arXiv subjects

Xianhui Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Xianhui Chen.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Kagome superconductors AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A=K, Rb, Cs)

The quasi two-dimensional (quasi-2D) kagome materials AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A=K, Rb, Cs) were found to be a prime example of kagome superconductors, a new quantum platform to investigate the interplay between electron correlation effects, topology and geometric frustration. In this review, we report recent progress on the experimental and theoretical studies of AV$_3$Sb$_5$ and provide a broad picture of this fast-developing field in order to stimulate an expanded search for unconventional kagome superconductors. We review the electronic properties of AV$_3$Sb$_5$, the experimental measurements of the charge density wave state, evidence of time-reversal symmetry breaking, and other potential hidden symmetry breaking in these materials. A variety of theoretical proposals and models that address the nature of the time-reversal symmetry breaking are discussed. Finally, we review the superconducting properties of AV$_3$Sb$_5$, especially the potential pairing symmetries and the interplay between superconductivity and the charge density wave state.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Strain-sensitive superconductivity in kagome metals KV$_3$Sb$_5$ and CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ probed by point-contact spectroscopy

The kagome lattice is host to flat bands, topological electronic structures, Van Hove singularities and diverse electronic instabilities, providing an ideal platform for realizing highly tunable electronic states. Here, we report soft- and mechanical- point-contact spectroscopy (SPCS and MPCS) studies of the kagome superconductors KV$_3$Sb$_5$ and CsV$_3$Sb$_5$. Compared to the superconducting transition temperature $T_{\rm c}$ from specific heat measurements (2.8~K for CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ and 1.0~K for KV$_3$Sb$_5$), significantly enhanced values of $T_{\rm c}$ are observed via the zero-bias conductance of SPCS ($\sim$4.2~K for CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ and $\sim$1.8~K for KV$_3$Sb$_5$), which become further enhanced in MPCS measurements ($\sim$5.0~K for CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ and $\sim$3.1~K for KV$_3$Sb$_5$). While the differential conductance curves from SPCS are described by a two-gap $s$-wave model, a single $s$-wave gap reasonably captures the MPCS data, likely due to a diminishing spectral weight of the other gap. The enhanced superconductivity probably arises from local strain caused by the point-contact, which also leads to the evolution from two-gap to single-gap behaviors in different point-contacts. Our results demonstrate highly strain-sensitive superconductivity in kagome metals CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ and KV$_3$Sb$_5$, which may be harnessed in the manipulation of possible Majorana zero modes.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Nodeless superconductivity in the kagome metal CsV$_3$Sb$_5$

The recently discovered kagome metal series $A$V$_3$Sb$_5$ ($A$=K, Rb, Cs) exhibits topologically nontrivial band structures, chiral charge order and superconductivity, presenting a unique platform for realizing exotic electronic states. The nature of the superconducting state and the corresponding pairing symmetry are key questions that demand experimental clarification. Here, using a technique based on the tunneling diode oscillator, the magnetic penetration depth $Δλ(T)$ of CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ was measured down to 0.07 K. A clear exponential behavior in $Δλ(T)$ with marked deviations from a $T$ or $T^2$ temperature dependence is observed at low temperatures, indicating a deficiency of nodal quasiparticles. Temperature dependence of the superfluid density and electronic specific heat can be described by two-gap $s$-wave superconductivity, consistent with the presence of multiple Fermi surfaces in CsV$_3$Sb$_5$. These results evidence nodeless superconductivity in CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ under ambient pressure, and constrain the allowed pairing symmetry.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Superconductivity at 40 K in lithiation-processed [(Fe,Al)(OH)2][FeSe]1.2 with a layered structure

Exploration of new superconductors has always been one of the research directions in condensed matter physics. We report here a new layered heterostructure of [(Fe,Al)(OH)2][FeSe]1.2, which is synthesized by the hydrothermal ion-exchange technique. The structure is suggested by a combination of X-ray powder diffraction and the electron diffraction (ED). [(Fe,Al)(OH)2][FeSe]1.2 is composed of the alternating stacking of tetragonal FeSe layer and hexagonal (Fe,Al)(OH)2 layer. In [(Fe,Al)(OH)2][FeSe]1.2, there exists mismatch between the FeSe sub-layer and (Fe,Al)(OH)2 sub-layer, and the lattice of the layered heterostructure is quasi-commensurate. The as-synthesized [(Fe,Al)(OH)2][FeSe]1.2 is non-superconducting due to the Fe vacancies in the FeSe layer. The superconductivity with a Tc of 40 K can be achieved after a lithiation process, which is due to the elimination of the Fe vacancies in the FeSe layer. The Tc is nearly the same as that of (Li,Fe)OHFeSe although the structure of [(Fe,Al)(OH)2][FeSe]1.2 is quite different from that of (Li,Fe)OHFeSe. The new layered heterostructure of [(Fe,Al)(OH)2][FeSe]1.2 contains an iron selenium tetragonal lattice interleaved with a hexagonal metal hydroxide lattice. These results indicate that the superconductivity is very robust for FeSe-based superconductors. It opens a path for exploring super-conductivity in iron-base superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Observation of robust edge superconductivity in Fe(Se,Te) under strong magnetic perturbation

The iron-chalcogenide high temperature superconductor Fe(Se,Te) (FST) has been reported to exhibit complex magnetic ordering and nontrivial band topology which may lead to novel superconducting phenomena. However, the recent studies have so far been largely concentrated on its band and spin structures while its mesoscopic electronic and magnetic response, crucial for future device applications, has not been explored experimentally. Here, we used scanning superconducting quantum interference device microscopy for its sensitivity to both local diamagnetic susceptibility and current distribution in order to image the superfluid density and supercurrent in FST. We found that in FST with 10% interstitial Fe, whose magnetic structure was heavily disrupted, bulk superconductivity was significantly suppressed whereas edge still preserved strong superconducting diamagnetism. The edge dominantly carried supercurrent despite of a very long magnetic penetration depth. The temperature dependence of the superfluid density and supercurrent distribution were distinctively different between the edge and the bulk. Our Heisenberg modeling showed that magnetic dopants stabilize anti-ferromagnetic spin correlation along the edge, which may contribute towards its robust superconductivity. Our observations hold implication for FST as potential platforms for topological quantum computation and superconducting spintronics.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Pressure-induced magnetism in iron-based superconductors $A$Fe$_2$As$_2$ ($A=$ K, Cs, Rb)

The magnetic properties of iron-based superconductors $A$Fe$_2$As$_2$ ($A=$K, Cs, and Rb), which are characterized by the V-shaped dependence of the critical temperature ($T_{\rm c}$) on pressure ($P$) were studied by means of the muon spin rotation/relaxation technique. In all three systems studied the magnetism was found to appear for pressures slightly below the critical one ($P_{\rm c}$), i.e. at pressure where $T_{\rm c}(P)$ changes the slope. Rather than competing, magnetism and superconductivity in $A$Fe$_2$As$_2$ are coexisting at $P\gtrsim P_{\rm c}$ pressure region. Our results support the scenario of a transition from one pairing state to another, with different symmetries on either side of $P_{\rm c}$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Probing the direct factor for superconductivity in FeSe-Based Superconductors by Raman Scattering

The FeSe-based superconductors exhibit a wide range of critical temperature Tc under a variety of material and physical conditions, but extensive studies to date have yet to produce a consensus view on the underlying mechanism. Here we report on a systematic Raman scattering work on intercalated FeSe superconductors Lix(NH3)yFe2Se2 and (Li,Fe)OHFeSe compared to pristine FeSe. All three crystals show an anomalous power-law temperature dependence of phonon linewidths, deviating from the standard anharmonic behavior. This intriguing phenomenon is attributed to electron-phonon coupling effects enhanced by electron correlation, as evidenced by the evolution of the A1g Raman mode. Meanwhile, an analysis of the B1g mode, which probes the out-of-plane vibration of Fe, reveals a lack of influence by previously suggested structural parameters, and instead indicates a crucial role of the joint density of states in determining Tc. These findings identify carrier doping as the direct factor driving and modulating superconductivity in FeSe-based compounds.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Observation of ballistic avalanche phenomena in nanoscale vertical InSe/BP heterostructures

Initiating impact ionization of avalanche breakdown essentially requires applying a high electric field in a long active region, hampering carrier-multiplication with high gain, low bias and superior noise performance. Here we report the observation of ballistic avalanche phenomena in sub-MFP scaled vertical indium selenide (InSe)/black phosphorus (BP) heterostructures. The heterojunction is engineered to avalanche photodetectors (APD) and impact ionization transistors, demonstrating ultra-sensitive mid-IR light detection (4 μm wavelength) and ultra-steep subthreshold swing, respectively. These devices show an extremely low avalanche threshold (<1 volt), excellent low noise figures and distinctive density spectral shape. Further transport measurement evidences the breakdown originals from a ballistic avalanche phenomenon, where the sub-MFP BP channel enables both electrons and holes to impact-ionize the lattice and abruptly amplify the current without scattering from the obstacles in a deterministic nature. Our results shed light on the development of advanced photodetectors and efficiently facilitating carriers on the nanoscale.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Proximity-Induced Superconductivity with Subgap Anomaly in Type II Weyl Semi-Metal WTe2

Due to the non-trivial topological band structure in type-II Weyl semimetal Tungsten ditelluride (WTe2), unconventional properties may emerge in its superconducting phase. While realizing intrinsic superconductivity has been challenging in the type-II Weyl semimetal WTe2, proximity effect may open an avenue for the realization of superconductivity. Here, we report the observation of proximity-induced superconductivity with a long coherence length along c axis in WTe2 thin flakes based on a WTe2/NbSe2 van der Waals heterostructure. Interestingly, we also observe anomalous oscillations of the differential resistance during the transition from superconducting to normal state. Theoretical calculations show excellent agreement with experimental results, revealing that such a sub-gap anomaly is the intrinsic property of WTe2 in superconducting state induced by the proximity effect. Our findings enrich the understanding of superconducting phase of type-II Weyl semimetals, and pave the way for their future applications in topological quantum computing.

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arXiv2018

Unveiling the Charge Density Wave Inhomogeneity and Pseudogap State in 1T-TiSe2

By using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) / spectroscopy (STS), we systematically characterize the electronic structure of lightly doped 1T-TiSe2, and demonstrate the existence of the electronic inhomogeneity and the pseudogap state. It is found that the intercalation induced lattice distortion impacts the local band structure and reduce the size of the charge density wave (CDW) gap with the persisted 2x2 spatial modulation. On the other hand, the delocalized doping electrons promote the formation of pseudogap. Domination by either of the two effects results in the separation of two characteristic regions in real space, exhibiting rather different electronic structures. Further doping electrons to the surface confirms that the pseudogap may be the precursor for the superconducting gap. This study suggests that the competition of local lattice distortion and the delocalized doping effect contribute to the complicated relationship between charge density wave and superconductivity for intercalated 1T-TiSe2.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Orbital Origin of Extremely Anisotropic Superconducting Gap in Nematic Phase of FeSe Superconductor

The iron-based superconductors are characterized by multiple-orbital physics where all the five Fe 3$d$ orbitals get involved. The multiple-orbital nature gives rise to various novel phenomena like orbital-selective Mott transition, nematicity and orbital fluctuation that provide a new route for realizing superconductivity. The complexity of multiple-orbital also asks to disentangle the relationship between orbital, spin and nematicity, and to identify dominant orbital ingredients that dictate superconductivity. The bulk FeSe superconductor provides an ideal platform to address these issues because of its simple crystal structure and unique coexistence of superconductivity and nematicity. However, the orbital nature of the low energy electronic excitations and its relation to the superconducting gap remain controversial. Here we report direct observation of highly anisotropic Fermi surface and extremely anisotropic superconducting gap in the nematic state of FeSe superconductor by high resolution laser-based angle-resolved photoemission measurements. We find that the low energy excitations of the entire hole pocket at the Brillouin zone center are dominated by the single $d_{xz}$ orbital. The superconducting gap exhibits an anti-correlation relation with the $d_{xz}$ spectral weight near the Fermi level, i.e., the gap size minimum (maximum) corresponds to the maximum (minimum) of the $d_{xz}$ spectral weight along the Fermi surface. These observations provide new insights in understanding the orbital origin of the extremely anisotropic superconducting gap in FeSe superconductor and the relation between nematicity and superconductivity in the iron-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Orbital-driven Mottness collapse in 1T-TaS2-xSex transition metal dichalcogenide

The vicinity of a Mott insulating phase has constantly been a fertile ground for finding exotic quantum states, most notably the high Tc cuprates and colossal magnetoresistance manganites. The layered transition metal dichalcogenide 1T-TaS2 represents another intriguing example, in which the Mott insulator phase is intimately entangled with a series of complex charge-density-wave (CDW) orders. More interestingly, it has been recently found that 1T-TaS2 undergoes a Mott-insulator-to-superconductor transition induced by high pressure, charge doping, or isovalent substitution. The nature of the Mott insulator phase and transition mechanism to the conducting state is still under heated debate. Here, by combining scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements and first-principles calculations, we investigate the atomic scale electronic structure of 1T-TaS2 Mott insulator and its evolution to the metallic state upon isovalent substitution of S with Se. We identify two distinct types of orbital textures - one localized and the other extended - and demonstrates that the interplay between them is the key factor that determines the electronic structure. Especially, we show that the continuous evolution of the charge gap visualized by STM is due to the immersion of the localized-orbital-induced Hubbard bands into the extended-orbital-spanned Fermi sea, featuring a unique evolution from a Mott gap to a charge-transfer gap. This new mechanism of orbital-driven Mottness collapse revealed here suggests an interesting route for creating novel electronic state and designing future electronic devices.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Deriving phosphorus atomic chain from few-layer black phosphorus

Phosphorus atomic chains, the utmost-narrow nanostructures of black phosphorus (BP), are highly relevant to the in-depth development of BP into one-dimensional (1D) regime. In this contribution, we report a top-down route to prepare atomic chains of BP via electron beam sculpting inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The growth and dynamics (i.e. rupture and edge migration) of 1D phosphorus chains are experimentally captured for the first time. Furthermore, the dynamic behaviors and associated energetics of the as-formed phosphorus chains are further corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The 1D counterpart of BP will serve as a novel platform and inspire further exploration of the versatile properties of BP.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

The influence of the structural transition on magnetic fluctuations in NaFeAs

NaFeAs belongs to a class of Fe-based superconductors which parent compounds show separated structural and magnetic transitions. Effects of the structural transition on spin dynamics therefore can be investigated separately from the magnetic transition. A plateau in dynamic spin response is observed in a critical region around the structural transition temperature T_S. It is interpreted as due to the stiffening of spin fluctuations along the in-plane magnetic hard axis due to the dxz and dyz orbital ordering. The appearance of anisotropic spin dynamics in the critical region above the T_S at T* offers a dynamic magnetic scattering mechanism for anisotropic electronic properties in the commonly referred "nematic phase".

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Direct Observation of Layer-Dependent Electronic Structure in Phosphorene

Phosphorene, a single atomic layer of black phosphorus, has recently emerged as a new twodimensional (2D) material that holds promise for electronic and photonic technology. Here we experimentally demonstrate that the electronic structure of few-layer phosphorene varies significantly with the number of layers, in good agreement with theoretical predictions. The interband optical transitions cover a wide, technologically important spectrum range from visible to mid-infrared. In addition, we observe strong photoluminescence in few-layer phosphorene at energies that match well with the absorption edge, indicating they are direct bandgap semiconductors. The strongly layer-dependent electronic structure of phosphorene, in combination with its high electrical mobility, gives it distinct advantages over other twodimensional materials in electronic and opto-electronic applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Observation of a van Hove singularity and implication for strong coupling induced Cooper pairing in KFe2As2

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) have been investigated on single crystal samples of KFe2As2. A van Hove singularity (vHs) has been directly observed just a few meV below the Fermi level E_F of superconducting KFe2As2, which locates in the middle of the principle axes of the first Brillouin zone. The majority of the density-of-states at E_F, mainly contributed by the proximity effect of the saddle point to E_F, is non-gapped in the superconducting state. Our observation of nodal behavior of the momentum area close to the vHs points, while providing consistent explanations to many exotic behaviours previously observed in this material, suggests Cooper pairing induced by a strong coupling mechanism.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Edge-Mediated Skyrmion Chain and Its Collective Dynamics in a Confined Geometry

The emergence of a topologically nontrivial vortex-like magnetic structure, the magnetic skyrmion, has launched new concepts for memory devices. There, extensive studies have theoretically demonstrated the ability to encode information bits by using a chain of skyrmions in one-dimensional nanostripes. Here, we report the first experimental observation of the skyrmion chain in FeGe nanostripes by using high resolution Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. Under an applied field normal to the nanostripes plane, we observe that the helical ground states with distorted edge spins would evolves into individual skyrmions, which assemble in the form of chain at low field and move collectively into the center of nanostripes at elevated field. Such skyrmion chain survives even as the width of nanostripe is much larger than the single skyrmion size. These discovery demonstrates new way of skyrmion formation through the edge effect, and might, in the long term, shed light on the applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Broadband Linear-Dichroic Photodetector in a Black Phosphorus Vertical p-n Junction

The ability to detect light over a broad spectral range is central for practical optoelectronic applications, and has been successfully demonstrated with photodetectors of two-dimensional layered crystals such as graphene and MoS2. However, polarization sensitivity within such a photodetector remains elusive. Here we demonstrate a linear-dichroic broadband photodetector with layered black phosphorus transistors, using the strong intrinsic linear dichroism arising from the in-plane optical anisotropy with respect to the atom-buckled direction, which is polarization sensitive over a broad bandwidth from 400 nm to 3750 nm. Especially, a perpendicular build-in electric field induced by gating in black phosphorus transistors can spatially separate the photo-generated electrons and holes in the channel, effectively reducing their recombination rate, and thus enhancing the efficiency and performance for linear dichroism photodetection. This provides new functionality using anisotropic layered black phosphorus, thereby enabling novel optical and optoelectronic device applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗