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Federico Mazzola

Publications and source records attributed to Federico Mazzola.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Type-I superconductivity in a quasi-2D topologically nontrivial YbBi$_2$

Intrinsic superconductivity in stoichiometric materials with nontrivial electronic topology remains uncommon, limiting opportunities to investigate how these two phenomena coexist within a single electronic system. Here, we report bulk type-I superconductivity below $T_c$ $\sim$ 0.9~K in YbBi$_2$, a layered rare-earth compound with a nonsymmorphic crystal structure and a quasi-two-dimensional Fermi surface. Thermodynamic and transport measurements establish the superconducting ground state, while quantum oscillations reveal exceptionally light carriers, with a cyclotron mass as low as 0.07 $m_e$, and a nonzero Berry phase of approximately 0.82 $π$. The latter closely matches the calculated value of the corresponding Wilson phase 0.99 $π$ for the corresponding orbit near a symmetry-protected band degeneracy. ARPES measurements show good agreement with key features of the calculated electronic structure, providing complementary experimental constraints on the normal-state band structure. The combination of intrinsic type-I superconductivity, light quasi-two-dimensional carriers, and signatures of nontrivial electronic topology identifies YbBi$_2$ as a distinct stoichiometric platform for investigating superconductivity in a topologically nontrivial electronic environment.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2026

Phase-shifted multicomponent spin-charge nematicity in an altermagnet

Altermagnets host spin-split Fermi surfaces without net magnetization. This intrinsically multicomponent electronic setting raises the possibility that familiar correlated electron phases acquire unconventional spin-charge structure. Here we report the discovery of altermagnetic nematicity in Co0.25NbSe2. Using spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscopy and spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, we find that the three nominally C3-related directions lose rotational equivalence in the zero-field state, in both charge and spin-sensitive tunneling channels. Strikingly, the dominant spin-sensitive component is shifted by one C3 sector relative to the dominant charge component, revealing a phase-shifted spin-charge nematic response. A phenomenological theory shows that altermagnetic order favors a finite relative phase between the charge and spin-sensitive nematic components -- C3 lattice pinning frustrates this preferred offset and selects the observed phase locking. These results establish altermagnetic nematicity as a new form of multicomponent electronic liquid-crystal order and point to a potentially generic route by which altermagnets can transform conventional correlated phases into symmetry-engineered spin-charge orders.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2026

Rashba engineering at van der Waals interfaces

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) interfaces offer a versatile platform for studying emergent quantum phenomena and enabling novel device functionalities. When distinct TMD monolayers are stacked vertically or laterally stitched, their interfaces can exhibit unique electronic band alignments, giving rise to long-lived interlayer excitons, charge transfer effects, and moiré superlattices with correlated states. Here, we demonstrate that the interface between a large variety of two different epitaxially grown TMD monolayers controls the intensity and sign of the Rashba spin splitting, which is probed using THz spintronic emission. Optimized TMD heterobilayers, such as HfSe$_2$/PtSe$_2$, show enhanced THz emission that surpass the spin-to-charge conversion efficiency of bulk TMDs, confirming the presence of Rashba states with large spin splitting at the interface. By combining spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with density functional theory, we reveal that the electronic hybridization between the two different TMD monolayers gives rise to extended in-gap states with strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling. The choice of TMD layers enables to engineer the sign and strength of spin-to-charge conversion in van der Waals heterobilayers opening up perspectives to build efficient and tunable THz spintronic emitters.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2026

Robust spin splitting and fermiology in a layered altermagnet

Altermagnetism defies conventional classifications of collinear magnetic phases, standing apart from ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism with its unique combination of spin-dependent symmetries, net-zero magnetization, and anomalous Hall transport. Although altermagnetic states have been realized experimentally, their integration into functional devices has been hindered by the structural rigidity and poor tunability of existing materials. First, through cobalt intercalation of the superconducting 2H-NbSe$_2$ polymorph, we induce and stabilize a robust altermagnetic phase and using both theory and experiment, we directly observe the lifting of Kramers degeneracy. Additionally, we present spectroscopic insight into a previously hinted low-temperature phase, and provide evidence of its electronic origin. While shedding light on overlooked aspects of altermagnetism, these findings open pathways to spin-based technologies and lay a foundation for advancing the emerging field of altertronics.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2025

Spin-polarised surface fermiology of ohmic WSe$_2$/NbSe$_2$ interfaces

Discovering and engineering spin-polarised surface states in the electronic structures of condensed matter systems is a crucial first step in development of spintronic devices, wherein spin-polarised bands crossing the Fermi level can facilitate information transfer. Here, we show how the spin-orbit split K-point valleys of monolayer WSe$_2$ can be made potentially suitable for this purpose, despite the semiconducting ground state. By interfacing with metallic 2H-NbSe$_2$, these valence band extrema are shifted by $\sim$800~meV to produce a surface-localised Fermi surface populated only by spin-polarised carriers. By increasing the WSe$_2$ thickness, the Fermi pockets can be moved from K to $Γ$, demonstrating tunability of novel semi-metallic phases that exist atop a substrate additionally possessing charge density wave and superconducting transitions. Together, this study provides spectroscopic understanding into $p$-type, Schottky barrier-free interfaces, which are of urgent interest for bypassing the limitations of current-generation vertical field effect transistors, in addition to longer-term spintronics development.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2025

Designer three-dimensional electronic bands in asymmetric transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures

Van der Waals materials enable the construction of atomically sharp interfaces between compounds with distinct crystal and electronic properties. This is dramatically exploited in moiré systems, where a lattice mismatch or twist between monolayers generates an emergent in-plane periodicity, giving rise to electronic properties absent in the constituent materials. In contrast, vertical superlattices, formed by stacking dissimilar materials in the out-of-plane direction on the nanometer scale, have received far less attention despite their potential to realize analogous emergent phenomena in three dimensions. Through angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory, we investigate six-to-eight-layer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterostructures constructed from pairs of stacked few-layer materials. Counterintuitively, we find that even these single superlattice units can host fully-delocalised bands, evidencing a robust coherent interlayer coupling across lattice-mismatched interfaces over extended spatial scales. We show how uncompensated semimetallic phases and energetically-mismatched topological surface states are readily and exclusively stabilized within such asymmetrical architectures. These findings establish two-component heterostructures in the intermediate layer-regime as platforms to invoke and control unprecedented combinations and instances of the diverse quantum phases native to many-layer TMDs.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2025

Filtering Spin and Orbital Moment in Centrosymmetric Systems

The control of spin and orbital angular momentum without relying on magnetic materials is commonly accomplished by breaking of inversion symmetry, which enables charge-to-spin conversion and spin selectivity in electron transfer processes occurring in chiral media. In contrast to this perspective, we show that orbital moment filtering can be accomplished in centrosymmetric systems: the electron states can be selectively manipulated allowing for the preferential transfer of electrons with a particular orbital momentum orientation. We find that orbital moment filtering is indeed efficiently controlled through orbital couplings that break both mirror and rotational symmetries. We provide the symmetry conditions required for the electron transmission to achieve orbital filtering and relate them to the orientation of the orbital moment. The presence of atomic spin-orbit interaction in the centrosymmetric transmission medium leads to the selective filtering of spin and orbital moments. Our findings allow to identify optimal regimes for having highly efficient simultaneous spin and orbital moment filtering.

cond-mat.other↗
arXiv2025

Discovery of magnetic-field-tunable density waves in a layered altermagnet

Altermagnets recently came into the spotlight as a new class of magnetic materials, arising as a consequence of specific crystal symmetries. They are characterized by a spin-polarized electronic band structure similar to ferromagnets, but with net zero magnetization, and touted as a promising platform to host a slew of exotic properties, many of which are yet to be explored. Here we study a new layered triangular lattice altermagnet, Co-intercalated NbSe$_2$ using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/S). Differential conductance dI/dV spectra at low temperature reveal a surprising partial gap opening centered at the Fermi level, which is not captured by density functional theory calculations of the system in the pure altermagnetic state. Spatial mapping using spectroscopic-imaging STM and spin-polarized STM further reveals emergent tri-directional charge and spin density modulations with a 2a$_0$ wave length. Interestingly, we discover that out-of-plane magnetic field can serve as a knob to tune the amplitudes of the modulations as well as alter the overall electronic density-of-states in a manner that is strongly dependent on the field direction and strength. This can be attributed to the tilting of spins by the external magnetic field, which can have profound implications on the electronic properties of the altermagnet. By providing elusive atomic-scale insights, our work uncovers a tunable density wave accompanied by concomitant changes in the electronic band structure, and sets the foundation for studies of correlated electronic phenomena in altermagnets.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2025

Anomalous spin-optical helical effect in Ti-based kagome metal

The kagome lattice stands as a rich platform for hosting a wide array of correlated quantum phenomena, ranging from charge density waves and superconductivity to electron nematicity and loop current states. Direct detection of loop currents in kagome systems has remained a formidable challenge due to their intricate spatial arrangements and the weak magnetic field signatures they produce. This has left their existence and underlying mechanisms a topic of intense debate. In this work, we uncover a hallmark reconcilable with loop currents: spin handedness-selective signals that surpass conventional dichroic, spin, and spin-dichroic responses. We observe this phenomenon in the kagome metal CsTi$_3$Bi$_5$ and we call it the anomalous spin-optical helical effect. This effect arises from the coupling of light' s helicity with spin-orbital electron correlations, providing a groundbreaking method to visualize loop currents in quantum materials. Our discovery not only enriches the debate surrounding loop currents but also paves the way for new strategies to exploit the electronic phases of quantum materials via light-matter interaction.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2024

Measurements of the quantum geometric tensor in solids

Understanding the geometric properties of quantum states and their implications in fundamental physical phenomena is at the core of modern physics. The Quantum Geometric Tensor (QGT) is a central physical object in this regard, encoding complete information about the geometry of the quantum state. The imaginary part of the QGT is the well-known Berry curvature, which plays a fundamental role in the topological magnetoelectric and optoelectronic phenomena. The real part of the QGT is the quantum metric, whose importance has come to prominence very recently, giving rise to a new set of quantum geometric phenomena, such as anomalous Landau levels, flat band superfluidity, excitonic Lamb shifts, and nonlinear Hall effect. Despite the central importance of the QGT, its experimental measurements have been restricted only to artificial two-level systems. In this work, we develop a framework to measure the QGT (both quantum metric and Berry curvature) in crystalline solids using polarization-, spin-, and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Using this framework, we demonstrate the effective reconstruction of the QGT in solids in the archetype kagome metal CoSn, which hosts topological flat bands. The key idea is to introduce another geometrical tensor, the quasi-QGT, whose components, the band Drude weight and orbital angular momentum, are experimentally accessible and can be used for extracting the QGT. Establishing such a momentum- and energy-resolved spectroscopic probe of the QGT is poised to significantly advance our understanding of quantum geometric responses in a wide range of crystalline systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2024

Bilayer orthogonal ferromagnetism in CrTe$_2$-based van der Waals system

Systems with pronounced spin anisotropy play a pivotal role in advancing magnetization switching and spin-wave generation mechanisms, which are fundamental for spintronic technologies. Quasi-van der Waals ferromagnets, particularly Cr$_{1+δ}$Te$_2$ compounds, represent seminal materials in this field, renowned for their delicate balance between frustrated layered geometries and magnetism. Despite extensive investigation, the precise nature of their magnetic ground state, typically described as a canted ferromagnet, remains contested, as does the mechanism governing spin reorientation under external magnetic fields and varying temperatures. In this work, we leverage a multimodal approach, integrating complementary techniques, to reveal that Cr$_{1+δ}$Te$_2$ ($δ= 0.25 - 0.50$) hosts a previously overlooked magnetic phase, which we term orthogonal-ferromagnetism. This single phase consists of alternating atomically sharp single layers of in-plane and out-of-plane ferromagnetic blocks, coupled via exchange interactions and as such, it differs significantly from crossed magnetism, which can be achieved exclusively by stacking multiple heterostructural elements together. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting a gradual spin reorientation in CrTe$_2$-based systems, we present definitive evidence of abrupt spin-flop-like transitions. This discovery, likely due to the improved crystallinity and lower defect density in our samples, repositions Cr$_{1+δ}$Te$_2$ compounds as promising candidates for spintronic and orbitronic applications, opening new pathways for device engineering.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2024

Pomeranchuk instability from electronic correlations in CsTi$_3$Bi$_5$ kagome metal

Among many-body instabilities in correlated quantum systems, electronic nematicity, defined by the spontaneous breaking of rotational symmetry, has emerged as a critical phenomenon, particularly within high-temperature superconductors. Recently, this behavior has been identified in CsTi$_3$Bi$_5$, a member of the AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A = K, Rb, Cs) kagome family, recognized for its intricate and unconventional quantum phases. Despite accumulating indirect evidence, the fundamental mechanisms driving nematicity in CsTi$_3$Bi$_5$ remain inadequately understood, sparking ongoing debates. In this study, we employ polarization-dependent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to reveal definitive signatures of an orbital-selective nematic deformation in the electronic structure of CsTi$_3$Bi$_5$. This direct experimental evidence underscores the pivotal role of orbital degrees of freedom in symmetry breaking, providing new insights into the complex electronic environment. By applying the functional renormalization group technique to a fully interacting ab initio model, we demonstrate the emergence of a finite angular momentum ($d$-wave) Pomeranchuk instability in CsTi$_3$Bi$_5$, driven by the concomitant action of electronic correlations within specific orbital channels and chemical potential detuning away from Van Hove singularities. By elucidating the connection between orbital correlations and symmetry-breaking instabilities, this work lays a crucial foundation for future investigations into the broader role of orbital selectivity in quantum materials, with far-reaching implications for the design and manipulation of novel electronic phases.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2024

Impact of terahertz short pulses on the oxygen defect state in TiO$_{2-x}$

Oxygen deficient titanium dioxide (TiO$_{2-x}$) is a very attractive material for several applications ranging from photocatalysis to resistive switching. Oxygen vacancies turn insulating anatase titanium dioxide into a polaronic conductor, while creating a defect state band below the ultraviolet semiconducting gap. Here we employ a combination of broadband infrared (IR) reflectivity and THz-pump/IR-probe measurements to investigate the relationship between localized defect states and delocalized conducting polaronic states. We show that the THz pump allows to convert deeply localized electrons into metastable polarons with a lifetime in the ns range. These long-lived metastable states may find application in novel opto-electronic applications exploiting the interplay of dc resistivity, with terahertz and infrared signals.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2024

Uncovering the lowest thickness limit for room-temperature ferromagnetism of Cr$_{1.6}$Te$_{2}$

Metallic ferromagnetic transition metal dichalcogenides have emerged as important building blocks for scalable magnonics and memory applications. Downscaling such systems to the ultra-thin limit is critical to integrate them into technology. Here, we achieved layer-by-layer control over the transition metal dichalcogenide Cr$_{1.6}$Te$_{2}$ by using pulsed laser deposition, and we uncovered the minimum critical thickness above which room temperature magnetic order is maintained. The electronic and magnetic structure is explored experimentally and theoretically and it is shown that the films exhibit strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy as a consequence of large spin-orbit effects. Our study elucidates both magnetic and electronic properties of Cr$_{1.6}$Te$_{2}$, and corroborates the importance of intercalation to tune the magnetic properties of nanoscale materials architectures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2024

Charge transfer and Spin-Valley locking in 4Hb-TaS$_{2}$

4Hb-TaS$_2$ is a superconductor that exhibits unique characteristics such as time-reversal symmetry breaking, hidden magnetic memory, and topological edge modes. It is a naturally occurring heterostructure comprising of alternating layers of 1H-TaS$_2$ and 1T-TaS$_2$. The former is a well-known superconductor, while the latter is a correlated insulator with a possible non-trivial magnetic ground state. In this study, we use angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy to investigate the normal state electronic structure of this unconventional superconductor. Our findings reveal that the band structure of 4H-TaS$_2$ fundamentally differs from that of its constituent materials. Specifically, we observe a significant charge transfer from the 1T layers to the 1H layers that drives the 1T layers away from half-filling. In addition, we find a substantial reduction in inter-layer coupling in 4Hb-TaS$_2$ compared to the coupling in 2H-TaS$_2$ that results in a pronounced spin-valley locking within 4Hb-TaS$_2$

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2024

Strain-induced enhancement of the charge-density-wave in the kagome metal ScV$_6$Sn$_6$

The kagome geometry is an example of frustrated configuration in which rich physics takes place, including the emergence of superconductivity and charge density wave (CDW). Among the kagome metals, ScV$_6$Sn$_6$ hosts an unconventional CDW, with its electronic order showing a different periodicity than that of the phonon which generates it. In this material, a CDW-softened flat phonon band has a second-order collapse at the same time that the first order transition occurs. This phonon band originates from the out-of-plane vibrations of the Sc and Sn atoms, and it is at the base of the electron-phonon-coupling driven CDW phase of ScV$_6$Sn$_6$. Here, we use uniaxial strain to tune the frequency of the flat phonon band, tracking the strain evolution via time-resolved optical spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. Our findings emphasize the capability to induce an enhancement of the unconventional CDW properties in ScV$_6$Sn$_6$ kagome metal through control of strain.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2024

Signatures of a surface spin-orbital chiral metal

The relation between crystal symmetries, electron correlations, and electronic structure steers the formation of a large array of unconventional phases of matter, including magneto-electric loop currents and chiral magnetism. Detection of such hidden orders is a major goal in condensed matter physics. However, to date, nonstandard forms of magnetism with chiral electronic ordering have been experimentally elusive. Here, we develop a theory for symmetry-broken chiral ground states and propose a methodology based on circularly polarized spin-selective angular-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to probe them. We exploit the archetypal quantum material Sr2RuO4 and reveal spectroscopic signatures which, even though subtle, may be reconciled with the formation of spin-orbital chiral currents at the material surface. As we shed light on these chiral regimes, our findings pave the way for a deeper understanding of ordering phenomena and unconventional magnetism.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2023

Colossal orbital Zeeman effect driven by tunable spin-Berry curvature in a kagome metal

Berry phase and the related concept of Berry curvature can give rise to many unconventional phenomena in solids. In this work, we discover colossal orbital Zeeman effect of topological origin in a newly synthesized bilayer kagome metal TbV6Sn6. We use spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscopy to study the magnetic field induced renormalization of the electronic band structure. The nonmagnetic vanadium d-orbitals form Dirac crossings at the K point with a small mass gap and strong Berry curvature induced by the spin-orbit coupling. We reveal that the magnetic field leads to the splitting of gapped Dirac dispersion into two branches with giant momentum-dependent g factors, resulting in the substantial renormalization of the Dirac band. These measurements provide a direct observation of the magnetic field controlled orbital Zeeman coupling to the enormous orbital magnetic moments of up to 200 Bohr magnetons near the gapped Dirac points. Interestingly, the effect is increasingly non-linear, and becomes gradually suppressed at higher magnetic fields. Theoretical modeling further confirms the existence of orbital magnetic moments in TbV6Sn6 produced by the non-trivial spin-Berry curvature of the Bloch wave functions. Our work provides the first direct insight into the momentum-dependent nature of topological orbital moments and their tunability by magnetic field concomitant with the evolution of the spin-Berry curvature. Significantly large orbital magnetic moments driven by the Berry curvature can also be generated by other quantum numbers beyond spin, such as the valley in certain graphene-based structures, which may be unveiled using the same tools highlighted in our work.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗