Showing 1–50 of 218 results for author: Yang, T

A novel strategy for achieving a low-field lightweight permanent MRI magnet system with good magnetic field homogeneity and low eddy current

Authors: Jingzhi Han, Jiangqian Guo, Peng Shen, Xiao Tong, Wenyun Yang, Ziheng Zhang, Jie Liu, Tianzhuo Yang, Yikun Fang, Shunquan Liu, Jie Zhang, Qing Xu, Jinbo Yang

Abstract: In low-field, lightweight, pole-pieceless permanent-magnet MRI systems built with sintered Nd-Fe-B or Sm-Co magnets, the rapid switching of gradient fields readily induces eddy currents in the sintered magnets, leading to image artifacts. To address this, we report for the first time a Sm-Fe-N permanent-magnet MRI system based on anisotropic Sm-Fe-N bonded magnets, whose high electrical resistivit… ▽ More In low-field, lightweight, pole-pieceless permanent-magnet MRI systems built with sintered Nd-Fe-B or Sm-Co magnets, the rapid switching of gradient fields readily induces eddy currents in the sintered magnets, leading to image artifacts. To address this, we report for the first time a Sm-Fe-N permanent-magnet MRI system based on anisotropic Sm-Fe-N bonded magnets, whose high electrical resistivity reduces the eddy currents in the X, Y and Z directions to 0.093%, 0.172% and 2.38%, respectively, while a magnetic field inhomogeneity below 150 ppm is achieved at the boundary of a 220 mm diameter of spherical volume (DSV). Compared with sintered Nd-Fe-B and Sm-Co magnets, using Sm-Fe-N bonded magnets as the source of the static magnetic field not only suppresses eddy currents but also makes a closely tiled, densely packed magnetic-circuit layout feasible, providing a more uniform static magnetic field for the MRI system. Imaging results free of obvious geometric distortion and banding artifacts further indicate that the Sm-Fe-N magnet system delivers low eddy currents and high static magnetic field homogeneity. △ Less

Submitted 22 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 7 figures; supplementary material included

One-Step Epitaxial Access to Rhombohedral Graphene Flat-Band States on Step-Bunched SiC

Authors: Hao Zhong, Xingzhe Wang, Hanbin Deng, Tianyu Yang, Haixuan Cao, Renzhe Li, Qiang Wan, Shangkun Mo, Keming Zhao, Shuming Yu, Dingkun Qin, Guang Zhu, Yifan Zhou, Jianping Shi, Shuangfeng Jia, He Zheng, Jia-Xin Yin, Nan Xu

Abstract: Rhombohedral graphene multilayers provide a moiré-free platform for correlated and topological flat-band physics, but direct, transfer-free epitaxial access to thickness-tunable multilayers remains limited. Here we report a one-step graphitization route on 4$^\circ$ off-axis 4H-SiC, in which high-temperature flash annealing simultaneously drives self-organized step bunching and multilayer graphene… ▽ More Rhombohedral graphene multilayers provide a moiré-free platform for correlated and topological flat-band physics, but direct, transfer-free epitaxial access to thickness-tunable multilayers remains limited. Here we report a one-step graphitization route on 4$^\circ$ off-axis 4H-SiC, in which high-temperature flash annealing simultaneously drives self-organized step bunching and multilayer graphene formation. Atomic-resolution cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy identify local ABC registry and distinguish rhombohedral from Bernal stacking. The thickness is tuned from bilayer to more than twenty layers by varying single parameter, the annealing temperature. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy directly tracks the thickness-dependent evolution from interface-dominated low-energy states toward pronounced near-Fermi-level flat-band spectral weight in thick multilayers. Low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy on a 17-layer film further reveal a 13.4 meV low-energy spectral reconstruction and a $\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3}$ Kekulé-like modulation, providing microscopic signatures consistent with an intervalley-mixed electronic texture. This one-step, transfer-free approach establishes step-bunched SiC as an epitaxial platform that links stacking engineering with moiré-free correlated flat-band electronic states. △ Less

Submitted 31 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

NMR evidence for a loop-current state with broken $C_6$ symmetry in the charge-ordered CsV$_3$Sb$_5$

Authors: X. Y. Feng, Z. Zhao, J. Dou, S. Li, J. Luo, J. Yang, H. T. Yang, H. -J. Gao, R. Zhou, Guo-qing Zheng

Abstract: Loop-current (LC) order and the associated time-reversal symmetry breaking (TRSB) are pivotal for understanding hidden magnetism and unconventional superconductivity in strongly correlated quantum materials. The recently discovered kagome metal CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ provides a unique platform for exploring these intertwined phenomena. In this study, we utilize $^{121}$Sb nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR)… ▽ More Loop-current (LC) order and the associated time-reversal symmetry breaking (TRSB) are pivotal for understanding hidden magnetism and unconventional superconductivity in strongly correlated quantum materials. The recently discovered kagome metal CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ provides a unique platform for exploring these intertwined phenomena. In this study, we utilize $^{121}$Sb nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) and $^{51}$V nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements to investigate the possible existence of the LC order in CsV$_3$Sb$_5$. Below $T^\ast \approx 45$ K, we observe a field-independent NMR linewidth broadening at the V site in a high-quality single crystal, which indicates an internal magnetic field of 3.6 Oe at the V position. We show that this internal field arises from a static LC state that produces orbital magnetic moments $μ_{\rm orb}$ ranging from 0.002 to 0.01 $μ_B$. Detailed analysis suggests that the observed LC state breaks $C_6$ rotational symmetry to possess a low symmetry of $C_2$. Our results provide microscopic evidence for LC order in the charge density wave (CDW) phase of CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ and show that TRSB is intertwined with electronic nematicity, imposing stringent constraints on microscopic descriptions of the kagome CDW and its relation to superconductivity. △ Less

Submitted 23 June, 2026; originally announced June 2026.

Comments: 19 pages, 7 figures

Layer-parity-defined surface polarization in Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ for excitonic modulation at van der Waals interfaces

Authors: Xinyue Huang, Hansheng Xu, Yuchen Gao, Yushen Zhou, Zhijie Ma, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Zuxin Chen, Jianqi Huang, Jianpeng Liu, Teng Yang, Youguo Shi, Yu Ye

Abstract: The intrinsic symmetry breaking in the breathing kagome lattice of layered Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ provides a unique mechanism for realizing electrically polar surfaces. In each monolayer, the trimerization of Nb atoms breaks inversion and mirror symmetries, generating an out-of-plane electric dipole. The AB-stacked $α$ phase arranges adjacent layer dipoles antiferroelectrically, leaving the uncompensated su… ▽ More The intrinsic symmetry breaking in the breathing kagome lattice of layered Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ provides a unique mechanism for realizing electrically polar surfaces. In each monolayer, the trimerization of Nb atoms breaks inversion and mirror symmetries, generating an out-of-plane electric dipole. The AB-stacked $α$ phase arranges adjacent layer dipoles antiferroelectrically, leaving the uncompensated surface polarization strictly governed by layer parity. Here, using atomic force microscopy operated in Kelvin probe force microscopy mode, we directly visualize layer-dependent polarization states in exfoliated Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ flakes and resolve a pronounced odd-even oscillation of the surface electrostatic potential. Beyond this parity-locked antiferroelectric order, we further identify intralayer polar domains in which local atomic reconstructions of the breathing kagome network reverse the out-of-plane dipole of the surface layer, producing ferroelectric-like stacking configurations. By interfacing monolayer MoSe$_2$ with Nb$_3$Cl$_8$, we demonstrate that these surface-polarization textures effectively modulate adjacent excitonic emission through domain-dependent interfacial band alignment and charge transfer. Our findings establish Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ as an intrinsic layer-polarized van der Waals platform and show that layer parity provides powerful structural degree of freedom for programming excitonic and optoelectronic responses at van der Waals interfaces. △ Less

Submitted 8 June, 2026; originally announced June 2026.

Comments: 9 pages, 4 figures

Defect Control via Cu Enrichment Enhances Multifunctional Properties in the Polar Semiconductor Cu1+xMn1-ySiTe3

Authors: Subrata Ghosh, Yu Liu, Saugata Sarker, Boyang Zheng, Sreekant Anil, Soumi Mondal, Yuxi Zhang, Sai Venkata Gayathri Ayyagari, Mingyu Xu, Yingdong Guan, Tsung-Han Yang, Xiaoping Wang, Vincent H. Crespi, Nasim Alem, Weiwei Xie, Venkatraman Gopalan, Qiang Zhang, Zhiqiang Mao

Abstract: Polar materials have recently attracted significant interest due to their rich multifunctional properties. The chalcogenide polar semiconductor Cu1-xMn1+ySiTe3 (Cu-deficient) is an emerging multiferroic system in which electric polarization is coupled to magnetization. However, its macroscopic ferroelectric polarization is strongly suppressed due to the presence of a high density of stacking fault… ▽ More Polar materials have recently attracted significant interest due to their rich multifunctional properties. The chalcogenide polar semiconductor Cu1-xMn1+ySiTe3 (Cu-deficient) is an emerging multiferroic system in which electric polarization is coupled to magnetization. However, its macroscopic ferroelectric polarization is strongly suppressed due to the presence of a high density of stacking faults. In this work, we demonstrate that these crystal defects, likely originating from non-stoichiometry, can be substantially reduced by increasing the Cu content. Cu-enriched samples, Cu1+xMn1-ySiTe3, crystallize in a noncentrosymmetric monoclinic structure (space group Pm) as the Cu-deficient counterpart but show a nearly stacking-fault-free phase, which is attributed to the emergence of an interstitial site. Consequently, the Cu-enriched samples show a pronounced enhancement of the second-harmonic generation (SHG) response compared to Cu-deficient compositions. Magnetically, the Cu-enriched crystals retain long-range antiferromagnetic order with a Neel temperature of TN ~ 33 K without a glassy state but manifest a distinct spin-flop transition along the polar b-axis that is absent in the Cu-deficient compositions. Furthermore, the electronic ground state evolves from insulating to doped semiconducting behavior upon Cu enrichment. Together, these results establish this material system as a unique and versatile platform for elucidating the interplay among composition, crystal defects, and multifunctional properties, offering a route to design magnetic polar systems with tunable quantum functionalities. △ Less

Submitted 18 May, 2026; originally announced May 2026.

Comments: 23 pages

Thermodynamics of stacking faults and phase stability in cobalt alloys: A combined computational and experimental study

Authors: Zheng Zhong, Ziqi Cui, Yu Zhuo, Tianyu Yu, Jianfeng Cai, Kaibo Zou, Jiacheng Shen, Bowen Huang, Zhuoming Xie, Huiqiu Deng, Yang Yu, Hao Zhang, Wangyu Hu, Tengfei Yang, Jie Hou

Abstract: Stacking fault energy dictates phase stability and deformation behavior in Co alloys and WC-Co cemented carbides, yet a quantitative assessment of alloying effects at finite temperatures remains poorly established. By integrating first-principles thermodynamics with microstructural characterization, we provide a rigorous evaluation of these influences across atomic and macroscopic scales. We show… ▽ More Stacking fault energy dictates phase stability and deformation behavior in Co alloys and WC-Co cemented carbides, yet a quantitative assessment of alloying effects at finite temperatures remains poorly established. By integrating first-principles thermodynamics with microstructural characterization, we provide a rigorous evaluation of these influences across atomic and macroscopic scales. We show that stacking fault energetics at 0K for transition metal solutes are primarily governed by atomic misfit volume. While 4d and 5d elements follow a consistent linear trend, specific 3d solutes exhibit significant deviations due to non-negligible magnetic contributions. By incorporating phonon, electronic, longitudinal spin-fluctuation, and magnetic free-energy contributions, the model accurately captures the fcc-hcp transformation and quantifies how diverse solutes modulate the phase landscape. We demonstrate that V, Ni, Fe, Mo, and W lower the transformation temperature by stabilizing fcc phase, while Cr and C exhibit the opposite effect, consistent with experimental phase diagrams. Furthermore, microscopic analysis confirms that higher W content dissolved in the Co suppresses stacking-fault formation by elevating the stacking fault energy at finite temperatures. This work clarifies the physical mechanisms by which alloying regulates stacking fault energy and phase stability in Co-based systems, providing guidance for the design of Co-based alloys and WC-Co cemented carbides. △ Less

Submitted 5 May, 2026; originally announced May 2026.

Valley enhanced Rabi frequency in n-type planar Silicon-MOS quantum dot

Authors: Xunyao Luo, Xander Peetroons, Tsung-Yeh Yang, Ruben M. Otxoa, Normann Mertig, Sofie Beyne, Julien Jussot, Yosuke Shimura, Clement Godfrin, Bart Raes, Roy Li, Roger Loo, Sylvain Baudot, Stefan Kubicek, Shuchi Kaushik, Danny Wan, Kristiaan De Greve, Takuma Kuno, Takeru Utsugi, Noriyuki Lee, Itaru Yanagi, Toshiyuki Mine, Satoshi Muraoka, Hideo Arimoto, Shinichi Saito , et al. (5 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) of a single electron in planar Si-MOS quantum dot is reported in the vicinity of a valley level anti-crossing. A number of one and two-photon resonances are observed due to mixing of magnetic spin-flip and electric valley-flip transitions. This allows the reconstruction of the energy-level diagram of a four state system with two valley and two spin states… ▽ More Electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) of a single electron in planar Si-MOS quantum dot is reported in the vicinity of a valley level anti-crossing. A number of one and two-photon resonances are observed due to mixing of magnetic spin-flip and electric valley-flip transitions. This allows the reconstruction of the energy-level diagram of a four state system with two valley and two spin states. Near the anti-crossing, an enhancement of the Rabi frequency is observed. This is attributed to an electric-dipole transition activated by admixing of the upper energy level due to inter-valley spin coupling. The electric-dipole transition may be driven via capacitive coupling between the ESR antenna, and the confinement gate. To characterize spin-valley coupling responsible for the enhancement, we measure the anisotropy of the g-factor difference between the two valley states, the mean g-factor and the inter-valley spin coupling for both in and out-of-plane magnetic fields. The inter-valley spin coupling is strongly modulated by the direction of the B-field, and is strongest for out-of-plane B-field, consistent with an in-plane spin-valley field. In principle, this strong Electric dipole spin resonance (EDSR) effect could be utilized for fast all-electrical spin control in small-scale devices. △ Less

Submitted 24 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Comments: 15 pages, 6 figures

Simple slow operators and quantum thermalization

Authors: Tian-Hua Yang, Sarang Gopalakrishnan, Dmitry A. Abanin

Abstract: We establish a rigorous relation between the thermalization of typical initial states and the dynamics of local operators. We introduce a concept of simple slow operators (SSOs), defined as operators that have a small commutator with the Hamiltonian and have significant small-sized components. We show that if typical initial states (drawn from a low-complexity state ensemble) do not thermalize on… ▽ More We establish a rigorous relation between the thermalization of typical initial states and the dynamics of local operators. We introduce a concept of simple slow operators (SSOs), defined as operators that have a small commutator with the Hamiltonian and have significant small-sized components. We show that if typical initial states (drawn from a low-complexity state ensemble) do not thermalize on timescale $t$, then SSOs must exist that are approximately conserved up to timescale $t$. Equivalently, the absence of SSOs implies that typical initial states thermalize. We establish these results by introducing the concept of an ensemble variance norm of an operator, defined as the typical magnitude of the expectation value of that operator with respect to states in the ensemble. For low-entanglement ensembles, the norm is related to operator sizes, allowing us to establish a direct link between operator growth and thermalization. △ Less

Submitted 14 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Strain-Induced Curvature in Monolayer Graphene: Effects on Electronic Structure, Phonon Dynamics, and Lattice Thermal Conductivity

Authors: M. C. Santos, E. Lora da Silva, D. S. Baptista, T. Santos, M. Molinari, F. J. Manjón, Yin Cui, Xidong Lin, Tao Yang

Abstract: We present a comprehensive set of calculations to investigate the effect of strain-induced x-y topological perturbation in the monolayer graphene sheet. We show that the induced curvature with the defined strain constraint, energetically stabilizes the systems. The electronic properties are modified when the amplitude of the curvature of the sheet increases, which induces Van Hove singularities of… ▽ More We present a comprehensive set of calculations to investigate the effect of strain-induced x-y topological perturbation in the monolayer graphene sheet. We show that the induced curvature with the defined strain constraint, energetically stabilizes the systems. The electronic properties are modified when the amplitude of the curvature of the sheet increases, which induces Van Hove singularities of the electronic Density of States to approach the Fermi energy. The highly curved system exhibits coexisting flat and linear dispersions close to the Fermi level, which is a promising feature for thermoelectric applications. We also demonstrate, through the phonon dispersion curves, that respective systems are dynamically stable within the studied range of strains/curvatures. Moreover, the flexural acoustic mode transitions from quadratic to linear dispersion under strain, mimicking the 3D behavior and enhancing phonon scattering. The increase of phonon scattering will therefore decrease the value of the lattice thermal conductivity, $κ_L$. Such results allows us to conclude that it is possible to tune $κ_L$ by applying x-y strain to the monolayer sheet, and inducing different topological curvatures. △ Less

Submitted 13 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Comments: 14 pages, 8 main figures and 3 supplementary figures

Quantum Hilbert Space Fragmentation and Entangled Frozen States

Authors: Zihan Zhou, Tian-Hua Yang, Bo-Ting Chen

Abstract: We find that rank deficiency of the local Hamiltonian in a classically fragmented model is the key mechanism leading to quantum Hilbert space fragmentation. The rank deficiency produces local null directions that can generate entangled frozen states (EFS): entangled states embedded in mobile classical Krylov sectors that do not evolve under Hamiltonian dynamics. When the entangled frozen subspace… ▽ More We find that rank deficiency of the local Hamiltonian in a classically fragmented model is the key mechanism leading to quantum Hilbert space fragmentation. The rank deficiency produces local null directions that can generate entangled frozen states (EFS): entangled states embedded in mobile classical Krylov sectors that do not evolve under Hamiltonian dynamics. When the entangled frozen subspace is non-empty, the mobile classical sector splits into a mobile quantum Krylov subspace and an entangled frozen subspace, and the model exhibits quantum fragmentation. We establish this mechanism in four models of increasing symmetry structure: an asymmetric qubit projector with no symmetry, the $\mathbb{Z}_2$-symmetric GHZ projector, a $\mathbb{Z}_3$-symmetric cyclic qutrit projector, and the Temperley-Lieb model. For the asymmetric and GHZ projector models, we obtain closed-form expressions for irreducible Krylov dimensions, degeneracies, and sector multiplicities. The all-mobile-sector EFS in these two models exhibits a sub-volume-law bipartite entanglement entropy scaling as $S \sim \sqrt{L}$. Further, we introduce the notion of weak and strong quantum fragmentation, the quantum counterpart of the weak-strong distinction in classical fragmentation. After removing the EFS, the mobile quantum Krylov subspace decomposes into irreducible blocks. In the weak case, the number of irreducible blocks remains $O(1)$, each is individually ergodic with Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble (GOE) level statistics, and the unresolved spectrum follows an $m$GOE distribution. In the strong case, the number of irreducible blocks grows with system size, and the gap-ratio distribution approaches Poisson as $L\to\infty$. △ Less

Submitted 27 April, 2026; v1 submitted 6 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Comments: v1: 28 pages, 4 figures; v2: 35 pages, 9 figures, add results about sub-volume-law EFS

Interstitial-Electron Altermagnetism in Two Dimensions

Authors: Xia Cheng, Yang Wu, Zhenzhou Guo, Tie Yang, Weizhen Meng, Zhenxiang Cheng, Zhi-Ming Yu, Xiaotian Wang

Abstract: Altermagnetism has so far been associated with compensated magnetic moments carried by atoms. Here we introduce Stoner instability induced interstitial-electron altermagnetism, a distinct mechanism in which altermagnetic order is carried instead by interstitial anionic electrons in electrides. We show that, owing to the quasi-nucleus-free nature of interstitial electrons, the Stoner instability in… ▽ More Altermagnetism has so far been associated with compensated magnetic moments carried by atoms. Here we introduce Stoner instability induced interstitial-electron altermagnetism, a distinct mechanism in which altermagnetic order is carried instead by interstitial anionic electrons in electrides. We show that, owing to the quasi-nucleus-free nature of interstitial electrons, the Stoner instability in electrides hosting two interstitial electrons can naturally stabilize an altermagnetic state rather than the conventional ferromagnetic one. This mechanism leads to a practical design principle for two-dimensional materials, from which we identify monolayers Zr2N and Ti2N as representative candidates. The strong sensitivity of interstitial electrons to cavity size enables efficient strain control of the altermagnetic order and a pronounced piezo-altermagnetic effect. Moreover, we investigate the evolution of the magnetism in Zr2N under ultrafast laser excitation, which exhibits dynamics distinct from those in all previously reported magnetic materials where magnetism is carried by real atoms. Our work not only offers a novel pathway to realize altermagnetism but also reveals an efficient non-magnetic route for its control. △ Less

Submitted 27 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Intrinsic Topological Weyl Phase Transition Induced by a Magnetostructural Transformation in a Kagome Magnet

Authors: Tsung-Han Yang, Satoshi Okamoto, D. Alan Tennant, Michael A. McGuire, Qiang Zhang

Abstract: Topological phase transitions provide a unique window into the interplay between structure, magnetism, and Weyl physics in magnetic Weyl semimetals. However, realizing an intrinsic Weyl phase transition between two distinct Weyl states near room temperature remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate that a magnetostructural transition effectively induces such a transition in the kagome magnet Mn… ▽ More Topological phase transitions provide a unique window into the interplay between structure, magnetism, and Weyl physics in magnetic Weyl semimetals. However, realizing an intrinsic Weyl phase transition between two distinct Weyl states near room temperature remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate that a magnetostructural transition effectively induces such a transition in the kagome magnet Mn$_3$Ga. High-resolution neutron diffraction, magnetization characterizations and first-principles calculations reveal that Mn$_3$Ga undergoes a chiral antiferromagnetic transition below 485 K, followed by a magnetostructural transition to a monoclinic structure with highly canted antiferromagnetic order near room temperature. These cooperative changes in lattice and magnetic symmetries reorganize Weyl nodes, driving a transition from a primary type-II Weyl state to a distinct Weyl state, accompanied by dramatic variations in the anomalous Hall effect and appearance of topological Hall effect. Our findings open a new pathway for discovering novel topological Weyl states and potential spintronic applications. △ Less

Submitted 20 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 38 pages, 8 figures, and one supplemental information

Journal ref: Nature communications,2026

Twist-Tuned Magnonic Nanocavity Mode in a Trilayer Moiré Superlattice

Authors: Tianyu Yang, Gianluca Gubbiotti, Marco Madami, Haiming Yu, Jilei Chen

Abstract: The concept of moiré superlattices has recently been introduced into the field of magnonics, enabling unprecedented control over spin-wave propagation and confinement in nanoscale magnonic devices. In this work, we report a numerical investigation on the nanocavity in a trilayer magnetic moiré superlattice structure consisting of antidot lattices. By tuning the middle layer twist angle, high tunab… ▽ More The concept of moiré superlattices has recently been introduced into the field of magnonics, enabling unprecedented control over spin-wave propagation and confinement in nanoscale magnonic devices. In this work, we report a numerical investigation on the nanocavity in a trilayer magnetic moiré superlattice structure consisting of antidot lattices. By tuning the middle layer twist angle, high tunability of the magnonic band structure can be achieved with characteristic flat bands and the corresponding nanocavity mode formation in outer layers. At an optimal twist angle of 3 deg, excitation at the flat band frequency yields nanocavity mode with linewidth of 175 nm. In contrast to its bilayer counterpart, the trilayer magnonic moiré superlattice exhibits antiphase nanocavity modes in the outer layers while showing no nanocavity formation in the middle layer. Our study indicates that the switching and distribution of the nanocavity modes can be governed by tuning the middle layer twist angle with a strong magnon intensity confinement. The trilayer magnonic moiré structure holds a distinct advantage in tunability, which opens up new avenues for the design of future moiré magnonic devices. △ Less

Submitted 20 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Fast readout for large scale spin-based qubits

Authors: X. Luo, B. Bertrand, H. Niebojewski, F. Martins, C. Smith, T. -Y. Yang

Abstract: In this letter, we present fast readout of Pauli spin blockade phenomena and interdot coupling tunability in a silicon double quantum dot (DQD) fabricated using industry-compatible processes. The interdot couplings are tuned with a second self-aligned gate layer. The charge sensing and spin readout are performed by using gate-based reflectometry techniques. The results pave the way for scalable fa… ▽ More In this letter, we present fast readout of Pauli spin blockade phenomena and interdot coupling tunability in a silicon double quantum dot (DQD) fabricated using industry-compatible processes. The interdot couplings are tuned with a second self-aligned gate layer. The charge sensing and spin readout are performed by using gate-based reflectometry techniques. The results pave the way for scalable fast readout of large-scale industry-standard manufactured Si spin qubit arrays. △ Less

Submitted 11 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

2D ferroelectric narrow-bandgap semiconductor Wurtzite' type alpha-In2Se3 and its silicon-compatible growth

Authors: Yuxuan Jiang, Xingkun Ning, Renhui Liu, Kepeng Song, Sajjad Ali, Haoyue Deng, Yizhuo Li, Biaohong Huang, Jianhang Qiu, Xiaofei Zhu, Zhen Fan, Qiankun Li, Chengbing Qin, Fei Xue, Teng Yang, Bing Li, Gang Liu, Weijin Hu, Lain-Jong Li, Zhidong Zhang

Abstract: 2D van der Waals ferroelectrics, particularly alpha-In2Se3, have emerged as an attractive building block for next-generation information storage technologies due to their moderate band gap and robust ferroelectricity stabilized by dipole locking. alpha-In2Se3 can adopt either the distorted zincblende or wurtzite structures; however, the wurtzite phase has yet to be experimental-ly validated, and i… ▽ More 2D van der Waals ferroelectrics, particularly alpha-In2Se3, have emerged as an attractive building block for next-generation information storage technologies due to their moderate band gap and robust ferroelectricity stabilized by dipole locking. alpha-In2Se3 can adopt either the distorted zincblende or wurtzite structures; however, the wurtzite phase has yet to be experimental-ly validated, and its large-scale synthesis poses significant challenges. Here, we report an in-situ transport growth of centimeter-scale wurtzite type alpha-In2Se3 films directly on SiO2 substrates using a process combining pulsed laser deposition and chemical vapor deposition. We demonstrate that it is a narrow bandgap ferroelectric semiconductor, featuring a Curie tem-perature exceeding 620 K, a tunable bandgap (0.8-1.6 eV) modulated by charged domain walls, and a large optical absorption coefficient of 1.3 times 10 powers 6 per centemeter. Moreover, light absorption promotes the dynamic conductance range, linearity, and symmetry of the synapse devices, leading to a high recognition accuracy of 92.3 percent in a supervised pattern classification task for neuromorphic computing. Our findings demonstrate a ferroelectric polymorphism of In2Se3, highlighting its potential in ferroelectric synapses for neuromorphic computing. △ Less

Submitted 9 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: 29 pages, 5 figures, 1 table

MSC Class: 82

Journal ref: Nature Communications 16, 7364 (2025)

Atomic-Scale Insights into Solute Drag Effects on Grain Boundary Motion in Mg-Al and Mg-Ca Alloys

Authors: Zhishun Chen, Shudong He, Shuai Zhang, Xiaohan Bie, Zhuoming Xie, Tengfei Yang, Wangyu Hu, Huiqiu Deng, Shiwei Xu, Zhuoran Zeng, Jie Hou

Abstract: The slip behavior of dislocations and grain boundaries critically governs recrystallization and plastic deformation in Mg alloys and can be strongly influenced by solutes. However, the quantitative effects of solute distribution on defect mobility remain unclear. Using molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, we systematically investigate how Al and Ca solutes affect the motion of dislocati… ▽ More The slip behavior of dislocations and grain boundaries critically governs recrystallization and plastic deformation in Mg alloys and can be strongly influenced by solutes. However, the quantitative effects of solute distribution on defect mobility remain unclear. Using molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, we systematically investigate how Al and Ca solutes affect the motion of dislocations, low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs), and high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) in Mg. Within the idealized framework of random solid-solution, solute drag is dominated by elastic interactions arising from atomic size mismatch, resulting in a stronger resistance from Ca than from Al. In contrast, under the more realistic condition where solute segregation occurs, the dominant mechanism shifts to chemically driven pinning, whose effectiveness is governed by the attainable segregation density. Owing to strong Ca-Ca repulsion, Al achieves substantially higher segregation concentrations than Ca and therefore exerts much stronger pinning effects. Notably, solute-induced retardation is significantly more pronounced for HAGBs than for LAGBs, leading to amplified solute effects during the late stages of recrystallization, where grain growth is controlled primarily by HAGB migration. These results provide atomic-scale insight into experimentally observed grain refinement in Mg alloys. △ Less

Submitted 22 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: 27 pages, 13 figures

Chemical heterogeneity at conducting ferroelectric domain walls

Authors: Kasper A. Hunnestad, Guo-Dong Zhao, Mao-Hua Zhang, Tiannan Yang, Elzbieta Gradauskaite, Antonius T. J. van Helvoort, Morgan Trassin, Long-Qing Chen, Tadej Rojac, Dennis Meier

Abstract: Natural interfaces in ferroic oxides have developed into versatile playgrounds for studying electronic correlation effects in 2D systems. The microscopic origin of the emergent local electronic properties is often debated, however, as quantitative atomic-scale characterization remains challenging. A prime example is enhanced conductivity at ferroelectric domain walls, attributed to mechanisms rang… ▽ More Natural interfaces in ferroic oxides have developed into versatile playgrounds for studying electronic correlation effects in 2D systems. The microscopic origin of the emergent local electronic properties is often debated, however, as quantitative atomic-scale characterization remains challenging. A prime example is enhanced conductivity at ferroelectric domain walls, attributed to mechanisms ranging from local band gap reduction to point defect accumulations. Here, we resolve the microscopic mechanisms for domain wall conduction in the ferroelectric model system BiFeO3, by combining transport measurements with atom probe tomography to quantify the local chemical composition and correlate it with the electrical properties. Significant chemical variations along the walls are observed, demonstrating an outstanding chemical flexibility at domain walls, which manifest in spatially varying physical properties. The results give a unifying explanation for the diverse electronic behavior observed and establish the fundamental notion that multiple conduction mechanisms can coexist within individual domain walls. △ Less

Submitted 10 March, 2026; v1 submitted 14 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: 14 pager, 4 main figures, supplementary information at the back

Probing quantum critical crossover via impurity renormalization group

Authors: Tao Yang, Z. Y. Xie, Rui Wang, Baigeng Wang

Abstract: Quantum impurities can host exotic many-body states that serve as sensitive probes of bath correlations. However, quantitative and non-perturbative methods for determining impurity thermodynamics in such settings remain scarce. Here, we introduce an impurity renormalization group approach that merges the tensor-network representation with the numerical renormalization group cutoff scheme. This met… ▽ More Quantum impurities can host exotic many-body states that serve as sensitive probes of bath correlations. However, quantitative and non-perturbative methods for determining impurity thermodynamics in such settings remain scarce. Here, we introduce an impurity renormalization group approach that merges the tensor-network representation with the numerical renormalization group cutoff scheme. This method overcomes conventional limitations by treating bath correlations and impurity interactions on an equal footing. Applying our approach to the finite-temperature quantum critical regime of quantum spin systems, we uncover striking impurity-induced phenomena. In a coupled Heisenberg ladder, the impurity triggers a fractionalization of the local magnetic moment. Moreover, the derivative of the impurity susceptibility develops cusps that mark the crossover into the quantum critical regime. We also observe an exotic evolution of the spin correlation function driven by the interplay between bath correlations and the impurity. Our results demonstrate that this method can efficiently solve correlated systems with defects, opening new pathways to discovering novel impurity physics beyond those in non-interacting thermal baths. △ Less

Submitted 8 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: 15 pages total (7 pages main text + 8 pages supplement), 15 figures total (5 figures main text + 10 figures supplement)

Interfacial Polarons Driven by Charge Transfer In WSe2/Cuprate Superconductor Systems

Authors: Huimin Liu, Tong Yang, Xiongfang Liu, Shengwei Zeng, Muhammad Fauzi Sahdan, Wenjun Wu, Shuo Sun, Tengyu Jin, Chuanbing Cai, Ariando Ariando, Mark B. H. Breese, Wenjing Zhang, Andrew T. S. Wee, Chi Sin Tang, Ming Yang, Xinmao Yin

Abstract: Understanding the electronic properties of doped copper-oxygen planes remains a significant challenge in condensed matter physics and is crucial to unraveling the mechanisms behind high-temperature superconductivity in cuprates. Recently, the observation of charge transfer and interfacial polarons in superconducting interface has aroused extensive research interest. However, experimental data to i… ▽ More Understanding the electronic properties of doped copper-oxygen planes remains a significant challenge in condensed matter physics and is crucial to unraveling the mechanisms behind high-temperature superconductivity in cuprates. Recently, the observation of charge transfer and interfacial polarons in superconducting interface has aroused extensive research interest. However, experimental data to investigate charge transfer on the CuO2 plane and the presence of polarons are still missing. Here we conduct extensive research on the optical and electronic properties of two-dimensional material supported on copper-based superconductors. Unlike monolayer-WSe2 on other substrates, monolayer-WSe2 on La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 (WSe2/LSCO) produces a special band structure. Using high-resolution spectroscopic ellipsometry and density functional theory calculation methods, the special electronic structure can be attributed to the formation of the interfacial small polaron at the WSe2/LSCO interface which is driven by charge transfer between the CuO2 plane of the cuprate superconductor and WSe2. In addition, the structural phase transition of the LSCO substrate was observed to reduce the electron-hole (e-h) interaction of WSe2. These findings may spur future investigations on the effect of the interfacial polaron on the superconductivity of cuprates, and highlight the significant influence of interface effects on the electronic structure of WSe2 films. It provides an effective method to further explore the intrinsic relationship between interfacial polarons and superconductivity. △ Less

Submitted 22 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 11 pages, 4 figures. This is the accepted manuscript (post-print) version of the article published in ACS Nano. The final published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c05277. Copyright 2025 American Chemical Society

Journal ref: ACS Nano,19(26),23908-23918,2025

Scattering Problem in Bose-Einstein Condensates with Magnetic Domain Wall

Authors: Mei Zhao, Lijia Jiang, Tao Yang, Jun-Hui Zheng

Abstract: We present a comprehensive theoretical study of linear wave scattering from magnetic domain walls with varied twist angles $Θ$ in spin-$1/2$ Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). Using a gauge transformation, we show that scattering observables depend solely on the total twist $Θ$, independent of chirality. Within the Bogoliubov-de Gennes (BdG) framework, we develop a transfer-matrix method to compute… ▽ More We present a comprehensive theoretical study of linear wave scattering from magnetic domain walls with varied twist angles $Θ$ in spin-$1/2$ Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). Using a gauge transformation, we show that scattering observables depend solely on the total twist $Θ$, independent of chirality. Within the Bogoliubov-de Gennes (BdG) framework, we develop a transfer-matrix method to compute reflection and transmission coefficients for incident phonons and free particles. Our results reveal a scattering threshold at the Zeeman energy $E = \hbarΩ_0$, separating a pure phonon regime from multi-channel scattering involving both collective and single-particle excitations above threshold. For large twist angles, competition between kinetic and Zeeman energies reduces the effective spin rotation, leading to comb-like density modulations and Fano-like resonances below threshold. The transition probability between phonon and particle channels is strongly tunable with $Θ$, enhanced for odd multiples of $π$ but suppressed for even multiples. These findings establish twist-engineered domain walls as a versatile platform for controlling quantum transport, with implications for atomtronic devices and quantum simulation. △ Less

Submitted 8 April, 2026; v1 submitted 19 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 11 pages, 8 figures

High Fidelity Qubit Control in a Natural Si-MOS Quantum Dot using a 300 mm Silicon on Insulator Wafer

Authors: Xander Peetroons, Xunyao Luo, Tsung-Yeh Yang, Normann Mertig, Sofie Beyne, Julien Jussot, Yosuke Shimura, Clement Godfrin, Bart Raes, Ruoyu Li, Roger Loo, Sylvain Baudot, Stefan Kubicek, Shuchi Kaushik, Danny Wan, Takeru Utsugi, Takuma Kuno, Noriyuki Lee, Itaru Yanagi, Toshiyuki Mine, Satoshi Muraoka, Shinichi Saito, Digh Hisamoto, Ryuta Tsuchiya, Hiroyuki Mizuno , et al. (4 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We demonstrate high-fidelity single qubit control in a natural Si-MOS quantum dot fabricated in an industrial 300 mm wafer process on a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer using electron spin resonance. A relatively high optimal Rabi frequency of 5 MHz is achieved, dynamically decoupling the electron spin from its 29-Si environment. Tracking the qubit frequency reduces the impact of low frequency noi… ▽ More We demonstrate high-fidelity single qubit control in a natural Si-MOS quantum dot fabricated in an industrial 300 mm wafer process on a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer using electron spin resonance. A relatively high optimal Rabi frequency of 5 MHz is achieved, dynamically decoupling the electron spin from its 29-Si environment. Tracking the qubit frequency reduces the impact of low frequency noise in the qubit frequency and improves the $T^{Rabi}$ from 7 to 11 $μ$s at a Rabi frequency of 5 MHz, resulting in Q-factors exceeding 50. Randomized benchmarking returns an average single gate control fidelity of 99.5 $\pm$ 0.3%. As a result of pulse-area calibration, this fidelity is limited by the Rabi Q-factor. These results show that a fast Rabi frequency, low charge noise, and a feedback protocol enable high fidelity in these Si-MOS devices, despite the low-frequency magnetic noise. △ Less

Submitted 4 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 13 pages, 9 figures

Many-body electronic structure in pyrochlore superconductor CsBi2 and spin liquid Pr2Ir2O7

Authors: Wei Song, Guowei Liu, Hanbin Deng, Tianyu Yang, Yongkai Li, Xiao-Yu Yan, Ruoxing Liao, Qianming Wang, Jiayu Xu, Chao Yan, Yuanyuan Zhao, Hailang Qin, Da Wang, Wenchuan Jing, Dawei Shen, Kosuke Nakayama, Takafumi Sato, Chandan Setty, Desheng Wu, Boqing Song, Tianping Ying, Zhaoming Tian, Akito Sakai, Satoru Nakatsuji, Harish Kumar , et al. (4 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The pyrochlore lattice materials can exhibit geometrical frustration, while the related many-body electronic states remain elusive. In this work, we performed scanning tunneling microscopy measurements on the pyrochlore superconductor CsBi2 and spin liquid Pr2Ir2O7 at 0.3 K. For the first time, we obtained atomically resolved images of their (111) surfaces, revealing a hexagonal lattice or a kagom… ▽ More The pyrochlore lattice materials can exhibit geometrical frustration, while the related many-body electronic states remain elusive. In this work, we performed scanning tunneling microscopy measurements on the pyrochlore superconductor CsBi2 and spin liquid Pr2Ir2O7 at 0.3 K. For the first time, we obtained atomically resolved images of their (111) surfaces, revealing a hexagonal lattice or a kagome lattice. Tunneling spectroscopy in CsBi2 reveals a nearly fully opened superconductivity gap. The ratio of 2Δ/kBTC = 4.7 suggests relatively strong coupling superconductivity, as compared with that in kagome superconductors AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, Cs). In contrast to the previous study categorizing CsBi2 as a type-I superconductor, the applied magnetic field induces a hexagonal vortex lattice in which each vortex core exhibits an intriguing three-fold symmetry state. In Pr2Ir2O7, we observed a spatially homogeneous Kondo-lattice resonance, which is compared with that in the kagome Kondo-lattice material CsCr6Sb6. We further discover that the Kondo resonance exhibits a spatial modulation with three-fold symmetry, and the applied magnetic field induces a Zeeman splitting of the Kondo resonance with intriguing atomic site dependence. We discuss the relations of these many-body electronic phenomena with the pyrochlore lattice geometry and its charge or spin frustration. Our systematic observations offer atomic-scale insights into the many-body electronic structures of the geometrically frustrated pyrochlore superconductors and spin liquids. △ Less

Submitted 22 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: To appear in PRB

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. B 112, 245131 2025

In-Plane Field induced Quantized Longitudinal Conductivity in Magnetic Topological Insulators

Authors: Ting-Hsun Yang, Yaochen Li, Peng Zhang, Penghao Zhu, Hung-Yu Yang, Eun Sang Choi, Kaiwei Chen, Wenqiang Cui, Kin Wong, Peng Deng, Gang Qiu, Kang L. Wang

Abstract: We report the discovery of an in plane quantization (IPQ) state in trilayer magnetic topological insulators, characterized by a quantized longitudinal conductivity of e2/h under strong in-plane magnetic fields. This state emerges at a quantum critical point separating quantum anomalous Hall phases tuned by field angle and orientation, directly linking gap-closing behavior to quantized criticality.… ▽ More We report the discovery of an in plane quantization (IPQ) state in trilayer magnetic topological insulators, characterized by a quantized longitudinal conductivity of e2/h under strong in-plane magnetic fields. This state emerges at a quantum critical point separating quantum anomalous Hall phases tuned by field angle and orientation, directly linking gap-closing behavior to quantized criticality. Temperature and gate dependent transport measurements, supported by a self consistent approximation model, reveal that electron hole puddles dominate charge transport in this regime, highlighting the essential role of impurity disorder in stabilizing quantized critical transport. These findings establish a tunable experimental framework that connects gap-closing physics with universal conductivity, offering both microscopic insight into critical transport in magnetic topological insulators and a robust platform for probing quantum criticality in topological systems. △ Less

Submitted 6 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Determination of ground states of one-dimensional quantum systems using the cluster iTEBD method

Authors: Tao Yang, Rui Wang, Z. Y. Xie, Baigeng Wang

Abstract: Within the framework of imaginary-time evolution for matrix product states, we introduce a cluster version of the infinite time-evolving block decimation algorithm for simulating quantum many-body systems, addressing the computational accuracy challenges in strongly correlated physics. By redefining the wave-function ansatz to incorporate multiple physical degrees of freedom, we enhance the repres… ▽ More Within the framework of imaginary-time evolution for matrix product states, we introduce a cluster version of the infinite time-evolving block decimation algorithm for simulating quantum many-body systems, addressing the computational accuracy challenges in strongly correlated physics. By redefining the wave-function ansatz to incorporate multiple physical degrees of freedom, we enhance the representation of entanglement, thereby improving the accuracy of the ground states. Utilizing the Trotter-Suzuki decomposition and optimized truncation schemes, our method maintains roughly the same computational complexity while capturing more quantum correlations. We apply this approach to three nontrivial cases: the gapless spin-1/2 Heisenberg chain, the spin-1 anisotropic XXZD chain with a higher-order Gaussian-type phase transition, and a spin-1/2 twisted triangular prism hosting a magnetic plateau phase. Improved accuracy in physical quantities, such as magnetization, ground-state energy, and entanglement entropy, has been demonstrated. This method provides a scalable framework for studying complex quantum systems with high precision, making it suitable for situations where a pure increase in bond dimension alone cannot guarantee satisfactory results. △ Less

Submitted 29 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. B 112, 085142(2025)

Chiral Altermagnetic Magnetoelectrics

Authors: Chengwu Xie, Weizhen Meng, Zhenzhou Guo, Xiaodong Zhou, Shifeng Qian, Tie Yang, Wenhong Wang, Zhenxiang Cheng, Xiaotian Wang

Abstract: In this work, we introduce a new class of chiral altermagnetic magnetoelectrics in structurally chiral, nonpolar altermagnetic systems and identify the experimentally well-characterized three-dimensional metal-organic framework K[Co(HCOO)$_3$] as a promising material platform. K[Co(HCOO)$_3$] exhibits chirality-locked \emph{g}-wave altermagnetic spin splitting together with dual-mode switchable el… ▽ More In this work, we introduce a new class of chiral altermagnetic magnetoelectrics in structurally chiral, nonpolar altermagnetic systems and identify the experimentally well-characterized three-dimensional metal-organic framework K[Co(HCOO)$_3$] as a promising material platform. K[Co(HCOO)$_3$] exhibits chirality-locked \emph{g}-wave altermagnetic spin splitting together with dual-mode switchable electric polarization controlled by Néel-vector reorientation and structural chirality. Specifically, Néel-vector reorientation generates a finite electric polarization and reverses its sign, whereas chirality switching between left- and right-handed enantiomers produces an additional sign reversal. The associated electronic and optical responses provide effective readout channels for these switchable states. Our results establish chiral altermagnetic magnetoelectrics as a promising route to chirality- and Néel-vector-controlled nonvolatile multifunctional spintronics. △ Less

Submitted 20 April, 2026; v1 submitted 18 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 7 pages, 5 figures

Orthorhombic nitride perovskite CeTaN3-δ with switchable and robust ferroelectric polarization

Authors: Guozhu Song, Xiangliang Zheng, Xiaodong Yao, Xuefeng Zhou, Chao Gu, Qinghua Zhang, Jian Chen, Chenglu Huang, Tiancheng Yang, Leiming Fang, Ping Miao, Lingxiang Bao, Wen Yin, Xiaohui Yu, Jinlong Zhu, Wei Bao, Yusheng Zhao, Erjia Guo, Shanmin Wang

Abstract: Perovskite-type ternary nitrides with predicted exciting ferroelectricity and many other outstanding properties hold great promise to be an emerging class of advanced ferroelectrics for manufacturing diverse technologically important devices. However, such nitride ferroelectrics have not yet been experimentally identified, mainly due to the challenging sample synthesis by traditional methods at am… ▽ More Perovskite-type ternary nitrides with predicted exciting ferroelectricity and many other outstanding properties hold great promise to be an emerging class of advanced ferroelectrics for manufacturing diverse technologically important devices. However, such nitride ferroelectrics have not yet been experimentally identified, mainly due to the challenging sample synthesis by traditional methods at ambient pressure. Here we report the successful high-pressure synthesis of a high-quality ferroelectric nitride perovskite of CeTaN3-δ with nitrogen deficiency, adopting an orthorhombic Pmn21 polar structure. This material is electrically insulating and exhibits switchable and robust electric polarization for producing ferroelectricity. Furthermore, a number of other extraordinary properties are also revealed in this nitride such as excellent mechanical properties and chemical inertness, which would make it practically useful for many device-relevant applications and fundamentally important for the study of condensed-matter physics. △ Less

Submitted 29 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Sensitive infrared surface photovoltage in quasi-equilibrium in a layered semiconductor at low-intensity low-temperature condition

Authors: Qiang Wan, Keming Zhao, Guohao Dong, Enting Li, Tianyu Yang, Hao Wang, Yaobo Huang, Yao Wen, Yiwei Li, Jun He, Youguo Shi, Hong Ding, Nan Xu

Abstract: Benefit to layer-dependent bandgap, van der Waals materials with surface photovoltaic effect (SPV) enable photodetection over a tunable wavelength range with low power consumption. However, sensitive SPV in the infrared region, especially in a quasi-steady illumination condition, is still elusive in layered semiconductors. Here, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we report a sensitiv… ▽ More Benefit to layer-dependent bandgap, van der Waals materials with surface photovoltaic effect (SPV) enable photodetection over a tunable wavelength range with low power consumption. However, sensitive SPV in the infrared region, especially in a quasi-steady illumination condition, is still elusive in layered semiconductors. Here, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we report a sensitive SPV in quasi-equilibrium in NbSi0.5Te2, with photoresponsivity up to 2.4*10^6 V/(W*cm^(-2)) at low intensity low temperature condition (LILT). The sensitive SPV is further confirmed by observing the Dember effect, where the photogenerated carrier density is high enough and diffusion currents suppress SPV. Temperature-dependent measurements indicate that intrinsic carriers freezing at low temperature leads to the ultrahigh photoresponse, while a small amount of photon-generated carriers in quasi-equilibrium dominate the system. Our work not only provides a promising layered semiconductor for Infrared optoelectronic devices with strong infrared SPV at LILT, which has application potential in fields such as quantum information and deep-space exploration, but also paves a novel way to enhance light-matter interaction effect by freezing bulk carriers. △ Less

Submitted 10 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 16 pages, 4 figures

Index Theorem and Vortex Kinetics in Bose-Einstein Condensates on a Haldane Sphere with a Magnetic Monopole

Authors: Xi-Yu Chen, Lijia Jiang, Tao Yang, Jun-Hui Zheng

Abstract: The geometry-gauge interplay constitutes a fundamental issue in quantum physics, with profound implications spanning from quantum gravity to topological matter. Here, we investigate the dynamic effects of geometry-gauge interplay in Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) on a Haldane sphere with a magnetic monopole. We reveal an index theorem that establishes a correspondence between BEC vortices and th… ▽ More The geometry-gauge interplay constitutes a fundamental issue in quantum physics, with profound implications spanning from quantum gravity to topological matter. Here, we investigate the dynamic effects of geometry-gauge interplay in Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) on a Haldane sphere with a magnetic monopole. We reveal an index theorem that establishes a correspondence between BEC vortices and the topology of the gauge field, enabling the construction of vortex-monopole composites. Furthermore, we derive the universal logarithmic interaction between composites, which governs the structure of the ground-state vortex lattice. By developing a kinetic theory, we predict scale-invariant vortex dynamics and an emergent duality. Both are confirmed through numerical simulations. This work first presents the dynamical coupling mechanism between spatial geometry and gauge fields, providing deep insights into superfluid systems with topological gauge structures in curved space. △ Less

Submitted 4 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, 3 figures

Topological Mixed States: Phases of Matter from Axiomatic Approaches

Authors: Tai-Hsuan Yang, Bowen Shi, Jong Yeon Lee

Abstract: For closed quantum systems, topological orders are understood through the equivalence classes of ground states of gapped local Hamiltonians. The generalization of this conceptual paradigm to open quantum systems, however, remains elusive, often relying on operational definitions without fundamental principles. Here, we fill this gap by proposing an approach based on three axioms: ($i$) local recov… ▽ More For closed quantum systems, topological orders are understood through the equivalence classes of ground states of gapped local Hamiltonians. The generalization of this conceptual paradigm to open quantum systems, however, remains elusive, often relying on operational definitions without fundamental principles. Here, we fill this gap by proposing an approach based on three axioms: ($i$) local recoverability, ($ii$) absence of long-range correlations, and ($iii$) spatial uniformity. States that satisfy these axioms are fixed points; requiring the axioms only after coarse-graining promotes each fixed point to an equivalence class, i.e., a phase, presenting the first step towards the axiomatic classification of mixed-state phases of matter: mixed-state bootstrap program. From these axioms, a rich set of topological data naturally emerges; importantly, these data are robust under relaxation of axioms. For example, each topological mixed state supports locally indistinguishable classical and/or quantum logical memories with distinct responses to topological operations. These data label distinct mixed-state phases, allowing one to distinguish them. We further uncover a hierarchy of secret-sharing constraints: in non-Abelian phases, reliable recovery-even of information that looks purely classical-demands a specific coordination among spatial subregions, a requirement different across non-Abelian classes. This originates from non-Abelian fusion rules that can stay robust under decoherence. Finally, we performed large-scale numerical simulations to corroborate stability: weakly decohered fixed points respect the axioms once coarse-grained. These results lay the foundation for a systematic classification of topological states in open quantum systems. △ Less

Submitted 9 October, 2025; v1 submitted 4 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 40 pages and 29 figures. Added a theoretical discussion about approximate axioms and the stability of topological invariants. See Section V and Appendix C, in particular

Integrals of motion as slow modes in dissipative many-body operator dynamics

Authors: Tian-Hua Yang, Dmitry A. Abanin

Abstract: We consider Lindbladian operator dynamics in many-body quantum systems with one or more integrals of motion (IOM), subject to weak local dissipation. We demonstrate that IOMs with small support become slow modes of these dynamics, in the sense that their Frobenius norm decays more slowly compared to generic operators. As a result, the eigenoperators of such Lindbladians with slowest decay rates ha… ▽ More We consider Lindbladian operator dynamics in many-body quantum systems with one or more integrals of motion (IOM), subject to weak local dissipation. We demonstrate that IOMs with small support become slow modes of these dynamics, in the sense that their Frobenius norm decays more slowly compared to generic operators. As a result, the eigenoperators of such Lindbladians with slowest decay rates have a large overlap with the IOMs of the underlying Hamiltonian. We demonstrate this correspondence between slow modes and IOMs numerically for a number of many-body models, and further corroborate it with perturbative arguments. These results open up a new method for the identification of IOMs, and provide insights into the dissipative many-body dynamics. △ Less

Submitted 25 August, 2025; v1 submitted 3 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. B 112, 094304 (2025)

QR$^2$-code: An open-source program for double resonance Raman spectra

Authors: Jianqi Huang, Renhui Liu, Ye Zhang, Nguyen Tuan Hung, Huaihong Guo, Riichiro Saito, Teng Yang

Abstract: We present an open-source program, QR$^2$-code, that computes double-resonance Raman (DRR) spectra using first-principles calculations. QR$^2$-code can calculate not only two-phonon DRR spectra but also single-resonance Raman spectra and defect-induced DRR spectra. For defect-induced DDR spectra, we simply assume that the electron-defect matrix element of elastic scattering is a constant. Hands-on… ▽ More We present an open-source program, QR$^2$-code, that computes double-resonance Raman (DRR) spectra using first-principles calculations. QR$^2$-code can calculate not only two-phonon DRR spectra but also single-resonance Raman spectra and defect-induced DRR spectra. For defect-induced DDR spectra, we simply assume that the electron-defect matrix element of elastic scattering is a constant. Hands-on tutorials for graphene are given to show how to run QR$^2$-code for single-resonance, double-resonance, and defect-induced Raman spectra. We also compare the single-resonance Raman spectra by QR$^2$-code with that by QERaman code. In QR$^2$-code, the energy dispersions of electron and phonon are taken from Quantum ESPRESSO (QE) code, and the electron-phonon matrix element is obtained from the electron-phonon Wannier (EPW) code. All codes, examples, and scripts are available on the GitHub repository. △ Less

Submitted 15 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: 13 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables

Journal ref: Comput. Phys. Commun. 320, 110005-1-12 (2026)

Terahertz-field activation of polar skyrons

Authors: Huaiyu Wang, Vladimir Stoica, Cheng Dai, Marek Paściak, Sujit Das, Tiannan Yang, Mauro A. P. Gonçalves, Jiri Kulda, Margaret R. McCarter, Anudeep Mangu, Yue Cao, Hari Padma, Utkarsh Saha, Diling Zhu, Takahiro Sato, Sanghoon Song, Mathias Hoffmann, Patrick Kramer, Silke Nelson, Yanwen Sun, Quynh Nguyen, Zhan Zhang, Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Lane Martin, Aaron M. Lindenberg , et al. (5 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Unraveling collective modes arising from coupled degrees of freedom is crucial for understanding complex interactions in solids and developing new functionalities. Unique collective behaviors emerge when two degrees of freedom, ordered on distinct length scales, interact. Polar skyrmions, three-dimensional electric polarization textures in ferroelectric superlattices, disrupt the lattice continuit… ▽ More Unraveling collective modes arising from coupled degrees of freedom is crucial for understanding complex interactions in solids and developing new functionalities. Unique collective behaviors emerge when two degrees of freedom, ordered on distinct length scales, interact. Polar skyrmions, three-dimensional electric polarization textures in ferroelectric superlattices, disrupt the lattice continuity at the nanometer scale with nontrivial topology, leading to previously unexplored collective modes. Here, using terahertz-field excitation and femtosecond x-ray diffraction, we discovered subterahertz collective modes, dubbed 'skyrons', which appear as swirling patterns of atomic displacements functioning as atomic-scale gearsets. Momentum-resolved time-domain measurements of diffuse scattering revealed an avoided crossing in the dispersion relation of skyrons. We further demonstrated that the amplitude and dispersion of skyrons can be controlled by sample temperature and electric-field bias. Atomistic simulations and dynamical phase-field modeling provided microscopic insights into the three-dimensional crystallographic and polarization dynamics. The discovery of skyrons and their coupling with terahertz fields opens avenues for ultrafast control of topological polar structures. △ Less

Submitted 1 September, 2025; v1 submitted 15 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Report number: ISSN 2041-1723

Journal ref: Nat Commun 16, 8994 (2025)

Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis correlations via non-linear Hydrodynamics

Authors: Jiaozi Wang, Ruchira Mishra, Tian-Hua Yang, Luca V. Delacrétaz, Silvia Pappalardi

Abstract: The thermalizing dynamics of many-body systems is often described through the lens of the Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis (ETH). ETH postulates that the statistical properties of observables, when expressed in the energy eigenbasis, are described by smooth functions, that also describe correlations among the matrix elements. However, the form of these functions is usually left undetermined, c… ▽ More The thermalizing dynamics of many-body systems is often described through the lens of the Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis (ETH). ETH postulates that the statistical properties of observables, when expressed in the energy eigenbasis, are described by smooth functions, that also describe correlations among the matrix elements. However, the form of these functions is usually left undetermined, constituting a key missing component of the ETH framework. In this work, we investigate the structure of such smooth functions by focusing on their Fourier transform, recently identified as free cumulants. Using non-linear hydrodynamics, we provide a prediction for the universal scaling of the late-time behavior of time-ordered free cumulants in the thermodynamic limit. The prediction is further corroborated by large-scale numerical simulations of several non-integrable one-dimensional spin models which exhibit diffusive transport behavior. Good agreement is observed in both infinite and finite-temperature regimes and for a collection of local observables. Our results indicate that the smooth multi-point correlation functions within the ETH framework admit a universal hydrodynamic description at low frequencies. △ Less

Submitted 17 March, 2026; v1 submitted 11 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: 14 pages, 15 figures

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 130402 (2026)

Flexible Perovskite/Silicon Monolithic Tandem Solar Cells Approaching 30% Efficiency

Authors: Yinqing Sun, Faming Li, Hao Zhang, Wenzhu Liu, Zenghui Wang, Lin Mao, Qian Li, Youlin He, Tian Yang, Xianggang Sun, Yicheng Qian, Yinyi Ma, Liping Zhang, Junlin Du, Jianhua Shi, Guangyuan Wang, Anjun Han, Na Wang, Fanying Meng, Zhengxin Liu, Mingzhen Liu

Abstract: Thanks to their excellent properties of low cost, lightweight, portability, and conformity, flexible perovskite-based tandem solar cells show great potentials for energy harvesting applications, with flexible perovskite/c-silicon tandem solar cells particularly promising for achieving high efficiency. However, performance of flexible perovskite/c-silicon monolithic tandem solar cells still greatly… ▽ More Thanks to their excellent properties of low cost, lightweight, portability, and conformity, flexible perovskite-based tandem solar cells show great potentials for energy harvesting applications, with flexible perovskite/c-silicon tandem solar cells particularly promising for achieving high efficiency. However, performance of flexible perovskite/c-silicon monolithic tandem solar cells still greatly lags, due to challenges in simultaneously achieving both efficient photocarrier transport and reliable mitigation of residual stress. Here, we reveal the critical role of perovskite phase homogeneity, for achieving high-efficient and mechanical-stable flexible perovskite/c-silicon heterojunction monolithic tandem solar cells (PSTs) with textured surface. Through ensuring high phase homogeneity, which promotes charge transfer across all facets of the pyramid on the textured substrates and releases the residual stress at the perovskite/c-silicon interface, we demonstrate flexible PSTs with a bending curvature of 0.44 cm-1, and a certified power conversion efficiency of 29.88% (1.04 cm2 aperture area), surpassing all other types of flexible perovskite-based photovoltaic devices. Our results can lead to broad applications and commercialization of flexible perovskite/c-silicon tandem photovoltaics. △ Less

Submitted 29 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Journal ref: Nature Communications 2025

Manipulating magnetization by orbital current from a light metal Ti

Authors: Dongxing Zheng, Jingkai Xu, Fatimah Alsayafi, Sachin Krishnia, Dongwook Go, Duc Tran, Tao Yang, Yan Li, Yinchang Ma, Chen Liu, Meng Tang, Aitian Chen, Hanin Algaidi, Hao Wu, Kai Liu, Yuriy Mokrousov, Mathias Kläui, Udo Schwingenschlögl, Xixiang Zhang

Abstract: The orbital Hall effect, which does not rely on the spin-orbit coupling, has recently emerged as a promising mechanism for electrically manipulating magnetization in thin-film ferromagnets. Despite its potential, direct experimental observation of magnetization switching driven by orbital currents has been challenging, primarily because there is no direct exchange coupling between orbital angular… ▽ More The orbital Hall effect, which does not rely on the spin-orbit coupling, has recently emerged as a promising mechanism for electrically manipulating magnetization in thin-film ferromagnets. Despite its potential, direct experimental observation of magnetization switching driven by orbital currents has been challenging, primarily because there is no direct exchange coupling between orbital angular momentum and local spin based magnetic moments. In this study, we present a compensated design to directly probe the contribution of orbital currents in the most promising light metal titanium (Ti), where symmetric layer structures allow zeroing out of the net spin current. By varying the thickness of the Ti layer in Ti(t)/Pt/Co/Pt/Co/Pt multilayers, we demonstrate the ability to control the magnetization switching polarity. We deduce the orbital charge conversion efficiency of the Ti layer to be approximately 0.17. These findings not only confirm the presence of the orbital Hall effect in Ti but also suggest that orbital currents may be promising candidates for developing energy-efficient magnetic devices with enhanced performance and scalability. △ Less

Submitted 6 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Fully-gapped superconductivity with rotational symmetry breaking in pressurized kagome metal CsV$_3$Sb$_5$

Authors: X. Y. Feng, Z. Zhao, J. Luo, Y. Z. Zhou, J. Yang, A. F. Fang, H. T. Yang, H. -J. Gao, R. Zhou, Guo-qing Zheng

Abstract: The discovery of the kagome metal CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ has generated significant interest in its complex physical properties, particularly its superconducting behavior under different pressures, though its nature remains debated. Here, we performed low-temperature, high-pressure $^{121/123}$Sb nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements to explore the superconducting pairing symmetry in CsV$_3$Sb… ▽ More The discovery of the kagome metal CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ has generated significant interest in its complex physical properties, particularly its superconducting behavior under different pressures, though its nature remains debated. Here, we performed low-temperature, high-pressure $^{121/123}$Sb nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements to explore the superconducting pairing symmetry in CsV$_3$Sb$_5$. At ambient pressure, we found that the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/$T_1$ exhibits a kink at $T \sim$ 0.4 $T_\textrm{c}$ within the superconducting state and follows a $T^3$ variation as temperature further decreases. This suggests the presence of two superconducting gaps with line nodes in the smaller one. As pressure increases beyond $P_{\rm c} \sim 1.85$ GPa, where the charge-density wave phase is completely suppressed, 1/$T_1$ shows no Hebel-Slichter peak just below $T_\textrm{c}$, and decreases rapidly, even faster than $T^5$, indicating that the gap is fully opened for pressures above $P_{\rm c}$. In this high pressure region, the angular dependence of the in-plane upper critical magnetic field $H_{\rm c2}$ breaks the $C_6$ rotational symmetry. We propose the $s+id$ pairing at $P > P_{\rm c}$ which explains both the 1/$T_1$ and $H_{\rm c2}$ behaviors. Our findings indicate that CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ is an unconventional superconductor and its superconducting state is even more exotic at high pressures. △ Less

Submitted 2 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 25 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Nature Communications

Journal ref: Nat. Commun. 16, 3643 (2025)

Synthesis-related nanoscale defects in Mo-based Janus monolayers revealed by cross-correlated AFM and TERS imaging

Authors: Tianyi Zhang, Andrey Krayev, Tilo H. Yang, Nannan Mao, Lauren Hoang, Zhien Wang, Hongwei Liu, Yu-Ren Peng, Yunyue Zhu, Eleonora Isotta, Maria E. Kira, Ariete Righi, Marcos A. Pimenta, Yu-Lun Chueh, Eric Pop, Andrew J. Mannix, Jing Kong

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising candidates for various applications in non-linear optics, energy harvesting, and catalysis. These materials are usually synthesized via chemical conversion of pristine TMDs. Nanometer-scale characterization of the obtained Janus materials' morphology and local composition is crucial for both the synthesis optimization… ▽ More Two-dimensional (2D) Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising candidates for various applications in non-linear optics, energy harvesting, and catalysis. These materials are usually synthesized via chemical conversion of pristine TMDs. Nanometer-scale characterization of the obtained Janus materials' morphology and local composition is crucial for both the synthesis optimization and the future device applications. In this work, we present a cross-correlated atomic force microscopy (AFM) and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) study of Janus $\mathrm{Mo}_{\mathrm{Se}}^{\mathrm{S}}$ and Janus $\mathrm{Mo}_{\mathrm{S}}^{\mathrm{Se}}$ monolayers synthesized by the hydrogen plasma-assisted chemical conversion of $\mathrm{MoSe}_2$ and $\mathrm{MoS}_2$, respectively. We demonstrate how the choice of the growth substrate and the starting TMD affects the morphology of the resulting Janus material. Furthermore, by employing TERS imaging, we demonstrate the presence of nanoscale islands (~20 nm across) of $\mathrm{MoSe}_2$-$\mathrm{Mo}_{\mathrm{Se}}^{\mathrm{S}}$ ($\mathrm{MoS}_2$-$\mathrm{Mo}_{\mathrm{S}}^{\mathrm{Se}}$) vertical heterostructures originating from the bilayer nanoislands in the precursor monolayer crystals. The understanding of the origins of nanoscale defects in Janus TMDs revealed in our study can help with further optimization of the Janus conversion process towards uniform and wrinkle-/crack-free Janus materials. Moreover, our work shows that cross-correlated AFM and TERS imaging is a powerful and accessible method for studying nanoscale composition and defects in Janus TMD monolayers. △ Less

Submitted 28 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Weyl Fermion Manipulation through Magnetic Transitions in the Ferromagnetic Non-Centrosymmetric Weyl semimetal PrAlSi

Authors: K. P. Wang, W. J. Shi, W. Z. Cao, X. T. Yang, Z. Y. Lv, C. Peng, C. Chen, D. F. Liu, H. F. Yang, L. X. Yang, M. Lyu, P. J. Sun, E. K. Liu, M. Ye, Y. L. Chen, Y. Sun, Y. P. Qi, Z. K. Liu

Abstract: PrAlSi, a non-centrosymmetric ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal candidate with a Curie temperature of 17.8K, offers a unique platform for exploring the interplay of symmetry breaking and topological electronic structures. Up to now, the Weyl fermion distribution as well as their evolution across the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition in PrAlSi has not been explored. Here, we uncover the pre… ▽ More PrAlSi, a non-centrosymmetric ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal candidate with a Curie temperature of 17.8K, offers a unique platform for exploring the interplay of symmetry breaking and topological electronic structures. Up to now, the Weyl fermion distribution as well as their evolution across the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition in PrAlSi has not been explored. Here, we uncover the presence of Weyl fermions in PrAlSi and demonstrate they could be manipulated through the magnetic phase transition. Our ab-initio calculations indicate a shift in the momentum and energy positions of Weyl fermions, alongside an increase in Weyl point numbers due to band splitting. The predicted band splitting and shifting of Weyl fermions are corroborated by our angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments. Such manipulation of Weyl fermions leads to the appearance of a net chirality charge and a significant modulation in optical conductivity, as proposed by our calculations. Our research presents a novel method for adjusting the properties of Weyl semimetals by controlling Weyl fermions through magnetic phase transitions, positioning PrAlSi as a model system. △ Less

Submitted 17 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: 21 pages, 4 figures

Journal ref: Advanced Electronic Materials (2025)

Real-time edge dynamics of non-Hermitian lattices

Authors: Tian-Hua Yang, Chen Fang

Abstract: We derive the asymptotic forms of the Green's function at the open edges of general non-Hermitian band systems in all dimensions in the long-time limit, using a modified saddle-point approximation and the analytic continuation of the momentum. The edge dynamics is determined by the "dominant saddle point", a complex momentum, which, contrary to previous conjectures, may lie outside the generalized… ▽ More We derive the asymptotic forms of the Green's function at the open edges of general non-Hermitian band systems in all dimensions in the long-time limit, using a modified saddle-point approximation and the analytic continuation of the momentum. The edge dynamics is determined by the "dominant saddle point", a complex momentum, which, contrary to previous conjectures, may lie outside the generalized Brillouin zone. From this result, we obtain the effective edge Hamiltonians that evidently, as demonstrated by extensive numerical simulations, characterize the dynamics on the edges, and can be probed in real-time experiments or spectroscopies. △ Less

Submitted 7 October, 2025; v1 submitted 14 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: Code available at https://github.com/ThomasYangth/NHWP-SP

Journal ref: Physical Review Letters 135, 186401 (2025)

Pressure Tuning of Layer-hybridized Excitons in Trilayer WSe2

Authors: Xuan Zhao, Jing Song, Wenqi Xiong, Qianying Hu, Yuxuan Song, Xin He, Tianzhong Yang, Song Liu, Shengjun Yuan, Hongyi Yu, Yang Xu

Abstract: We demonstrate dynamic pressure tuning (0-6.6 GPa) of layer-hybridized excitons in AB-stacked trilayer WSe$_2$ via diamond-anvil-cell-integrated reflectance spectroscopy. Pressure-controlled interlayer coupling manifests in enhanced energy-level anti-crossings and oscillator strength redistribution, with Stark shift analysis revealing a characteristic dipole moment reduction of 11%. Notably, the h… ▽ More We demonstrate dynamic pressure tuning (0-6.6 GPa) of layer-hybridized excitons in AB-stacked trilayer WSe$_2$ via diamond-anvil-cell-integrated reflectance spectroscopy. Pressure-controlled interlayer coupling manifests in enhanced energy-level anti-crossings and oscillator strength redistribution, with Stark shift analysis revealing a characteristic dipole moment reduction of 11%. Notably, the hybridization strength between the intra- and interlayer excitons triples from $\sim$10 meV to above $\sim$30 meV, exhibiting a near-linear scaling of 3.5$\pm$0.2 meV/GPa. Spectral density simulations resolve four distinct components, i.e., intralayer ground/excited and interlayer ground/excited excitons, with their relative weights transitioning from one component dominant to strongly hybridized at higher pressures. Our findings highlight the potential for controlling excitonic properties and engineering novel optoelectronic devices through interlayer compression. △ Less

Submitted 1 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: 6 pages, 4 figures

Visualizing Nanodomain Superlattices in Halide Perovskites Giving Picosecond Quantum Transients

Authors: Dengyang Guo, Thomas A. Selby, Simon Kahmann, Sebastian Gorgon, Linjie Dai, Milos Dubajic, Terry Chien-Jen Yang, Simon M. Fairclough, Thomas Marsh, Ian E. Jacobs, Baohu Wu, Renjun Guo, Satyawan Nagane, Tiarnan A. S. Doherty, Kangyu Ji, Cheng Liu, Yang Lu, Taeheon Kang, Capucine Mamak, Jian Mao, Peter Müller-Buschbaum, Henning Sirringhaus, Paul A. Midgley, Samuel D. Stranks

Abstract: The high optoelectronic quality of halide perovskites lends them to be utilized in optoelectronic devices and recently in emerging quantum emission applications. Advancements in perovskite nanomaterials have led to the discovery of processes in which luminescence decay times are sub-100 picoseconds, stimulating the exploration of even faster radiative rates for advanced quantum applications, which… ▽ More The high optoelectronic quality of halide perovskites lends them to be utilized in optoelectronic devices and recently in emerging quantum emission applications. Advancements in perovskite nanomaterials have led to the discovery of processes in which luminescence decay times are sub-100 picoseconds, stimulating the exploration of even faster radiative rates for advanced quantum applications, which have only been prominently realised in III-V materials grown through costly epitaxial growth methods. Here, we discovered ultrafast quantum transients of time scales ~2 picoseconds at low temperature in bulk formamidinium lead iodide films grown through scalable solution or vapour approaches. Using a multimodal strategy, combining ultrafast spectroscopy, optical and electron microscopy, we show that these transients originate from quantum tunnelling in nanodomain superlattices. The outcome of the transient decays, photoluminescence, mirrors the photoabsorption of the states, with an ultra-narrow linewidth at low temperature as low as <2 nm (~4 meV). Localized correlation of the emission and structure reveals that the nanodomain superlattices are formed by alternating ordered layers of corner sharing and face sharing octahedra. This discovery opens new applications leveraging intrinsic quantum properties and demonstrates powerful multimodal approaches for quantum investigations. △ Less

Submitted 19 February, 2025; originally announced February 2025.

Comments: Main text and supplementary information. Main text 18 pages, 4 figures. Supplementary information 47 pages, 34 figures

Non-perturbative cathodoluminescence microscopy of beam-sensitive materials

Authors: Malcolm Bogroff, Gabriel Cowley, Ariel Nicastro, David Levy, Yueh-Chun Wu, Nannan Mao, Tilo H. Yang, Tianyi Zhang, Jing Kong, Rama Vasudevan, Kyle P. Kelley, Benjamin J. Lawrie

Abstract: Cathodoluminescence microscopy is now a well-established and powerful tool for probing the photonic properties of nanoscale materials, but in many cases, nanophotonic materials are easily damaged by the electron-beam doses necessary to achieve reasonable cathodoluminescence signal-to-noise ratios. Two-dimensional materials have proven particularly susceptible to beam-induced modifications, yieldin… ▽ More Cathodoluminescence microscopy is now a well-established and powerful tool for probing the photonic properties of nanoscale materials, but in many cases, nanophotonic materials are easily damaged by the electron-beam doses necessary to achieve reasonable cathodoluminescence signal-to-noise ratios. Two-dimensional materials have proven particularly susceptible to beam-induced modifications, yielding both obstacles to high spatial-resolution measurement and opportunities for beam-induced patterning of quantum photonic systems. Here pan-sharpening techniques are applied to cathodoluminescence microscopy in order to address these challenges and experimentally demonstrate the promise of pan-sharpening for minimally-perturbative high-spatial-resolution spectrum imaging of beam-sensitive materials. △ Less

Submitted 15 December, 2024; originally announced December 2024.

Simultaneous development of antiferromagnetism and local symmetry breaking in a kagome magnet (Co$_{0.45}$Fe$_{0.55}$)Sn

Authors: Tsung-Han Yang, Shang Gao, Yuanpeng Zhang, Daniel Olds, William R. Meier, Matthew B. Stone, Brian C. Sales, Andrew D. Christianson, Qiang Zhang

Abstract: CoSn and FeSn, two kagome-lattice metals, have recently attracted significant attention as hosts of electronic flat bands and emergent physical properties. However, current understandings of their physical properties are limited to the knowledge of the average crystal structure. Here, we report the Fe-doping induced co-emergence of the antiferromagentic (AFM) order and local symmetry breaking in (… ▽ More CoSn and FeSn, two kagome-lattice metals, have recently attracted significant attention as hosts of electronic flat bands and emergent physical properties. However, current understandings of their physical properties are limited to the knowledge of the average crystal structure. Here, we report the Fe-doping induced co-emergence of the antiferromagentic (AFM) order and local symmetry breaking in (Co0.45Fe0.55)Sn. Rietveld analysis on the neutron and synchrotron x-ray diffraction data indicates A-type antiferromagnetic order with the moment pointing perpendicular to the kagome layers, associated with the anomaly in the MSn(1)2Sn(2)4 (M = Co/Fe) octahedral distortion and the lattice constant c. Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) modeling of the synchrotron x-ray total scattering results captured the subtle local orthorhombic distortion involving off-axis displacements of Sn2. Our results indicate that the stable hexagonal lattice above TN becomes unstable once the A-type AFM order is formed below TN. We argue that the local symmetry breaking has a magnetic origin and is driven by the out-of-plane magnetic exchange coupling. Our study provides comprehensive information on the crystal structure in both long-range scale and local scale, unveiling unique coupling between AFM order, octahedral distortion, and hidden local symmetry breaking. △ Less

Submitted 28 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Comments: 28 pages, 7 figures, Accepted in Journal of the American Chemical Society

Journal ref: Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2024

When can classical neural networks represent quantum states?

Authors: Tai-Hsuan Yang, Mehdi Soleimanifar, Thiago Bergamaschi, John Preskill

Abstract: A naive classical representation of an n-qubit state requires specifying exponentially many amplitudes in the computational basis. Past works have demonstrated that classical neural networks can succinctly express these amplitudes for many physically relevant states, leading to computationally powerful representations known as neural quantum states. What underpins the efficacy of such representati… ▽ More A naive classical representation of an n-qubit state requires specifying exponentially many amplitudes in the computational basis. Past works have demonstrated that classical neural networks can succinctly express these amplitudes for many physically relevant states, leading to computationally powerful representations known as neural quantum states. What underpins the efficacy of such representations? We show that conditional correlations present in the measurement distribution of quantum states control the performance of their neural representations. Such conditional correlations are basis dependent, arise due to measurement-induced entanglement, and reveal features not accessible through conventional few-body correlations often examined in studies of phases of matter. By combining theoretical and numerical analysis, we demonstrate how the state's entanglement and sign structure, along with the choice of measurement basis, give rise to distinct patterns of short- or long-range conditional correlations. Our findings provide a rigorous framework for exploring the expressive power of neural quantum states. △ Less

Submitted 30 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Comments: 37 pages, 9 figures

Magnetic Field-Induced Polar Order in Monolayer Molybdenum Disulfide Transistors

Authors: Duxing Hao, Wen-Hao Chang, Yu-Chen Chang, Wei-Tung Liu, Sheng-Zhu Ho, Chen-Hsuan Lu, Tilo H. Yang, Naoya Kawakami, Yi-Chun Chen, Ming-Hao Liu, Chun-Liang Lin, Ting-Hua Lu, Yann-Wen Lan, Nai-Chang Yeh

Abstract: In semiconducting monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (ML-TMDs), broken inversion symmetry and strong spin-orbit coupling result in spin-valley lock-in effects so that the valley degeneracy may be lifted by external magnetic fields, potentially leading to real-space structural transformation. Here, we report magnetic field (B)-induced giant electric hysteretic responses to back-gate voltage… ▽ More In semiconducting monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (ML-TMDs), broken inversion symmetry and strong spin-orbit coupling result in spin-valley lock-in effects so that the valley degeneracy may be lifted by external magnetic fields, potentially leading to real-space structural transformation. Here, we report magnetic field (B)-induced giant electric hysteretic responses to back-gate voltages in ML-MoS2 field-effect transistors (FETs) on SiO2/Si at temperatures < 20 K. The observed hysteresis increases with |B| up to 12 T and is tunable by varying the temperature. Raman spectroscopic and scanning tunneling microscopic studies reveal significant lattice expansion with increasing |B| at 4.2 K, and this lattice expansion becomes asymmetric in ML-MoS2 FETs on rigid SiO2/Si substrates, leading to out-of-plane mirror symmetry breaking and the emergence of a tunable out-of-plane ferroelectric-like polar order. This broken symmetry-induced polarization in ML-MoS2 shows typical ferroelectric butterfly hysteresis in piezo-response force microscopy, adding ML-MoS2 to the single-layer material family that exhibit out-of-plane polar order-induced ferroelectricity, which is promising for such technological applications as cryo-temperature ultracompact non-volatile memories, memtransistors, and ultrasensitive magnetic field sensors. Moreover, the polar effect induced by asymmetric lattice expansion may be further generalized to other ML-TMDs and achieved by nanoscale strain engineering of the substrate without magnetic fields. △ Less

Submitted 27 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Journal ref: Adv. Mater. 36 (2024) 2411393

Perspective: imaging atomic step geometry to determine surface terminations of kagome materials and beyond

Authors: Guowei Liu, Tianyu Yang, Yu-Xiao Jiang, Shafayat Hossain, Hanbin Deng, M. Zahid Hasan, Jia-Xin Yin

Abstract: Here we review scanning tunneling microscopy research on the surface determination for various types of kagome materials, including 11-type (CoSn, FeSn, FeGe), 32-type (Fe3Sn2), 13-type (Mn3Sn), 135-type (AV3Sb5, A = K, Rb, Cs), 166-type (TbMn6Sn6, YMn6Sn6 and ScV6Sn6), and 322-type (Co3Sn2S2 and Ni3In2Se2). We first demonstrate that the measured step height between different surfaces typically de… ▽ More Here we review scanning tunneling microscopy research on the surface determination for various types of kagome materials, including 11-type (CoSn, FeSn, FeGe), 32-type (Fe3Sn2), 13-type (Mn3Sn), 135-type (AV3Sb5, A = K, Rb, Cs), 166-type (TbMn6Sn6, YMn6Sn6 and ScV6Sn6), and 322-type (Co3Sn2S2 and Ni3In2Se2). We first demonstrate that the measured step height between different surfaces typically deviates from the expected value of +-0.4~0.8A, which is owing to the tunneling convolution effect with electronic states and becomes a serious issue for Co3Sn2S2 where the expected Sn-S interlayer distance is 0.6A. Hence, we put forward a general methodology for surface determination as atomic step geometry imaging, which is fundamental but also experimentally challenging to locate the step and to image with atomic precision. We discuss how this method can be used to resolve the surface termination puzzle in Co3Sn2S2. This method provides a natural explanation for the existence of adatoms and vacancies, and beyond using unknown impurity states, we propose and use designer layer-selective substitutional chemical markers to confirm the validity of this method. Finally, we apply this method to determine the surface of a new kagome material Ni3In2Se2, as a cousin of Co3Sn2S2, and we image the underlying kagome geometry on the determined Se surface above the kagome layer, which directly visualizes the p-d hybridization physics. We emphasize that this general method does not rely on theory, but the determined surface identity can provide guidelines for first-principles calculations with adjustable parameters on the surface-dependent local density of states and quasi-particle interference patterns. △ Less

Submitted 29 September, 2024; originally announced September 2024.

Journal ref: Quantum Front 3, 19 (2024)

Ultrafast Charge Transfer Dynamics at the MoS$_2$/Au Interface Observed via Optical Spectroscopy under Ambient Conditions

Authors: Tao Yang, Zhipeng Huang, Stephan Sleziona, Eckart Hasselbrink, Peter Kratzer, Marika Schleberger, R. Kramer Campen, Yujin Tong

Abstract: To take advantage of the exceptional properties of atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) for advanced devices and catalysts, integration with metallic surfaces is an efficacious approach for facilitating charge carrier injection and extraction from TMDC monolayers. Light-matter interactions predominantly occur at the K point in TMDC monolayers, making the charge carrier dynamics… ▽ More To take advantage of the exceptional properties of atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) for advanced devices and catalysts, integration with metallic surfaces is an efficacious approach for facilitating charge carrier injection and extraction from TMDC monolayers. Light-matter interactions predominantly occur at the K point in TMDC monolayers, making the charge carrier dynamics at this point essential for their optimal performance. However, direct access to and comprehensive understanding of the charge carrier dynamics at the K point of TMDC monolayer on a metal substrate remains challenging. In this study, we employed azimuth- and polarization-dependent final-state sum frequency generation (FS-SFG) spectroscopy to investigate the ultrafast dynamics of charge transfer at the K point of a MoS$_2$ monolayer interfaced with an Au substrate. We observed an ultrafast injection (sub-20 fs) of photoexcited hot electrons from the Au substrate to the conduction band minimum (CBM) of the MoS$_2$ monolayer. Subsequently, driven by an internal electric field induced by charge redistribution, injected hot electrons in MoS$_2$ experience a relaxation and fast return ($\sim2$ ps) from the CBM and a trap state mediated slow return ($\sim60$ ps) process. The direct optical observation of the full electron dynamics at the K point of MoS$_2$ monolayer in ambient conditions provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of charge carrier transfer across the TMDC-metal interface, informing the design of advanced TMDC-based devices with enhanced charge transfer rates. △ Less

Submitted 24 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 16 pages, 3 figures and supplemental material

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. B 114, L051406 (2026)

Chiral pair density waves with residual Fermi arcs in RbV3Sb5

Authors: Xiao-Yu Yan, Hanbin Deng, Tianyu Yang, Guowei Liu, Wei Song, Hu Miao, Hechang Lei, Shuo Wang, Ben-Chuan Lin, Hailang Qin, Jia-Xin Yin

Abstract: The chiral 2 by 2 charge order has been reported and confirmed in the kagome superconductor RbV3Sb5, while its interplay with superconductivity remains elusive owing to its lowest superconducting transition temperature Tc of about 0.85K among the AV3Sb5 family (A=K, Rb, Cs) that severely challenges electronic spectroscopic probes. Here, utilizing dilution-refrigerator-based scanning tunneling micr… ▽ More The chiral 2 by 2 charge order has been reported and confirmed in the kagome superconductor RbV3Sb5, while its interplay with superconductivity remains elusive owing to its lowest superconducting transition temperature Tc of about 0.85K among the AV3Sb5 family (A=K, Rb, Cs) that severely challenges electronic spectroscopic probes. Here, utilizing dilution-refrigerator-based scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) down to 30mK, we observe chiral 2 by 2 pair density waves with residual Fermi arcs in RbV3Sb5. We find a superconducting gap of 150μeV with substantial residual in-gap states. The spatial distribution of this gap exhibits chiral 2 by 2 modulations, signaling a chiral pair density wave (PDW). Our quasi-particle interference imaging of the zero-energy residual states further reveals arc-like patterns. We discuss the relation of the gap modulations with the residual Fermi arcs under the space-momentum correspondence between PDW and Bogoliubov Fermi states. △ Less

Submitted 5 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: To appear in Chinese Physics Letters

Journal ref: Chin. Phys. Lett. 41, 097401 (2024)

Evidence chain for time-reversal symmetry-breaking kagome superconductivity

Authors: Hanbin Deng, Guowei Liu, Z. Guguchia, Tianyu Yang, Jinjin Liu, Zhiwei Wang, Yaofeng Xie, Sen Shao, Haiyang Ma, William Liège, Frédéric Bourdarot, Xiao-Yu Yan, Hailang Qin, C. Mielke III, R. Khasanov, H. Luetkens, Xianxin Wu, Guoqing Chang, Jianpeng Liu, Morten Holm Christensen, Andreas Kreisel, Brian Møller Andersen, Wen Huang, Yue Zhao, Philippe Bourges , et al. (3 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Superconductivity and magnetism are antagonistic quantum matter, while their intertwining has long been considered in frustrated-lattice systems1-3. In this work, we utilize scanning tunneling microscopy and muon spin resonance to discover time-reversal symmetry-breaking superconductivity in kagome metal Cs(V,Ta)3Sb5, where the Cooper pairing exhibits magnetism and is modulated by it. In the magne… ▽ More Superconductivity and magnetism are antagonistic quantum matter, while their intertwining has long been considered in frustrated-lattice systems1-3. In this work, we utilize scanning tunneling microscopy and muon spin resonance to discover time-reversal symmetry-breaking superconductivity in kagome metal Cs(V,Ta)3Sb5, where the Cooper pairing exhibits magnetism and is modulated by it. In the magnetic channel, we observe spontaneous internal magnetism in a full-gap superconducting state. Under perturbations of inverse magnetic fields, we detect a time-reversal asymmetrical interference of Bogoliubov quasi-particles at a circular vector. At this vector, the pairing gap spontaneously modulates, which is distinct from pair density waves occurring at a point vector and consistent with the theoretical proposal of unusual interference effect under time-reversal symmetry-breaking. The correlation between internal magnetism, Bogoliubov quasi-particles, and pairing modulation provides a chain of experimental clues for time-reversal symmetry-breaking kagome superconductivity. △ Less

Submitted 5 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: To appear in Nature Materials (2024)

Journal ref: Nat. Mater. 23, 1639-1644 (2024)

Chiral kagome superconductivity modulations with residual Fermi arcs in KV3Sb5 and CsV3Sb5

Authors: Hanbin Deng, Hailang Qin, Guowei Liu, Tianyu Yang, Ruiqing Fu, Zhongyi Zhang, Xianxin Wu, Zhiwei Wang, Youguo Shi, Jinjin Liu, Hongxiong Liu, Xiao-Yu Yan, Wei Song, Xitong Xu, Yuanyuan Zhao, Mingsheng Yi, Gang Xu, Hendrik Hohmann, Sofie Castro Holbæk, Matteo Dürrnage, Sen Zhou, Guoqing Chang, Yugui Yao, Qianghua Wang, Zurab Guguchia , et al. (4 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Superconductivity involving finite momentum pairing can lead to spatial gap and pair density modulations, as well as Bogoliubov Fermi states within the superconducting gap. However, the experimental realization of their intertwined relations has been challenging. Here, we detect chiral kagome superconductivity modulations with residual Fermi arcs in KV3Sb5 and CsV3Sb5 by normal and Josephson scann… ▽ More Superconductivity involving finite momentum pairing can lead to spatial gap and pair density modulations, as well as Bogoliubov Fermi states within the superconducting gap. However, the experimental realization of their intertwined relations has been challenging. Here, we detect chiral kagome superconductivity modulations with residual Fermi arcs in KV3Sb5 and CsV3Sb5 by normal and Josephson scanning tunneling microscopy down to 30mK with resolved electronic energy difference at microelectronvolt level. We observe a U-shaped superconducting gap with flat residual in-gap states. This gap exhibits chiral 2 by 2 spatial modulations with magnetic field tunable chirality, which align with the chiral 2 by 2 pair density modulations observed through Josephson tunneling. These findings demonstrate a chiral pair density wave (PDW) that breaks time-reversal symmetry. Quasiparticle interference imaging of the in-gap zero-energy states reveals segmented arcs, with high-temperature data linking them to parts of the reconstructed V d-orbital states within the charge order. The detected residual Fermi arcs can be explained by the partial suppression of these d-orbital states through an interorbital 2 by 2 PDW and thus serve as candidate Bogoliubov Fermi states. Additionally, we differentiate the observed PDW order from impurity-induced gap modulations. Our observations not only uncover a chiral PDW order with orbital-selectivity, but also illuminate the fundamental space-momentum correspondence inherent in finite momentum paired superconductivity. △ Less

Submitted 5 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: To appear in Nature (2024)

Journal ref: Nature 632, 775-781 (2024)