arXiv subjects

Alex Friedlan

Publications and source records attributed to Alex Friedlan.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Symmetry-Enforced Pair-Density Wave and Chiral Interband Superconductivity in Strongly Correlated Kagome Systems

The pair-density wave (PDW) state, characterized by Cooper pairing at finite momentum, is a long-sought superconducting phase whose possible realization in Kagome metals is particularly intriguing in the strongly correlated regime. We investigate superconductivity in the extended $t$-$J$ model on the Kagome lattice and show that the symmetry-enforced sublattice structure of the Bloch wavefunctions gives rise to a rich landscape of unconventional pairing states. When the chemical potential is tuned to a sublattice-pure ($p$-type) van Hove singularity (vHS), a PDW state inevitably emerges. Near the $m'$-type vHS, which features opposite mirror eigenvalues to the conventional $m$-type vHS, intraband chiral, uniform, and nematic pairing states compete. When further-neighbor hoppings drive the $p$- and $m'$-type vHSs towards near degeneracy, phase frustration in the interband pairing channel stabilizes a chiral interband state. Our results reveal the previously overlooked $m'$-type vHS as a distinct route to unconventional superconductivity rooted in electronic correlations and mirror-symmetry-constrained Bloch wavefunctions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Emergence of nematic loop-current bond order in Kagome metals near van Hove singularities

The recently-discovered family of Kagome metals has attracted significant interest due to reports of charge-bond order, orbital magnetism, and superconductivity. Some of these phases may exhibit time-reversal symmetry breaking. More recently, experiments have reported the emergence of nematic order that lowers the rotational symmetry of the system from sixfold to twofold. Here we investigate the mechanism behind a nematic loop-current bond order (NLCBO) that breaks both rotational and time-reversal symmetries. Examining an effective patch model that captures one $p$-type and one $m$-type van Hove singularity at each $M$ point, we find that frustration of the complex order-parameter phases leads to NLCBO. We further present conditions for overcoming other competing phases, including isotropic charge-bond and loop-current orders. Applying our findings to a previously studied model for $\mathrm{A}\mathrm{V}_3\mathrm{Sb}_5$ $(\mathrm{A}=\mathrm{K,Rb,Cs})$, we find that NLCBO emerges within a small region of phase space within mean-field theory. Our theory provides a microscopic description that goes beyond symmetry-allowed free-energy analyses and is broadly applicable to other Kagome metals featuring van Hove singularities near the Fermi level.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Valley polarization, magnetization, and superconductivity in bilayer graphene near the van Hove singularity

The discovery of Mott insulators and superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene has ignited intensive research into strong correlation effects in other stacking geometries. Bernal-stacked bilayer graphene (BBG), when subjected to a perpendicular electric field, exhibits phase transitions to a variety of broken-symmetry states. Notably, superconductivity emerges when BBG is in proximity to a heavy transition-metal dichalcogenide, highlighting the role of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Here we investigate the origin of Ising SOC and its role in the competition between superconductivity and spin- and valley-polarized states in BBG. Starting from strong electron-electron interactions on the BBG lattice, we derive a low-energy effective model near the valleys that incorporates both density-density and spin-spin interactions. Using self-consistent mean-field theory, we map out the BBG phase diagram. Our findings reveal that near the van Hove filling, a mixed spin- and valley-polarized phase dominates over superconductivity. Away from the van Hove filling, a spin-polarized, spin-triplet superconducting state arises, characterized by an in-plane orientation of the magnetic moment and an out-of-plane orientation of the d-vector. Contrary to previous proposals, we find that Ising SOC favours spin-valley order while suppressing superconductivity near the van Hove singularity. We discuss other potential proximity effects and suggest directions for future studies.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Valley-polarization in biased bilayer graphene using circularly polarized light

Achieving a population imbalance between the two inequivalent valleys is a critical first step for any valleytronic device. A valley-polarization can be induced in biased bilayer graphene using circularly polarized light. In this paper, we present a detailed theoretical study of valley-polarization in biased bilayer graphene. We show that a nearly perfect valley-polarization can be achieved with the proper choices of external bias and pulse frequency. We find that the optimal pulse frequency $\omega$ is given by $\hbar\omega=2a,$ where $2a$ is the potential energy difference between the graphene layers. We also find that the valley-polarization originates not from the Dirac points themselves, but rather from a ring of states surrounding each. Intervalley scattering is found to greatly reduce the valley-polarization for high frequency pulses. Thermal populations are found to significantly reduce the valley-polarization for small biases. This work provides insight into the origin of valley-polarization in bilayer graphene and will aid experimentalists seeking to study valley-polarization in the lab.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗