arXiv subjects

Asish K. Kundu

Publications and source records attributed to Asish K. Kundu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Hysteretic Coherence Collapse Across the First Order CDW Transition in 1T-TaS2

The first order phase transition between the nearly commensurate (NC-CDW) and commensurate (C-CDW) charge density wave phases in 1T-TaS2 underpins its exotic electronic behavior, yet the spectroscopic evolution of the low energy electronic structure across this transition remains crucial to understand. Using angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we investigate the low temperature C-CDW phase, characterized by a flat band commonly associated with the lower Hubbard band and a distinct in-gap state located closer to the Fermi level. Photon energy dependent measurements distinguish these two low energy features through their different spectral weight evolution. Temperature dependent ARPES across heating and cooling cycles reveals that the in-gap state undergoes an abrupt collapse upon heating into the NC-CDW phase and re-emerges sharply upon cooling back into the C-CDW phase. This pronounced thermal hysteresis provides direct spectroscopic evidence of the first order nature of the transition. Furthermore, the disappearance and recovery of the in-gap state closely track the corresponding changes in resistivity, highlighting its intimate connection to the electronic reconstruction across the C-CDW/NC-CDW phase transition.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Incommensurate spin fluctuations in one-dimensional Kondo metal CeCo2Ga8

We present an experimental and numerical study of the spin fluctuations in 1D Kondo metal CeCo$_2$Ga$_8$. Using inelastic neutron spectroscopy, we measure highly one-dimensional magnetism with low-energy incommensurate short-ranged magnetic fluctuations. ARPES similarly shows a highly one-dimensional electronic band structure, confirming the one-dimensional nature of the system. We use density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) simulations of the 1D Kondo lattice model to interpret the measured spectrum, which successfully reproduce the neutron scattering features. We are thus able to place CeCo$_2$Ga$_8$ within the emergent incommensurate phase of the 1D Kondo lattice phase diagram, and demonstrate that the Kondo lattice simulated non-perturbatively is an accurate microscopic model for heavy fermion physics. This shows CeCo$_2$Ga$_8$ to be one-dimensional despite its complexities, and reveals a coexistence of low-energy Kondo and magnetic features in its inelastic spectrum.

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arXiv2026

Direct Evidence for Robust Bulk Band Gap Across the Charge Density Wave Transition in TiSe2

The mechanism driving the charge density wave (CDW) transition in TiSe2 has been debated for decades, with proposals ranging from an excitonic insulator to a lattice-driven instability. A central question remains whether the transition involves an opening or enhancement of the bulk band gap. Using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we directly track the temperature evolution of the bulk band edges across the CDW transition at TCDW = 200 K. Contrary to the expectation of a gap-opening transition, we find that the size of the fundamental band gap remains constant from the high-temperature normal phase down to 160 K. While the CDW induces clear band-folding signatures and spectral weight redistribution, the underlying band extrema are unperturbed. These results demonstrate that TiSe2 does not undergo a temperature-driven electronic gap opening. Instead, they support a scenario where the transition is governed by a lattice symmetry-breaking reconstruction that folds, but does not gap, the electronic structure of a pre-existing band insulator.

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arXiv2026

Equilibrium Stabilization of a Hidden Phase Like Metallic State in 1T-TaS2

Electronic phases that lie outside the equilibrium ground state offer a route to explore competing configurations in correlated materials. In 1T-TaS2, ultrafast excitation accesses a metallic hidden phase that is distinct from the commensurate insulating ground state. Here we use angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to show that an equivalent electronic configuration is stabilized in exfoliated intermediate-thickness 1T-TaS2 flakes, where it persists up to room temperature before evolving through a different sequence of electronic transitions. This equilibrium hidden-phase-like state hosts a metallic band with finite Fermi-level spectral weight while retaining the characteristic hybridization gaps associated with the star-of-David band folding. These results establish a platform for controlling competing electronic states in layered materials, with implications for both quantum science and phase change technologies.

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arXiv2026

Proximity-induced charge transfer, strain and magnetic exchange in graphene/CrSBr heterostructure

Stacking van der Waals materials provides a powerful route to engineer emergent electronic and magnetic behaviors through proximity-driven interactions. The graphene/CrSBr heterostructure has emerged as a compelling platform in this frontier, exhibiting exotic macroscopic responses-- including uniaxial surface-plasmon-polariton propagation and an unconventional quantum Hall effect-- indicative of strong interfacial electronic and magnetic coupling. However, a microscopic electronic landscape governing these phenomena has remained elusive. Here, we provide a comprehensive spectroscopic characterization of the graphene/CrSBr interface using a combination of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM), and density functional theory. We resolve a massive redistribution of interfacial charge that concurrently hole dopes graphene and populates the quasi-one-dimensional spin-polarized conduction band of CrSBr, resulting insulator-to-metal transition in the interfacial CrSBr layer. Furthermore, electronic structure of CrSBr exhibits strong momentum-dependent renormalization distinct from conventional charge doping, and theoretical modeling supported by Raman spectroscopy points to additional interfacial compressive strain. In addition, ARPES reveals a splitting-like feature in the graphene Dirac cone consistent with spin degeneracy lifting, providing possible evidence of magnetic proximity coupling. These findings provide crucial microscopic insight into the system's optical and transport responses and establish graphene/CrSBr as a versatile platform for charge-transfer control, strain-driven band engineering, magnetic-proximity coupling, and directionally confined excitations for next-generation spintronic and nanophotonic devices.

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arXiv2026

Emergent surface resonance from charge density wave symmetry breaking in TiSe2

Surface confined electronic states provide a fertile ground for discovering emergent phenomena that have no counterpart in the bulk, offering new routes to manipulate correlations, symmetry breaking, and dimensionality at the atomic scale. Here, we show that charge density wave (CDW) symmetry breaking can yield a surface states in 1T-TiSe2. Micro angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy resolves a sharp, two dimensional surface resonant state (SRS) that emerges within the CDW reconstructed low energy spectrum. The SRS exhibits notable temperature dependence and its spectral weight collapses around 160 K, while CDW transition temperature TCDW is commonly reported as 202 K. Slab DFT+U calculations reproduce a surface localized resonance when CDW folding brings valence and conduction states into near degeneracy, suggesting a correlation tuned, surface selective origin. These results point to a form of correlation-tuned surface resonance in a layered CDW compound and suggest a framework for engineering low dimensional quantum states in van der Waals materials via symmetry breaking and electronic structure tuning.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Multiple Topological States in LaAgAs2, a Failed Square-Net Semimetal

The rational design of new materials emerges as an important direction to explore new topological materials, which is based on the understanding of the correlation between crystal and electronic structures. In this paper, we perform a comprehensive study on the crystal and electronic structures in LaAgAs2 through a combination of single-crystal x-ray diffraction (XRD), quantum oscillation, and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) experimental measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Single-crystal XRD measurements reveal that LaAgAs2 crystallizes into a HfCuSi2-derived structure with the square net distorted into cis-trans chains. Quantum oscillation measurements reveal two frequencies with small effective masses and quasi-two-dimensional (2D) characters. ARPES measurements reveal an electronic structure strikingly different from the square-net-based semimetals, such as LaAgAs2. The Fermi surface is quasi-two-dimensional (2D), with Dirac-like hole pockets at the zone center and a quasi-1D elliptical electron pocket at the zone boundary. Based on the DFT calculations, the measured electronic structure can be well understood regarding the cis-trans distortion, which transforms the two-dimensional square net-derived Dirac bands into quasi-1D trivial bands. Intriguingly, multiple topological states can be identified around the zone center, including a nontrivial Z2 topological surface state and a bulk Dirac state. Our study clarifies the impact of cis-trans distortion and identifies LaAgAs2 as a topological material with multiple topological states near the Fermi level, providing a guideline for intentionally designing new topological materials.

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arXiv2026

Coexisting Kagome and Heavy Fermion Flat Bands in YbCr$_6$Ge$_6$

Flat bands, emergent in strongly correlated electron systems, stand at the frontier of condensed matter physics, providing fertile ground for unconventional quantum phases. Recent observations of dispersionless bands at the Fermi level in kagome lattice open the possibility of unifying the disjoint paradigms of topology and correlation-driven heavy fermion liquids. Here, we report the unprecedented coexistence of these mechanisms in the layered kagome metal YbCr6Ge6. At high temperatures, an intrinsic kagome flat band-arising from the frustrated hopping on the kagome lattice-dominates the Fermi level. Upon cooling, localized Yb 4f-states hybridize with the topological kagome flat bands, transforming this state into the Kondo resonance states that are nearly dispersionless across the entire Brillouin zone. Crystalline symmetry forbids hybridization along specific high-symmetry lines, which stabilizes Dirac crossings of heavy-fermion character. Topological analysis of the resulting gaps reveals both trivial and nontrivial Z2 invariants, establishing the emergence of a Dirac-Kondo semimetal phase. Taken together, these results identify YbCr6Ge6 as a prototype of a topological heavy-fermion system and a platform where geometric frustration, strong correlations, and topology converge, with broad implications for correlated quantum matter.

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arXiv2026

Electronic Coherence Evolution at the Nearly Commensurate Incommensurate CDW Boundary of 1T-TaS2

Transition metal dichalcogenides host a variety of charge density wave phases that couple lattice, charge, and correlation effects. In 1T-TaS2, the commensurate and nearly commensurate states are well characterized, yet the transition near 350 K into the incommensurate phase has lacked direct momentum resolved insight. Here we use temperature dependent angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy to track the electronic structure across this transition. We observe a suppression of quasiparticle spectral weight at the Brillouin zone center, coincident with the transport anomaly, but without clear evidence of a full band gap opening. The transition appears to involve momentum dependent redistribution of spectral weight, consistent with a loss of coherence that reshapes the Fermi surface while leaving conduction dispersions largely intact. These results suggest that the nearly commensurate incommensurate transition may not align with a conventional metal insulator transition picture, but rather as an electronic reconstruction driven by loss of coherence. Our work provides new microscopic insight into the resistivity anomaly near room temperature and may guide design principles for collective electronic switching in Transition metal dichalcogenides.

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arXiv2025

Robust Orbital-Selective Flat Bands in Transition-Metal Oxychlorides

Flat electronic bands, which amplify electron correlations by quenching kinetic energy, provide an ideal foundation for exotic quantum phases. However, prevailing strategies -- including geometrically frustrated lattices, moire superlattices and heavy-fermion physics -- suffer from inherent trade-offs among robustness, tunability and orbital selectivity, limiting their broad applicability. Here, we unveil an intrinsic orbital-selective flat-band mechanism in the van der Waals materials NbOCl2 and TaOCl2, directly observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and understood through density functional theory (DFT) and Wannier analysis. Crucially, we experimentally demonstrate that this momentum-independent flat band exhibits remarkable robustness, surviving from the bulk crystal down to the few-layer limit at room temperature. Our theoretical analysis traces its origin to the hybridization between Nb-dz2 orbital chains and the Lieb-like dx2-y2 sublattice, which is further reinforced by Peierls dimerization. Our findings not only establish transition-metal oxychlorides as a robust and tunable platform for flat-band-driven correlated phases under ambient conditions, but also uncover a new orbital-selective design principle for realizing flat bands in quantum materials.

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arXiv2025

Resonant diffraction and photoemission inconsistent with altermagnetism in epitaxial RuO$_2$ films

Excitement about the magnetic and electronic properties of RuO$_2$ is growing, fueled by reports of antiferromagnetism, strain-induced superconductivity, and its recent classification as a member of a newly proposed magnetic class, altermagnets, with RuO$_2$ widely regarded as the paradigmatic example. Nevertheless, the magnetic ground state of RuO$_2$ remains contentious, as several recent experiments report no evidence of magnetic order. To address this discrepancy, we performed resonant elastic scattering measurements on a series of epitaxial RuO$_2$ thin films grown on the (100)-plane of TiO$_2$ substrates across a range of strain states. Leveraging full polarization control and azimuthal scans of the structurally forbidden 100 Bragg reflection, we systematically tested for signatures of colinear antiferromagnetic order. We found that the resonant elastic scattering signal in RuO$_2$ thin films likely originates from anisotropic charge scattering, not long-range antiferromagnetic order. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy we uncover a band structure without altermagnetic band splitting that is consistent with a nonmagnetic phase. Similarly, anisotropic magnetoresistance results show no evidence of magnetism. The combination of three independent measurements suggests the absence of altermagnetism in RuO$_2$.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Single crystalline orthorhombic GdAlGe as a rare earth magnetic Dirac nodal-line metal

Crystal engineering is a method for discovering new quantum materials and phases, which may be achieved by external pressure or strain. Chemical pressure is unique in that it generates internal pressure perpetually to the lattice. As an example, GdAlSi from the rare-earth ($R$) $R$Al$X$ ($X =$ Si or Ge) family of Weyl semimetals is considered. Replacing Si with the larger isovalent element Ge creates sufficiently large chemical pressure to induce a structural transition from the tetragonal structure of GdAlSi, compatible with a Weyl semimetallic state, to an orthorhombic phase in GdAlGe, resulting in an inversion-symmetry-protected nodal-line metal. We find that GdAlGe hosts an antiferromagnetic ground state with two successive orderings, at $T_\mathrm{N1}$ = 35 K and $T_\mathrm{N2}$ = 30 K. In-plane isothermal magnetization shows a magnetic field induced metamagnetic transition at 6.2 T for 2 K. Furthermore, electron-hole compensation gives rise to a large magnetoresistance of $\sim 100\%$ at 2 K and 14 T. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements and density functional theory calculations reveal a Dirac-like linear band dispersion over an exceptionally large energy range of $\sim$ 1.5 eV with a high Fermi velocity of $\sim 10^6$ m/s, a rare feature not observed in any magnetic topological materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Nernst power factor and figure of merit in compensated semimetal ScSb

Recently, topological semimetals have emerged as strong candidates for solid state thermomagnetic refrigerators due to their enhanced Nernst effect. This enhancement arises from the combined contributions of the Berry curvature induced anomalous Nernst coefficient associated with topological bands and the normal Nernst effect resulting from synergistic electron-hole compensation. Generally, these two effects are intertwined in topological semimetals, making it challenging to evaluate them independently. Here, we report the observation of high Nernst effect in the electron hole compensated semimetal ScSb with topologically trivial electronic band structures. Remarkably, we find a high maximum Nernst power factor of $PF_N \sim 35 \times 10^{-4}$ W m$^{-1}$ K$^{-2}$ in ScSb. The Nernst thermopower ($S_{xy}$) exhibits a peak of $\sim$ 47 $μ$V/K at 12 K and 14 T, yielding a Nernst figure of merit ($z_N$) of $\sim 28 \times 10^{-4}$ K$^{-1}$. Notably, despite its trivial electronic band structure, both the $PF_N$ and $z_N$ values of ScSb are comparable to those observed in topological semimetals with Dirac band dispersions. The origin of the large Nernst signal in ScSb is explained by well compensated electron and hole carriers, through Hall resistivity measurements, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

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arXiv2025

Charge Density Wave and Ferromagnetism in Intercalated CrSBr

In materials with one-dimensional electronic bands, electron-electron interactions can produce intriguing quantum phenomena, including spin-charge separation and charge density waves (CDW). Most of these systems, however, are non-magnetic, motivating a search for anisotropic materials where the coupling of charge and spin may affect emergent quantum states. Here, chemical intercalation of the van der Waals magnetic semiconductor CrSBr yields $Li_{0.17(2)} (tetrahydrofuran)_{0.26(3)} CrSBr$, which possess an electronically driven quasi-1D CDW with an onset temperature above room temperature. Concurrently, electron doping increases the magnetic ordering temperature from 132 K to 200 K and switches its interlayer magnetic coupling from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic. The spin-polarized nature of the anisotropic bands that give rise to this CDW enforces an intrinsic coupling of charge and spin. The coexistence and interplay of ferromagnetism and charge modulation in this exfoliatable material provides a promising platform for studying tunable quantum phenomena across a range of temperatures and thicknesses.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Hund flat band in a frustrated spinel oxide

Electronic flat bands associated with quenched kinetic energy and heavy electron mass have attracted great interest for promoting strong electronic correlations and emergent phenomena such as high-temperature charge fractionalization and superconductivity. Intense experimental and theoretical research has been devoted to establishing the rich non-trivial metallic and heavy fermion phases intertwined with such localized electronic states. Here, we investigate the transition metal oxide spinel LiV2O4, an enigmatic heavy fermion compound lacking localized f orbital states. We use angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and dynamical mean field theory to reveal a new kind of correlation-induced flat band with suppressed inter-atomic electron hopping arising from intra-atomic Hund coupling. The appearance of heavy quasiparticles is ascribed to a proximate orbital-selective Mott state characterized by fluctuating local moments as evidenced by complementary magnetotransport measurements. The spectroscopic fingerprints of long-lived quasiparticles and their disappearance with increasing temperature further support the emergence of a high-temperature bad metal state observed in transport data. This work resolves a long-standing puzzle on the origin of heavy fermion behavior and unconventional transport in LiV2O4. Simultaneously, it opens a new path to achieving flat bands through electronic interactions in d-orbital systems with geometrical frustration, potentially enabling the realization of exotic phases of matter such as the fractionalized Fermi liquids.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Charge Density Waves and the Effects of Uniaxial Strain on the Electronic Structure of 2H-NbSe$_2$

Interplay of superconductivity and density wave orders has been at the forefront of research of correlated electronic phases for a long time. 2H-NbSe$_2$ is considered to be a prototype system for studying this interplay, where the balance between the two orders was proven to be sensitive to band filling and pressure. However, the origin of charge density wave in this material is still unresolved. Here, by using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we revisit the charge density wave order and study the effects of uniaxial strain on the electronic structure of 2H-NbSe$_2$. Our results indicate previously undetected signatures of charge density waves on the Fermi surface. The application of small amount of uniaxial strain induces substantial changes in the electronic structure and lowers its symmetry. This, and the altered lattice should affect both the charge density wave phase and superconductivity and should be observable in the macroscopic properties.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Frustrated hopping from orbital decoration of a primitive two-dimensional lattice

Materials hosting flat electronic bands are a central focus of condensed matter physics as promising venues for novel electronic ground states. Two-dimensional (2D) geometrically frustrated lattices such as the kagome, dice, and Lieb lattices are attractive targets in this direction, anticipated to realize perfectly flat bands. Synthesizing these special structures, however, poses a formidable challenge, exemplified by the absence of solid-state materials realizing the dice and Lieb lattices. An alternative route leverages atomic orbitals to create the characteristic electron hopping of geometrically frustrated lattices. This strategy promises to expand the list of candidate materials to simpler structures, but is yet to be demonstrated experimentally. Here, we report the realization of frustrated hopping in the van der Waals (vdW) intermetallic Pd$_5$AlI$_2$, emerging from orbital decoration of a primitive square lattice. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and quantum oscillations measurements, we demonstrate that the band structure of Pd$_5$AlI$_2$ includes linear Dirac-like bands intersected at their crossing point by a flat band, essential characteristics of frustrated hopping in the Lieb and dice lattices. Moreover, Pd$_5$AlI$_2$ is exceptionally stable, with the unusual bulk band structure and metallicity persisting in ambient conditions down to the monolayer limit. Our ability to realize an electronic structure characteristic of geometrically frustrated lattices establishes orbital decoration of primitive lattices as a new approach towards electronic structures that remain elusive to prevailing lattice-centric searches.

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arXiv2024

Low-Energy Electronic Structure in the Unconventional Charge-Ordered State of ScV$_6$Sn$_6$

Kagome vanadates {\it A}V$_3$Sb$_5$ display unusual low-temperature electronic properties including charge density waves (CDW), whose microscopic origin remains unsettled. Recently, CDW order has been discovered in a new material ScV$_6$Sn$_6$, providing an opportunity to explore whether the onset of CDW leads to unusual electronic properties. Here, we study this question using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The ARPES measurements show minimal changes to the electronic structure after the onset of CDW. However, STM quasiparticle interference (QPI) measurements show strong dispersing features related to the CDW ordering vectors. A plausible explanation is the presence of a strong momentum-dependent scattering potential peaked at the CDW wavevector, associated with the existence of competing CDW instabilities. Our STM results further indicate that the bands most affected by the CDW are near vHS, analogous to the case of {\it A}V$_3$Sb$_5$ despite very different CDW wavevectors.

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