figures, 5 tables

Journal ref: J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2026, 22, 2790-2798

Dipolar quantum gases: from 3D to Low dimensions

Authors: Yifei He, Haoting Zhen, Gyu-Boong Jo

Abstract: Dipolar quantum gases, encompassing atoms and molecules with significant dipole moments, exhibit unique long-range and anisotropic dipole-dipole interactions (DDI), distinguishing them from systems dominated by short-range contact interactions. This review explores their behavior across dimensions, focusing on magnetic atoms in quasi-2D in comparison to 3D. In 3D, strong DDI leads to phenomena lik… ▽ More Dipolar quantum gases, encompassing atoms and molecules with significant dipole moments, exhibit unique long-range and anisotropic dipole-dipole interactions (DDI), distinguishing them from systems dominated by short-range contact interactions. This review explores their behavior across dimensions, focusing on magnetic atoms in quasi-2D in comparison to 3D. In 3D, strong DDI leads to phenomena like anisotropic superfluidity, quantum droplets stabilized by Lee-Huang-Yang corrections, and supersolid states with density modulations. In 2D, we discuss a new scenario where DDI induces angle-dependent Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transitions and potential supersolidity, as suggested by recent experimental realizations of strongly dipolar systems in quasi-2D geometries. We identify key challenges for future experimental and theoretical work on strongly dipolar 2D systems. The review concludes by highlighting how these unique 2D dipolar systems could advance fundamental research as well as simulate novel physical phenomena. △ Less

Submitted 16 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 24 pages, 8 figures

Observation of a supersolid stripe state in two-dimensional dipolar gases

Authors: Yifei He, Haoting Zhen, Mithilesh K. Parit, Mingchen Huang, Nicolò Defenu, Jordi Boronat, Juan Sánchez-Baena, Gyu-Boong Jo

Abstract: Fluctuations typically destroy long-range order in two-dimensional (2D) systems, posing a fundamental challenge to the existence of exotic states like supersolids, which paradoxically combine solid-like structure with frictionless superfluid flow. While long-predicted, the definitive observation of a 2D supersolid has remained an outstanding experimental goal. Here, we report the observation of a… ▽ More Fluctuations typically destroy long-range order in two-dimensional (2D) systems, posing a fundamental challenge to the existence of exotic states like supersolids, which paradoxically combine solid-like structure with frictionless superfluid flow. While long-predicted, the definitive observation of a 2D supersolid has remained an outstanding experimental goal. Here, we report the observation of a supersolid stripe phase in a strongly dipolar quantum gas of erbium atoms confined to 2D. We directly image the periodic density modulation, confirming its global phase coherence through matter-wave interference and demonstrating its phase rigidity relevant to the low-energy Goldstone mode, consistent with numerical calculations. Through collective excitation measurements, we demonstrate the hydrodynamic behavior of the supersolid. This work highlights a novel mechanism for supersolid formation in low dimensions, and opens the door for future research on the intricate interplay between temperature, supersolidity, and dimensionality. △ Less

Submitted 15 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Magnetic field-induced momentum-dependent symmetry breaking in a kagome superconductor

Authors: Jianwei Huang, Zheng Ren, Hengxin Tan, Jounghoon Hyun, Yichen Zhang, Thomas Hulse, Zhaoyu Liu, Jonathan M. DeStefano, Yaofeng Xie, Ziqin Yue, Junichiro Kono, Pengcheng Dai, Yu He, Aki Pulkkinen, Ján Minár, Jiun-Haw Chu, Ziqiang Wang, Binghai Yan, Rafael M. Fernandes, Ming Yi

Abstract: When multiple degrees of freedom share similar energy scales in quantum materials, intertwined electronic orders, which exhibit broken symmetries, are often strongly coupled. Recent studies on kagome superconductors such as CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ report rotational and time-reversal symmetry breaking linked to a charge density wave. Here, we observe a momentum-selective response of the electronic structure… ▽ More When multiple degrees of freedom share similar energy scales in quantum materials, intertwined electronic orders, which exhibit broken symmetries, are often strongly coupled. Recent studies on kagome superconductors such as CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ report rotational and time-reversal symmetry breaking linked to a charge density wave. Here, we observe a momentum-selective response of the electronic structure of CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ to an external magnetic field. By performing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy in a tuneable magnetic field, we demonstrate that the response of the electronic structure is compatible with piezomagnetism along with strong orbital selectivity. Our results show that the origin of the time-reversal symmetry breaking is associated with the vanadium Van Hove singularities at the onset of the charge density wave order. We also demonstrate the presence of fluctuations beyond the charge ordering temperature. Our results reveal that magnetic fields can be used as tuning knobs for disentangling intertwined orders in the momentum space for quantum materials. △ Less

Submitted 11 February, 2026; v1 submitted 12 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 38 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Nature Physics

Anomalous Wave-Packet Dynamics in One-Dimensional Non-Hermitian Lattices

Authors: Yanyan He, Tomoki Ozawa

Abstract: Non-Hermitian (NH) systems have attracted great attention due to their exotic phenomena beyond Hermitian domains. Here we study the wave-packet dynamics in general one-dimensional NH lattices and uncover several unexpected phenomena. The group velocity of a wave packet during the time evolution in such NH lattices is not only governed by the real part of the band structure but also by its imaginar… ▽ More Non-Hermitian (NH) systems have attracted great attention due to their exotic phenomena beyond Hermitian domains. Here we study the wave-packet dynamics in general one-dimensional NH lattices and uncover several unexpected phenomena. The group velocity of a wave packet during the time evolution in such NH lattices is not only governed by the real part of the band structure but also by its imaginary part. The momentum also evolves due to the imaginary part of the band structure, which can lead to a self-induced Bloch oscillation in the absence of external fields. Furthermore, we discover the wave-packet dynamics can exhibit disorder-free NH jumps even when the energy spectra are entirely real. Finally, we show that the NH jumps can lead to both positive and negative temporal Goos--Hänchen shifts at the edge. △ Less

Submitted 15 December, 2025; v1 submitted 8 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Light-Emitting Diodes based on Metal Halide Perovskite and Perovskite Related Nanocrystals

Authors: Ying Liu, Zhuangzhuang Ma, Jibin Zhang, Yanni He, Jinfei Dai, Xinjian Li, Zhifeng Shi, Liberato Manna

Abstract: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on halide perovskite nanocrystals have attracted extensive attention due to their considerable luminescence efficiency, wide color gamut, high color purity, and facile material synthesis. Since the first demonstration of LEDs based on MAPbBr3 nanocrystals were reported in 2014, the community has witnessed a rapid development in their performances. In this review,… ▽ More Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on halide perovskite nanocrystals have attracted extensive attention due to their considerable luminescence efficiency, wide color gamut, high color purity, and facile material synthesis. Since the first demonstration of LEDs based on MAPbBr3 nanocrystals were reported in 2014, the community has witnessed a rapid development in their performances. In this review, we provide a historical perspective of the development of LEDs based on halide perovskite nanocrystals and then present a comprehensive survey of current strategies to high-efficiency lead-based perovskite nanocrystals LEDs, including synthesis optimization, ion doping/alloying and shell coating. We then review the basic characteristics and emission mechanisms of lead-free perovskite and perovskite-related nanocrystals emitters in environmentally friendly LEDs, from the standpoint of different emission colors. Finally, we cover the progress in LED applications and provide an outlook of the opportunities and challenges for future developments in this field. △ Less

Submitted 7 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 95 pages, 15 figures

Journal ref: Advanced Materials 2025, 2415606

The $O(N)$ Free-Scalar and Wilson-Fisher Conformal Field Theories on the Fuzzy Sphere

Authors: Wenhan Guo, Zheng Zhou, Tzu-Chieh Wei, Yin-Chen He

Abstract: The fuzzy-sphere regularization is an emerging numerical and theoretical technique for studying conformal field theories (CFTs). In this paper, we apply it to the $O(N)$ vector model, one of the most prominent theories for critical behavior in three space-time dimensions. We construct a model that realizes the $O(N)$ Wilson-Fisher and free-scalar CFTs for general $N$. For $N=2,3,4$, we present num… ▽ More The fuzzy-sphere regularization is an emerging numerical and theoretical technique for studying conformal field theories (CFTs). In this paper, we apply it to the $O(N)$ vector model, one of the most prominent theories for critical behavior in three space-time dimensions. We construct a model that realizes the $O(N)$ Wilson-Fisher and free-scalar CFTs for general $N$. For $N=2,3,4$, we present numerical evidence including the operator spectra and correlation functions in agreement with conformal symmetry and conformal bootstrap results. △ Less

Submitted 1 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 17 pages and 9 figures

Non-uniform Thermal Conductivity in Nanoscale Multiple Hotspot Systems

Authors: Yu He, Zhihao Zhou, Lina Yang, Nuo Yang

Abstract: Understanding nanoscale hotspot thermal transport is crucial in electronic devices. Contrary to common perception, recent experiments show that closely spaced nanoscale multiple hotspots can enhance heat dissipation. Here, the thermal transport in nanoscale multiple hotspot systems is investigated by solving the phonon Boltzmann transport equation. The local thermal conductivity is proposed to des… ▽ More Understanding nanoscale hotspot thermal transport is crucial in electronic devices. Contrary to common perception, recent experiments show that closely spaced nanoscale multiple hotspots can enhance heat dissipation. Here, the thermal transport in nanoscale multiple hotspot systems is investigated by solving the phonon Boltzmann transport equation. The local thermal conductivity is proposed to describe the non-uniform spatial distribution of heat transport capability in nanoscale multiple hotspot systems. The maximum value exceeds the uniform heating case by up to 27%, which is attributed to the spatially varying fraction of unscattered phonons emitted from hotspots. Moreover, the effects and mechanisms of hotspot spacing on thermal transport are investigated, showing that reducing the hotspot spacing can enhance the heat flux by up to 40%. This work challenges the conventional view that thermal transport capability is spatially uniform throughout the system and provides fundamental insights for thermal management in high-power-density integrated circuits. △ Less

Submitted 26 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 11 pages, 4 figures

Impedance-matched High-Overtone Thickness-Shear Bulk Acoustic Resonators with Scalable Mode Volume

Authors: Zi-Dong Zhang, Zhen-Hui Qin, Yi-Han He, Yun-Fei Cheng, Hao Yan, Si-Yuan Yu, Ming-Hui Lu, Yan-Feng Chen

Abstract: High overtone bulk acoustic resonators are essential components in microwave signal processing and emerging quantum technologies; however, conventional designs suffer from limited impedance matching, spurious mode interference, and restricted scalability. Here we introduce a laterally excited high overtone thickness shear bulk acoustic resonator, abbreviated as X HTBAR, that overcomes these limita… ▽ More High overtone bulk acoustic resonators are essential components in microwave signal processing and emerging quantum technologies; however, conventional designs suffer from limited impedance matching, spurious mode interference, and restricted scalability. Here we introduce a laterally excited high overtone thickness shear bulk acoustic resonator, abbreviated as X HTBAR, that overcomes these limitations through a fully planar excitation scheme. The X HTBAR employs a 3 micron thick 128 degree Y cut LiNbO3 piezoelectric film on a 500 micron high resistivity silicon substrate, enabling efficient excitation of thickness shear modes through lateral electrodes without the need for bottom electrodes and confining the acoustic field between the top electrodes. This configuration removes parasitic loss channels, increases energy transfer efficiency to greater than ninety nine percent, and provides a stable free spectral range of about 5.75 MHz with very small fluctuations. Experimental measurements show comb like phonon spectra spanning 0.1 to 1.8 GHz, high quality factors in the range of ten to the power of three to ten to the power of five, frequency quality products larger than ten to the power of thirteen at room temperature, and a low temperature coefficient of frequency. In addition, a gridded electrode design together with the intrinsic properties of 128 degree Y cut LiNbO3, including insensitivity to electrode spacing and a large electromechanical coupling coefficient, suppresses spurious modes and allows tunable mode volumes from 0.008 to 0.064 cubic millimeters. These combined features give X HTBAR devices excellent integration compatibility and strong immunity to electrode related perturbations, making them promising multimode phonon sources for large scale quantum interconnects and microwave photonic integrated circuits. △ Less

Submitted 24 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Competition of fermion pairing, magnetism, and charge order in the spin-doped attractive Hubbard gas

Authors: Thomas Hartke, Botond Oreg, Chunhan Feng, Carter Turnbaugh, Jens Hertkorn, Yuan-Yao He, Ningyuan Jia, Ehsan Khatami, Shiwei Zhang, Martin Zwierlein

Abstract: The tension between fermion pairing and magnetism affects numerous strongly correlated electron systems, from high-temperature cuprates to twisted bilayer graphene. Exotic forms of fermion pairing and superfluidity are predicted when attraction between fermions competes with spin doping. Here, we follow the evolution of fermion pairing and charge and spin order in a spin-imbalanced attractive Hubb… ▽ More The tension between fermion pairing and magnetism affects numerous strongly correlated electron systems, from high-temperature cuprates to twisted bilayer graphene. Exotic forms of fermion pairing and superfluidity are predicted when attraction between fermions competes with spin doping. Here, we follow the evolution of fermion pairing and charge and spin order in a spin-imbalanced attractive Hubbard gas of fermionic $^{40}$K atoms, covering a wide range of densities, magnetizations, and interactions with single-atom resolution. At low spin imbalance and weak interactions, we find a mixture of nonlocal fermion pairs coexisting with itinerant excess fermions. For stronger interactions an effective hard-core Bose-Fermi mixture emerges. Spin doping drives a crossover from charge-density wave correlations to a Fermi liquid of polarons. Beyond a certain spin imbalance and interaction strength, we find evidence for the onset of combined spin- and pair-density wave order, a possible precursor for the existence of magnetized superfluidity in the attractive Hubbard system. △ Less

Submitted 13 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 7 pages, 5 figures

Topological and Trivial Valence-Bond Orders in Higher-Spin Kitaev Models

Authors: Xing-Yu Zhang, Qi Yang, Philippe Corboz, Jutho Haegeman, Yuchi He

Abstract: We investigate the quantum phases of higher-spin Kitaev models using tensor network methods. Our results reveal distinct bond-ordered phases for spin-1, spin-$\tfrac{3}{2}$, and spin-2 models. In all cases, we find translational symmetry breaking with unit cells being tripled by forming valence-bond orders. However, these three phases are distinct, forming plaquette order, topological dimer order,… ▽ More We investigate the quantum phases of higher-spin Kitaev models using tensor network methods. Our results reveal distinct bond-ordered phases for spin-1, spin-$\tfrac{3}{2}$, and spin-2 models. In all cases, we find translational symmetry breaking with unit cells being tripled by forming valence-bond orders. However, these three phases are distinct, forming plaquette order, topological dimer order, and non-topological dimer order, respectively. Our findings are based on a cross-validation between variational two-dimensional tensor network calculations: an unrestricted exploration of symmetry-broken states versus the detection of symmetry breaking from cat-state behavior in symmetry-restricted states. The origin of different orders can also be understood from a theoretical analysis. Our work sheds light upon the interplay between topological and symmetry-breaking orders as well as their detection via tensor networks. △ Less

Submitted 10 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 4 + 3 pages

Self-Consistent Theoretical Framework for Third-Order Nonlinear Susceptibility in CdSe/ZnS--MOF Quantum Dot Composites

Authors: Jingxu Wu, Yifan Yang, Jie Shi, Yuwei Yin, Yifan He, Chenjia Li

Abstract: This work presents a fully theoretical and self consistent framework for calculating the third-order nonlinear susceptibility of CdSe/ZnS--MOF composite quantum dots. The approach unifies finite-potential quantum confinement,the Liouville von Neumann density matrix expansion to third order, and effective-medium electrodynamics (Maxwell--Garnett and Bruggeman) within a single Hamiltonian-based mode… ▽ More This work presents a fully theoretical and self consistent framework for calculating the third-order nonlinear susceptibility of CdSe/ZnS--MOF composite quantum dots. The approach unifies finite-potential quantum confinement,the Liouville von Neumann density matrix expansion to third order, and effective-medium electrodynamics (Maxwell--Garnett and Bruggeman) within a single Hamiltonian-based model, requiring no empirical fitting. Electron hole quantized states and dipole matrix elements are obtained under the effective-mass approximation with BenDaniel--Duke boundary conditions; closed analytic forms for(including Lorentzian/Voigt broadening) follow from the response expansion. Homogenization yields macroscopic scaling laws that link microscopic descriptors (core radius, shell thickness, dielectric mismatch) to bulk coefficients and. A Kramers--Kronig consistency check confirms causality and analyticity of the computed spectra with small residuals. The formalism provides a predictive, parameter-transparent route to engineer third-order nonlinearity in hybrid quantum materials,clarifying how size and environment govern the magnitude and dispersion of. △ Less

Submitted 5 November, 2025; v1 submitted 4 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: Authors Jingxu Wu and Yifan Yang contributed equally to this work.15pages,6figures,5table

Single femtosecond laser pulse-driven ferromagnetic switching

Authors: Chen Xiao, Boyu Zhang, Xiangyu Zheng, Yuxuan Yao, Jiaqi Wei, Dinghao Ma, Yuting Gong, Rui Xu, Xueying Zhang, Yu He, Wenlong Cai, Yan Huang, Daoqian Zhu, Shiyang Lu, Kaihua Cao, Hongxi Liu, Pierre Vallobra, Xianyang Lu, Youguang Zhang, Bert Koopmans, Weisheng Zhao

Abstract: Light pulses offer a faster, more energy-efficient, and direct route to magnetic bit writing, pointing toward a hybrid memory and computing paradigm based on photon transmission and spin retention. Yet progress remains hindered, as deterministic, single-pulse optical toggle switching has so far been achieved only with ferrimagnetic materials, which require too specific a rare-earth composition and… ▽ More Light pulses offer a faster, more energy-efficient, and direct route to magnetic bit writing, pointing toward a hybrid memory and computing paradigm based on photon transmission and spin retention. Yet progress remains hindered, as deterministic, single-pulse optical toggle switching has so far been achieved only with ferrimagnetic materials, which require too specific a rare-earth composition and temperature conditions for technological use. In mainstream ferromagnet--central to spintronic memory and storage--such bistable switching is considered fundamentally difficult, as laser-induced heating does not inherently break time-reversal symmetry. Here, we report coherent magnetization switching in ferromagnets, driven by thermal anisotropy torque with single laser pulses. The toggle switching behavior is robust over a broad range of pulse durations, from femtoseconds to picoseconds, a prerequisite for practical applications. Furthermore, the phenomenon exhibits reproducibility in CoFeB/MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions with a high magnetoresistance exceeding 110%, as well as the scalability down to nanoscales with remarkable energy efficiency (17 fJ per 100-nm-sized bit). These results mark a notable step toward integrating opto-spintronics into next-generation memory and storage technologies. △ Less

Submitted 31 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 19 pages, 7 figures

Unveiling the BEC-droplet transition with Rayleigh superradiant scattering

Authors: Mithilesh K. Parit, Mingchen Huang, Ziting Chen, Yifei He, Haoting Zhen, Gyu-Boong Jo

Abstract: Light scattering plays an essential role in uncovering the properties of quantum states through light-matter interactions. Here, we explore the transition from Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) to droplets in a dipolar $^{166}$Er gas by employing superradiant light scattering as both a probing and controlling tool. We observe that the efficiency of superradiant scattering exhibits a non-monotonic beh… ▽ More Light scattering plays an essential role in uncovering the properties of quantum states through light-matter interactions. Here, we explore the transition from Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) to droplets in a dipolar $^{166}$Er gas by employing superradiant light scattering as both a probing and controlling tool. We observe that the efficiency of superradiant scattering exhibits a non-monotonic behavior akin to the rate of sample expansion during the transition, signaling its sensitivity to the initial quantum state, and in turn, revealing the BEC-droplet transition. Through controlled atom depletion via superradiance, we analyze the sample's expansion dynamics and aspect ratio to identify the BEC-droplet phases distinctly, supported by Gaussian variational ansatz calculations. Finally, using these two approaches, we track how the BEC-droplet transition points shift under varying magnetic field orientations. Our work opens new avenues for studying quantum states through superradiance, advancing our understanding of both the BEC-droplet crossover and its coherence properties. △ Less

Submitted 24 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 6 pages, 4 figures, supplementary notes

Superconductivity suppression and bilayer decoupling in Pr substituted YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$

Authors: Jinming Yang, Zheting Jin, Siqi Wang, Camilla Moir, Mingyu Xu, Brandon Gunn, Xian Du, Zhibo Kang, Keke Feng, Makoto Hashimoto, Donghui Lu, Jessica McChesney, Martin Sundermann, Hlynur Gretarsson, Shize Yang, Wei-Wei Xie, Alex Frano, Sohrab Ismail-Beigi, M. Brian Maple, Yu He

Abstract: The mechanism behind superconductivity suppression induced by Pr substitutions in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ (YBCO) has been a mystery since its discovery: in spite of being isovalent to Y$^{3+}$ with a small magnetic moment, it is the only rare-earth element that has a dramatic impact on YBCO's superconducting properties. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and DFT+$U$ calculation… ▽ More The mechanism behind superconductivity suppression induced by Pr substitutions in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ (YBCO) has been a mystery since its discovery: in spite of being isovalent to Y$^{3+}$ with a small magnetic moment, it is the only rare-earth element that has a dramatic impact on YBCO's superconducting properties. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and DFT+$U$ calculations, we uncover how Pr substitution modifies the low-energy electronic structure of YBCO. Contrary to the prevailing Fehrenbacher-Rice (FR) and Liechtenstein-Mazin (LM) models, the low energy electronic structure contains no signature of any $f$-electron hybridization or new states. Yet, strong electron doping is observed primarily on the antibonding Fermi surface. Meanwhile, we reveal major electronic structure modifications to Cu-derived states with increasing Pr substitution: a pronounced CuO$_2$ bilayer decoupling and an enhanced CuO chain hopping, implying indirect electron-release pathways beyond simple 4$f$ state ionization. Our results challenge the long-standing FR/LM mechanism and establish Pr substituted YBCO as a potential platform for exploring correlation-driven phenomena in coupled 1D-2D systems. △ Less

Submitted 19 December, 2025; v1 submitted 16 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Interplay of ferromagnetism, nematicity and Fermi surface nesting in kagome flat band

Authors: Yuman He, Wentao Jiang, Siqi Wu, Xuzhe Ying, Berthold Jack, Xi Dai, Hoi Chun Po

Abstract: Recent experiment on Fe-doped CoSn has uncovered a series of correlated phases upon hole doping of the kagome flat bands. Among the phases observed, a nematic phase with a six- to two-fold rotation symmetry breaking is found to prevail over a wide doping and temperature range. Motivated by these observations, we investigate the interaction-driven phases realized in a kagome model with partially fi… ▽ More Recent experiment on Fe-doped CoSn has uncovered a series of correlated phases upon hole doping of the kagome flat bands. Among the phases observed, a nematic phase with a six- to two-fold rotation symmetry breaking is found to prevail over a wide doping and temperature range. Motivated by these observations, we investigate the interaction-driven phases realized in a kagome model with partially filled, weakly dispersing flat bands. Density-density interactions up to second-nearest neighbors are considered. We identify a close competition between ferromagnetic and nematic phases in our self-consistent Hartree-Fock calculations: while on-site interaction favors ferromagnetism, the sizable inter-sublattice interactions stabilize nematicity over a wide doping window. Competition from translational-symmetry-breaking phases is also considered. Overall, our results show that nematicity is a generic outcome of partially filled kagome flat bands and establish a minimal framework for understanding correlated flat-band phases. △ Less

Submitted 26 March, 2026; v1 submitted 16 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 7+3 pages, 5+1 figures

Breaking of scale invariance in a strongly dipolar 2D Bose gas

Authors: Haoting Zhen, Yifei He, Sampriti Saha, Mithilesh K. Parit, Mingchen Huang, Nicolò Defenu, Gyu-Boong Jo

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) dipolar atomic gases present unique opportunities for exploring novel quantum phases due to their anisotropic and long-range interactions. However, the behavior of strongly dipolar Bose gases in 2D remains unclear, especially when dipoles are tilted. Here, we demonstrate the creation and characterization of strongly dipolar 2D condensates in a quasi-2D harmonic trap with tunab… ▽ More Two-dimensional (2D) dipolar atomic gases present unique opportunities for exploring novel quantum phases due to their anisotropic and long-range interactions. However, the behavior of strongly dipolar Bose gases in 2D remains unclear, especially when dipoles are tilted. Here, we demonstrate the creation and characterization of strongly dipolar 2D condensates in a quasi-2D harmonic trap with tunable dipole orientation. By investigating scale invariance properties through breathing collective mode measurements, we observe significant breaking of scale invariance when dipoles are tilted in-plane indicating the dominance of the nonlocal dipole-dipole interactions (DDIs) in this regime. Interestingly, the breaking of the scale invariant dynamics is accompanied by an increase in quantum fluctuations, as shown by comparison with mean-field and beyond mean-field theoretical studies. Our experiments also reveal that at critical tilt angles around 70°, stripe-type density modulations emerge, suggesting the presence of a roton spectrum in 2D, while the system still shows hydrodynamic nature with the phase-locking breathing behavior. This observation elucidates the many-body effect induced by DDIs in 2D, thus marking a crucial step toward realizing 2D supersolids and other exotic quantum phases. △ Less

Submitted 24 October, 2025; v1 submitted 15 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 6 pages,4 figures

Weak-anti-localization-to-spin-dependent scattering at a proximity-magnetized heavy metal interface

Authors: Hisakazu Matsuki, Guang Yang, Jiahui Xu, Vitaly N. Golovach, Yu He, Jiaxu Li, Alberto Hijano, Niladri Banerjee, Iuliia Alekhina, Nadia Stelmashenko, F. Sebastian Bergeret, Jason W. A. Robinson

Abstract: A change in a materials electrical resistance with magnetic field (magnetoresistance) results from quantum interference effects and, or spin-dependent transport, depending on materials properties and dimensionality. In disordered conductors, electron interference leads to weak localization or anti-localization; in contrast, ferromagnetic conductors support spin-dependent scattering, leading to gia… ▽ More A change in a materials electrical resistance with magnetic field (magnetoresistance) results from quantum interference effects and, or spin-dependent transport, depending on materials properties and dimensionality. In disordered conductors, electron interference leads to weak localization or anti-localization; in contrast, ferromagnetic conductors support spin-dependent scattering, leading to giant magnetoresistance (GMR). By varying the thickness of Au between 4 and 28 nm in a EuS/Au/EuS spin-switches, we observe a crossover from weak anti-localization to interfacial GMR. The crossover is related to a magnetic proximity effect in Au due to electron scattering at the insulating EuS interface. The proximity-induced exchange field in Au suppresses weak anti-localization, consistent with Maekawa-Fukuyama theory. With increasing Au thickness, GMR emerges along with spin Hall magnetoresistance. These findings demonstrate spin transport governed by interfacial exchange fields, building a framework for spintronic functionality without metallic magnetism. △ Less

Submitted 12 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Sliding multiferroicity in hexagonal stacked CrI3

Authors: Carter Fox, Jose D. Mella, Jack Rollins, Yangchen He, Yulu Mao, Haotian Jiang, Alaina Drew, Hongrui Ma, Takashi Taniguchi, Kenji Watanabe, Ying Wang, Daniel Rhodes, Salvador Barraza-Lopez, Jun Xiao

Abstract: Developing new multiferroics at the two-dimensional (2D) limit with energy-efficient magnetoelectric coupling can inform the interplay physics of novel orders and advance on-chip high-performance computing applications. Here we apply stacking order engineering to create a new type of 2D multiferroics, namely sliding multiferroics, based on polar hexagonal stacked (H-stacked) CrI3. This new stackin… ▽ More Developing new multiferroics at the two-dimensional (2D) limit with energy-efficient magnetoelectric coupling can inform the interplay physics of novel orders and advance on-chip high-performance computing applications. Here we apply stacking order engineering to create a new type of 2D multiferroics, namely sliding multiferroics, based on polar hexagonal stacked (H-stacked) CrI3. This new stacking order removes structural inversion symmetry and gives rise to room temperature sliding ferroelectricity, as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, second harmonic generation spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements. Building upon the gate-dependent reflective magnetic circular dichroism, first-principles calculations, and modeling, sliding ferroelectricity is shown to interplay with an emergent interfacial ferromagnetism via interlayer spin-polarized charge transfer. This coupling mechanism results in non-volatile magnetic switching by as low as 0.4V across the H-stacked CrI3. Our demonstration introduces polar stacking order engineering of 2D magnets as a general approach to create non-volatile 2D multiferroics with efficient magnetoelectric coupling, paving the way for low-power electronics and spintronics at the atomically thin limit. △ Less

Submitted 3 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Demonstration of quantum error detection in a silicon quantum processor

Authors: Chunhui Zhang, Chunhui Li, Zhen Tian, Yan Jiang, Feng Xu, Shihang Zhang, Hao Wang, Yu-Ning Zhang, Xuesong Bai, Baolong Zhao, Yi-Fei Zhang, Huan Shu, Jiaze Liu, Kunrong Wu, Chao Huang, Keji Shi, Mingchao Duan, Tao Xin, Peihao Huang, Tianluo Pan, Song Liu, Guanyong Wang, Guangchong Hu, Yu He, Dapeng Yu

Abstract: Quantum error detection is essential in realizing large-scale universal quantum computation, especially for quantum error correction (QEC). However, key elements for FTQC have yet to be realized in silicon qubits. Here, we demonstrate quantum error detection on a donor-based silicon quantum processor comprising four-nuclear spin qubits and one electron spin as an auxiliary qubit. The entanglement… ▽ More Quantum error detection is essential in realizing large-scale universal quantum computation, especially for quantum error correction (QEC). However, key elements for FTQC have yet to be realized in silicon qubits. Here, we demonstrate quantum error detection on a donor-based silicon quantum processor comprising four-nuclear spin qubits and one electron spin as an auxiliary qubit. The entanglement capability of this system is validated through the establishment of two-qubit Bell state entanglement between the nuclear spins and the generation of a four-qubit Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state, achieving a GHZ state fidelity of 88.5(2.3)%. Furthermore, by executing a four-qubit error detection circuit with the stabilizers, we successfully detect arbitrary single-qubit errors. The encoded Bell state entanglement information is recovered by performing the Pauli-frame update (PFU) via postprocessing. Based on the detected errors, we identify strongly biased noise in our system. Our results mark a significant advance toward FTQC in silicon spin qubits. △ Less

Submitted 29 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 41 pages

A Quantum Computer Based on Donor-Cluster Arrays in Silicon

Authors: Shihang Zhang, Chunhui Zhang, Guanyong Wang, Tao Xin, Guangchong Hu, Yu He, Peihao Huang

Abstract: Significant advances in silicon spin qubits highlight the potential of silicon quantum dots for scalable quantum computing, given their compatibility with industrial fabrication and long coherence times. In particular, phosphorus (P)-doped spin qubits possess excellent coherence and have demonstrated high-fidelity two-qubit gates exceeding 99.9%. However, scaling P-donor systems is challenging due… ▽ More Significant advances in silicon spin qubits highlight the potential of silicon quantum dots for scalable quantum computing, given their compatibility with industrial fabrication and long coherence times. In particular, phosphorus (P)-doped spin qubits possess excellent coherence and have demonstrated high-fidelity two-qubit gates exceeding 99.9%. However, scaling P-donor systems is challenging due to crosstalk caused by the uniformity of individual P donors and the low tolerance for imprecise atomic placement. Stochastic placement can lead to multiple donors located within a small region (diameter <3 nm), forming a so-called donor cluster. Notably, in cluster-based systems, high-fidelity multi-qubit quantum gates and all-to-all connectivity have recently been demonstrated experimentally on nuclear spin qubits. In this work, we propose a scalable cluster-array architecture for nuclear spin qubits and a corresponding control protocol. We analyze crosstalk-induced errors, a major error source, during primitive operations under various parameters, showing that they can be suppressed through device design and control optimization. We evaluate the fidelities of intra- and inter-cluster multi-qubit gates between nuclear spins, confirming the feasibility of our architecture and establishing design requirements and parameter targets. The local all-to-all connectivity within clusters provides unique flexibility for quantum error correction. Our scalable scheme provides a path toward large-scale spin-based quantum processors. △ Less

Submitted 3 October, 2025; v1 submitted 29 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 19 pages

Artificial ferroelectric-like hysteresis in antiferroelectrics with non-uniform disorder

Authors: Yi Zhang, Xinyu Zhang, Zihao Zheng, Jiyang Xie, Jing Lou, Jiayi Qin, Shanhu Wang, Yang He, Yifeng Du, Bin Yang, Xin Huang, Huiping Han, Yilin Wu, Shuya Liu, Afzal Kjan, Zhidong Li, Qianxu Ye, Sheng'an Yang, Ji Ma, Hui Zhang, Xiang Liu, Qingming Chen, Wanbiao Hu, Jing Ma, Jianhong Yi , et al. (5 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Antiferroelectrics exhibit unique double-hysteresis polarization loops, which have garnered significant attention due to their potential applications such as energy storage, electromechanical transduction, as well as synapse devices. However, numerous antiferroelectric materials have been reported to display signs of hysteresis loops resembling those of ferroelectric materials, and a comprehensive… ▽ More Antiferroelectrics exhibit unique double-hysteresis polarization loops, which have garnered significant attention due to their potential applications such as energy storage, electromechanical transduction, as well as synapse devices. However, numerous antiferroelectric materials have been reported to display signs of hysteresis loops resembling those of ferroelectric materials, and a comprehensive understanding remains elusive. In this work, we provide a phenomenological model that reproduces such widely observed artificial ferroelectric hysteresis with a superposition of numerous disordered antiferroelectric loops that have varying antiferroelectric-to-ferroelectric transition fields, particularly when these field ranges intersect. Experimentally, we realized such artificial ferroelectric-like hysteresis loops in the prototypical antiferroelectric PbZrO$_3$ and PbHfO$_3$ thin films, by introducing non-uniform local disorder (e.g., defects) via fine-tuning of the film growth conditions. These ferroelectric-like states are capable of persisting for several hours prior to transitioning back into the thermodynamically stable antiferroelectric ground state. Those results provide insights into the fundamental impact of disorder on the AFE properties and new possibilities of disorder-tailored functions. △ Less

Submitted 22 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Journal ref: Acta Materialia, 294, (2025), 121085

Layer controlled orbital selective Mott transition in monolayer nickelate

Authors: Byungmin Sohn, Minjae Kim, Sangjae Lee, Wenzheng Wei, Juan Jiang, Fengmiao Li, Sergey Gorovikov, Marta Zonno, Tor Pedersen, Sergey Zhdanovich, Ying Liu, Huikai Cheng, Ke Zou, Yu He, Sohrab Ismail-Beigi, Frederick J. Walker, Charles H. Ahn

Abstract: Dimensionality and electronic correlations are crucial elements of many quantum material properties. An example is the change of the electronic structure accompanied by the loss of quasiparticles when a metal is reduced from three dimensions to a lower dimension, where the Coulomb interaction between carriers becomes poorly screened. Here, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), w… ▽ More Dimensionality and electronic correlations are crucial elements of many quantum material properties. An example is the change of the electronic structure accompanied by the loss of quasiparticles when a metal is reduced from three dimensions to a lower dimension, where the Coulomb interaction between carriers becomes poorly screened. Here, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we report an orbital-selective decoherence of spectral density in the perovskite nickelate LaNiO3 towards the monolayer limit. The spectral weight of the dz2 band vanishes much faster than that of the dx2-y2 band as the thickness of the LaNiO3 layer is decreased to a single unit cell, indicating a stronger correlation effect for the former upon dimensional confinement. Dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) calculations show an orbital-selective Mott transition largely due to the localization of dz2 electrons along the c axis in the monolayer limit. This orbital-selective correlation effect underpins many macroscopic properties of nickelates, such as metal-to-insulator transition and superconductivity, where most theories are built upon a dx2-y2-dz2 two-band model. △ Less

Submitted 23 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Absence of Andreev Bound States in Noncentrosymmetric Superconductor PbTaSe$_2$ under Hydrostatic Pressures

Authors: Yu-qing Zhao, Zhi-fan Wu, Hai-yan Zuo, Wei-ming Lao, Yao He, Hai Wang, Ling-xiao Zhao, Ying-hui Sun, Huai-xin Yang, Geng-fu Chen, Cong Ren

Abstract: Noncentrosymmetric superconductor PbTaSe$_2$, hosting bulk nodal-line fermions (Phys. Rev. B. 89, 020505) and spin-helical surface states (Nature Communication 7, 10556), represents a prime candidate for realizing topological superconductivity and Majorana bound states (MBS). However, the definitive experimental signature of MBS in this system has thus far remained elusive. Here we provide a compr… ▽ More Noncentrosymmetric superconductor PbTaSe$_2$, hosting bulk nodal-line fermions (Phys. Rev. B. 89, 020505) and spin-helical surface states (Nature Communication 7, 10556), represents a prime candidate for realizing topological superconductivity and Majorana bound states (MBS). However, the definitive experimental signature of MBS in this system has thus far remained elusive. Here we provide a comprehensive investigation of its superconducting properties under hydrostatic pressure. Combining Andreev reflection spectroscopy and temperature-dependent resistance measurements, we identify a separated surface-like superconductivity from the bulk one at a critical pressure $P_c$. The superconducting surface state demonstrate an $s$-wave pairing state with a strong coupling strength. Under magnetic fields, the absence of zero-bias conductance peak in the pressurized point-contact Andreev reflection spectrum. Our findings imposes a constraint on the theoretical proposals for realizing Majorana bound states in noncentrosymmetric superconductors. △ Less

Submitted 18 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Sub-tesla on-chip nanomagnetic metamaterial platform for angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Authors: Wenxin Li, Wisha Wanichwecharungruang, Mingyang Guo, Ioan-Augustin Chioar, Nileena Nandakumaran, Justin Ramberger, Senlei Li, Zhibo Kang, Jinming Yang, Donghui Lu, Makoto Hashimoto, Chunhui Rita Du, Chris Leighton, Peter Schiffer, Qiong Ma, Ming Yi, Yu He

Abstract: Magnetically controlled states in quantum materials are central to their unique electronic and magnetic properties. However, direct momentum-resolved visualization of these states via angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) has been hindered by the disruptive effect of magnetic fields on photoelectron trajectories. Here, we introduce an \textit{in-situ} method that is, in principle, capa… ▽ More Magnetically controlled states in quantum materials are central to their unique electronic and magnetic properties. However, direct momentum-resolved visualization of these states via angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) has been hindered by the disruptive effect of magnetic fields on photoelectron trajectories. Here, we introduce an \textit{in-situ} method that is, in principle, capable of applying magnetic fields up to 1 T. This method uses substrates composed of nanomagnetic metamaterial arrays with alternating polarity. Such substrates can generate strong, homogeneous, and spatially confined fields applicable to samples with thicknesses up to the micron scale, enabling ARPES measurements under magnetic fields with minimal photoelectron trajectory distortion. We demonstrate this minimal distortion with ARPES data taken on monolayer graphene. Our method paves the way for probing magnetic field-dependent electronic structures and studying field-tunable quantum phases with state-of-the-art energy-momentum resolutions. △ Less

Submitted 18 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Strong long-wavelength electron-phonon coupling in Ta$_2$Ni(Se,S)$_5$

Authors: Zhibo Kang, Burak Gurlek, Weichen Tang, Xiang Chen, Jacob P. C. Ruff, Ahmet Alatas, Ayman Said, Robert J. Birgeneau, Steven G. Louie, Angel Rubio, Simone Latini, Yu He

Abstract: The search for intrinsic excitonic insulators (EI) has long been confounded by coexisting electron-phonon coupling in bulk materials. Although the ground state of an EI may be difficult to differentiate from density-wave orders or other structural instabilities, excited states offer distinctive signatures. One way to provide clarity is to directly inspect the phonon spectral function for long wave… ▽ More The search for intrinsic excitonic insulators (EI) has long been confounded by coexisting electron-phonon coupling in bulk materials. Although the ground state of an EI may be difficult to differentiate from density-wave orders or other structural instabilities, excited states offer distinctive signatures. One way to provide clarity is to directly inspect the phonon spectral function for long wavelength broadening due to phonon interaction with the high velocity EI phason. Here, we report that the quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) EI candidate Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$ shows extremely anisotropic phonon broadening and softening in the semimetallic normal state. In contrast, such a behavior is completely absent in the broken symmetry state of Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$ and in the isostructural Ta$_2$NiS$_5$, where the latter has a fully gapped normal state. By contrasting the expected phonon lifetimes in the BCS and BEC limits of a putative EI, our results suggest that the phase transition in Ta$_2$Ni(Se,S)$_5$ family is closely related to strong interband electron-phonon coupling. We experimentally determine the dimensionless coupling $\frac{g}{ω_0}\sim10$, showing Ta$_2$Ni(Se,S)$_5$ as a rare "ultra-strong coupling" material. △ Less

Submitted 11 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 7 pages, 4 figures

Dichotomy in Low- and High-energy Band Renormalizations in Trilayer Nickelate $La_{4}Ni_{3}O_{10}$: a Comparison with Cuprates

Authors: X. Du, Y. L. Wang, Y. D. Li, Y. T. Cao, M. X. Zhang, C. Y. Pei, J. M. Yang, W. X. Zhao, K. Y. Zhai, Z. K. Liu, Z. W. Li, J. K. Zhao, Z. T. Liu, D. W. Shen, Z. Li, Y. He, Y. L. Chen, Y. P. Qi, H. J. Guo, L. X. Yang

Abstract: Band renormalizations comprise crucial insights for understanding the intricate roles of electron-boson coupling and electron correlation in emergent phenomena such as superconductivity. In this study, by combining high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, we systematically investigate the electronic structure of the trilayer nickelate superconductor… ▽ More Band renormalizations comprise crucial insights for understanding the intricate roles of electron-boson coupling and electron correlation in emergent phenomena such as superconductivity. In this study, by combining high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, we systematically investigate the electronic structure of the trilayer nickelate superconductor $La_{4}Ni_{3}O_{10}$ at ambient pressure. We reveal a dichotomy in the electronic band renormalizations of $La_{4}Ni_{3}O_{10}$ in comparison to cuprate superconductors. At a high energy scale of hundreds of meV, its band structure is strongly renormalized by electron correlation effect enhanced by Hund coupling. The resultant waterfall-like dispersions resemble the high-energy kinks in cuprate superconductors. However, at low energy scales of tens of meV, the dispersive bands are nearly featureless and devoid of any resolvable electron-boson interactions, in drastic contrast to the low-energy kinks observed in cuprates and other correlated 3d transition-metal compounds. The dichotomic band renormalizations highlight the disparity between nickelate and cuprate superconductors and emphasize the importance of strong electron-correlation in the superconductivity of Ruddlesden-Popper phase nickelates. △ Less

Submitted 10 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: accepted by Physical Review Letters

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 146506 (2025)

Free and Interacting Fermionic Conformal Field Theories on the Fuzzy Sphere

Authors: Zheng Zhou, Davide Gaiotto, Yin-Chen He

Abstract: The fuzzy-sphere regularisation is a powerful tool to study conformal field theories (CFT) in three spacetime dimensions. In this paper, we extend its scope to CFTs with local fermionic operators. We realise the free-Majorana-fermion CFT on a set-up with one flavour of bosons and one flavour of fermions on the lowest Landau level with a $1/2$ angular momentum mismatch and allow conversion between… ▽ More The fuzzy-sphere regularisation is a powerful tool to study conformal field theories (CFT) in three spacetime dimensions. In this paper, we extend its scope to CFTs with local fermionic operators. We realise the free-Majorana-fermion CFT on a set-up with one flavour of bosons and one flavour of fermions on the lowest Landau level with a $1/2$ angular momentum mismatch and allow conversion between two bosons and two fermions, and use a relative chemical potential as the tuning parameter. On the phase diagram, we observe two continuous transitions described respectively by a free Majorana fermion and a gauged Ising CFT. We numerically confirm the emergent conformal symmetry through the operator spectrum and the two-point correlation function of the local Majorana fermion. We further establish a correspondence between the fuzzy-sphere models and the field-theory Lagrangians, and extend it to an interacting fermionic CFT -- the super-Ising theory with emergent super-conformal symmetry. △ Less

Submitted 26 February, 2026; v1 submitted 9 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 61 pages, 15 figures. Add Sections 7, 8 and Appendices D, E

Weak phonon coupling to nematic quantum critical mode in $BaFe2(As1-xPx)2$

Authors: S. Wu, D. Ishikawa, A. Q. R. Baron, A. Alatas, A. H. Said, Jiayu Guo, Y. He, X. Chen, Y. Song, J. G. Analytis, Dung-Hai Lee, R. J. Birgeneau

Abstract: In this work, we investigate the softening of the in-plane transverse acoustic phonon driven by electronic nematicity in BaFe$_2$(As$_{1-x}$P$_x$)$_2$ using inelastic X-ray scattering, with a focus on the optimally doped sample ($x = 0.31$) sample, a system exhibiting signatures of a putative nematic quantum critical point and minimal disorder among iron pnictides. We observe only a modest softeni… ▽ More In this work, we investigate the softening of the in-plane transverse acoustic phonon driven by electronic nematicity in BaFe$_2$(As$_{1-x}$P$_x$)$_2$ using inelastic X-ray scattering, with a focus on the optimally doped sample ($x = 0.31$) sample, a system exhibiting signatures of a putative nematic quantum critical point and minimal disorder among iron pnictides. We observe only a modest softening of the phonon frequency and no evidence of critical damping, suggesting that the nematic quantum critical fluctuations couple only weakly to the lattice from our quantum critical model. Given the close proximity of the structural and magnetic transition temperatures in the underdoped sample, which implies that spin-nematic fluctuations couple strongly to the lattice. We conjecture that the quantum critical nematic fluctuations are predominantly orbital in origin. △ Less

Submitted 8 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

A Strongly Anisotropic Superconducting Gap in the Kagome Superconductor CsV$_3$Sb$_5$: A Study of Directional Point-Contact Andreev Reflection Spectroscopy

Authors: Yu-qing Zhao, Zhi-fan Wu, Hai-yan Zuo, Weiming Lao, Wangju Yang, Qiuxia Chen, Yao He, Hai Wang, Qiangwei Yin, Qi Wang, Yang-peng Qi, Gang Mu, He-chang Lei, Cong Ren

Abstract: In the recently discovered V-based kagome superconductors AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A = K, Rb, and Cs), superconductivity is intertwined with an unconventional charge density wave (CDW) order, raising a fundamental concern on the superconducting gap structure of such kagome superconductors in the presence of CDW orders. Here, we report directional soft point-contact Andreev reflection (SPCAR) spectroscopy mea… ▽ More In the recently discovered V-based kagome superconductors AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A = K, Rb, and Cs), superconductivity is intertwined with an unconventional charge density wave (CDW) order, raising a fundamental concern on the superconducting gap structure of such kagome superconductors in the presence of CDW orders. Here, we report directional soft point-contact Andreev reflection (SPCAR) spectroscopy measurements on the kagome superconductor CsV$_3$Sb$_5$, revealing compelling evidence for the existence of a strongly anisotropic superconducting gap pairing state. The SPCAR spectra measured with current injected parallel to the $ab$-plane exhibit an in-gap single conductance peak, in contrast to those of SPCAR spectra: a double-peak structure in the perpendicular direction. These spectra are well described by an anisotropic single-gap BTK model. The extracted superconducting gaps comprise an isotropic large gap and a strongly anisotropic gap, originating from different Fermi surface sheets. Quantitative analysis reveals an anisotropy around $\ sim$70\% with a gap minimum of about 0.15 meV. These results shed new light on the unconventional multiband pairing states in kagome superconductors. △ Less

Submitted 7 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.