arXiv subjects

Hasan Yavas

Publications and source records attributed to Hasan Yavas.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Dynamically suppressed lattice rotations in SrTiO$_3$ as a basis for photo-induced ferroelectricity

Photo-induced ferroelectricity in the quantum paraelectric SrTiO$_3$ involves the dynamical interplay between a coherently driven Ti-O stretching vibration and multiple structural degrees of freedom, including antiferrodistortive rotations, strain, and the polar mode instability. In the high-temperature cubic phase, in the absence of average antiferrodistortion, time-resolved X-ray diffuse scattering has evidenced a correlation between a photo-induced reduction in antiferrodistortive fluctuations and the emergence of ferroelectric order. Here, we complement these measurements with time-resolved elastic X-ray diffraction in the low-temperature tetragonal phase, in which antiferrodistortive fluctuations are small but a finite average rotation has set in. In this phase, we observe a long-lived reduction of the equilibrium antiferrodistortive rotation angle. A unified theory of the nonlinear lattice dynamics based on first-principles calculations describes the dynamics in both high-temperature cubic and low-temperature tetragonal phases, providing a basis for light-induced ferroelectricity in SrTiO$_3$.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Observation of polarization density waves in SrTiO3

The nature of the "failed" ferroelectric transition in SrTiO3 has been a long-standing puzzle in condensed matter physics. A compelling explanation is the competition between ferroelectricity and an instability with a mesoscopic modulation of the polarization. These polarization density waves, which should become especially strong near the quantum critical point, break local inversion symmetry and are difficult to probe with conventional x-ray scattering methods. Here we combine a femtosecond x-ray free electron laser (XFEL) with THz coherent control methods to probe inversion symmetry breaking at finite momenta and visualize the instability of the polarization on nanometer lengthscales in SrTiO3. We find polar-acoustic collective modes that are soft particularly at the tens of nanometer lengthscale. These precursor collective excitations provide evidence for the conjectured mesoscopic modulated phase in SrTiO3.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Machine Learning Based Alignment For LCLS-II-HE Optics

The hard X-ray instruments at the Linac Coherent Light Source are in the design phase for upgrades that will take full advantage of the high repetition rates that will become available with LCLS-II-HE. The current X-ray Correlation Spectroscopy instrument will be converted to the Dynamic X-ray Scattering instrument, and will feature a meV-scale high-resolution monochromator at its front end with unprecedented coherent flux. With the new capability come many engineering and design challenges, not least of which is the sensitivity to long-term drift of the optics. With this in mind, we have estimated the system tolerance to angular drift and vibration for all the relevant optics ($\sim$10 components) in terms of how the central energy out of the monochromator will be affected to inform the mechanical design. Additionally, we have started planning for methods to correct for such drifts using available (both invasive and non-invasive) X-ray beam diagnostics. In simulations, we have demonstrated the ability of trained Machine Learning models to correct misalignments to maintain the desired central energy and optical axis within the necessary tolerances. Additionally, we exhibit the use of Bayesian Optimization to minimize the impact of thermal deformations of crystals as well as beam alignment from scratch. The initial results are very promising and efforts to further extend this work are ongoing.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2021

Evolution of the electronic structure in Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$ across the structural transition revealed by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering

We utilized high-energy-resolution resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) at both the Ta and Ni $L_3$-edges to map out element-specific particle-hole excitations in Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$ across the phase transition. Our results reveal a momentum dependent gap-like feature in the low energy spectrum, which agrees well with the band gap in element-specific joint density of states calculations based on ab initio estimates of the electronic structure in both the low temperature monoclinic and the high temperature orthorhombic structure. Below $T_c$, the RIXS energy-momentum map shows a minimal gap at the Brillouin zone center ($\sim$ 0.16 eV), confirming that Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$ possesses a direct band gap in its low temperature ground state. However, inside the gap, no signature of anticipated collective modes with an energy scale comparable to the gap size can be identified. Upon increasing the temperature to above $T_c$, whereas the gap at the zone center closes, the RIXS map at finite momenta still possesses the gross features of the low temperature map, suggesting a substantial mixing between the Ta and Ni orbits in the conduction and valence bands, which does not change substantially across the phase transition. Our experimental observations and comparison to the theoretical calculations lend further support that the phase transition and the corresponding gap opening in Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$ is largely structural by nature with possible minor contribution from the putative exciton condensate.

cond-mat.str-el↗