arXiv subjects

Qiong Ma

Publications and source records attributed to Qiong Ma.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2024

An antiferromagnetic diode effect in even-layered MnBi2Te4

In a PN junction, the separation between positive and negative charges leads to diode transport. In the past few years, the intrinsic diode transport in noncentrosymmetric polar conductors has attracted great interest, because it suggests novel nonlinear applications and provides a symmetry-sensitive probe of Fermi surface. Recently, such studies have been extended to noncentrosymmetric superconductors, realizing the superconducting diode effect. Here, we show that, even in a centrosymmetric crystal without directional charge separation, the spins of an antiferromagnet (AFM) can generate a spatial directionality, leading to an AFM diode effect. We observe large second-harmonic transport in a nonlinear electronic device enabled by the compensated AFM state of even-layered MnBi2Te4. We also report a novel electrical sum-frequency generation (SFG), which has been rarely explored in contrast to the well-known optical SFG in wide-gap insulators. We demonstrate that the AFM enables an in-plane field-effect transistor and harvesting of wireless electromagnetic energy. The electrical SFG establishes a powerful method to study nonlinear electronics built by quantum materials. The AFM diode effect paves the way for potential device concepts including AFM logic circuits, self-powered AFM spintronics, and other applications that potentially bridge nonlinear electronics with AFM spintronics.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Nonlinear optical diode effect in a magnetic Weyl semimetal

Diode effects are of great interest for both fundamental physics and modern technologies. Electrical diode effects (nonreciprocal transport) have been observed in Weyl systems. Optical diode effects arising from the Weyl fermions have been theoretically considered but not probed experimentally. Here, we report the observation of a nonlinear optical diode effect (NODE) in the magnetic Weyl semimetal CeAlSi, where the magnetization introduces a pronounced directionality in the nonlinear optical second-harmonic generation (SHG). We show demonstrate a six-fold change of the measured SHG intensity between opposite propagation directions over a bandwidth exceeding 250 meV. Supported by density-functional theory, we establish the linearly dispersive bands emerging from Weyl nodes as the origin of this broadband effect. We further demonstrate current-induced magnetization switching and thus electrical control of the NODE. Our results advance ongoing research to identify novel nonlinear optical/transport phenomena in magnetic topological materials and further opens new pathways for the unidirectional manipulation of light.

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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.

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arXiv2023

Sustainability-Driven Exploration of Topological Material

Topological materials are at the forefront of quantum materials research, offering tremendous potential for next-generation energy and information devices. However, current investigation of these materials remains largely focused on performance and often neglects the crucial aspect of sustainability. Recognizing the pivotal role of sustainability in addressing global pollution, carbon emissions, resource conservation, and ethical labor practices, we present a comprehensive evaluation of topological materials based on their sustainability and environmental impact. Our approach involves a hierarchical analysis encompassing cost, toxicity, energy demands, environmental impact, social implications, and resilience to imports. By applying this framework to over 16,000 topological materials, we establish a sustainable topological materials database. Our endeavor unveils environmental-friendly topological materials candidates which have been previously overlooked, providing insights into their environmental ramifications and feasibility for industrial scalability. The work represents a critical step toward industrial adoption of topological materials, offering the potential for significant technological advancements and broader societal benefits.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Quantum metric nonlinear Hall effect in a topological antiferromagnetic heterostructure

Quantum geometry - the geometry of electron Bloch wavefunctions - is central to modern condensed matter physics. Due to the quantum nature, quantum geometry has two parts, the real part quantum metric and the imaginary part Berry curvature. The studies of Berry curvature have led to countless breakthroughs, ranging from the quantum Hall effect in 2DEGs to the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in ferromagnets. However, in contrast to Berry curvature, the quantum metric has rarely been explored. Here, we report a new nonlinear Hall effect induced by quantum metric by interfacing even-layered MnBi2Te4 (a PT-symmetric antiferromagnet (AFM)) with black phosphorus. This novel nonlinear Hall effect switches direction upon reversing the AFM spins and exhibits distinct scaling that suggests a non-dissipative nature. Like the AHE brought Berry curvature under the spotlight, our results open the door to discovering quantum metric responses. Moreover, we demonstrate that the AFM can harvest wireless electromagnetic energy via the new nonlinear Hall effect, therefore enabling intriguing applications that bridges nonlinear electronics with AFM spintronics.

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arXiv2023

Electronic ratchet effect in a moiré system: signatures of excitonic ferroelectricity

Electronic ferroelectricity represents a new paradigm where spontaneous symmetry breaking driven by electronic correlations, in contrast to traditional lattice-driven ferroelectricity, leads to the formation of electric dipoles. Despite the potential application advantages arising from its electronic nature, switchable electronic ferroelectricity remains exceedingly rare. Here, we report the discovery of an electronic ratchet effect that manifests itself as switchable electronic ferroelectricity in a layer-contrasting graphene-boron nitride moiré heterostructure. Our engineered layer-asymmetric moiré potential landscapes result in layer-polarized localized and itinerant electronic subsystems. At particular fillings of the localized subsystem, we find a ratcheting injection of itinerant carriers in a non-volatile manner, leading to a highly unusual ferroelectric response. Strikingly, the remnant polarization can be stabilized at multiple (quasi-continuous) states with behavior markedly distinct from known ferroelectrics. Our experimental observations, simulations, and theoretical analysis suggest that dipolar excitons are the driving force and elementary ferroelectric units in our system. This signifies a new type of electronic ferroelectricity where the formation of dipolar excitons with aligned moments generates a macroscopic polarization and leads to an electronically-driven ferroelectric response, which we term excitonic ferroelectricity. Such new ferroelectrics, driven by quantum objects like dipolar excitons, could pave the way to innovative quantum analog memory and synaptic devices.

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arXiv2023

Axion optical induction of antiferromagnetic order

Using circularly-polarized light to control quantum matter is a highly intriguing topic in physics, chemistry and biology. Previous studies have demonstrated helicity-dependent optical control of spatial chirality and magnetization $M$. The former is central for asymmetric synthesis in chemistry and homochirality in bio-molecules, while the latter is of great interest for ferromagnetic spintronics. In this paper, we report the surprising observation of helicity-dependent optical control of fully-compensated antiferromagnetic (AFM) order in 2D even-layered MnBi$_2$Te$_4$, a topological Axion insulator with neither chirality nor $M$. We further demonstrate helicity-dependent optical creation of AFM domain walls by double induction beams and the direct reversal of AFM domains by ultrafast pulses. The control and reversal of AFM domains and domain walls by light helicity have never been achieved in any fully-compensated AFM. To understand this optical control, we study a novel type of circular dichroism (CD) proportional to the AFM order, which only appears in reflection but is absent in transmission. We show that the optical control and CD both arise from the optical Axion electrodynamics, which can be visualized as a Berry curvature real space dipole. Our Axion induction provides the possibility to optically control a family of $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric AFMs such as Cr$_2$O$_3$, CrI$_3$ and possibly novel states in cuprates. In MnBi$_2$Te$_4$, this further opens the door for optical writing of dissipationless circuit formed by topological edge states.

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arXiv2023

Optical bulk-boundary dichotomy in a quantum spin Hall insulator

The bulk-boundary correspondence is a key concept in topological quantum materials. For instance, a quantum spin Hall insulator features a bulk insulating gap with gapless helical boundary states protected by the underlying Z2 topology. However, the bulk-boundary dichotomy and distinction are rarely explored in optical experiments, which can provide unique information about topological charge carriers beyond transport and electronic spectroscopy techniques. Here, we utilize mid-infrared absorption micro-spectroscopy and pump-probe micro-spectroscopy to elucidate the bulk-boundary optical responses of Bi4Br4, a recently discovered room-temperature quantum spin Hall insulator. Benefiting from the low energy of infrared photons and the high spatial resolution, we unambiguously resolve a strong absorption from the boundary states while the bulk absorption is suppressed by its insulating gap. Moreover, the boundary absorption exhibits a strong polarization anisotropy, consistent with the one-dimensional nature of the topological boundary states. Our infrared pump-probe microscopy further measures a substantially increased carrier lifetime for the boundary states, which reaches one nanosecond scale. The nanosecond lifetime is about one to two orders longer than that of most topological materials and can be attributed to the linear dispersion nature of the helical boundary states. Our findings demonstrate the optical bulk-boundary dichotomy in a topological material and provide a proof-of-principal methodology for studying topological optoelectronics.

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arXiv2023

Transverse circular photogalvanic effect associated with Lorentz-violating Weyl fermions

Nonlinear optical responses of quantum materials have recently undergone dramatic developments to unveil nontrivial geometry and topology. A remarkable example is the quantized longitudinal circular photogalvanic effect (CPGE) associated with the Chern number of Weyl fermions, while the physics of transverse CPGE in Weyl semimetals remains exclusive. Here, we show that the transverse CPGE of Lorentz invariant Weyl fermions is forced to be zero. We find that the transverse photocurrents of Weyl fermions are associated not only with the Chern numbers but also with the degree of Lorentz-symmetry breaking in condensed matter systems. Based on the generic two-band model analysis, we provide a new powerful equation to calculate the transverse CPGE based on the tilting and warping terms of Weyl fermions. Our results are more capable in designing large transverse CPGE of Weyl semimetals in experiments and are applied to more than tens of Weyl materials to estimate their photocurrents. Our method paves the way to study the CPGE of massless or massive quasiparticles to design next-generation quantum optoelectronics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Photocurrent as a multi-physics diagnostic of quantum materials

The photoexcitation life-cycle from incident photon (and creation of photoexcited electron hole pair) to ultimate extraction of electrical current is a complex multi-physics process spanning across a range of spatio-temporal scales of quantum materials. While often viewed through a device-technology lens, photocurrent is a key observable of the life-cycle that is sensitive to a myriad of physical processes across these scales. As a result, photocurrent is emerging as a versatile probe of electronic states, Bloch band quantum geometry, quantum kinetic processes, and device characteristics of quantum materials. This review outlines the key multi-physics principles of photocurrent diagnostics. In particular, we describe how the fundamental link between light-matter interaction and quantum geometry renders photocurrent a wavefunction-sensitive probe capable of resolving bandstructure and characterizing topological materials. We further highlight the sensitivity of the photoexcitation life-cycle to relaxational processes which in turn enables photocurrent to disentangle distinct types of carrier scattering that can range from femtosecond to nanosecond timescales. We survey the intrinsically nonlocal character of photocurrent collection that allows new types remote sensing protocols and photocurrent nanoscopy. These distinctive features underscore photocurrent diagnostics as a novel multi-physics probe for a growing class of quantum materials with properties governed by physics spanning multiple spatio-temporal scales.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Electric field-tunable layer polarization in graphene/boron nitride twisted quadrilayer superlattices

The recently observed unconventional ferroelectricity in AB bilayer graphene sandwiched by hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) presents a new platform to manipulate correlated phases in multilayered van der Waals heterostructures. We present a low-energy continuum model for AB bilayer graphene encapsulated by the top and bottom layers of either hBN or graphene, with two independent twist angles. For the graphene/hBN heterostructures, we show that twist angle asymmetry leads to a layer polarization of the valence and conduction bands. We also show that an out-of-plane displacement field not only tunes the layer polarization but also flattens the low-energy bands. We extend the model to show that the electronic structures of quadrilayer graphene heterostructure consisting of AB bilayer graphene encapsulated by the top and bottom graphene layers can similarly be tuned by an external electric field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Cascade of isospin phase transitions in Bernal bilayer graphene at zero magnetic field

Emergent phenomena arising from the collective behavior of electrons is generally expected when Coulomb interactions dominate over the kinetic energy, as in delocalized quasiparticles in highly degenerate flat bands. Bernal-stacked bilayer graphene intrinsically supports a pair of flat bands predicted to host a variety of spontaneous broken-symmetry states arising from van Hove singularities and a four-fold spin-valley (isospin) degeneracy. Here, we show that ultra-clean samples of bilayer graphene display a cascade of symmetry-broken states with spontaneous and spin and valley ordering at zero magnetic field. Using capacitive sensing in a dual-gated geometry, we tune the carrier density and electric displacement field independently to explore the phase space of transitions and probe the character of the isospin order. Itinerant ferromagnetic states emerge near the conduction and valence band edges with complete spin and valley polarization and a high degree of displacement field tunability. At larger hole densities, two-fold degenerate quantum oscillations manifest in an additional broken symmetry state that is enhanced by the application of an in-plane magnetic field. Both types of symmetry-broken states display enhanced layer polarization at low temperatures, suggesting a coupling to the layer pseudospin degree of freedom in the electronic wavefunctions. Notably, the zero-field spontaneous symmetry breaking reported here emerges in the absence of a moiré superlattice and is intrinsic to natural graphene bilayers. Thus, we demonstrate that the tunable bands of bilayer graphene represent a related, but distinct approach to produce flat band collective behavior, complementary to engineered moiré structures.

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arXiv2021

Layer Hall effect in a 2D topological Axion antiferromagnet

While ferromagnets have been known and exploited for millennia, antiferromagnets (AFMs) were only discovered in the 1930s. The elusive nature indicates AFMs' unique properties: At large scale, due to the absence of global magnetization, AFMs may appear to behave like any non-magnetic material; However, such a seemingly mundane macroscopic magnetic property is highly nontrivial at microscopic level, where opposite spin alignment within the AFM unit cell forms a rich internal structure. In topological AFMs, such an internal structure leads to a new possibility, where topology and Berry phase can acquire distinct spatial textures. Here, we study this exciting possibility in an AFM Axion insulator, even-layered MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ flakes, where spatial degrees of freedom correspond to different layers. Remarkably, we report the observation of a new type of Hall effect, the layer Hall effect, where electrons from the top and bottom layers spontaneously deflect in opposite directions. Specifically, under no net electric field, even-layered MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ shows no anomalous Hall effect (AHE); However, applying an electric field isolates the response from one layer and leads to the surprising emergence of a large layer-polarized AHE (~50%$\frac{e^2}{h}$). Such a layer Hall effect uncovers a highly rare layer-locked Berry curvature, which serves as a unique character of the space-time $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric AFM topological insulator state. Moreover, we found that the layer-locked Berry curvature can be manipulated by the Axion field, E$\cdot$B, which drives the system between the opposite AFM states. Our results achieve previously unavailable pathways to detect and manipulate the rich internal spatial structure of fully-compensated topological AFMs. The layer-locked Berry curvature represents a first step towards spatial engineering of Berry phase, such as through layer-specific moiré potential.

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arXiv2021

Topology and geometry under the nonlinear electromagnetic spotlight

For many materials, a precise knowledge of their dispersion spectra is insufficient to predict their ordered phases and physical responses. Instead, these materials are classified by the geometrical and topological properties of their wavefunctions. A key challenge is to identify and implement experiments that probe or control these quantum properties. In this review, we describe recent progress in this direction, focusing on nonlinear electromagnetic responses that arise directly from quantum geometry and topology. We give an overview of the field by discussing new theoretical ideas, groundbreaking experiments, and the novel materials that drive them. We conclude by discussing how these techniques can be combined with new device architectures to uncover, probe, and ultimately control novel quantum phases with emergent topological and correlated properties.

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arXiv2020

Deep-Learning-Enabled Fast Optical Identification and Characterization of Two-Dimensional Materials

Advanced microscopy and/or spectroscopy tools play indispensable role in nanoscience and nanotechnology research, as it provides rich information about the growth mechanism, chemical compositions, crystallography, and other important physical and chemical properties. However, the interpretation of imaging data heavily relies on the "intuition" of experienced researchers. As a result, many of the deep graphical features obtained through these tools are often unused because of difficulties in processing the data and finding the correlations. Such challenges can be well addressed by deep learning. In this work, we use the optical characterization of two-dimensional (2D) materials as a case study, and demonstrate a neural-network-based algorithm for the material and thickness identification of exfoliated 2D materials with high prediction accuracy and real-time processing capability. Further analysis shows that the trained network can extract deep graphical features such as contrast, color, edges, shapes, segment sizes and their distributions, based on which we develop an ensemble approach topredict the most relevant physical properties of 2D materials. Finally, a transfer learning technique is applied to adapt the pretrained network to other applications such as identifying layer numbers of a new 2D material, or materials produced by a different synthetic approach. Our artificial-intelligence-based material characterization approach is a powerful tool that would speed up the preparation, initial characterization of 2D materials and other nanomaterials and potentially accelerate new material discoveries.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Optical detection and manipulation of spontaneous gyrotropic electronic order in a transition-metal dichalcogenide semimetal

The observation of chirality is ubiquitous in nature. Contrary to intuition, the population of opposite chiralities is surprisingly asymmetric at fundamental levels. Examples range from parity violation in the subatomic weak force to the homochirality in essential biomolecules. The ability to achieve chirality-selective synthesis (chiral induction) is of great importance in stereochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology. In condensed matter physics, a crystalline electronic system is geometrically chiral when it lacks any mirror plane, space inversion center or roto-inversion axis. Typically, the geometrical chirality is predefined by a material's chiral lattice structure, which is fixed upon the formation of the crystal. By contrast, a particularly unconventional scenario is the gyrotropic order, where chirality spontaneously emerges across a phase transition as the electron system breaks the relevant symmetries of an originally achiral lattice. Such a gyrotropic order, proposed as the quantum analogue of the cholesteric liquid crystals, has attracted significant interest. However, to date, a clear observation and manipulation of the gyrotropic order remain challenging. We report the realization of optical chiral induction and the observation of a gyrotropically ordered phase in the transition-metal dichalcogenide semimetal $1T$-TiSe$_2$. We show that shining mid-infrared circularly polarized light near the critical temperature leads to the preferential formation of one chiral domain. As a result, we are able to observe an out-of-plane circular photogalvanic current, whose direction depends on the optical induction. Our study provides compelling evidence for the spontaneous emergence of chirality in the correlated semimetal TiSe$_2$. Such chiral induction provides a new way of optical control over novel orders in quantum materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Purely rotational symmetry-protected topological crystalline insulator $α$-Bi4Br4

Recent theoretical advances have proposed a new class of topological crystalline insulator (TCI) phases protected by rotational symmetries. Distinct from topological insulators (TIs), rotational symmetry-protected TCIs are expected to show unique topologically protected boundary modes: First, the surface normal to the rotational axis features unpinned Dirac surface states whose Dirac points are located at generic k points. Second, due to the higher-order bulk boundary correspondence, a 3D TCI also supports 1D helical edge states. Despite the unique topological electronic properties, to date, purely rotational symmetry-protected TCIs remain elusive in real materials. Using first-principles band calculations and theoretical modeling, we identify the van der Waals material $α$-Bi4Br4 as a TCI purely protected by rotation symmetry. We show that the Bi4Br4's (010) surface exhibits a pair of unpinned topological Dirac fermions protected by the two-fold rotational axis. These unpinned Dirac fermions show an exotic spin texture highly favorable for spin transport and a band structure consisting of van Hove singularities due to Lifshitz transition. We also identify 1D topological hinge states along the edges of an $α$-Bi4Br4 rod. We further discuss how the proposed topological electronic properties in $α$-Bi4Br4 can be observed by various experimental techniques.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Giant intrinsic photoresponse in pristine graphene

When the Fermi level matches the Dirac point in graphene, the reduced charge screening can dramatically enhance electron-electron (e-e) scattering to produce a strongly interacting Dirac liquid. While the dominance of e-e scattering already leads to novel behaviors, such as electron hydrodynamic flow, further exotic phenomena have been predicted to arise specifically from the unique kinematics of e-e scattering in massless Dirac systems. Here, we use optoelectronic probes, which are highly sensitive to the kinematics of electron scattering, to uncover a giant intrinsic photocurrent response in pristine graphene. This photocurrent emerges exclusively at the charge neutrality point and vanishes abruptly at non-zero charge densities. Moreover, it is observed at places with broken reflection symmetry, and it is selectively enhanced at free graphene edges with sharp bends. Our findings reveal that the photocurrent relaxation is strongly suppressed by a drastic change of fast photocarrier kinematics in graphene when its Fermi level matches the Dirac point. The emergence of robust photocurrents in neutral Dirac materials promises new energy-harvesting functionalities and highlights intriguing electron dynamics in the optoelectronic response of Dirac fluids.

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