arXiv subjects

Matthieu Le Tacon

Publications and source records attributed to Matthieu Le Tacon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Giant non-volatile electric field control of proximity induced magnetism in the spin-orbit semimetal SrIrO3

With its potential for drastically reduced operation power of information processing devices, electric field control of magnetism has generated huge research interest. Recently, novel perspectives offered by the inherently large spin-orbit coupling of 5d transition metals have emerged. Here, we demonstrate non-volatile electrical control of the proximity induced magnetism in SrIrO3 based back-gated heterostructures. We report up to a 700 % variation of the anomalous Hall conductivity σ_AHE and Hall angle θ_AHE as function of the applied gate voltage Vg. In contrast, the Curie temperature TC = 100K and magnetic anisotropy of the system remain essentially unaffected by Vg indicating a robust ferromagnetic state in SrIrO3 which strongly hints to gating-induced changes of the anomalous Berry curvature. The electric-field induced ferroelectric-like state of SrTiO3 enables non-volatile switching behavior of σ_AHE and θ_AHE below 60 K. The large tunability of this system, opens new avenues towards efficient electric-field manipulation of magnetism.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Bosonic excitation spectra of superconducting $\mathrm{Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+δ}}$ and $\mathrm{YBa_2Cu_3O_{6+x}}$ extracted from scanning tunneling spectra

A detailed interpretation of scanning tunneling spectra obtained on unconventional superconductors enables one to gain information on the pairing boson. Decisive for this approach are inelastic tunneling events. Due to the lack of momentum conservation in tunneling from or to the sharp tip, those are enhanced in the geometry of a scanning tunneling microscope compared to planar tunnel junctions. This work extends the method of obtaining the bosonic excitation spectrum by deconvolution from tunneling spectra to nodal $d$-wave superconductors. In particular, scanning tunneling spectra of slightly underdoped $\mathrm{Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+δ}}$ with a $T_c$ of $82\,\mathrm{K}$ and optimally doped $\mathrm{YBa_2Cu_3O_{6+x}}$ with a $T_c$ of $92\,\mathrm{K}$ reveal a resonance mode in their bosonic excitation spectrum at $Ω_\mathrm{res} \approx 63\,\mathrm{meV}$ and $Ω_\mathrm{res} \approx 61\,\mathrm{meV}$ respectively. In both cases, the overall shape of the bosonic excitation spectrum is indicative of predominant spin scattering with a resonant mode at $Ω_\mathrm{res}<2Δ$ and overdamped spin fluctuations for energies larger than $2Δ$. To perform the deconvolution of the experimental data, we implemented an efficient iterative algorithm that significantly enhances the reliability of our analysis.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

From valence fluctuations to long-range magnetic order in EuPd$_2$(Si$_{1-x}$Ge$_x$)$_2$ single crystals

EuPd$_2$Si$_2$ is a valence-fluctuating system undergoing a temperature-induced valence crossover at $T'_V\approx160\,$K. We present the successful single crystal growth using the Czochralski method for the substitution series EuPd$_2$(Si$_{1-x}$Ge$_x$)$_2$, with substitution levels $x\leq 0.15$. A careful determination of the germanium content revealed that only half of the nominal concentration is build into the crystal structure. From thermodynamic measurements it is established that $T'_V$ is strongly suppressed for small substitution levels and antiferromagnetic order from stable divalent europium emerges for $x\gtrsim 0.10$. The valence transition is accompanied by a pronounced change of the lattice parameter $a$ of order 1.8%. In the antiferromagnetically ordered state below $T_N = 47$ K, we find sizeable magnetic anisotropy with an easy plane perpendicular to the crystallographic c direction. An entropy analysis revealed that no valence fluctuations are present for the magnetically ordered materials. Combining the obtained thermodynamic and structural data, we construct a concentration-temperature phase diagram demonstrating a rather abrupt change from a valence-fluctuating to a magnetically-ordered state in EuPd$_2$(Si$_{1-x}$Ge$_x$)$_2$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Strong electron-phonon coupling and enhanced phonon Grüneisen parameters in valence-fluctuating metal EuPd$_2$Si$_2$

We study the valence crossover and strong electron-phonon coupling of EuPd$_2$Si$_2$ by polarization-resolved Raman spectroscopy. The fully-symmetric phonon mode shows strongly asymmetric lineshape at low temperature, indicating Fano-type interaction between this mode and a continuum of electron-hole excitations. Moreover, the frequency and linewidth of the phonon modes exhibit anomalies across the valence-crossover temperature, suggesting the coupling between valence fluctuations and lattice vibration. In particular, two phonon modes show significantly enhanced Grüneisen parameter, suggesting proximity to a critical elasticity regime. The relative contribution of the structural change and valence change to the phonon anomalies is evaluated by density functional theory calculations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Disentangling lattice and electronic instabilities in the excitonic insulator candidate Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$ by nonequilibrium spectroscopy

Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$ is an excitonic insulator candidate showing the semiconductor/semimetal-to-insulator (SI) transition below $T_{\text{c}}$ = 326 K. However, since a structural transition accompanies the SI transition, deciphering the role of electronic and lattice degrees of freedom in driving the SI transition has remained controversial. Here, we investigate the photoexcited nonequilibrium state in Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$ using pump-probe Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. The combined nonequilibrium spectroscopic measurements of the lattice and electronic states reveal the presence of a photoexcited metastable state where the insulating gap is suppressed, but the low-temperature structural distortion is preserved. We conclude that electron correlations play a vital role in the SI transition of Ta$_2$NiSe$_5$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Charge-density-wave transitions, phase diagram, soft phonon and possible electronic nematicity: a thermodynamic investigation of BaNi2(As,P)2

A detailed investigation of BaNi2(As,P)2 single crystals using high-resolution thermal-expansion, heat-capacity,Young-modulus and resistivity measurements is presented. The experimental data are complemented by density-functional calculations. The phase diagram of BaNi2(As,P)2 is shown to be much richer than suggested by the original data of Kudo et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 097002 (2012)]. The transition to the commensurate charge-density-wave (C-CDW) is always preceded by a four-fold symmetry-breaking transition associated with the long-range ordering of a strongly fluctuating unidirectional incommensurate charge-density wave (I-CDW). Significant precursors above the I-CDW and C-CDW transitions are seen in the thermal expansion and resistivity and are particularly evident in the temperature dependence of the $c/a$ ratio of the lattice parameters. Heat-capacity measurements of the crystals with a higher P content and a higher critical temperature of 3.2 K uncover a Debye-like behavior of a soft-phonon mode with a very low Debye temperature of roughly 15 K. Associated with this soft phonon are unusually large thermal-expansion anomalies, resulting in logarithmically diverging uniaxial phonon Grueneisen parameters. Young-modulus data of these higher-Tc crystals exhibit a significant softening in both B1g and B2g channels, which is argued to be incompatible with nematic criticality and is rather associated with a broad phase transition to an hitherto unknown structure. Possible origins of the increase in the superconducting critical temperature with P-substitution are discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

An Electronic Nematic Liquid in BaNi$_2$As$_2$

Understanding the organizing principles of interacting electrons and the emergence of novel electronic phases is a central endeavor of condensed matter physics. Electronic nematicity, in which the discrete rotational symmetry in the electron fluid is broken while the translational one remains unaffected, is a prominent example of such a phase. It has proven ubiquitous in correlated electron systems, and is of prime importance to understand Fe-based superconductors. Here, we find that fluctuations of such broken symmetry are exceptionally strong over an extended temperature range above phase transitions in \bnap, the nickel homologue to the Fe-based systems. This provides evidence for a type of electronic nematicity, dynamical in nature, which exhibits an unprecedented coupling to the underlying crystal lattice. Fluctuations between degenerate nematic configurations cause a splitting of phonon lines, without lifting degeneracies nor breaking symmetries, akin to spin liquids in magnetic systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Dynamics of Collective Modes in an unconventional Charge Density Wave system BaNi$_{2}$As$_{2}$

BaNi$_{2}$As$_{2}$ is a non-magnetic analogue of BaFe$_{2}$As$_{2}$, the parent compound of a prototype pnictide high-temperature superconductor, displaying superconductivity already at ambient pressure. Recent diffraction studies demonstrated the existence of two types of periodic lattice distortions above and below the triclinic phase transition, suggesting the existence of an unconventional charge-density-wave (CDW) order. The suppression of CDW order upon doping results in a sixfold increase in the superconducting transition temperature and enhanced nematic fluctuations, suggesting CDW is competing with superconductivity. Here, we apply time-resolved optical spectroscopy to investigate collective dynamics in BaNi$_{2}$As$_{2}$. We demonstrate the existence of several CDW amplitude modes. Their smooth evolution through the structural phase transition implies the commensurate CDW order in the triclinic phase evolves from the high-temperature unidirectional incommensurate CDW, and may indeed trigger the structural phase transition. Excitation density dependence reveals exceptional resilience of CDW against perturbation, implying an unconventional origin of the underlying electronic instability.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Magnetic domain walls of the van der Waals material Fe$_3$GeTe$_2$

Among two-dimensional materials, Fe$_3$GeTe$_2$ has come to occupy a very important place owing to its ferromagnetic nature with one of the highest Curie temperatures among known van der Waals materials and the potential for hosting skyrmions. In this combined experimental and theoretical work, we investigate the magnetic bubble domains as well as the microscopic domain wall profile using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy in combination with atomistic spin-dynamics simulations performed with parameters from density functional theory calculations. We find a weak magneto-electric effect influencing the domain wall width by the electric field in the tunneling junction and determine the critical magnetic field for the collapse of the bubble domains. Our findings shed light on the origins of complex magnetism that Fe$_3$GeTe$_2$ exhibits.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Direct observation of strong anomalous Hall effect and proximity-induced ferromagnetic state in SrIrO3

The 5d iridium-based transition metal oxides have gained broad interest because of their strong spin-orbit coupling which favors new or exotic quantum electronic states. On the other hand, they rarely exhibit more mainstream orders like ferromagnetism due to generally weak electron-electron correlation strength. Here, we show a proximity-induced ferromagnetic (FM) state with TC = 100 K and strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy in a SrIrO3 (SIO) heterostructure via interfacial charge transfer by using a ferromagnetic insulator in contact with SIO. Electrical transport allows to selectively probe the FM state of the SIO layer and the direct observation of a strong, intrinsic and positive anomalous Hall effect (AHE). For T < 20 K, the AHE displays unusually large coercive and saturation field, a fingerprint of a strong pseudospin-lattice coupling. A Hall angle, sxyAHE/sxx, larger by an order of magnitude than in typical 3d metals and a FM net moment of about 0.1 mB/Ir, is reported. This emphasizes how efficiently the nontrivial topological band properties of SIO can be manipulated by structural modifications and the exchange interaction with 3d TMOs.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

In-plane Isotropy of the Low Energy Phonon Anomalies in YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6+x}$

We study the temperature dependence of the low energy phonons in the $(H, 0, L)$ reciprocal plane of the highly ordered ortho-II YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.55}$ cuprate high temperature superconductor by means of high-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering. Anomalies associated with the emergence of long-range charge density wave (CDW) fluctuations are observed, and are qualitatively similar to those previously observed in the $(0, K, L)$ plane. This confirms the unconventional nature of this bi-dimensional CDW, which is not soft-phonon driven. With the support of first principles calculations, the symmetry of the anomalous phonon is identified and is found to match that of the charge modulation. This suggests in turn that these anomalies originate from a direct coupling between the phonons and the collective CDW excitations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Evidence for nesting driven charge density waves instabilities in a quasi-two-dimensional material: LaAgSb2

Since their theoretical prediction by Peierls in the 30s, charge density waves (CDW) have been one of the most commonly encountered electronic phases in low dimensional metallic systems. The instability mechanism originally proposed combines Fermi surface nesting and electron-phonon coupling but is, strictly speaking, only valid in one dimension. In higher dimensions, its relevance is questionable as sharp maxima in the static electronic susceptibility χ(q) are smeared out, and are, in many cases, unable to account for the periodicity of the observed charge modulations. Here, we investigate the quasi twodimensional LaAgSb2, which exhibits two CDW transitions, by a combination of diffuse xray scattering, inelastic x-ray scattering and ab initio calculations. We demonstrate that the CDW formation is driven by phonons softening. The corresponding Kohn anomalies are visualized in 3D through the momentum distribution of the x-ray diffuse scattering intensity. We show that they can be quantitatively accounted for by considering the electronic susceptibility calculated from a Dirac-like band, weighted by anisotropic electron-phonon coupling. This remarkable agreement sheds new light on the importance of Fermi surface nesting in CDW formation.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Unconventional quantum vortex matter state hosts quantum oscillations in the underdoped high-temperature cuprate superconductors

A central question in the underdoped cuprates pertains to the nature of the pseudogap ground state. A conventional metallic ground state of the pseudogap region has been argued to host quantum oscillations upon destruction of the superconducting order parameter by modest magnetic fields. Here we use low applied measurement currents and millikelvin temperatures on ultra-pure single crystals of underdoped YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$ to unearth an unconventional quantum vortex matter ground state characterized by vanishing electrical resistivity, magnetic hysteresis, and non-ohmic electrical transport characteristics beyond the highest laboratory accessible static fields. A new model of the pseudogap ground state is now required to explain quantum oscillations that are hosted by the bulk quantum vortex matter state without experiencing sizeable additional damping in the presence of a large maximum superconducting gap; possibilities include a pair density wave.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Suppression of superconductivity by charge density wave order in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.67}$

Hole-doped cuprate superconductors show a ubiquitous tendency towards charge order. Although onset of superconductivity is known to suppress charge order, there has not so far been a decisive demonstration of the reverse process, namely, the effect of charge order on superconductivity. To gain such information, we report here the dependence of the critical temperature $T_{\mathrm{c}}$ of YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.67}$ on in-plane uniaxial stress up to 2 GPa. At a compression of about 1 GPa along the $a$ axis, 3D-correlated charge density wave (3D CDW) order appears. We find that $T_{\mathrm{c}}$ decreases steeply as the applied stress crosses 1 GPa, showing that the appearance of 3D CDW order strongly suppresses superconductivity. Through the elastocaloric effect we resolve the heat capacity anomaly at $T_{\mathrm{c}}$, and find that it does not change drastically as the 3D CDW onsets, which shows that the condensation energy of the 3D CDW is considerably less than that of the superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Paramagnons and high-temperature superconductivity in mercury-based cuprates

We present a comparative study of magnetic excitations in the first two Ruddlesden-Popper members of the Hg-family of high-temperature superconducting cuprates, which are chemically nearly identical and have the highest critical temperature ($T_\mathrm{c}$) among all cuprate families. Our inelastic photon scattering experiments reveal that the two compounds' paramagnon spectra are nearly identical apart from an energy scale factor of $\sim130\%$ that matches the ratio of $T_\mathrm{c}$'s, as expected in magnetic Cooper pairing theories. By relating our observations to other cuprates, we infer that the strength of magnetic interactions determines how high $T_\mathrm{c}$ can reach. Our finding can be viewed as a magnetic analogue of the isotope effect, thus firmly supporting models of magnetically mediated high-temperature superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Influence of the vicinal substrate miscut on the anisotropic two-dimensional electronic transport in Al2O3-SrTiO3 heterostructures

The electrical resistance of the two-dimensional electron system (2DES) which forms at the interface of SrTiO3 (STO)-based heterostructures displays anisotropic transport with respect to the direction of current flow at low temperature. We have investigated the influence of terraces at the surface of STO substrates from which the 2DES are prepared. Such terraces are always present in commercially available STO substrates due to the tolerance of surface preparation which result in small miscut angles of the order of gamma ~ 0.1° with respect to the surface normal. By a controlled increase of the substrate miscut we could systematically reduce the width of the terraces and thereby increase the density of substrate surface steps. The in-plane anisotropy of the electrical resistance was studied as a function of the miscut angle gamma and found to be mainly related to interfacial scattering arising from the substrate surface steps. However, the influence of gamma was notably reduced by the occurrence of step-bunching and lattice-dislocations in the STO substrate material. Magnetoresistance (MR) depends on the current orientation as well, reflecting the anisotropy of carrier mobility. For gamma >= 2°, MR is substantially enhanced and shows the trend towards a linear field dependence which is typical for inhomogeneous conductors. From weak-antilocalization observed at small magnetic field we deduce information on inelastic scattering and spin-orbit coupling. While the field scale associated with a Rashba-type spin-orbit coupling in 2D weak-localization does not show a pronounced correlation with gamma, distinct changes of the scale are associated with inelastic scattering.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Strange semimetal dynamics in SrIrO$_3$

The interplay of electronic correlations, multi-orbital excitations, and strong spin-orbit coupling is a fertile ground for new states of matter in quantum materials. Here, we report on a confocal Raman scattering study of momentum-resolved charge dynamics from a thin film of semimetallic perovskite $\mathbf{SrIrO_3}$. We demonstrate that the charge dynamics, characterized by a broad continuum, is well described in terms of the marginal Fermi liquid phenomenology. In addition, over a wide temperature regime, the inverse scattering time is for all momenta close to the Planckian limit $\mathbf{τ^{-1}_{\hbar}=k_{\rm B} T/\hbar}$. Thus, $\mathbf{SrIrO_3}$ is a semimetallic multi-band system that is as correlated as, for example, the cuprate superconductors. The usual challenge to resolve the charge dynamics in multi-band systems with very different mobilities is circumvented by taking advantage of the momentum space selectivity of polarized electronic Raman scattering. The Raman responses of both hole- and electron-pockets display an electronic continuum extending far beyond 1000\icm ($\sim$125 meV), much larger than allowed by the phase space for creating particle-hole pairs in a regular Fermi liquid. Analyzing this response in the framework of a memory function formalism, we are able to extract the frequency dependent scattering rate and mass enhancement factor of both types of charge carriers, which in turn allows us to determine the carrier-dependent mobilities and electrical resistivities. The results are well consistent with transport measurement and demonstrate the potential of this approach to investigate the charge dynamics in multi-band systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Hard antinodal gap revealed by quantum oscillations in the pseudogap regime of underdoped high-$T_{\rm c}$ superconductors

An understanding of the missing antinodal electronic excitations in the pseudogap state is essential for uncovering the physics of the underdoped cuprate high temperature superconductors. The majority of high temperature experiments performed thus far, however, have been unable to discern whether the antinodal states are rendered unobservable due to their damping, or whether they vanish due to their gapping. Here we distinguish between these two scenarios by using quantum oscillations to examine whether the small Fermi surface pocket, found to occupy only 2% of the Brillouin zone in the underdoped cuprates, exists in isolation against a majority of completely gapped density of states spanning the antinodes, or whether it is thermodynamically coupled to a background of ungapped antinodal states. We find that quantum oscillations associated with the small Fermi surface pocket exhibit a signature sawtooth waveform characteristic of an isolated two-dimensional Fermi surface pocket. This finding reveals that the antinodal states are destroyed by a hard gap that extends over the majority of the Brillouin zone, placing strong constraints on a drastic underlying origin of quasiparticle disappearance over almost the entire Brillouin zone in the pseudogap regime.

cond-mat.supr-con↗