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arXiv · 2102.06353

Probing the evolution of electronic phase-coexistence in complex systems by terahertz radiation

G. L. Prajapati·Sarmistha Das·Rahul Dagar·V. Eswara Phanindra·D. S. Rana
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Abstract

In complex oxides, the electrons under the influence of competing energetics are the cornerstone of coexistence (or phase-separation) of two or more electronic/magnetic phases in same structural configuration. Probing of growth and evolution of such phase-coexistence state is crucial to determine the correct mechanism of related phase-transition. Here, we demonstrate the combination of terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy and DC transport as a novel strategy to probe the electronic phase-coexistence. This is demonstrated in disorder controlled phase-separated rare-earth nickelate thin films which exhibit metal-insulator transition in dc conductivity at around 180 K but lack this transition in terahertz (THz) dynamics conductivity down to low temperature. Such pronounced disparity exploits two extreme attributes: i) enormous sensitivity of THz radiation to a spatial range of its wavelength-compatible electronic inhomogeneities and ii) insensitivity to a range beyond the size of its wavelength. This feature is generic in nature (sans a photo-induced effect), depends solely on the size of insulating/metallic clusters and formulates a methodology with unique sensitivity to investigate electronic phase-coexistence and phase transition of any material system.

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G. L. Prajapati, Sarmistha Das, Rahul Dagar, V. Eswara Phanindra, D. S. Rana. 2021-02-12. Probing the evolution of electronic phase-coexistence in complex systems by terahertz radiation. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-022-00271-1

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