arXiv subjects

M. Buzzi

Publications and source records attributed to M. Buzzi.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Evidence for metastable photo-induced superconductivity in K$_3$C$_{60}$

Far and mid infrared optical pulses have been shown to induce non-equilibrium unconventional orders in complex materials, including photo-induced ferroelectricity in quantum paraelectrics, magnetic polarization in antiferromagnets and transient superconducting correlations in the normal state of cuprates and organic conductors. In the case of non-equilibrium superconductivity, femtosecond drives have generally resulted in electronic properties that disappear immediately after excitation, evidencing a state that lacks intrinsic rigidity. Here, we make use of a new optical device to drive metallic K$_3$C$_{60}$ with mid-infrared pulses of tunable duration, ranging between one picosecond and one nanosecond. The same superconducting-like optical properties observed over short time windows for femtosecond excitation are shown here to become metastable under sustained optical driving, with lifetimes in excess of ten nanoseconds. Direct electrical probing becomes possible at these timescales, yielding a vanishingly small resistance. Such a colossal positive photo-conductivity is highly unusual for a metal and, when taken together with the transient optical conductivities, it is rather suggestive of metastable light-induced superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Photo-molecular high temperature superconductivity

Superconductivity in organic conductors is often tuned by the application of chemical or external pressure. With this type of tuning, orbital overlaps and electronic bandwidths are manipulated, whilst the properties of the molecular building blocks remain virtually unperturbed.Here, we show that the excitation of local molecular vibrations in the charge-transfer salt $κ-(BEDT-TTF)_2Cu[N(CN)_2]Br$ induces a colossal increase in carrier mobility and the opening of a superconducting-like optical gap. Both features track the density of quasi-particles of the equilibrium metal, and can be achieved up to a characteristic coherence temperature $T^* \approxeq 50 K$, far higher than the equilibrium transition temperature $T_C = 12.5 K$. Notably, the large optical gap achieved by photo-excitation is not observed in the equilibrium superconductor, pointing to a light induced state that is different from that obtained by cooling. First-principle calculations and model Hamiltonian dynamics predict a transient state with long-range pairing correlations, providing a possible physical scenario for photo-molecular superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Pressure tuning of light-induced superconductivity in K3C60

Optical excitation at terahertz frequencies has emerged as an effective means to manipulate complex solids dynamically. In the molecular solid K3C60, coherent excitation of intramolecular vibrations was shown to transform the high temperature metal into a non-equilibrium state with the optical conductivity of a superconductor. Here we tune this effect with hydrostatic pressure, and we find it to disappear around 0.3 GPa. Reduction with pressure underscores the similarity with the equilibrium superconducting phase of K3C60, in which a larger electronic bandwidth is detrimental for pairing. Crucially, our observation excludes alternative interpretations based on a high-mobility metallic phase. The pressure dependence also suggests that transient, incipient superconductivity occurs far above the 150 K hypothesised previously, and rather extends all the way to room temperature.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Imaging magnetic vortex configurations in ferromagnetic nanotubes

We image the remnant magnetization configurations of CoFeB and permalloy nanotubes (NTs) using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism photo-emission electron microscopy. The images provide direct evidence for flux-closure configurations, including a global vortex state, in which magnetization points circumferentially around the NT axis. Furthermore, micromagnetic simulations predict and measurements confirm that vortex states can be programmed as the equilibrium remnant magnetization configurations by reducing the NT aspect ratio.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

All-optical magnetization switching in ferrimagnetic alloys: deterministic vs thermally activated dynamics

Using photo-emission electron microscopy with X-ray magnetic circular dichroism as a contrast mechanism, new insights into the all-optical magnetization switching (AOS) phenomenon in GdFe based rare-earth transition metal ferrimagnetic alloys are provided. From a sequence of static images taken after single linearly polarized laser pulse excitation, the repeatability of AOS can be measured with a correlation coefficient. It is found that low coercivity enables thermally activated domain wall motion, limiting in turn the repeatability of the switching. Time-resolved measurement of the magnetization dynamics reveal that while AOS occurs below and above the magnetization compensation temperature $T_\text{M}$, it is not observed in GdFe samples where $T_\text{M}$ is absent. Finally, AOS is experimentally demonstrated against an applied magnetic field of up to 180 mT.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

Sub-diffraction sub-100 ps all-optical magnetic switching by passive wavefront shaping

The recently discovered magnetization reversal driven solely by a femtosecond laser pulse has been shown to be a promising way to record information at record breaking speeds. Seeking to improve the recording density has raised intriguing fundamental question about the feasibility to combine the ultrafast temporal with sub-wavelength spatial resolution of magnetic recording. Here we report about the first experimental demonstration of sub-diffraction and sub-100 ps all-optical magnetic switching. Using computational methods we reveal the feasibility of sub-diffraction magnetic switching even for an unfocused incoming laser pulse. This effect is achieved via structuring the sample such that the laser pulse experiences a passive wavefront shaping as it couples and propagates inside the magnetic structure. Time-resolved studies with the help of photo-emission electron microscopy clearly reveal that the sub-wavelength switching with the help of the passive wave-front shaping can be pushed into sub-100 ps regime.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Imaging the antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic first order phase transition of FeRh

The antiferromagnetic (AFM) to ferromagnetic (FM) first order phase transition of an epitaxial FeRh thin-film has been studied with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism using photoemission electron microscopy. The FM phase is magnetized in-plane due to shape anisotropy, but the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is negligible and there is no preferred in-plane magnetization direction. When heating through the AFM to FM phase transition the nucleation of the FM phase occurs at many independent nucleation sites with random domain orientation. The domains subsequently align to form the final FM domain structure. We observe no pinning of the FM domain structure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗