arXiv subjects

Brian Casas

Publications and source records attributed to Brian Casas.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Superconductivity and a van Hove singularity confined to the surface of a topological semimetal

The interplay between electronic topology and superconductivity is the subject of great current interest in condensed matter physics. For example, superconductivity induced on the surface of topological insulators is predicted to be triplet in nature, while the interplay between electronic correlations and topology may lead to unconventional superconductivity as in twisted bilayer graphene. Here, we unveil an unconventional two-dimensional superconducting state in the recently discovered Dirac nodal line semimetal ZrAs2 which is exclusively confined to the top and bottom surfaces within the crystal's ab plane. As a remarkable consequence of this emergent state, we observe a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition, the hallmark of two-dimensional superconductivity. Notably, this is the first observation of a BKT transition on the surface of a three-dimensional system. Furthermore, employing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, we find that these same surfaces also host a two-dimensional van Hove singularity near the Fermi energy. The proximity of van Hove singularity to the Fermi level leads to enhanced electronic correlations contributing to the stabilization of superconductivity at the surface of ZrAs2, a unique phenomenon among topological semimetals. The surface-confined nature of the van Hove singularity, and associated superconductivity, realized for the first time, opens new avenues to explore the interplay between low-dimensional quantum topology, correlations, and superconductivity in a bulk material without resorting to the superconducting proximity effect.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Tunable superconductivity coexisting with the anomalous Hall effect in 1T'-WS2

Transition metal dichalcogenides are a family of quasi-two-dimensional materials that display a high technological potential due to their wide range of electronic ground states, e.g., from superconducting to semiconducting, depending on the chemical composition, crystal structure, or electrostatic doping. Here, we unveil that by tuning a single parameter, the hydrostatic pressure P, a cascade of electronic phase transitions can be induced in the few-layer transition metal dichalcogenide 1T'-WS2, including superconducting, topological, and anomalous Hall effect phases. Specifically, as P increases, we observe a dual phase transition: the suppression of superconductivity with the concomitant emergence of an anomalous Hall effect at P=1.15 GPa. Remarkably, upon further increasing the pressure above 1.6 GPa, we uncover a reentrant superconducting state that emerges out of a state still exhibiting an anomalous Hall effect. This superconducting state shows a marked increase in superconducting anisotropy with respect to the phase observed at ambient pressure, suggesting a different superconducting state with a distinct pairing symmetry. Via first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that the system concomitantly transitions into a strong topological phase with markedly different band orbital characters and Fermi surfaces contributing to the superconductivity. These findings position 1T'-WS2 as a unique, tunable superconductor, wherein superconductivity, anomalous transport, and band features can be tuned through the application of moderate pressures.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Unconventional gapping behavior in a kagome superconductor

Determining the types of superconducting order in quantum materials is a challenge, especially when multiple degrees of freedom, such as bands or orbitals, contribute to the fermiology and when superconductivity competes, intertwines, or coexists with other symmetry-breaking orders. Here, we study the Kagome-lattice superconductor CsV3Sb5, in which multiband superconductivity coexists with a charge order that substantially reduces the compound's space group symmetries. Through a combination of thermodynamic as well as electrical and thermal transport measurements, we uncover two superconducting regimes with distinct transport and thermodynamic characteristics, while finding no evidence for a phase transition separating them. Thermodynamic measurements reveal substantial quasiparticle weight in a high-temperature regime. At lower temperatures, this weight is removed via the formation of a second gap. The two regimes are sharply distinguished by a pronounced enhancement of the upper critical field at low temperatures and by a switch in the anisotropy of the longitudinal thermal conductivity as a function of in-plane magnetic field orientation. We argue that the band with a gap opening at lower temperatures continues to host low-energy quasiparticles, possibly due to a nodal structure of the gap. Taken together, our results present evidence for band-selective superconductivity with remarkable decoupling of the (two) superconducting gaps. The commonly employed multiband scenario, whereby superconductivity emerges in a primary band and is then induced in other bands appears to fail in this unconventional kagome superconductor. Instead, band-selective superconducting pairing is a paradigm that seems to unify seemingly contradicting results in this intensely studied family of materials and beyond.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Transport response of topological hinge modes in $α$-Bi$_4$Br$_4$

Electronic topological phases are renowned for their unique properties, where conducting surface states exist on the boundary of an insulating three-dimensional bulk. While the transport response of the surface states has been extensively studied, the response of the topological hinge modes remains elusive. Here, we investigate a layered topological insulator $α$-Bi$_4$Br$_4$, and provide the first evidence for quantum transport in gapless topological hinge states existing within the insulating bulk and surface energy gaps. Our magnetoresistance measurements reveal pronounced h/e periodic (where h denotes Planck's constant and e represents the electron charge) Aharonov-Bohm oscillation. The observed periodicity, which directly reflects the enclosed area of phase-coherent electron propagation, matches the area enclosed by the sample hinges, providing compelling evidence for the quantum interference of electrons circumnavigating around the hinges. Notably, the h/e oscillations evolve as a function of magnetic field orientation, following the interference paths along the hinge modes that are allowed by topology and symmetry, and in agreement with the locations of the hinge modes according to our scanning tunneling microscopy images. Remarkably, this demonstration of quantum transport in a topological insulator can be achieved using a flake geometry and we show that it remains robust even at elevated temperatures. Our findings collectively reveal the quantum transport response of topological hinge modes with both topological nature and quantum coherence, which can be directly applied to the development of efficient quantum electronic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Discovery of a hybrid topological quantum state in an elemental solid

Topology and interactions are foundational concepts in the modern understanding of quantum matter. Their nexus yields three significant research directions: competition between distinct interactions, as in the multiple intertwined phases, interplay between interactions and topology that drives the phenomena in twisted layered materials and topological magnets, and the coalescence of multiple topological orders to generate distinct novel phases. The first two examples have grown into major areas of research, while the last example remains mostly untouched, mainly because of the lack of a material platform for experimental studies. Here, using tunneling microscopy, photoemission spectroscopy, and theoretical analysis, we unveil a "hybrid" and yet novel topological phase of matter in the simple elemental solid arsenic. Through a unique bulk-surface-edge correspondence, we uncover that arsenic features a conjoined strong and higher-order topology, stabilizing a hybrid topological phase. While momentum-space spectroscopy measurements show signs of topological surface states, real-space microscopy measurements unravel a unique geometry of topology-induced step edge conduction channels revealed on various forms of natural nanostructures on the surface. Using theoretical models, we show that the existence of gapless step edge states in arsenic relies on the simultaneous presence of both a nontrivial strong Z2 invariant and a nontrivial higher-order topological invariant, providing experimental evidence for hybrid topology and its realization in a single crystal. Our discovery highlights pathways to explore the interplay of different kinds of band topology and harness the associated topological conduction channels in future engineered quantum or nano-devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Anisotropic positive linear and sub-linear magnetoresistivity in the cubic type-II Dirac metal Pd$_3$In$_7$

We report a transport study on Pd$_3$In$_7$ which displays multiple Dirac type-II nodes in its electronic dispersion. Pd$_3$In$_7$ is characterized by low residual resistivities and high mobilities, which are consistent with Dirac-like quasiparticles. For an applied magnetic field $(μ_{\text{0}} H)$ having a non-zero component along the electrical current, we find a large, positive, and linear in $μ_{\text{0}} H$ longitudinal magnetoresistivity (LMR). The sign of the LMR and its linear dependence deviate from the behavior reported for the chiral-anomaly-driven LMR in Weyl semimetals. Interestingly, such anomalous LMR is consistent with predictions for the role of the anomaly in type-II Weyl semimetals. In contrast, the transverse or conventional magnetoresistivity (CMR for electric fields $\textbf{E} \bot μ_{\text{0}} \textbf{H}$) is large and positive, increasing by $10^3-10^4$ \% as a function of $μ_{\text{0}}H$ while following an anomalous, angle-dependent power law $ρ_{\text{xx}}\propto (μ_{\text{0}}H)^n$ with $n(θ) \leq 1$. The order of magnitude of the CMR, and its anomalous power-law, is explained in terms of uncompensated electron and hole-like Fermi surfaces characterized by anisotropic carrier scattering likely due to the lack of Lorentz invariance.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Anomalously high supercurrent density in a two-dimensional topological material

Ongoing advances in superconductors continue to revolutionize technology thanks to the increasingly versatile and robust availability of lossless supercurrent. In particular high supercurrent density can lead to more efficient and compact power transmission lines, high-field magnets, as well as high-performance nanoscale radiation detectors and superconducting spintronics. Here, we report the discovery of an unprecedentedly high superconducting critical current density (17 MA/cm2 at 0 T and 7 MA/cm2 at 8 T) in 1T'-WS2, exceeding those of all reported two-dimensional superconductors to date. 1T'-WS2 features a strongly anisotropic (both in- and out-of-plane) superconducting state that violates the Pauli paramagnetic limit signaling the presence of unconventional superconductivity. Spectroscopic imaging of the vortices further substantiates the anisotropic nature of the superconducting state. More intriguingly, the normal state of 1T'-WS2 carries topological properties. The band structure obtained via angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations points to a Z2 topological invariant. The concomitance of topology and superconductivity in 1T'-WS2 establishes it as a topological superconductor candidate, which is promising for the development of quantum computing technology.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Weyl nodal ring states and Landau quantization with very large magnetoresistance in square-net magnet EuGa$_4$

Magnetic topological semimetals (TSMs) allow for an effective control of the topological electronic states by tuning the spin configuration, and therefore are promising materials for next-generation electronic and spintronic applications. Of magnetic TSMs, Weyl nodal-line (NL) semimetals likely have the most tunability, and yet they are the least experimentally studied so far due to the scarcity of material candidates. Here, using a combination of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and quantum oscillation measurements, together with density functional theory calculations, we identify the square-net compound EuGa4 as a new magnetic Weyl nodal ring (NR) semimetal, in which the line nodes form closed rings in the vicinity of the Fermi level. Remarkably, the Weyl NR states show distinct Landau quantization with clear spin splitting upon application of a magnetic field. At 2 K in a field of 14 T, the transverse magnetoresistance of EuGa4 exceeds 200,000%, which is more than two orders of magnitude larger than that of other known magnetic TSMs. High field magnetoresistance measurements indicate no saturation up to 40 T. Our theoretical model indicates that the nonsaturating MR naturally arises as a consequence of the Weyl NR state. Our work thus point to the realization of Weyl NR states in square-net magnetic materials, and opens new avenues for the design of magnetic TSMs with very large magnetoresistance.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Room-temperature quantum spin Hall edge state in a higher-order topological insulator Bi$_4$Br$_4$

Room-temperature realization of macroscopic quantum phenomena is one of the major pursuits in fundamental physics. The quantum spin Hall state, a topological quantum phenomenon that features a two-dimensional insulating bulk and a helical edge state, has not yet been realized at room temperature. Here, we use scanning tunneling microscopy to visualize a quantum spin Hall edge state on the surface of the higher-order topological insulator Bi4Br4. We find that the atomically resolved lattice exhibits a large insulating gap of over 200meV, and an atomically sharp monolayer step edge hosts a striking in-gap gapless state, suggesting the topological bulk-boundary correspondence. An external magnetic field can gap the edge state, consistent with the time-reversal symmetry protection inherent to the underlying topology. We further identify the geometrical hybridization of such edge states, which not only attests to the Z2 topology of the quantum spin Hall state but also visualizes the building blocks of the higher-order topological insulator phase. Remarkably, both the insulating gap and topological edge state are observed to persist up to 300K. Our results point to the realization of the room-temperature quantum spin Hall edge state in a higher-order topological insulator.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Enhancement of the Residual Linear Term in the Thermal Conductivity of Kondo Insulator SmB6 under Uniaxial Tensile Strain

Recent experiments on Kondo insulator SmB6 have revealed bulk excitations that could be Fermions without charge. This would lead to a residual linear term in the thermal conductivity that was not observed universally in experiments. To solve this mystery, we introduce a novel symmetric geometry for performing thermal transport measurements under strains. Magnetic-field-independent residual linear terms were found in flux-grown SmB6 at nominal zero strain, and they grew under a tensile strain, which is known to modify Sm valence. A small growth-dependent difference in the Sm valence might explain the observed discrepancies. We discuss the constraints on the theories of bulk excitations in SmB6.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Direct observation of surface state thermal oscillation in SmB6 oscillators

SmB6 is a mixed valence Kondo insulator that exhibits a sharp increase in resistance following an activated behavior that levels off and saturates below 4K. This behavior can be explained by the proposal of SmB6 representing a new state of matter, a Topological Kondo insulator, in which a Kondo gap is developed and topologically protected surface conduction dominates low-temperature transport. Exploiting its non-linear dynamics, a tunable SmB6 oscillator device was recently demonstrated, where a small DC current generates large oscillating voltages at frequencies from a few Hz to hundreds of MHz. This behavior was explained by a theoretical model describing the thermal and electronic dynamics of coupled surface and bulk states. However, a crucial aspect of this model, the predicted temperature oscillation in the surface state, hasn't been experimentally observed to date. This is largely due to the technical difficulty of detecting an oscillating temperature of the very thin surface state. Here we report direct measurements of the time-dependent surface state temperature in SmB6 with a RuO micro-thermometer. Our results agree quantitatively with the theoretically simulated temperature waveform, and hence support the validity of the oscillator model, which will provide accurate theoretical guidance for developing future SmB6oscillators at higher frequencies.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Topological defects as relics of emergent continuous symmetry and Higgs condensation of disorder in ferroelectrics

Lars Onsager and Richard Feynman envisioned that the three-dimensional (3D) superfluid-to-normal $λ$ transition in $^{4}$He occurs through the proliferation of vortices. This process should hold for every phase transition in the same universality class. The role of topological defects in symmetry-breaking phase transitions has become a prime topic in cosmology and high-temperature superconductivity, even though direct imaging of these defects is challenging. Here we show that the U(1) continuous symmetry that emerges at the ferroelectric critical point of multiferroic hexagonal manganites leads to a similar proliferation of vortices. Moreover, the disorder field (vortices) is coupled to an emergent U(1) gauge field, which becomes massive by means of the Higgs mechanism when vortices condense (span the whole system) upon heating above the ferroelectric transition temperature. Direct imaging of the vortex network in hexagonal manganites offers unique experimental access to this dual description of the ferroelectric transition, while enabling tests of the Kibble-Zurek mechanism.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗