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Trithep Devakul

Publications and source records attributed to Trithep Devakul.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Wavefunction approach to the fractional anomalous Hall crystal

We propose fractional anomalous Hall crystals (FAHCs) as possible ground states of strongly interacting electrons in parent bands with Berry curvature. FAHCs are exotic states of matter that spontaneously break continuous translation symmetry to form a fractional Chern insulator. We construct a unified family of variational wavefunctions that describe FAHCs and their competing states in the presence of uniform parent Berry curvature. We calculate their variational energy with Coulomb interactions semi-analytically in the thermodynamic limit. Our analysis reveals that FAHCs can be energetically favorable over both Wigner crystals and integer anomalous Hall crystals for sufficiently strong interactions or flat dispersion.

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Parent Berry curvature and the ideal anomalous Hall crystal

We study a model of electrons moving in a parent band of uniform Berry curvature. At sufficiently high parent Berry curvature, we show that strong repulsive interactions generically lead to the formation of an anomalous Hall crystal: a topological state with spontaneously broken continuous translation symmetry. Our results are established via a mapping to a problem of Wigner crystallization in a regular 2D electron gas. Interestingly, we find that a periodic electrostatic potential induces a competing state with opposite Chern number. Our theory offers a unified perspective for understanding several aspects of the recently observed integer and fractional quantum anomalous Hall effects in rhombohedral multilayer graphene and provides a recipe for engineering new topological states.

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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.

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Theory of Half-Integer Fractional Quantum Spin Hall Insulator Edges

We study the edges of fractional quantum spin Hall insulators (FQSH) with half-integer spin Hall conductance. These states can be viewed as symmetric combinations of a spin-up and spin-down half-integer fractional quantum Hall state (FQH) that are time-reversal invariant, and conserve the z-component of spin. We consider the non-Abelian states based on the Pfaffian, anti-Pfaffian, PH-Pfaffian, and 221 FQH, and generic Abelian FQH. For strong enough spin-conserving interactions, we find that all the non-Abelian and Abelian edges flow to the same fixed point that consists of a single pair of charged counter-propagating bosonic modes. If spin-conservation is broken, the Abelian edge can be fully gapped in a time-reversal symmetric fashion. The non-Abelian edge with broken spin-conservation remains gapless due to time-reversal symmetry, and can flow to a new fixed point with a helical gapless pair of Majorana fermions. We discuss the possible relevance of our results to the recent observation of a half-integer edge conductance in twisted MoTe2.

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Stability of quasiperiodic superconductors

We study the effects of quasiperiodicity on the stability of conventional and unconventional superconductors. Quasiperiodicity is modelled using the three-dimensional Aubry-Andre model, a system in which electrons are coupled to a translation-symmetry-breaking potential that is incommensurate with the underlying lattice. Upon increasing the strength of the quasiperiodic potential, the single-particle eigenstates undergo a transition from a ballistic to a diffusive character. Here, we study the instability of the model towards superconductivity. We find that in the ballistic regime, the system is unstable towards both $s$-wave and $p$-wave superconductivity. In contrast, only the conventional $s$-wave instability survives in the intermediate diffusive regime. Our results suggest a version of Anderson's theorem for quasiperiodic systems, relating the normal state dynamics to the stability of conventional and unconventional superconductivity. These findings are relevant vis-a-vis recent studies of superconductivity in quasiperiodic moire structures.

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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.

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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.

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Multi-moiré trilayer graphene: lattice relaxation, electronic structure, and magic angles

We systematically explore the structural and electronic properties of twisted trilayer graphene systems. In general, these systems are characterized by two twist angles, which lead to two incommensurate moiré periods. We show that lattice relaxation results in the formation of domains of periodic single-moiré structures only for twist angles close to the simplest fractions. For the majority of other twist angles, the incommensurate moiré periods lead to a quasicrystalline structure. We identify experimentally relevant magic angles at which the electronic density of states is sharply peaked and strongly correlated physics is most likely to be realized.

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Tunable spin and valley excitations of correlated insulators in $Γ$-valley moiré bands

Moiré superlattices formed from transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have been shown to support a variety of quantum electronic phases that are highly tunable using applied electromagnetic fields. While the valley character of the low-energy states dramatically affects optoelectronic properties in the constituent TMDs, this degree of freedom has yet to be fully explored in moiré systems. Here, we establish twisted double bilayer WSe$_2$ as an experimental platform to study electronic correlations within $Γ$-valley moiré bands. Through a combination of local and global electronic compressibility measurements, we identify charge-ordered phases at multiple integer and fractional moiré band fillings $ν$. By measuring the magnetic field dependence of their energy gaps and the chemical potential upon doping, we reveal spin-polarized ground states with novel spin polaron quasiparticle excitations. In addition, an applied displacement field allows us to realize a new mechanism of metal-insulator transition at $ν= -1$ driven by tuning between $Γ$- and $K$-valley moiré bands. Together, our results demonstrate control over both the spin and valley character of the correlated ground and excited states in this system.

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Helical trilayer graphene: a moiré platform for strongly-interacting topological bands

Quantum geometry of electronic wavefunctions results in fascinating topological phenomena. A prominent example is the intrinsic anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in which a Hall voltage arises in the absence of an applied magnetic field. The AHE requires a coexistence of Berry curvature and spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking. These conditions can be realized in two-dimensional moiré systems with broken $xy$-inversion symmetry ($C_{2z}$) that host flat electronic bands. Here, we explore helical trilayer graphene (HTG), three graphene layers twisted sequentially by the same angle forming two misoriented moiré patterns. Although HTG is globally $C_{2z}$-symmetric, surprisingly we observe clear signatures of topological bands. At a magic angle $θ_\mathrm{m}\approx 1.8^\circ$, we uncover a robust phase diagram of correlated and magnetic states using magnetotransport measurements. Lattice relaxation leads to large periodic domains in which $C_{2z}$ is broken on the moiré scale. Each domain harbors flat topological bands with valley-contrasting Chern numbers $\pm(1,-2)$. We find correlated states at integer electron fillings per moiré unit cell $ν=1,2,3$ and fractional fillings $2/3,7/2$ with the AHE arising at $ν=1,3$ and $2/3,7/2$. At $ν=1$, a time-reversal symmetric phase appears beyond a critical electric displacement field, indicating a topological phase transition. Finally, hysteresis upon sweeping $ν$ points to first-order phase transitions across a spatial mosaic of Chern domains separated by a network of topological gapless edge states. We establish HTG as an important platform that realizes ideal conditions for exploring strongly interacting topological phases and, due to its emergent moiré-scale symmetries, demonstrates a novel way to engineer topology.

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Fractional quantum anomalous Hall states in twisted bilayer MoTe$_2$ and WSe$_2$

We demonstrate via exact diagonalization that AA-stacked TMD homobilayers host fractional quantum anomalous Hall (FQAH) states with fractionally quantized Hall conductance at fractional fillings $n=\frac{1}{3},\, \frac{2}{3}$ and zero magnetic field. While both states are most robust at angles near $θ\approx 2^{\circ}$, the $n=\frac{1}{3}$ state gives way to a charge density wave with increasing twist angle whereas the $n=\frac{2}{3}$ state survives across a much broader range of twist angles. We show that the competition between FQAH states and charge density wave or metallic phases is primarily controlled by the wavefunctions and dispersion of the underlying Chern band, respectively. Additionally, Ising ferromagnetism is found across a broad range of fillings where the system is insulating or metallic alike. The spin gap is enhanced at filling fractions where integer and fractional quantum anomalous Hall states are formed.

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Strong-coupling topological states and phase transitions in helical trilayer graphene

Magic-angle helical trilayer graphene relaxes into commensurate moiré domains, whose topological and well-isolated set of narrow bands possess ideal characteristics for realizing robust correlated topological phases, compared with other graphene-based moiré heterostructures. Combining strong-coupling analysis and Hartree-Fock calculations, we investigate the ground states at integer fillings $ν$, and uncover a rich phase diagram of correlated insulators tuned by an external displacement field $D$. For small $D$, the system realizes several competing families of symmetry-broken generalized flavor ferromagnets, which exhibit various anomalous Hall signatures and Chern numbers as high as $|C|=6$. The interaction-induced dispersion renormalization is weak, so that the band flatness and the validity of strong-coupling theory are maintained at all integer fillings. For experimentally accessible displacement fields, the strong-coupling insulators at all $ν$ undergo topological phase transitions, which appear continuous or weakly first-order. For larger $D$, we also find translation symmetry-broken phases such as Kekulé spiral order. Our results demonstrate the robust capability of helical trilayer graphene to host gate-tunable topological and symmetry-broken correlated phases, and lay the groundwork for future theoretical studies on other aspects such as fractional topological states.

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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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Magic-angle helical trilayer graphene

We propose helical trilayer graphene (HTG), a helical structure featuring identical rotation angles $θ\approx 1.5^\circ$ between three consecutive layers of graphene, as a unique and experimentally accessible platform for realizing exotic correlated topological states of matter. While nominally forming a supermoiré (or moiré-of-moiré) structure, we show that HTG locally relaxes into large regions of a periodic single-moiré structure in which $C_{2z}$ is broken, giving rise to flat topological bands carrying valley-Chern numbers $C=\pm(1,-2)$. These bands feature near-ideal quantum geometry and are isolated from remote bands by a large gap $E_{\mathrm{gap}}\sim 100$ meV, making HTG a promising platform for experimental realization of correlated topological states such as integer and fractional quantum anomalous Hall states in $C=1$ and $2$ bands.

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Artificial intelligence for artificial materials: moiré atom

Moiré engineering in atomically thin van der Waals heterostructures creates artificial quantum materials with designer properties. We solve the many-body problem of interacting electrons confined to a moiré superlattice potential minimum (the moiré atom) using a 2D fermionic neural network. We show that strong Coulomb interactions in combination with the anisotropic moiré potential lead to striking ``Wigner molecule" charge density distributions observable with scanning tunneling microscopy.

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Superconductivity and strong interactions in a tunable moiré quasiperiodic crystal

Electronic states in quasiperiodic crystals generally preclude a Bloch description, rendering them simultaneously fascinating and enigmatic. Owing to their complexity and relative scarcity, quasiperiodic crystals are underexplored relative to periodic and amorphous structures. Here, we introduce a new type of highly tunable quasiperiodic crystal easily assembled from periodic components. By twisting three layers of graphene with two different twist angles, we form two moiré patterns with incommensurate moiré unit cells. In contrast to many common quasiperiodic structures that are defined on the atomic scale, the quasiperiodicity in our system is defined on moiré length scales of several nanometers. This novel "moiré quasiperiodic crystal" allows us to tune the chemical potential and thus the electronic system between a periodic-like regime at low energies and a strongly quasiperiodic regime at higher energies, the latter hosting a large density of weakly dispersing states. Interestingly, in the quasiperiodic regime we observe superconductivity near a flavor-symmetry-breaking phase transition, the latter indicative of the important role electronic interactions play in that regime. The prevalence of interacting phenomena in future systems with in situ tunability is not only useful for the study of quasiperiodic systems, but it may also provide insights into electronic ordering in related periodic moiré crystals. We anticipate that extending this new platform to engineer quasiperiodic crystals by varying the number of layers and twist angles, and by using different two-dimensional components, will lead to a new family of quantum materials to investigate the properties of strongly interacting quasiperiodic crystals.

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Hofstadter states and reentrant charge order in a semiconductor moiré lattice

The emergence of moiré materials with flat bands provides a platform to systematically investigate and precisely control correlated electronic phases. Here, we report local electronic compressibility measurements of a twisted WSe$_2$/MoSe$_2$ heterobilayer which reveal a rich phase diagram of interpenetrating Hofstadter states and electron solids. We show that this reflects the presence of both flat and dispersive moiré bands whose relative energies, and therefore occupations, are tuned by density and magnetic field. At low densities, competition between moiré bands leads to a transition from commensurate arrangements of singlets at doubly occupied sites to triplet configurations at high fields. Hofstadter states (i.e., Chern insulators) are generally favored at high densities as dispersive bands are populated, but are suppressed by an intervening region of reentrant charge-ordered states in which holes originating from multiple bands cooperatively crystallize. Our results reveal the key microscopic ingredients that favor distinct correlated ground states in semiconductor moiré systems, and they demonstrate an emergent lattice model system in which both interactions and band dispersion can be experimentally controlled.

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Moiré Landau fans and magic zeros

We study the energy spectrum of moiré systems under a uniform magnetic field. The superlattice potential generally broadens Landau levels into Chern bands with finite bandwidth. However, we find that these Chern bands become flat at a discrete set of magnetic fields which we dub "magic zeros". The flat band subspace is generally different from the Landau level subspace in the absence of the moiré superlattice. By developing a semiclassical quantization method and taking account of superlattice induced Bragg reflection, we prove that magic zeros arise from the simultaneous quantization of two distinct $k$-space orbits. The flat bands at magic zeros provide a new setting for exploring crystalline fractional quantum Hall physics.

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