arXiv subjects

Ben-Chuan Lin

Publications and source records attributed to Ben-Chuan Lin.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Symmetry Origins of the Field-Free Superconducting Diode Effect in the Kagome Superconductor CsV$_3$Sb$_5$

Field-free superconducting diode effects require both inversion-symmetry breaking and an internal time-reversal-symmetry (TRS) breaking field, making them sensitive probes of hidden order in superconductors. In centrosymmetric kagome AV$_3$Sb$_5$, the inversion symmetry generally should generally preclude the observation of the superconducting diode effect. Furthermore, though TRS breaking has been reported in the superconducting regime of CsV$_3$Sb$_5$, whether it is generated by superconductivity or inherited from charge-density-wave (CDW) order remains unresolved. Here we show that pristine CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ devices exhibit no intrinsic field-free superconducting diode effect, whereas surface oxidation or asymmetric etching activates a large nonreciprocal supercurrent. Moreover, the response is stochastic, with sweep-dependent polarity and magnitude, indicating metastable TRS-breaking domain configurations. Small out-of-plane magnetic fields stabilize the superconducting diode response, consistent with field selection of such domains. Finally, when long-range CDW order is suppressed by Ti doping, the SDE disappears. Our results establish the symmetry requirements for the field-free SDE in CsV$_3$Sb$_5$, reveal its stochastic domain-controlled character, and link superconducting-state TRS breaking to CDW-related order.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Large Field-Free Superconducting Diode Effect with Nonmonotonic Polarity Reversals in NbSe$_2$/CrBr$_3$ Heterostructures

The superconducting diode effect (SDE), characterized by nonreciprocal dissipationless supercurrent, offers a promising route toward ultralow-power superconducting electronics. Yet most realizations require an external magnetic field, and achieving a large, controllable SDE at zero field remains challenging. Here we report a field-free SDE with an efficiency reaching 35.7% in a van der Waals NbSe$_2$/CrBr$_3$ heterostructure, whose polarity is programmable by magnetic-field history. Unlike conventional mechanisms based on finite-momentum pairing, the SDE originates from the leading symmetry-allowed cubic term odd in Cooper-pair momentum, which yields unequal critical currents while leaving the equilibrium condensate at zero momentum. Remarkably, upon sweeping a perpendicular magnetic field, the diode polarity undergoes nonmonotonic and hysteretic reversals that cannot be explained by Meissner screening or conventional ferromagnetic proximity. Combining transport measurements, micromagnetic simulations, and a generalized Ginzbur-Landau theory, we attribute these unconventional behaviors to layered ferrimagnetism in CrBr$_3$, where coexisting ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interlayer couplings produce a history-dependent interfacial exchange field acting on NbSe$_2$. Our results reveal a distinct mechanism for nonreciprocal superconductivity and establish layered van der Waals magnetism as a versatile platform for high-efficiency, programmable, field-free superconducting diodes.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Switchable half-quantum flux states in a ring of the kagome superconductor CsV$_3$Sb$_5$

Magnetic flux quantization in units of $\Phi_0 = h/2e$ is a defining feature of superconductivity, rooted in the charge-2e nature of Cooper pairs. In a ring geometry, the flux quantization leads to oscillations in the critical temperature with magnetic flux, known as the Little-Parks effect. While the maximal critical temperature is conventionally at zero flux, departures from this rule, for instance shifts by a half-quantum flux $\Phi_0/2$, clearly signal unconventional superconducting states and require sign-changing order parameters. Historically, such $\pi$-phase shifts in Little-Parks oscillations have been found in tricrystals or engineered ring structures that intentionally incorporate a $\pi$-phase shift. Here we report the discovery of switchable half-quantum flux states in rings made from single crystals of the kagome superconductor CsV$_3$Sb$_5$. We observe Little-Parks oscillations with a $\pi$-phase shift at zero bias current, which can be reversibly tuned to conventional Little-Parks oscillations upon applying a bias current. Between the $\pi$-phase and 0-phase regimes, $h/4e$ periodic oscillations appear. Our observations suggest unconventional pairing, potentially in the form of a multicomponent order parameter in the kagome superconductor CsV$_3$Sb$_5$, and reveal an electrically tunable landscape of competing superconducting condensates and fractional flux states.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Pseudo-spin-polarized topological superconductivity in kagome RbV$_3$Sb$_5$

Kagome superconductors AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A=K, Rb, Cs) have sparked considerable interest due to the presence of several intertwined symmetry-breaking phases within a single material. Interestingly, in a recent experiment, magnetic hysteresis was observed in the superconducting state through magnetoresistance measurements in RbV$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$ [Nature Comm \textbf{17}, 1310 (2026)], providing strong evidence of a spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking superconducting state. The magnetic hysteresis, combined with crystalline symmetry, imposes strong constraints on the possible pairing symmetries of the superconducting state. In this work, we propose that RbV$_3$Sb$_5$ is a nodal topological superconductor with pseudo-spin-polarized Cooper pairs. The pseudo-spin-polarized superconducting domains resemble the properties of ferromagnetic domains and induce hysteresis. Moreover, the nodal topological superconducting state possesses Majorana flat band modes at the sample boundary, which can be detected by tunneling experiments.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Chiral pair density waves with residual Fermi arcs in RbV3Sb5

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 150{\mu}eV 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.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Signatures of spin-polarized p-wave superconductivity in the kagome material RbV$_3$Sb$_5$

The study of kagome materials has attracted much attention in the past few years due to the presence of many electron-electron interaction-driven phases in a single material. These include charge density waves, nematic phases, superconducting phases, and pair density waves. In this work, we report the discovery of intrinsic spin-polarized p-wave superconductivity in the thin-flake kagome material RbV$_3$Sb$_5$. Firstly, when an in-plane magnetic field is swept in opposite directions, we observe a unique form of hysteresis in magnetoresistance which is different from the hysteresis induced by extrinsic mechanisms such as flux-trapping or superheating and supercooling effects. The unconventional hysteresis indicates the emergence of an intrinsic time-reversal symmetry-breaking superconducting phase. Strikingly, at a fixed magnetic field, the finite-resistance state can be transitioned into the superconducting state by applying and subsequently removing a large current. Secondly, at temperatures around 400 mK, the re-entrance of superconductivity occurs during an in-plane field-sweeping process. This kind of re-entrance is asymmetric about the zero field axis and observed in all field directions for a fixed current direction, which is different from the re-entrance observed in conventional superconductors. These findings put very strong constraints on the possible superconducting pairing symmetry of RbV$_3$Sb$_5$. We point out that the pairing symmetry, which is consistent with the crystal symmetry and all the observed novel properties, is possibly a time-reversal symmetry-breaking, p-wave pairing with net spin polarization. Importantly, this p-wave pairing gives rise to a nodal topological superconducting state with Majorana flat bands on the sample edges.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Two-fold symmetric superconductivity in the kagome superconductor RbV3Sb5

The recently discovered kagome superconductors offer a promising platform for investigating intertwined orders and novel states, including topology, superconductivity, charge density waves, and more. The interplay among these orders can spontaneously break rotational symmetry, giving rise to exotic phenomena such as nematicity or even nematic superconductivity. Here we present our findings on the two-fold symmetric superconductivity in thin-flake RbV3Sb5 in response to direction-dependent in-plane magnetic fields, in contrast to the inherent six-fold structural symmetry of the crystal lattice. The two-fold symmetry was evidenced through a combination of magnetoresistance transport experiments, critical magnetic field measurements, and observations of anisotropic superconducting gaps. Additionally, by altering the experimental configuration, we also detected the presence of six-fold symmetric components superimposed on the two-fold symmetry at the boundary between normal and superconducting states. Our results underscore the correlation-driven symmetry-breaking phenomena and emphasize the potential of this correlated kagome family as a promising platform for investigating intertwined orders, including unconventional superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Noisy intermediate-scale quantum computers

Quantum computers have made extraordinary progress over the past decade, and significant milestones have been achieved along the path of pursuing universal fault-tolerant quantum computers. Quantum advantage, the tipping point heralding the quantum era, has been accomplished along with several waves of breakthroughs. Quantum hardware has become more integrated and architectural compared to its toddler days. The controlling precision of various physical systems is pushed beyond the fault-tolerant threshold. Meanwhile, quantum computation research has established a new norm by embracing industrialization and commercialization. The joint power of governments, private investors, and tech companies has significantly shaped a new vibrant environment that accelerates the development of this field, now at the beginning of the noisy intermediate-scale quantum era. Here, we first discuss the progress achieved in the field of quantum computation by reviewing the most important algorithms and advances in the most promising technical routes, and then summarizing the next-stage challenges. Furthermore, we illustrate our confidence that solid foundations have been built for the fault-tolerant quantum computer and our optimism that the emergence of quantum killer applications essential for human society shall happen in the future.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Electric modulation of the Fermi arc spin transport via three-terminal configuration in the topological semimetal nanowires

Spin momentum locking is a key feature of the topological surface state, which plays an important role in spintronics. The electrical detection of current-induced spin polarization protected by the spin momentum locking in non-magnetic systems provides a new platform for developing spintronics while previous studies were mostly based on magnetic materials. In this study, the spin transport measurement of Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 was studied by the three-terminal geometry, and a hysteresis loop signal with high resistance and low resistance state was observed. The hysteresis was reversed by reversing the current direction, which illustrates the spin-momentum locking feature of Cd3As2. Furthermore, we realized the on-off states of the spin signals through electric modulation of the Fermi arc via the three-terminal configuration, which enables the great potential of Cd3As2 in spin field-effect transistors.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Exchange bias in van der Waals MnBi$_2$Te$_4$/Cr$_2$Ge$_2$Te$_6$ heterostructure

The layered van der Waals (vdW) material MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ is an intrinsic magnetic topological insulator with various topological phases such as quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) and axion states. However, both the zero-field and high-temperature QAHE are not easy to realize. It is theoretically proposed that the exchange bias can be introduced in the MnBi2Te4/ferromagnetic (FM) insulator heterostructures and thus opens the surface states gap, making it easier to realize the zero-field or high-temperature QAHE. Here we report the electrically tunable exchange bias in the van der Waals MnBi$_2$Te$_4$/Cr$_2$Ge$_2$Te$_6$ heterostructure. The exchange bias emerges over a critical magnetic field and reaches the maximum value near the magnetic band gap. Moreover, the exchange bias was experienced by the antiferromagnetic (AFM) MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ layer rather than the FM layer. Such van der Waals heterostructure provides a promising platform to study the novel exchange bias effect and explore the possible high-temperature QAHE.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Intermediate anomalous Hall states induced by noncollinear spin structure in magnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4

The combination of topology and magnetism is attractive to produce exotic quantum matters, such as the quantum anomalous Hall state, axion insulators and the magnetic Weyl semimetals. MnBi2Te4, as an intrinsic magnetic topological insulator, provides a platform for the realization of various topological phases. Here we report the intermediate Hall steps in the magnetic hysteresis of MnBi2Te4, where four distinguishable magnetic memory states at zero magnetic field are revealed. The gate and temperature dependence of the magnetic intermediate states indicates the noncollinear spin structure in MnBi2Te4, which can be attributed to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction as the coexistence of strong spin-orbit coupling and local inversion symmetry breaking on the surface. Moreover, these multiple magnetic memory states can be programmatically switched among each other through applying designed pulses of magnetic field. Our results provide new insights of the influence of bulk topology on the magnetic states, and the multiple memory states should be promising for spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Gate-tuned Aharonov-Bohm interference of surface states in a quasi-ballistic Dirac semimetal nanowire

We report an observation of a topologically protected transport of surface carriers in a quasi-ballistic Cd3As2 nanowire.The nanowire is thin enough for the spin-textured surface carriers to form 1D subbands, demonstrating conductance oscillations with gate voltage even without magnetic field. The π phase-shift of Aharonov-Bohm oscillations can periodically appear or disappear by tuning gate voltage continuously. Such a π phase shift stemming from the Berry's phase demonstrates the topological nature of surface states.The topologically protected transport of the surface states is further revealed by four-terminal nonlocal measurements.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Evidence for topological proximity effect in graphene coupled to topological insulator

The emergence of topological order in graphene is in great demand for the realization of quantum spin Hall states. Recently, it is theoretically proposed that the spin textures of surface states in topological insulator can be directly transferred to graphene by means of proximity effect. Here we report the observations of the topological proximity effect in the graphene-topological insulator Bi2Se3 heterojunctions via magnetotransport measurements. The coupling between the p_z orbitals of graphene and the p orbitals of surface states on the Bi2Se3 bottom surface can be enhanced by applying perpendicular negative magnetic field, resulting in a giant negative magnetoresistance at the Dirac point up to about -91%. An obvious resistivity dip in the transfer curve at the Dirac point is also observed in the hybrid devices, which is consistent with the theoretical predictions of the distorted Dirac bands with unique spin textures inherited from Bi2Se3 surface states.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗