arXiv subjects

Tianping Ying

Publications and source records attributed to Tianping Ying.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Anomalous charge density wave in a two-dimensional superatomic superconductor

The spatial modulation of electron density into a wave-like pattern, known as charge density wave (CDW), represents a fundamental quantum state that often coexists with superconductivity, quantum Hall states, axion insulating phases and etc. Conventional CDWs are mediated by longitudinal acoustic phonons, exhibit picometer-scale lattice distortions ($10^{-12}$--$10^{-11}$ m), and typically vanish approaching the atomic limit. Here, we report a series of anomalous CDW behaviors in the 2D superatomic superconductor Au$_6$Te$_{12}$Se$_8$. Remarkably, its CDW is governed by transverse phonons, accompanied by an extraordinarily high real-space displacement of $\sim 4$ \AA ngstr\"om. Furthermore, we observe an exotic dimensional response persisting up to micrometer-scale thickness, a regime where other materials are already considered as bulk. Through liquid helium-temperature transmission electron microscopy, ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy and transport measurements, we demonstrate a dramatic enhancement of the CDW transition temperature ($T_{\text{CDW}}$) from $<2$ K in the bulk to 110 K in approaching the ``superatomic limit''. Our findings not only reveal novel facets of both CDW and superatomic materials, but the competition between this anomalous CDW and superconductivity opens avenues for exploring unconventional electron-phonon interactions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

A Convenient Sealing Method Using Boron Nitride Capping for Reactive Reactions

While quartz (SiO2) ampule sealing is commonly used in laboratories to prevent sample oxidation during synthesis, its application is limited for reactions involving highly reactive elements such as alkali, alkaline-earth, and rare-earth metals. These elements can react with SiO2 at elevated temperatures, causing compositional loss, tube failure, and experimental inconsistencies. Here, we introduce an inexpensive boron nitride (BN) cap sealing technique. This approach is readily adaptable to centrifugal separation and flux transport growth and yields superior sample quality. We demonstrate its efficacy by growing KFe2As2 and CsCr6Sb6 single crystals, the former exhibiting record-high quality, with a residual resistivity ratio (RRR) exceeding 2500, and the latter achieving significantly larger crystal dimensions than other methods. This accessible and economical method promises to accelerate the discovery of novel materials that contain reactive elements.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Bragg-Williams order competes with superconductivity

Orderings in charge and spin have been extensively studied to unravel their correlation to emergent superconductivity over the past decades. Bragg-Williams order (BWO), a classical structural order parameter describing site occupancy in alloys, has long been speculated to influence superconducting behavior. Yet, its role still remains ambiguous, largely due to the difficulty of isolating BWO from concomitant charge doping or competing electronic instabilities. Here, we establish In2/3PSe3 as a platform wherein indium vacancies are reversibly configurable between ordered and disordered states via thermal treatment. We show that the disordered phase undergoes a pressure-induced superconducting transition with a Tc of 11 K, significantly higher than the 7 K observed in its ordered counterpart. This constitutes a rare instance in which pure BWO variation drives a substantial shift in Tc. By combining a Ginzburg-Landau phenomenological analysis with a BCS-McMillan microscopic description, we demonstrate that BWO naturally suppresses superconductivity through electron-phonon interactions, a mechanism supported by ultra-low-wavenumber Raman measurements. Our findings support BWO as an independent order parameter that competes directly with superconductivity, extending the concept of competing orders beyond conventional electronic and magnetic degrees of freedom.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Mott-Derived Local Moments and Kondo Hybridization in a d-electron Kagome lattice

Unlike canonical Kondo lattices in f-electron systems, where localized f orbitalsnaturally provide local moments, d-electron Kondo lattices require a distinct mechanism for local-moment formation. However, the study of d-electron Kondo lattices in bulk materials remains far from settled, particularly with regard to the microscopic origin of the local moments. Here, we report a microscopic mechanism for this process in the bilayer kagome metal CsCr6Sb6, where strong correlations drive a Mott splitting of the kagome flat band to supply the requisite local moments. By combining STM/STS and ARPES, we resolve a spectroscopic hierarchy between high-energy correlation effects and low temperature hybridization. Low-temperature STS reveals a robust asymmetric suppression of the density of states near EF that is well captured phenomenologically by a Fano-type lineshape, while ARPES detects a sharp quasiparticlepeak near EF. These low-energy signatures evolveon the same temperature scale and disappear upon warming, consistent with the onset of Kondo hybridization. At the same time, STS resolves symmetric humps at approximately +-50 mV and ARPES identifies a weakly dispersive feature around 50 meV below EF; unlike the near-EF hybridization signatures, these features persist to substantially higher temperatures. This separation of energy and temperature scales supports a two-stage picture in which a kagome flat band first undergoes correlation-driven splitting into lower and upper Hubbard bands, and the occupied lower Hubbard band supplies the local moments that later hybridize with itinerant electrons at lower temperature. Our results therefore move beyond the phenomenology of a kagome Kondo lattice candidate and instead provide a microscopic spectroscopic picture linking Mottness to Kondo hybridization in a frustrated d-electron system.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Intrinsically ultralow thermal conductivity in all-inorganic superatomic bulk crystals

Superatomic compounds, composed of atomic clusters interwoven by weak chemical bonds exhibit large anharmonicity vibrations, are excellent candidates for ultralow thermal conductivity (\k{appa}) materials. However, growing bulk superatomic single crystals is challenging due to complex chemical composition and chemical bonds, and studies on their intrinsic thermal property are scarce. Here, we grew high-quality superatomic single crystals of Re6Se8Te7 and Re6Te15, both of which are narrow band gap semiconductors that change into metals under external physical pressure. At room-temperature, the \k{appa} are 0.32 W m-1 K-1 and 0.53 W m-1 K-1 in Re6Se8Te7 and Re6Te15, respectively, ranking among the lowest value reported in all-inorganic bulk crystals. It is mainly attributed to the large Gr\"uneisen parameter (1.93) and low average sound speed (< 1482 m/s), which are due to soft Te7 nets weakly embedded among the rigid Re6Se8 (Re6Te8) quasi-cubic clusters. The appearance of boson peak, i. e., hump of C(T)/T3, verifies the existence of disordered phonon transports. Besides, the temperature dependence of \k{appa} can be described by classic Debye-Callaway model. Notably, above 350 K, the \k{appa} values of Re6Se8Te7 and Re6Te15 are remarkably close to the upper limit derived from glassy-like diffusion model. This finding sets the superatomic compounds as a promising family for searching ultralow-\k{appa} and energy management materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Long-range magnetic order with disordered spin orientations in a high-entropy antiferromagnet

Disorder in magnetic systems typically suppresses long-range order, promoting short-range states such as spin glasses and magnetic clusters. This is particularly prominent in high-entropy materials, characterized by the random distributions of local magnetic entities and exchange interactions. However, in rare exceptions, long-range magnetic order can persist in high-entropy systems, while the microscopic characters and underlying mechanisms remain elusive, especially the magnetic behaviors of individual elements. Here, combining neutron diffraction and resonant soft x-ray scattering, we have conducted an element-specific investigation into the magnetic order of a high-entropy honeycomb-lattice van der Waals material (Mn1/4Fe1/4Co1/4Ni1/4)PS3. Despite significant atomic disorder, long-range zigzag antiferromagnetic order is observed below 72 K, with all four transition-metal elements participating in a unified phase transition. However, the spin orientations of various elements are distinct, attributed to the competition between single-ion anisotropies and exchange interactions. Our findings showcase a novel form of long-range magnetic order with disordered spin orientations, which is synergically stabilized by distinct magnetic elements in a high entropy magnet, offering a new paradigm for understanding complex magnetic systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Superconductivity of 30.4 K and its Reemergence under Pressure in Fe1.11Se Synthesized via Ion-exchange and De-intercalation Reaction

Binary stoichiometry FeSe (s-FeSe) is a well-known parent of high-temperature unconventional superconductors owing to its charge-neutral layer, highly tunable structure and electronic properties, and rich interplays among multiple electronic phases. Yet the s-FeSe synthesized via high-temperature equilibrium reactions bears the notorious interstitial Fe,where merely 3% of them is sufficient to kill the superconductivity. Here, we successfully synthesized a new non-stoichiometric Fe1.11Se single crystal with a superconducting onset temperature (Tconset) of 30.4 K through a hydrothermal ion-exchange and de-intercalation route. 11% interstitial Fe ions exceed the equilibrium phase diagram limit. Intriguingly, under physical pressure, the Tconset of exhibits a "V"-shaped evolution with a minimum at 2-2.6 GPa, and then upturning into a second superconducting region, reminiscent of the behaviors in FeSe intercalates. Furthermore, a pressure-induced possible magnetic order, previously only observed in pressurized s-FeSe, shows up. These results offer fresh insights into the role of interstitial Fe in governing superconducting and transport properties under non-equilibrium synthesis and tuning strategies.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Nonvolatile photoswitching of a Mott state via reversible stacking rearrangement

Nonvolatile control of the Mott transition is a central goal in correlated-electron physics, offering access to fascinating emergent states and great potential for technological applications. Compared to chemical or mechanical approaches, ultrafast optical excitation further promises a path to create and manipulate novel non-equilibrium phases with ultimate spatiotemporal precision. However, achieving a truly nonvolatile electronic phase transition in laser-excited Mott systems remains an elusive challenge. Here, we present a highly robust and reversible method for optical control of the Mott state in van der Waals systems. Specifically, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we observe a nonvolatile Mott-to-metallic transition in the ultrafast laser-excited charge density wave (CDW) material 1T-TaSe2. Complementary theoretical calculations reveal that this transition originates from a rearrangement of the interlayer CDW stacking. This new stacking order, formed following the ultrafast quenching of the CDW, circumvents the need for large-scale atomic sliding. Intriguingly, it introduces a significant in-plane component to the electron hopping and effectively reduces the ratio of on-site Coulomb interaction to bandwidth, thereby suppressing the Mott state and stabilizing a metallic phase. Our results establish optical-control of interlayer stacking as a versatile strategy for inducing nonvolatile phase transitions, opening a new route to tailor correlated electronic phases and realize reconfigurable high-frequency devices.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Many-body electronic structure in pyrochlore superconductor CsBi2 and spin liquid Pr2Ir2O7

The pyrochlore lattice materials can exhibit geometrical frustration, while the related many-body electronic states remain elusive. In this work, we performed scanning tunneling microscopy measurements on the pyrochlore superconductor CsBi2 and spin liquid Pr2Ir2O7 at 0.3 K. For the first time, we obtained atomically resolved images of their (111) surfaces, revealing a hexagonal lattice or a kagome lattice. Tunneling spectroscopy in CsBi2 reveals a nearly fully opened superconductivity gap. The ratio of 2{\Delta}/kBTC = 4.7 suggests relatively strong coupling superconductivity, as compared with that in kagome superconductors AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, Cs). In contrast to the previous study categorizing CsBi2 as a type-I superconductor, the applied magnetic field induces a hexagonal vortex lattice in which each vortex core exhibits an intriguing three-fold symmetry state. In Pr2Ir2O7, we observed a spatially homogeneous Kondo-lattice resonance, which is compared with that in the kagome Kondo-lattice material CsCr6Sb6. We further discover that the Kondo resonance exhibits a spatial modulation with three-fold symmetry, and the applied magnetic field induces a Zeeman splitting of the Kondo resonance with intriguing atomic site dependence. We discuss the relations of these many-body electronic phenomena with the pyrochlore lattice geometry and its charge or spin frustration. Our systematic observations offer atomic-scale insights into the many-body electronic structures of the geometrically frustrated pyrochlore superconductors and spin liquids.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Comprehensive Study of Phonon Chirality under Symmetry Constraints

Phonons are quanta of lattice vibrations, and their modes (linear, circular, or stationary) are symmetry-determined. Circularly polarized phonons, possessing nonzero angular momentum (AM), have drawn widespread attention recently. Despite widespread use of pseudo-angular momentum (PAM) and circularly polarized light polarization flips to identify chiral phonons in Raman scattering, their reliability is debated due to symmetry dependence, and experimental verification standards remain lacking. Here, we systematically study phonon chirality and associated phenomena across magnetic point groups. We establish that the AM-PAM correlation is governed by both crystalline symmetry and Wyckoff positions, dictating conditions where nonzero AM manifests in PAM signatures. Crucially, phonons belonging to distinct irreducible representations exhibit distinct experimental benchmarks, enabling direct determination of crystalline chirality and symmetry classification. Furthermore, we report the discovery of a signature for symmetry-induced phenomena, notably a half-wave plate-analogous effect induced by mirror-odd phonons. Meanwhile, we conducted five experiments to validate our theory.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Charge-polarized superconducting state emerging in a superatomic antipolar metal

The simultaneous presence of polarity and metallicity or superconductivity in a material signifies the exotic polar metallic or superconducting (SC) state, while such materials are extremely rare due to their exclusive nature. Recently, the interweaved CDW and antipolar charge orders have been discovered in a metallic superatomic crystal of Au6Te12Se8 (ATS), while their interplay and competition with the following emergent SC state remains elusive. Here, we report a further experimental investigation of the SC state emerged from the preformed CDW and antipolar order states using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy in combination with transport and Raman measurements. The temperature-dependent pre-formation and condensation of Cooper pairs are experimentally identified. The pre-existent CDW is gradually suppressed by the preformed Cooper pairs, and then the antipolar charge order is spatially suppressed into a ferrielectric-like polar order by the condensed Cooper pairs of SC state. The exotic charge-polarized superconducting state is discovered in the polar metal of ATS, suggesting a valuable platform for the exploration of intriguing polar superconducting properties.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Lattice dynamics and spin-phonon coupling in the kagome spin ice HoAgGe

We employ polarization-resolved Raman spectroscopy and first-principles phonon calculations to study the lattice dynamics and spin-phonon coupling in the kagome spin ice compound HoAgGe. Upon cooling, HoAgGe shows transitions from a nonmagnetic state at 300 K to a partially magnetic-ordered phase below T2 = 11.6 K, eventually reaching a fully-magnetic ordered phase below T1 = 7 K. We detect eight of ten Raman-active phonon modes at room temperature, with frequencies consistent with first-principles phonon calculations. We find that the low-energy phonon modes harden upon cooling, soften slightly below T2, and finally harden again below T1, suggesting finite spin-phonon coupling in HoAgGe. Furthermore, one high-energy mode at 185 cm-1 with E' symmetry exhibits a Fano lineshape due to electron-phonon coupling. Our Raman results establish finite spin-phonon coupling and electron-phonon coupling in the magnetic phase of HoAgGe, providing a foundation for future studies of the novel field-induced phases at low temperatures in HoAgGe.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Striped magnetization plateau and chirality-reversible anomalous Hall effect in a magnetic kagome metal

Kagome materials with magnetic frustration in two-dimensional networks are known for their exotic properties, such as the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) with non-collinear spin textures. However, the effects of one-dimensional (1D) spin chains within these networks are less understood. Here, we report a distinctive AHE in the bilayer-distorted kagome material GdTi$_3$Bi$_4$, featuring 1D Gd zigzag spin chains, a one-third magnetization plateau, and two successive metamagnetic transitions. At these metamagnetic transitions, Hall resistivity shows abrupt jumps linked to the formation of stripe domain walls, while within the plateau, the absence of detectable domain walls suggests possible presence of skyrmion phase. Reducing the sample size to a few microns reveals additional Hall resistivity spikes, indicating domain wall skew scattering contributions. Magnetic atomistic spin dynamics simulations reveal that the magnetic textures at these transitions have reverse chirality, explaining the evolution of AHE and domain walls with fields. These results underscore the potential of magnetic and crystal symmetry interplay, and magnetic field-engineered spin chirality, for controlling domain walls and tuning transverse properties, advancing spintronic applications.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Granular Ta-Te nanowire superconductivity violating the Pauli limit

Strategies to achieve higher upper-critical-field superconductors ({\mu}0Hc2(0)) are of great interest for both fundamental science and practical applications. While reducing the thickness of two-dimensional (2D) materials to a few layers significantly enhances {\mu}0Hc2(0) with accompanied potential unconventional pairing mechanisms, further dimensional reduction to 1D compounds rarely exceeds the expected Pauli limit. Here, we report the discovery of a 1D granular Ta-Te nanowire that becomes superconducting under high pressure, with a maximum critical temperature (Tc) of 5.1 K. Remarkably, the {\mu}0Hc2(0) reaches 16 T, which is twice the Pauli limit, setting a record of {\mu}0Hc2 (0) in all the reported 1D superconductors. Our work demonstrates that the Ta-Te nanowire not only is a potential candidate for applications in high magnetic fields, but also provides an ideal platform for further investigations of the mechanisms between nanowires and large {\mu}0Hc2(0).

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Spectroscopic origin of giant anomalous Hall effect in an interwoven magnetic kagome metal

The discovery of a giant anomalous Hall effect (AHE) and its novel mechanism holds significant promise for advancing both fundamental research and practical applications. Magnetic kagome lattice materials are uniquely suited for studying the AHE due to their interplay between electronic structure, topology, and magnetism. However, the geometric frustration inherent in kagome lattices often limits the configuration and tunability of magnetic order. Here, we present a new design strategy for kagome-lattice materials with emergent magnetism, exemplified by the magnetic kagome metal TbTi$_3$Bi$_4$, which features interwoven magnetic Tb zigzag chains and non-magnetic Ti kagome bilayers. This material exhibits a record-high anomalous Hall conductivity (AHC) of 10$^5$ $\Omega^{-1}$ cm$^{-1}$. Spectroscopy measurements reveal a large band folding gap observed via angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, coexisting spin-density-wave (SDW) order detected through spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and a spiral magnetic order with large magnetic moments identified by neutron diffraction. These findings highlight a strong electron-magnetic coupling between itinerant charges and ordered magnetic moments, offering a spectroscopic explanation for the giant AHC in TbTi$_3$Bi$_4$. This work establishes a pathway for innovative material design strategies, unlocking new possibilities for future exploration and applications in quantum and spintronic technologies.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Disorder-broadened phase boundary with enhanced amorphous superconductivity in pressurized In2Te5

As an empirical tool in materials science and engineering, the iconic phase diagram owes its robustness and practicality to the topological characteristics rooted in the celebrated Gibbs phase law (F = C - P + 2). When crossing the phase diagram boundary, the structure transition occurs abruptly, bringing about an instantaneous change in physical properties and limited controllability on the boundaries (F = 1). Here, we expand the sharp phase boundary to an amorphous transition region (F = 2) by partially disrupting the long-range translational symmetry, leading to a sequential crystalline-amorphous-crystalline (CAC) transition in a pressurized In2Te5 single crystal. Through detailed in-situ synchrotron diffraction, we elucidate that the phase transition stems from the rotation of immobile blocks [In2Te2]2+, linked by hinge-like [Te3]2- trimers. Remarkably, within the amorphous region, the amorphous phase demonstrates a notable 25 % increase of the superconducting transition temperature (Tc), while the carrier concentration remains relatively constant. Furthermore, we propose a theoretical framework revealing that the unconventional boost in amorphous superconductivity might be attributed to an intensified electron correlation, triggered by a disorder-augmented multifractal behavior. These findings underscore the potential of disorder and prompt further exploration of unforeseen phenomena on the phase boundaries.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Realization of Kagome Kondo lattice

The Kondo lattice, describing a grid of the local magnetic moments coupling to itinerant electrons, is a fertile ground of strongly correlated states in condensed matter physics. While the Kagome lattice has long been predicted to host Kondo physics with exotic magnetism and nontrivial topology, no experimental realization has been achieved. Here, we report the discovery of CsCr6Sb6, a van der Waals-like Kagome Kondo lattice featuring extremely flat, isolated bands at the Fermi level (EF) that composed entirely of Cr-3d electrons. We observe heavy fermions with the effective mass over 100 times greater than those of its vanadium counterpart. We also observe Kondo insulating behavior in an ultra-low carrier density of 1019 cm-3 and dimensionality-induced Kondo breakdown. More interestingly, the frustrated magnetism observed in the bulk give way to a hidden A-type antiferromagnetic ordering in few layers, in sharp contrast to the common sense of weakened magnetism with thinning. The realization of Kondo physics in Kagome lattice opens avenues for exploring diverse quantum criticalities in a strongly-correlated frustrated system.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Ir-Sb Binary System: Unveiling Nodeless Unconventional Superconductivity Proximate to Honeycomb-Vacancy Ordering

Vacancies play a crucial role in solid-state physics, but their impact on materials with strong electron-electron correlations has been underexplored. A recent study on the Ir-Sb binary system, Ir$_{16}$Sb$_{18}$ revealed a novel extended buckled-honeycomb vacancy (BHV) order. Superconductivity is induced by suppressing the BHV ordering through high-pressure growth with excess Ir atoms or isovalent Rh substitution, although the nature of superconducting pairing has remained unexplored. Here, we conduct muon spin rotation experiments probing the temperature-dependence of the effective magnetic penetration depth $\lambda_{eff}\left(T\right)$ in Ir$_{1-{\delta}}$Sb (synthesized at 5.5 GPa with $T_{\rm c}$ = 4.2 K) and ambient pressure synthesized optimally Rh-doped Ir$_{1-x}$Rh$_{x}$Sb ($x$=0.3, $T_{\rm c}$ = 2.7 K). The exponential temperature dependence of the superfluid density $n_{\rm s}$/m$^{*}$ at low temperatures indicates a fully gapped superconducting state in both samples. Notably, the ratio of $T_{\rm c}$ to the superfluid density is comparable to previously measured unconventional superconductors. A significant increase in $n_{\rm s}$/m$^{*}$ in the high-pressure synthesized sample correlates with $T_{\rm c}$, a hallmark feature of unconventional superconductivity. We further demonstrate a similar effect induced by chemical pressure (Rh substitution) and hydrostatic pressure in Ir$_{1-x}$Rh$_{x}$Sb, highlighting that the dome-shaped phase diagram is a fundamental feature of the material. These findings underscore the unconventional nature of the observed superconductivity, and classifies IrSb as the first unconventional superconducting parent phase with ordered vacancies.

cond-mat.supr-con↗