arXiv subjects

Le Lei

Publications and source records attributed to Le Lei.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Intertwined atomic-nanoscale-microscale structures via intralayer anisotropic Fe-chains in the layered ferromagnet FePd2Te2

Controlling mesoscale and nanoscale material structures and properties through self-organized atomic behavior is essential for atomic-scale manufacturing. However, direct and visual studies on the cross-scale effects of such atomic self-organization on mesoscopic structures remain scarce. Here, we report the intertwined atomic-nanoscale-mesoscale structures via the intralayer Fe-chains in the sandwich-like layered FePd2Te2 crystal by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hierarchical orthogonal corrugated morphologies are directly revealed and attributed to its chain-orientation-determined twinning-domain effect. Both Fe-chains of middle-sublayer and two kinds of Te atoms of top-sublayer are further atomically resolved at the sub-{\AA} level, indicating the critical effects of Pd-atoms/voids on the intra-layer anisotropic Fe-chains and the interlayer structural alignment. The thermal-induced and strain-related structural transitions of surface layer are further investigated and discussed based on the proposed filling model of Pd-voids by the intralayer Pd-atoms. Our work not only provides deep understanding of this exotic layered magnetic material, and will inspire more perspectives for tailoring its anisotropic atomic-to-mesoscale structures and properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Site-ordering/disordering-induced magnetic textures in a vdW ferromagnet by competing global and broken inversion-symmetry

Fe5GeTe2 single crystals can be divided into nonquenched (NQ) and quench-cooled (QC) phases with different magnetic properties. A comprehensive understanding of the magnetic property variations in the NQ and QC phases is imperative for guiding Fe5GeTe2 towards spintronics applications; however, it remains elusive. Here, we report a real-space study on the structural and magnetic properties of these two magnetic phases using cryogenic magnetic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy. The thermal history introduces disorder and order to the Fe(1) sites, resulting in the NQ and QC phases exhibiting global and broken inversion symmetry, respectively. The observed magnetic domain transitions (branching to labyrinthine) in the spin reorientation process and the distinct 3D spin textures stabilized by magnetic dipolar interaction observed in field-dependent studies allow the NQ phase to exhibit a more resilient global magnetic state. In contrast, the QC phase exhibits enhanced magnetic anisotropy, resulting in a higher TC. Meanwhile, the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) introduced by the broken inversion symmetry causes the QC phase to exhibit a localized magnetic state: no domain transformation occurs during spin reorientation, and irregular domain states are observed in field-related studies. Our work provides an important reference for understanding the complex magnetic properties in Fe5GeTe2.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Filling-dependent intertwined electronic and atomic orders in the flat-band state of 1T-TaS2

The delicate interplay among the complex intra-/inter-layer electron-electron and electron-lattice interactions is the fundamental prerequisite of these exotic quantum states, such as superconductivity, nematic order, and checkerboard charge order. Here we explore the filling-dependent multiple stable intertwined electronic and atomic orders of flat-band state of 1T-TaS2 encompassing hole order, phase orders, coexisting left- and right-chiral orders and mixed phase/chiral orders via scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Combining first-principles calculations, the emergent electronic/atomic orders can be attributed to the weakening of electron-electron correlations and stacking-dependent interlayer interactions. Moreover, achiral intermediate ring-like clusters and nematic charge density wave (CDW) states are successfully realized in intralayer chiral domain wall and interlayer heterochiral stacking regions through chiral overlap configurations. Our study not only deepens the understanding of filling-dependent electronic/atomic orders in flat-band systems, but also offers perspectives for exploring exotic quantum states in correlated electronic systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Electronic Janus lattice and kagome-like bands in coloring-triangular MoTe2 monolayers

Polymorphic structures of transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) host exotic electronic states, like charge density wave and superconductivity. However, the number of these structures is limited by crystal symmetries, which poses a challenge to achieve tailored lattices and properties both theoretically and experimentally. Here, we report a coloring-triangle (CT) latticed MoTe2 monolayer, termed CT-MoTe2, constructed by controllably introducing uniform and ordered mirror-twin-boundaries into a pristine monolayer in molecular beam epitaxy. Low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS) together with theoretical calculations reveal that the monolayer has an electronic Janus lattice, i.e., an energy-dependent atomic-lattice and a pseudo-Te sublattice, and shares the identical geometry with the Mo5Te8 layer. Dirac-like and flat electronic bands inherently existing in the CT lattice are identified by two broad and two prominent peaks in STS spectra, respectively, and verified with density-functional-theory calculations. Two types of intrinsic domain boundaries were observed, in one of which the electronic-Janus-lattice feature maintains, implying potential applications as an energy-tunable electron-tunneling barrier in future functional devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Emergent Electronic Kagome Lattice in Correlated Charge-Density-Wave State of 1T-TaS$_2$

Quantum materials with tunable correlated and/or topological electronic states, such as the electronic Kagome lattice, provide an ideal platform to study the exotic quantum properties. However, the real-space investigations on the correlated electronic Kagome lattice have been rarely reported. Herein, we report on the electronic Kagome lattice emerging in the correlated charge-density-wave (CDW) state of 1T-TaS$_2$ at ~200 K via variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (VT-STM). This emergent Kagome lattice can be considered a fractional electron-filling superstructure with reduced translational and rotational symmetries, confirmed by STM measurements and density functional theory simulations. The characteristic band structure and density of states of this electronic Kagome lattice are further explored based on theoretical calculations. Our results demonstrate a self-organized electronic Kagome lattice from the correlated CDW state via the effective tuning parameter of temperature and provide a platform to directly explore the interplay of correlated electrons and topological physics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Interweaving Polar Charge Orders in a Layered Metallic Super-atomic Crystal

Electronic properties of super-atomic crystals have not been sufficiently explored due to the versatility of their building units; moreover, their inter-unit couplings are even poorly understood. Here, we present a joint experiment-theory investigation of a rational-designed layered super-atomic crystal of Au6Te12Se8 cubes, stacked by non-covalent inter-cube quasi-bonds. We found a sequential-emerged anisotropic triple-cube charge-density-wave (tc-CDW) and polarized metallic states below 120 K, as revealed via scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, transport measurement, Raman spectra, and density functional theory. The polarized states are locked in an anti-parallel configuration, which is required for maintaining the inversion symmetry of the center-cube in the tc-CDW. The anti-polar metallic states are thus interweaved by the charge-density-wave and the polarized metallic states, and primarily ascribed to electronic effects via theoretical calculations. This work not only demonstrates a microscopic picture of the interweaved CDW and polarized charge orders in the super-atomic crystal of ATS, but also sheds light on expanding the existing category of quantum materials to non-covalent solids.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Twisted Angle-Dependent Work Functions in CVD-Grown Twisted Bilayer Graphene by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

Tailoring the interlayer twist angle of bilayer graphene (BLG) has a significant influence on its electronic properties, including superconductivity, topological transitions, ferromagnetic states and correlated insulating states. These exotic electronic properties are sensitively dependent on the work functions of bilayer graphene samples. Here, the twisted angle-dependent work functions of CVD-grown twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) are detailed investigated by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) in combination with Raman spectra. The thickness-dependent surface potentials of Bernal-stacked multilayer graphene were measured. The AB-BLG and tBLG are directly determined by KPFM due to their twist angle-specific surface potentials. The detailed relationship of twist angles and surface potentials are further obtained by the in-situ combination investigation of KPFM and Raman spectra measurements. The thermal stability of tBLG was further explored through controlled annealing process. Our work provides the twisted angle-dependent surface potentials of tBLG and lays the foundation for further exploring their twist-angle-dependent novel electronic properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Epitaxial fabrication of AgTe monolayer on Ag(111) and the sequential growth of Te film

Transition-metal chalcogenides (TMCs) materials have attracted increasing interest both for fundamental research and industrial applications. Among all these materials, two-dimensional (2D) compounds with honeycomb-like structure possess exotic electronic structures. Here, we report a systematic study of TMC monolayer AgTe fabricated by direct depositing Te on the surface of Ag(111) and annealing. Few intrinsic defects are observed and studied by scanning tunneling microscopy, indicating that there are two kinds of AgTe domains and they can form gliding twin-boundary. Then, the monolayer AgTe can serve as the template for the following growth of Te film. Meanwhile, some Te atoms are observed in the form of chains on the top of the bottom Te film. Our findings in this work might provide insightful guide for the epitaxial growth of 2D materials for study of novel physical properties and for future quantum devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Toplayer-Dependent Crystallographic Orientation Imaging in the Bilayer Two-Dimensional Materials with Transverse Shear Microscopy

Nanocontact properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials are closely dependent on their unique nanomechanical systems, such as the number of atomic layers and the supporting substrate. Here, we report a direct observation of toplayer-dependent crystallographic orientation imaging of 2D materials with the transverse shear microscopy (TSM). Three typical nanomechanical systems, MoS2 on the amorphous SiO2/Si, graphene on the amorphous SiO2/Si, and MoS2 on the crystallized Al2O3, have been investigated in detail. This experimental observation reveals that puckering behaviour mainly occurs on the top layer of 2D materials, which is attributed to its direct contact adhesion with the AFM tip. Furthermore, the result of crystallographic orientation imaging of MoS2/SiO2/Si and MoS2/Al2O3 indicated that the underlying crystalline substrates almost do not contribute to the puckering effect of 2D materials. Our work directly revealed the top layer dependent puckering properties of 2D material, and demonstrate the general applications of TSM in the bilayer 2D systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Local probe of the interlayer coupling strength of few-layers SnSe by contact-resonance atomic force microscopy

The interlayer bonding in two dimensional materials is particularly important because it is not only related to their physical and chemical stability but also affects their mechanical, thermal, electronic, optical, and other properties. To address this issue, we report the direct characterization of the interlayer bonding in 2D SnSe using contact-resonance atomic force microscopy in this study. Site specific CR spectroscopy and CR force spectroscopy measurements are performed on both SnSe and its supporting SiO2 substrate comparatively. Based on the cantilever and contact mechanic models, the contact stiffness and vertical Young's modulus are evaluated in comparison with SiO2 as a reference material. The interlayer bonding of SnSe is further analyzed in combination with the semi-analytical model and density functional theory calculations. The direct characterization of interlayer interactions using this nondestructive methodology of CR AFM would facilitate a better understanding of the physical and chemical properties of 2D layered materials, specifically for interlayer intercalation and vertical heterostructures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗