arXiv subjects

Kozo Okazaki

Publications and source records attributed to Kozo Okazaki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Topological pair density waves in kagome superconductors

The pair density wave (PDW) is an unconventional superconducting state exhibiting periodic pairing modulations due to pairing with finite momentum Q. In two dimensions, multiple Q components of the PDW can have a non-trivial relative phase, breaking time-reversal symmetry and resulting in a topological electronic structure. Here we review progress on exploring such topological PDWs (TPDWs) and discuss their potential realization in kagome superconductors. We first introduce the concept of a TPDW starting from the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state and examine the challenges toward its realization. We then discuss the possibility of a TPDW in the kagome lattice, which intertwines with chiral superconductivity and loop currents, thus connecting to models describing the quantum anomalous Hall effect. Furthermore, we review the experimental signatures of a TPDW in AV3Sb5 (A = Cs, Rb, K) superconductors and highlight related quantum effects, including switchable chiral pairing modulations, Bogoliubov Fermi states, the superconducting diode effect, and the anomalous thermal Hall effect. Finally, we project the future research opportunities of this correlated topological quantum phase and discuss its broad implications for finite-momentum pairing, topological matter, and chiral superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Time-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy of Quantum Materials Using High Harmonic Generation: Probing Electron-Phonon Interactions and Non-Equilibrium Dynamics

Recent advancements in ultrafast laser systems and high harmonic generation (HHG) techniques have enabled time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy on femtosecond timescales, opening up unprecedented opportunities to explore quantum materials in both time and momentum space. In this review, we present recent representative studies utilizing HHG-laser-based time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy for a variety of quantum materials. We particularly highlight electron-phonon interactions and non-equilibrium dynamics in time and frequency domain, through which rich information about non-equilibrium electron-phonon couplings and related phenomena has been clearly revealed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Direct observation of the surface superconducting gap in the topological superconductor candidate \beta-PdBi2

\beta-PdBi2 is one of the candidates for topological superconductors with a superconducting (SC) transition temperature (Tc) of 5.3 K, in which parity mixing of spin singlet and spin triplet has been anticipated, being crucial for the further understanding of relationship with inversion symmetry and parity mixing in the superconductivity. In this work, we measured the SC gap in high-quality single crystal of \beta-PdBi2 by using high-resolution laser angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy below Tc. We found the isotropic SC gaps in momentum space for multiple bands, and observed that the difference between the SC gap of the topological surface bands and the bulk bands is about 0.1 meV, consistent with other experimental results. These direct and quantitative experimental results support the possibility of \beta-PdBi2 as a topological superconductor, characterized by unique crystal and electronic band structures.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Phase-sensitive evidence for pair density waves in a kagome superconductor

Pair density wave (PDW) exhibits periodic amplitude and sign modulations of the superconducting order parameter. Such a pairing state has long been proposed to be highly sensitive to nonmagnetic scattering, but its experimental realization remains elusive. Here we discover a nonmagnetic PDW-breaking effect in a kagome superconductor, using designer atomic nonmagnetic impurities and high-precision scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at a base temperature of 30mK. We detect 2x2 pair density modulations by Josephson STM with a superconducting tip and 2x2 pairing gap modulations by normal STM. We find that the pairing modulations in both cases are substantially suppressed upon doping the kagome lattice with dilute isovalent nonmagnetic impurities, whereas the charge order and uniform superconductivity remain robust. We further identify the correlation between atomic dopants and the local suppression of PDW. We attribute these findings to a nonmagnetic pair-breaking effect, arising from the phase modulation of PDW in the kagome d-orbital. Taken together with its signatures in other state-of-the-art spectroscopy and transport measurements linked by theory, our findings support the ground state of the kagome superconductor as a correlated topological phase with superconducting loop currents.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Composition-dependent ultrafast luminescence in Cu-Ni alloys: Combined experimental and ab initio study

Properties of Cu-Ni solid solutions have long been studied in physical and materials sciences. Yet, their many-body properties have not been well understood. Here, we investigate ultrafast luminescence in near infrared region for Cu$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$ alloys. The luminescence intensity was the highest in Cu and decreased dramatically by adding Ni, approaching close to the value for pure Ni at $x=0.45$. This composition dependence was well reproduced by calculations assuming two body scattering of the energetic electrons. The luminescent decay rate was not straightforward, i.e., it decreased first by adding Ni up to $x=0.17$ and then started to increase approaching twice the initial value at $x=0.45$. This behavior was in good agreement with ab initio calculations of electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling strength. This work provides a new perspective on the electron relaxation dynamics in solid solutions systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Distinct amplitude mode dynamics upon resonant and off-resonant excitation across the charge density wave energy gap in LaTe3 investigated by time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Non-equilibrium states generated by ultrafast laser pulses are characterized by specific phenomena that are not accessible in static measurements. Previous time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (TARPES) studies on rare-earth tritelluride materials have revealed the laser-driven melting of the charge density wave order as well as its collective amplitude mode excitation. Variation of the excess energy deposited by optical pumping in the material promises pathways to control the dynamic material response. To this end, we use an optical parametric amplifier to generate a tunable pump photon energy. Studying LaTe3 we compare the dynamics driven by pumping resonantly across the charge density wave energy gap with the effect of pumping at a twice higher photon energy in a TARPES pump-probe experiment. We clearly identify a pump photon energy dependent behavior. At the larger pump photon energy, the excess electronic energy generates lattice heating mediated by e-ph coupling and softening of the amplitude mode frequency from 3 to 2 THz. Remarkably, the resonant pumping across the CDW gap results in a time-independent amplitude mode frequency. We conclude that the resonant excitation across the energy gap excites the amplitude mode selectively while additional electronic excess energy deposited at higher pump photon energy modifies the crystal properties transiently by incoherent dissipative processes.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

A simple method to find temporal overlap between THz and X-ray pulses using X-ray-induced carrier dynamics in semiconductors

X-ray-induced carrier dynamics in silicon and gallium arsenide were investigated through intensity variations of transmitted terahertz (THz) pulses in the pico to microsecond time scale with X-ray free-electron laser and synchrotron radiation. We observed a steep reduction in THz transmission with a picosecond scale due to the X-ray-induced carrier generation, followed by a recovery on a nano to microsecond scale caused by the recombination of carriers. The rapid response in the former process is applicable to a direct determination of temporal overlap between THz and X-ray pulses for THz pump-X-ray probe experiments with an accuracy of a few picoseconds.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Unveiling van Hove singularity modulation and fluctuated charge order in kagome superconductor $\rm{CsV_3Sb_5}$ via time-resolved ARPES

Kagome superconductor CsV3Sb5, which exhibits intertwined unconventional charge density wave (CDW) and superconductivity, has garnered significant attention recently. Despite extensive static studies, the nature of these exotic electronic orders remains elusive. In this study, we investigate the non-equilibrium electronic structure of CsV3Sb5 via time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Our results reveal that upon laser excitation, the van Hove singularities immediately shift towards the Fermi level and subsequently oscillate in sync with a 1.3 THz coherent phonon mode. By analyzing the coherent intensity oscillations in the energy-momentum (E-k) map, we find that this coherent phonon is strongly coupled with electronic bands from both Sb and V orbitals. While typically observable only in the CDW state, remarkably, we find that the 1.3-THz coherent phonon mode can be persistently excited at temperatures above T_CDW, suggesting the potential existence of fluctuated CDW in CsV3Sb5. These findings enhance our understanding of the unconventional CDW control of kagome superconductivity.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Observation of Fermi-surface-dependent anisotropic Cooper pairing in kagome superconductor CsV3Sb5

In the recently discovered kagome superconductor AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, and Cs), superconductivity is intertwined with an unconventional charge density wave order. The pairing symmetry remains elusive owing to the lack of direct measurement of the superconducting gap in the momentum space. Here, utilizing laser-based ultra-high-resolution and low-temperature angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we observe Fermi-surface-dependent anisotropic Cooper pairing in kagome superconductor CsV3Sb5. We detect a highly anisotropic superconducting gap structure with anisotropy exceeding 80% and a gap maximum along the V-V bond direction on a Fermi surface originating from the 3d-orbital electrons of the V kagome lattice. This is in stark contrast to the isotropic superconducting gap structure on the Fermi surface occupied by Sb 5p-orbital electrons. Our direct observation of the Fermi-surface-dependent anisotropic pairing in CsV3Sb5 is fundamental for understanding the intertwined orders in the ground state of kagome superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with wavelength-tunable pump and extreme ultraviolet probe enabled by twin synchronized amplifiers

We describe a setup for time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with wavelength-tunable excitation and extreme ultraviolet probe. It is enabled by using the 10 kHz twin Ti:sapphire amplifiers seeded by the common Ti:sapphire oscillator. The typical probe energy is 21.7 eV, and the wavelength of the pump excitation is tuned between 2400 and 1200 nm by using the optical parametric amplifier. The total energy resolution of 133 meV is achieved, and the time resolution is dependent on the wavelength for the pump, typically better than 100 fs. This system enables the pump energy to be matched with a specific interband transition and to probe a wider energy-momentum space. We present the results for the prototypical materials of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and Bi2Se3 to show the performance of our system.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Ultrafast Control of Crystal Structure in a Topological Charge-Density-Wave Material

Optical control of crystal structures is a promising route to change physical properties including topological nature of a targeting material. Time-resolved X-ray diffraction measurements using the X-ray free-electron laser are performed to study the ultrafast lattice dynamics of VTe$_2$, which shows a unique charge-density-wave (CDW) ordering coupled to the topological surface states as a first-order phase transition. A significant oscillation of the CDW amplitude mode is observed at a superlattice reflection as well as Bragg reflections. The frequency of the oscillation is independent of the fluence of the pumping laser, which is prominent to the CDW ordering of the first-order phase transition. Furthermore, the timescale of the photoinduced 1$T^{\prime\prime}$ to 1$T$ phase transition is independent of the period of the CDW amplitude mode.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Testing Electron-phonon Coupling for the Superconductivity in Kagome Metal $\rm{CsV_3Sb_5}$

In crystalline materials, electron-phonon coupling (EPC) is a ubiquitous many-body interaction that drives conventional Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer superconductivity. Recently, in a new kagome metal $\rm{CsV_3Sb_5}$, superconductivity that possibly intertwines with time-reversal and spatial symmetry-breaking orders is observed. Density functional theory calculations predicted weak EPC strength,$λ$, supporting an unconventional pairing mechanism in $\rm{CsV_3Sb_5}$. However, experimental determination of $λ$ is still missing, hindering a microscopic understanding of the intertwined ground state of $\rm{CsV_3Sb_5}$. Here, using 7-eV laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and Eliashberg function analysis, we determine an intermediate $λ$=0.45~0.6 at T=6 K for both Sb 5p and V 3d electronic bands, which can support a conventional superconducting transition temperature on the same magnitude of experimental value in $\rm{CsV_3Sb_5}$. Remarkably, the EPC on the V 3d-band enhances to $λ$~0.75 as the superconducting transition temperature elevated to 4.4 K in $\rm{Cs(V_{0.93}Nb_{0.07})_3Sb_5}$. Our results provide an important clue to understand the pairing mechanism in the Kagome superconductor $\rm{CsV_3Sb_5}$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Nodeless electron pairing in CsV$_3$Sb$_5$-derived kagome superconductors

The newly discovered kagome superconductors represent a promising platform for investigating the interplay between band topology, electronic order, and lattice geometry. Despite extensive research efforts on this system, the nature of the superconducting ground state remains elusive. In particular, consensus on the electron pairing symmetry has not been achieved so far, in part owing to the lack of a momentum-resolved measurement of the superconducting gap structure. Here we report the direct observation of a nodeless, nearly isotropic, and orbital-independent superconducting gap in the momentum space of two exemplary CsV$_3$Sb$_5$-derived kagome superconductors -- Cs(V$_{0.93}$Nb$_{0.07}$)$_3$Sb$_5$ and Cs(V$_{0.86}$Ta$_{0.14}$)$_3$Sb$_5$, using ultrahigh resolution and low-temperature angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Remarkably, such a gap structure is robust to the appearance or absence of charge order in the normal state, tuned by isovalent Nb/Ta substitutions of V. Moreover, we observe a signature of the time-reversal symmetry (TRS) breaking inside the superconducting state, which extends the previous observation of TRS-breaking CDW in the kagome lattice. Our comprehensive characterizations of the superconducting state provide indispensable information on the electron pairing of kagome superconductors, and advance our understanding of unconventional superconductivity and intertwined electronic orders.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Coexistence of bulk-nodal and surface-nodeless Cooper pairings in a superconducting Dirac semimetal

The interplay of nontrivial topology and superconductivity in condensed matter physics gives rise to exotic phenomena. However, materials are extremely rare where it is possible to explore the full details of the superconducting pairing. Here, we investigate the momentum dependence of the superconducting gap distribution in a novel Dirac material PdTe. Using high resolution, low temperature photoemission spectroscopy, we establish it as a spin-orbit coupled Dirac semimetal with the topological Fermi arc crossing the Fermi level on the (010) surface. This spin-textured surface state exhibits a fully gapped superconducting Cooper pairing structure below Tc~4.5K. Moreover, we find a node in the bulk near the Brillouin zone boundary, away from the topological Fermi arc.These observations not only demonstrate the band resolved electronic correlation between topological Fermi arc states and the way it induces Cooper pairing in PdTe, but also provide a rare case where surface and bulk states host a coexistence of nodeless and nodal gap structures enforced by spin-orbit coupling.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Photo-induced nonlinear band shift and valence transition in SmS

The photo-induced band structure variation of a rare-earth-based semiconductor, samarium monosulfide (SmS), was investigated using high-harmonic-generation laser-based time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. A nonlinear photo-induced band shift of the Sm 4f multiplets was observed. The first one is a shift to the high-binding-energy side due to a large surface photovoltage (SPV) effect of approximately 93 meV, comparable to the size of the bulk band gap, with a much longer relaxation time than 0.1 ms. The second one is an ultrafast band shift to the low binding energy side, which is in the opposite direction to the SPV shift, suggesting an ultrafast valence transition from divalent to trivalent Sm ions due to photo-excitation. The latter energy shift was approximately 58 meV, which is consistent with the energy gap shift from ambient pressure to the boundary between the black insulator and golden metallic phase with the application of pressure. This suggests that the photo-induced valence transition can reach the phase boundary, but other effects are necessary to realize the golden metallic phase.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Tunable vortex Majorana modes controlled by strain in homogeneous LiFeAs

The iron-based superconductors (FeSCs) have recently emerged as a promising single-material Majorana platform by hosting isolated Majorana zero modes (MZMs) at relatively high temperatures. To further verify its Majorana nature and move forward to build topological quantum qubit, it is highly desirable to achieve tunability for MZMs on homogeneous FeSCs. Here, with an in-situ strain device, we can controllably create MZMs on the homogeneous surface of stoichiometric superconductor LiFeAs by inducing a topological phase transition. The evolution of discrete energy modes inside a strained vortex is found to mimics exactly as the predicted topological vortex case, proving the Majorana nature of emerging zero modes of vortex. Such tunability of MZMs in a homogeneous superconductor is an important step toward their application in topological quantum computation.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Direct observation of multiple conduction-band minima in high-performance thermoelectric SnSe

We report time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy on SnSe which currently attracts great interest due to its extremely high thermoelectric performance. Laser-assisted photoemission signals are observed within $\pm$20 fs of the pump pulse arrival. Around 30-50 fs after the photoexcitation, the conduction band minima are not populated by the photoexcited electrons while the valence bands are considerably broadened. In going from 90 fs to 550 fs after the photoexcitation, the photoexcited carriers are decayed into the multiple conduction band minima. The observed conduction bands are consistent with the band structure calculations. The multiple conduction minima suggest possibility of high and anisotropic thermoelectric performance of n-type SnSe single crystal if it is realized.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

HHG-laser-based time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of quantum materials

Time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy has played an important role in revealing the non-equilibrium electronic structures of solid-state materials. The implementation of high harmonic generation to obtain a higher photon energy also allows us to investigate the wide Brillouin zone on a time scale below 100 fs. In this article, we review our recent studies using high-harmonic-generation-laser-based time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to study a variety of quantum materials. We reveal many unprecedented phenomena in each system and highlight some representative results.

cond-mat.str-el↗