arXiv subjects

Liang Fu

Publications and source records attributed to Liang Fu.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2024

Nematic, chiral and topological superconductivity in transition metal dichalcogenides

We introduce and study a realistic model for superconductivity in twisted bilayer WSe$_{2}$, where electron pairing arises from spin-valley fluctuations in the weak-coupling regime. Our model comprises both the full continuum model moiré bandstructure and a short-ranged repulsive interaction. By calculating the spin-valley susceptibility, we identify a Fermi surface nesting feature near half-filling of the top-most moiré band, which induces significantly enhanced spin-valley fluctuations. We then analyze the dominant Kohn-Luttinger pairing instabilities due to these spin-valley fluctuations and show that the leading instability corresponds to a two-component order parameter, which can give rise to nematic, chiral and topological superconductivity. As our findings are asymptotically exact for small interaction strengths, they provide a viable starting point for future studies of superconductivity in twisted transition metal dichalcogenide bilayers.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Strong-coupling phases of trions and excitons in electron-hole bilayers at commensurate densities

We introduce density imbalanced electron-hole bilayers at a commensurate 2 : 1 density ratio as a platform for realizing novel phases involving electrons, excitons and trions. Three length scales are identified which characterize the interplay between kinetic energy, intralayer repulsion, and interlayer attraction. By a combination of theoretical analysis and numerical calculation, we find a variety of strong-coupling phases in different parameter regions, including quantum crystals of electrons, excitons, and trions. We also propose an "excitonic supersolid" phase that features electron crystallization and exciton superfluidity simultaneously. The material realization and experimental signature of these phases are discussed in the context of semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenide bilayers.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Universal relation between energy gap and dielectric constant

We establish a universal relation between the energy gap and the static dielectric constant for all insulating states. This relation yields an upper bound on the energy gap, which only depends on the electron density and electronic dielectric constant. We identify two types of energy gaps associated with transverse and longitudinal excitations at long wavelength, which correspond to the optical gap and the plasmon energy respectively. Their upper bounds are set by the dielectric constant and its inverse respectively. The transverse gap bound is calculated for a wide range of materials and compared with the measured optical gap. A remarkable case is cubic boron nitride, in which the direct gap reaches \SI{72}{\percent} of the bound. Our results are derived from the Kramers-Kronig relation and the $f$-sum rule, and therefore rest on general physical principles.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Mapping twist-tuned multiband topology in bilayer WSe$_2$

Semiconductor moiré superlattices have been shown to host a wide array of interaction-driven ground states. However, twisted homobilayers have been difficult to study in the limit of large moiré wavelength, where interactions are most dominant. Here, we conduct local electronic compressibility measurements of twisted bilayer WSe$_2$ (tWSe$_2$) at small twist angles. We demonstrate multiple topological bands which host a series of Chern insulators at zero magnetic field near a 'magic angle' around $1.23^\circ$. Using a locally applied electric field, we induce a topological quantum phase transition at one hole per moiré unit cell. Our work establishes the topological phase diagram of a generalized Kane-Mele-Hubbard model in tWSe$_2$, demonstrating a tunable platform for strongly correlated topological phases.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Large Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in Spin-Orbit Proximitized Rhombohedral Graphene

The quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) is a robust topological phenomenon featuring quantized Hall resistance at zero magnetic field. We report the QAHE in a rhombohedral pentalayer graphene/monolayer WS2 heterostructure. Distinct from other experimentally confirmed QAHE systems, this system has neither magnetic element nor moiré superlattice effect. The QAH states emerge at charge neutrality and feature Chern numbers C = +-5 at temperatures up to about 1.5 K. This large QAHE arises from the synergy of the electron correlation in intrinsic flat bands of pentalayer graphene, the gate-tuning effect, and the proximity-induced Ising spin-orbit-coupling. Our experiment demonstrates the potential of crystalline two-dimensional materials for intertwined electron correlation and band topology physics, and may enable a route for engineering chiral Majorana edge states.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Band mixing in the quantum anomalous Hall regime of twisted semiconductor bilayers

Remarkable recent experiments have observed fractional quantum anomalous Hall (FQAH) effects at zero field and unusually high temperatures in twisted semiconductor bilayer $t$MoTe$_2$. Intriguing observations in these experiments such as the absence of integer Hall effects at twist angles where a fractional Hall effect is observed, do however remain unexplained. The experimental phase diagram as a function of twist angle remains to be established. By comprehensive numerical study, we show that band mixing has large qualitative and quantitative effects on the energetics of competing states and their energy gaps throughout the twist angle range $θ\leq 4^\circ$. This lays the ground for the detailed realistic study of a rich variety of strongly correlated twisted semiconductor multilayers and an understanding of the phase diagram of these fascinating systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Observation of the dual quantum spin Hall insulator by density-tuned correlations in a van der Waals monolayer

The convergence of topology and correlations represents a highly coveted realm in the pursuit of novel quantum states of matter. Introducing electron correlations to a quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulator can lead to the emergence of a fractional topological insulator and other exotic time-reversal-symmetric topological order, not possible in quantum Hall and Chern insulator systems. However, the QSH insulator with quantized edge conductance remains rare, let alone that with significant correlations. In this work, we report a novel dual QSH insulator within the intrinsic monolayer crystal of TaIrTe4, arising from the interplay of its single-particle topology and density-tuned electron correlations. At charge neutrality, monolayer TaIrTe4 demonstrates the QSH insulator that aligns with single-particle band structure calculations, manifesting enhanced nonlocal transport and quantized helical edge conductance. Interestingly, upon introducing electrons from charge neutrality, TaIrTe4 only shows metallic behavior in a small range of charge densities but quickly goes into a new insulating state, entirely unexpected based on TaIrTe4's single-particle band structure. This insulating state could arise from a strong electronic instability near the van Hove singularities (VHS), likely leading to a charge density wave (CDW). Remarkably, within this correlated insulating gap, we observe a resurgence of the QSH state, marked by the revival of nonlocal transport and quantized helical edge conduction. Our observation of helical edge conduction in a CDW gap could bridge spin physics and charge orders. The discovery of a dual QSH insulator introduces a new method for creating topological flat minibands via CDW superlattices, which offer a promising platform for exploring time-reversal-symmetric fractional phases and electromagnetism.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Nodal fermions in a strongly spin-orbit coupled frustrated pyrochlore superconductor

The pyrochlore lattice, a three-dimensional network of corner-sharing tetrahedra, is a promising material playground for correlated topological phases arising from the interplay between spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and electron-electron interactions. Due to its geometrically frustrated lattice structure, exotic correlated states on the pyrochlore lattice have been extensively studied using various spin Hamiltonians in the localized limit. On the other hand, the topological properties of the electronic structure in the pyrochlore lattice have rarely been explored, due to the scarcity of pyrochlore materials in the itinerant paramagnetic limit. Here, we explore the topological electronic band structure of pyrochlore superconductor RbBi$_{2}$ using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Thanks to the strong SOC of the Bi pyrochlore network, we experimentally confirm the existence of three-dimensional (3D) massless Dirac fermions enforced by nonsymmorphic symmetry, as well as a 3D quadratic band crossing protected by cubic crystalline symmetry. Furthermore, we identify an additional 3D linear Dirac dispersion associated with band inversion protected by threefold rotation symmetry. These observations reveal the rich non-trivial band topology of itinerant pyrochlore lattice systems in the strong SOC regime. Through manipulation of electron correlations and SOC of the frustrated pyrochlore lattices, this material platform is a natural host for exotic phases of matter, including the fractionalized quantum spin Hall effect in the topological Mott insulator phase, as well as axion electrodynamics in the axion insulator phase.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Quantum weight

We introduce the concept of quantum weight as a fundamental property of insulating states of matter that is encoded in the ground-state static structure and measures quantum fluctuation in electrons' center of mass. We find a sum rule that directly relates quantum weight -- a ground state property -- with the negative-first moment of the optical conductivity above the gap frequency. Building on this connection to optical absorption, we derive both an upper bound and a lower bound on quantum weight in terms of electron density, dielectric constant, and energy gap. Therefore, quantum weight constitutes a key material parameter that can be experimentally determined from X-ray scattering.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Probing quantum geometry through optical conductivity and magnetic circular dichroism

Probing ground-state quantum geometry and topology through optical response is not only of fundamental interest, but it can also offer several practical advantages. Here, using first-principles calculations on antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ thin films, we demonstrate how the generalized optical weight arising from the absorptive part of the optical conductivity can be used to probe the ground state quantum geometry and topology. We show that three septuple layers MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ exhibit an enhanced almost perfect magnetic circular dichroism for a narrow photon energy window in the infrared region. We calculate the quantum weight in a few septuple layers MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ and show that it far exceeds the lower bound provided by the Chern number. Our results suggest that the well-known optical methods are powerful tools for probing the ground state quantum geometry and topology.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Fractional Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in a Graphene Moire Superlattice

The fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect (FQAHE), the analog of the fractional quantum Hall effect1 at zero magnetic field, is predicted to exist in topological flat bands under spontaneous time-reversal-symmetry breaking. The demonstration of FQAHE could lead to non-Abelian anyons which form the basis of topological quantum computation. So far, FQAHE has been observed only in twisted MoTe2 (t-MoTe2) at moire filling factor v > 1/2. Graphene-based moire superlattices are believed to host FQAHE with the potential advantage of superior material quality and higher electron mobility. Here we report the observation of integer and fractional QAH effects in a rhombohedral pentalayer graphene/hBN moire superlattice. At zero magnetic field, we observed plateaus of quantized Hall resistance Rxy = h/(ve^2) at filling factors v = 1, 2/3, 3/5, 4/7, 4/9, 3/7 and 2/5 of the moire superlattice respectively. These features are accompanied by clear dips in the longitudinal resistance Rxx. In addition, at zero magnetic field, Rxy equals 2h/e^2 at v = 1/2 and varies linearly with the filling factor-similar to the composite Fermi liquid (CFL) in the half-filled lowest Landau level at high magnetic fields. By tuning the gate displacement field D and v, we observed phase transitions from CFL and FQAH states to other correlated electron states. Our graphene system provides an ideal platform for exploring charge fractionalization and (non-Abelian) anyonic braiding at zero magnetic field, especially considering a lateral junction between FQAHE and superconducting regions in the same device.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Toward a global phase diagram of the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect

Recent experiments on the twisted semiconductor bilayer system $t$MoTe$_2$ have observed integer and fractional quantum anomalous Hall effects, which occur in topological moiré bands at zero magnetic field. Here, we present a global phase diagram of $t$MoTe$_2$ throughout the filling range $0< n\leq 1$ substantiated by exact diagonalization calculations. At a magic angle, we find that the system resembles the lowest Landau level (LLL) to a remarkable degree, exhibiting an abundance of incompressible fractional quantum anomalous Hall states and compressible anomalous composite Fermi liquid states. Away from the magic angle, particle-hole symmetry is strongly broken. Some LLL-like features remain robust near half-filling, while others are replaced, predominantly by charge density waves near $n=0$ and anomalous Hall Fermi liquids near $n=1$. Among LLL-like phases, we find the anomalous composite Fermi liquid at $n=\frac{1}{2}$ to be most robust against deviations from the magic angle. Within the band-projected model, we show that strong particle-hole asymmetry above the magic angle results from interaction-enhanced quasiparticle dispersion near $n=1$. Our work sets the stage for future exploration of LLL-like and beyond-LLL phases in fractional quantum anomalous Hall systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Topology, magnetism and charge order in twisted MoTe2 at higher integer hole fillings

Twisted homobilayer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) attracts an expanding experimental interest recently for exhibiting a variety of topological and magnetic states even at zero magnetic field. Most of the studies right now focus on hole filling nu_h < 1, while a rich phase diagram at higher hole filling calls for more investigation. We perform a thorough survey of possible interaction-driven phases at higher integer hole fillings. We first construct the continuum model from a first-principles calculation, and then perform a self-consistent Hartree-Fock study of the interacting ground states. We identify various valley polarized (VP) states at odd integer fillings and intervalley coherent (IVC) states at even integer fillings and discuss the energetics competition among them. We also discuss the origin and the experimental implications of the curious Chern insulator at nu_h = 2.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Wigner Molecular Crystals from Multi-electron Moiré Artificial Atoms

Semiconductor moiré superlattices provide a versatile platform to engineer new quantum solids composed of artificial atoms on moiré sites. Previous studies have mostly focused on the simplest correlated quantum solid - the Fermi-Hubbard model - where intra-atom interactions are simplified to a single onsite repulsion energy U. These studies have revealed novel quantum phases ranging from Mott insulators to quantum anomalous Hall insulators at a filling of one electron per moiré unit cell. New types of quantum solids should arise at even higher filling factors where the multi-electron configuration of moiré artificial atoms provides new degrees of freedom. Here we report the experimental observation of Wigner molecular crystals emerging from multi-electron artificial atoms in twisted bilayer WS2 moiré superlattices. Moiré artificial atoms, unlike natural atoms, can host qualitatively different electron states due to the interplay between quantized energy levels and Coulomb interactions. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we demonstrate that Wigner molecules appear in multi-electron artificial atoms when Coulomb interactions dominate. Three-electron Wigner molecules, for example, are seen to exhibit a characteristic trimer pattern. The array of Wigner molecules observed in a moiré superlattice comprises a new crystalline phase of electrons: the Wigner molecular crystal. We show that these Wigner molecular crystals are highly tunable through mechanical strain, moiré period, and carrier charge type. Our study presents new opportunities for exploring quantum phenomena in moiré quantum solids composed of multi-electron artificial atoms.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Electrically controlled interlayer trion fluid in electron-hole bilayers

The combination of repulsive and attractive Coulomb interactions in a quantum electron(e)-hole(h) fluid can give rise to novel correlated phases of multiparticle charge complexes such as excitons, trions and biexcitons. Here we report the first experimental realization of an electrically controlled interlayer trion fluid in two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures. We demonstrate that in the strong coupling regime of electron-hole bilayers, electrons and holes in separate layers can spontaneously form three-particle trion bound states that resemble positronium ions in high energy physics. The interlayer trions can assume 1e-2h and 2e-1h configurations, where electrons and holes are confined in different transition metal dichalcogenide layers. We show that the two correlated holes in 1e-2h trions form a spin-singlet state with a spin gap of ~1meV. By electrostatic gating, the equilibrium state of our system can be continuously tuned into an exciton fluid, a trion fluid, an exciton-trion mixture, a trion-charge mixture or an electron-hole plasma. Upon optical excitation, the system can host novel high-order multiparticle charge complexes including interlayer four-particle complex (tetrons) and five-particle complex (pentons). Our work demonstrates a unique platform to study novel correlated phases of tunable Bose-Fermi mixtures and opens up new opportunities to realize artificial ions/molecules in electronic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Transport properties of a half-filled Chern band at the electron and composite fermion phases

We consider a half-filled Chern band and its transport properties in two phases that it may form, the electronic Fermi liquid and the composite-fermion Fermi liquid. For weak disorder, we show that the Hall resistivity for the former phase is very small, while for the latter it is close to $2h/e^2$, independent of the distribution of the Berry curvature in the band. At rising temperature and high frequency, we expect the Hall resistivity of the electronic phase to rise, and that of the composite-fermion phase to deviate from $2h/e^2$. At high frequency, sign changes are expected as well. Considering high-frequency transport, we show that the composite fermion phase carries a gapped plasmon mode which does not originate from long ranged Coulomb interaction, and we show how this mode, together with the reflection of electro-magnetic waves off the Chern band, allow for a measurement of the composite-fermion Drude weight and Berry curvature. Finally, we consider a scenario of a mixed-phase transition between the two phases, for example as a function of displacement-field, and show that such transition involves an enhancement of the longitudinal resistivity, as observed experimentally.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Pairing-based graph neural network for simulating quantum materials

We develop a pairing-based graph neural network for simulating quantum many-body systems. Our architecture augments a BCS-type geminal wavefunction with a generalized pair amplitude parameterized by a graph neural network. Variational Monte Carlo with our neural network simultaneously provides an accurate, flexible, and scalable method for simulating many-electron systems. We apply this method to two-dimensional semiconductor electron-hole bilayers and obtain accurate results on a variety of interaction-induced phases, including the exciton Bose-Einstein condensate, electron-hole superconductor, and bilayer Wigner crystal. Our study demonstrates the potential of physically-motivated neural network wavefunctions for quantum materials simulations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Artificial atoms, Wigner molecules, and emergent Kagome lattice in semiconductor moiré superlattices

Semiconductor moiré superlattices comprise an array of artificial atoms and provide a highly tunable platform for exploring novel electronic phases. We introduce a theoretical framework for studying moiré quantum matter that treats intra-moiré-atom interactions exactly and is controlled in the limit of large moiré period. We reveal an abundance of new physics arising from strong electron interactions when there are multiple electrons within a moiré unit cell. In particular, at filling factor $n=3$, the Coulomb interaction within each three-electron moiré atom leads to a three-lobed ``Wigner molecule''. When their size is comparable to the moiré period, the Wigner molecules form an emergent Kagome lattice. Our work identifies two universal length scales characterizing the kinetic and interaction energies in moiré materials and demonstrates a rich phase diagram due to their interplay.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗