arXiv subjects

Yanzhao Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Yanzhao Liu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

High-Density Horizontal Arrays of Single-Chirality Carbon Nanotubes

Highly ordered high-density arrays of single-chirality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are greatly desired for exploring the intrinsic anisotropic properties and collective performance of such 1-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials. Here we present a Marangoni flow-induced self-assembly (MISA) strategy to fabricate monolayered SWCNT arrays achieving a packing density of ~200 ${\mu m}^{-1}$ and a 2-dimensional order parameter ($S_{2\mathrm{D}}$) of ~0.95. Relying on its general compatibility with both organic and aqueous dispersions, we prepare single-chirality and enantiomer-pure SWCNT arrays from organic and aqueous dispersions resulting from the sorting processes. The anisotropic optical and electrical properties of the arrays are demonstrated by the polarization-dependent Rabi splitting as well as polarized near-infrared light emission and detection. With the great tolerance to solutions, substrates, and materials, as well as the feasibility and controllability, MISA shows great potential in the assembly of 1D nanomaterials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Observation of flat-bottom U-shaped energy gap in high-Tc nickelate (La,Pr)3Ni2O7 thin films

The discovery of high transition temperature (high-Tc) superconductivity in Ruddlesden-Popper (R-P) bilayer nickelates under high pressure has stimulated extensive work to understand the underlying mechanism and search for superconductors with higher Tc. The recent realization of superconductivity in R-P bilayer nickelate thin films with onset Tc above 40 K at ambient-pressure enables the use of a wide array of powerful experimental tools to investigate the unconventional high-Tc superconductivity in bilayer nickelates. Here, using ultra-low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S) and electrical transport study, we report the first successful observation of an energy-symmetric, flat-bottom U-shaped gap with zero residual density of states around the Fermi level in the high-Tc nickelate (La,Pr)3Ni2O7 thin film grown on SrLaAlO4 substrate. Before and after STM/S studies, transport measurements on the same sample reveal consistent superconducting behaviors showing zero resistance, with an onset Tc above 40 K and zero resistance Tc above 20 K. The tunneling spectra exhibit highly unconventional temperature evolution, characterized by a rapid filling of the U-shaped energy gap to a V-shaped gap as the temperature increases. Furthermore, the U-shaped energy gap is reduced under a c-axis magnetic field of 14 T. The energy-symmetric U-shaped gap, taken together with its dependence on magnetic field and temperature, is consistent with the behavior of a superconducting gap, suggesting a nodeless gap function at ultra-low temperatures. Our findings shed new lights on the nature of high-Tc superconductivity and provide an encouraging and thought-provoking hint for a local superconductivity with Tc above liquid nitrogen boiling temperature in nickelate superconductors at ambient or zero pressure.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Evolution from Landau Quantization to Discrete Scale Invariance Revealed by Quantum Oscillations in Topological Materials

Dirac materials have been a unique solid state platform for exploring relativistic quantum phenomena including supercritical atomic collapse, which leads to emergent discrete scale symmetry and logperiodic quantum oscillations. In the relativistic regime, the fundamental effect in quantum electrodynamics, vacuum polarization, can further modulate the atomic collapselike state by screening bare charges but is rarely harnessed in condensed matter system. Here, we report a continuous progression from low field Shubnikov de Haas oscillations to high field log periodic oscillations in the Dirac material HfTe5, with both phenomena modulated by Fermi surface anisotropy. This maps the transition from single particle Landau levels to an interaction-driven, discrete scale invariant energy spectrum of quasi-bound states. Crucially, our findings suggest vacuum polarization provides a compelling mechanism for renormalizing the effective impurity charge, quantitatively explaining the carrier-density dependent scale factor. By revealing the intricate interplay between Landau quantization, many body electronic screening, and scale-symmetry breaking, our results establish Dirac solids as a controllable platform for exploring relativistic vacuum effects and emergent novel symmetry.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

A possible superconducting gap signature with filling temperature around 40 K in hexagonal iron telluride islands

Superconductivity in the iron-chalcogenide series FeSe-Fe(Te, Se)-FeTe has been restricted to the near neighbor of iron selenide (FeSe), with a general consensus that iron telluride (FeTe) is not superconducting. In this study, we report the method to grow FeTe islands with atomically flat surface and hexagonal lattice on SrTiO3 (001) substrates, in which a gap structure with a gap-filling temperature close to 40 K is detected by scanning tunneling spectroscopy. Such signature is examined under various conditions and reminiscent of a superconducting gap structure. This work might offer a potential platform to explore new superconductors at ambient pressure.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Phonon-scattering-induced quantum linear magnetoresistance up to room temperature

The realization of quantum transport effects at elevated temperatures has long intrigued researchers due to the implications for unveiling novel physics and developing quantum devices. In this work, we report remarkable quantum linear magnetoresistance (LMR) in the Weyl semiconductor tellurium at high temperatures of 40-300 K under strong magnetic fields up to 60 T. At high fields, the Weyl band features a large energy gap between the lowest and first Landau levels, which suppresses thermal excitation and preserves Landau quantization at high temperatures. The LMR is observed as long as majority carriers remain in the lowest Landau level without requiring monochromaticity, allowing it to persist up to room temperature. The inverse relationship between the LMR slope and temperature provides clear evidence that quantum LMR originates from high-temperature phonon scattering in the quantum limit, firstly demonstrating a theoretical prediction made nearly fifty years ago. This study highlights the key role of electron-phonon interaction and reveals an innovative quantum mechanism for achieving high-temperature LMR, fundamentally distinct from previous findings. Our results bridge a gap in the understanding of phonon-mediated quantum-limit physics and establish strong magnetic fields at high temperatures as a promising platform for exploring novel quantum phenomena.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Exceedingly large in-plane critical field of finite-momentum pairing state in bulk superlattices

Magnetic flux profoundly influences the phase factor of charge particles, leading to exotic quantum phenomena. A recent example is that the orbital effect of magnetic field could induce finite-momentum pairing state in nanoflakes, which offers a new pathway to realize the spatially modulated superconductivity distinct from the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state induced by Zeeman effect. However, whether such intriguing state can exist in the bulk materials under extremely large magnetic field remains elusive. Here we report the orbital effect induced finite-momentum pairing state with exceedingly large in-plane critical field in a bulk superconducting superlattice. Remarkably, the in-plane critical field shows a pronounced upturn behavior, exceeding eight times the Pauli limit which is comparable to monolayer Ising superconductor. Under high in-plane magnetic fields, significant anisotropic transport behavior between the interlayer and intralayer directions is detected, highlighting the critical role of suppressed interlayer coherence in the orbital effect induced finite-momentum pairing state. Crucially, this finite-momentum pairing state remains robust against moderate disorder. Our findings suggest that van der Waals superlattices, with strong Ising spin-orbit coupling and tunable interlayer coherence, offer new avenues for constructing and modulating unconventional superconducting states.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Dynamical Coulomb Blockade as a Signature of the Sign-Reversing Cooper Pairing Potential

Coulomb blockade occurs for electrons tunneling into nanoislands because of the quantization of charge. Here, using spectroscopy measurements of nonmagnetic islands grown on a high-Tc superconductor [one-unit-cell (1-UC) FeSe], we systematically investigate the dynamical Coulomb blockade (DCB), which is found to reflect the Cooper pairing potential in the superconducting substrate. The tunneling spectra are acquired on single-crystalline Pb nanoislands and show a clear suppression of the tunnel current around zero bias-voltage with a gap-like structure. The observed spectral gaps can be attributed to DCB based on our comprehensive investigations, including experiments with finely varying island sizes and calculations of the spectra using the P(E) theory of DCB. Our detailed analysis suggests that the observed DCB can be related to the sign-reversing pairing potential in the 1-UC FeSe substrate below the islands. The sign reversal is furthermore revealed in a transition of the superconducting gap of FeSe from a U- to a V-like lineshape as the distance between neighboring doublet islands is decreased, indicating the presence of a nodal-like gap as expected for a sign-reversing superconductor. Our configuration of nonmagnetic nanoislands on a high-Tc superconductor for spectroscopy measurements may serve as a local, spatially sensitive, and tunable probe for detecting the sign-reversing order parameter in unconventional superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Observation of superconducting pair density modulation within lattice unit cell

In unconventional high-temperature (high-Tc) superconductors, the pair density wave state, an exotic superconducting order showing spatially periodic order parameter modulations with the period of several unit cells and translational symmetry breaking, has attracted broad attention. However, the superconducting pair density modulation within a single unit cell (PDM) has never been carefully investigated before. Here, using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, we report the observation of PDM in monolayer high-Tc iron chalcogenide films epitaxially grown on SrTiO3(001). The superconductivity modulations are characterized by the superconducting gap size and the coherence peak sharpness. Further analysis shows that the local maxima and minima in the superconducting gap modulation are centered at the crystallographic locations of the chalcogen atoms, revealing the breaking of the glide-mirror symmetry of the chalcogen atoms in monolayer high-Tc iron chalcogenide films grown on SrTiO3(001). Our findings provide precise microscopic information on superconductivity within the lattice unit cell and may promote the understanding of unconventional high-Tc superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Ferromagnetic and insulating behavior in both half magnetic levitation and non-levitation LK-99 like samples

Finding materials exhibiting superconductivity at room temperature has long been one of the ultimate goals in physics and material science. Recently, room-temperature superconducting properties have been claimed in a copper substituted lead phosphate apatite (Pb$_{10-x}$Cu$_x$(PO$_4$)$_6$O, or called LK-99) [1-3]. Using a similar approach, we have prepared LK-99 like samples and confirmed the half-levitation behaviors in some small specimens under the influence of a magnet at room temperature. To examine the magnetic properties of our samples, we have performed systematic magnetization measurements on the as-grown LK-99-like samples, including the half-levitated and non-levitated samples. The magnetization measurements show the coexistence of soft-ferromagnetic and diamagnetic signals in both half-levitated and non-levitated samples. The electrical transport measurements on the as-grown LK-99-like samples including both half-levitated and non-levitated samples show an insulating behavior characterized by the increasing resistivity with the decreasing temperature.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Intertwined charge and pair density orders in a monolayer high-Tc iron-based superconductor

Symmetry-breaking electronic phase in unconventional high-temperature (high-Tc) superconductors is a fascinating issue in condensed-matter physics, among which the most attractive phases are charge density wave (CDW) phase with four unit-cell periodicity in cuprates and nematic phase breaking the C4 rotational symmetry in iron-based superconductors (FeSCs). Recently, pair density wave (PDW), an exotic superconducting phase with non-zero momentum Cooper pairs, has been observed in high-Tc cuprates and the monolayer FeSC. However, the interplay between the CDW, PDW and nematic phase remains to be explored. Here, using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, we detected commensurate CDW and CDW-induced PDW orders with the same period of lambda = 4aFe (aFe is the distance between neighboring Fe atoms) in a monolayer high-Tc Fe(Te,Se) film grown on SrTiO3(001) substrate. Further analyses demonstrate the observed CDW is a smectic order, which breaks both translation and C4 rotational symmetry. Moreover, the smecticity of the CDW order is strongest near the superconducting gap but weakens near defects and in an applied magnetic field, indicating the interplay between the smectic CDW and PDW orders. Our works provide a new platform to study the intertwined orders and their interactions in high-Tc superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Discrete scale invariance of the quasi-bound states at atomic vacancies in a topological material

Recently, log-periodic quantum oscillations have been detected in topological materials zirconium pentatelluride (ZrTe5) and hafnium pentatelluride (HfTe5), displaying intriguing discrete scale invariance (DSI) characteristic. In condensed materials, the DSI is considered to be related to the quasi-bound states formed by massless Dirac fermions with strong Coulomb attraction, offering a feasible platform to study the long-pursued atomic-collapse phenomenon. Here, we demonstrate that a variety of atomic vacancies in the topological material HfTe5 can host the geometric quasi-bound states with DSI feature, resembling the artificial supercritical atom collapse. The density of states of these quasi-bound states are enhanced and the quasi-bound states are spatially distributed in the "orbitals" surrounding the vacancy sites, which are detected and visualized by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope/spectroscopy (STM/S). By applying the perpendicular magnetic fields, the quasi-bound states at lower energies become wider and eventually invisible, meanwhile the energies of quasi-bound states move gradually towards the Fermi energy (EF). These features are consistent with the theoretical prediction of a magnetic-field-induced transition from supercritical to subcritical states. The direct observation of geometric quasi-bound states sheds light on the deep understanding of the DSI in quantum materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Anomalous magneto-thermoelectric behavior in massive Dirac materials

Extensive studies of electron transport in Dirac materials have shown positive magneto-resistance (MR) and positive magneto-thermopower (MTP) in a magnetic field perpendicular to the excitation current or thermal gradient. In contrast, measurements of electron transport often show a negative longitudinal MR and negative MTP for a magnetic field oriented along the excitation current or thermal gradient; this is attributed to the chiral anomaly in Dirac materials. Here, we report a very different magneto-thermoelectric transport behavior in the massive Dirac material ZrTe5. Although thin flakes show a commonly observed positive MR in a perpendicular magnetic field, distinct from other Dirac materials, we observe a sharp negative MTP. In a parallel magnetic field, we still observe a negative longitudinal MR, however, a remarkable positive MTP is observed for the fields parallel to the thermal gradients. Our theoretical calculations suggest that this anomalous magneto-thermoelectric behavior can be attributed to the screened Coulomb scattering. This work demonstrates the significance of impurity scattering in the electron transport of topological materials and provides deep insight into the novel magneto-transport phenomena in Dirac materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Discovery of a pair density wave state in a monolayer high-Tc iron-based superconductor

The pair density wave (PDW) is an extraordinary superconducting state where Cooper pairs carry nonzero momentum. It can emerge when the full condensation of zero momentum Cooper pairs is frustrated. Evidence for the existence of intrinsic PDW order in high-temperature (high-Tc) cuprate superconductors and kagome superconductors has emerged recently. However, the PDW order in iron-based high-Tc superconductors has not been observed experimentally. Here, using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, we report the discovery of the PDW state in monolayer iron-based high-Tc Fe(Te,Se) films grown on SrTiO3(001) substrates. The PDW state with a period of λ~3.6a_Fe (a_Fe is the distance between neighboring Fe atoms) is observed at the domain walls by the spatial electronic modulations of the local density of states, superconducting gap, and the π-phase shift boundaries of the PDW around the dislocations of the intertwined charge density wave order. The discovery of the PDW state in the monolayer Fe(Te,Se) film provides a low-dimensional platform to study the interplay between the correlated electronic states and unconventional Cooper pairing in high-Tc superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Anomalous Metallic States in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Ising Superconductors

The metallic ground state in two-dimensional (2D) superconductors has attracted much attention but is still under intense scrutiny. Especially, the measurements in ultralow temperature region are challenging for 2D superconductors due to the sensitivity to external perturbations. In this work, the resistance saturation induced by external noise, named as "extrinsic anomalous metallic state", is observed in 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) superconductor 4Ha-TaSe2 nanodevices. However, with further decreasing temperature, credible evidence of intrinsic anomalous metallic state is obtained by adequately filtering external radiation. Our work indicates that at ultralow temperatures the anomalous metallic state can be experimentally revealed as the quantum ground state in 2D crystalline TMD superconductors. Besides, Ising superconductivity revealed by ultrahigh in-plane critical field (Bc2//) going beyond the Pauli paramagnetic limit (Bp) is detected in 4Ha-TaSe2, from one-unit-cell device to bulk situation, which might be due to the weak coupling between the TaSe2 sub-monolayers.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

The observation of in-plane quantum Griffiths singularity in two-dimensional crystalline superconductors

Quantum Griffiths singularity (QGS) reveals the profound influence of quenched disorder on the quantum phase transitions, characterized by the divergence of the dynamical critical exponent at the boundary of the vortex glass-like phase, named as quantum Griffiths phase. However, in the absence of vortices, whether the QGS can exist under parallel magnetic field remains a puzzle. Here we study the magnetic field induced superconductor-metal transition in ultrathin crystalline PdTe2 films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Remarkably, the QGS emerges under both perpendicular and parallel magnetic field in 4-monolayer PdTe2 films. The direct activated scaling analysis with a new irrelevant correction has been proposed, providing important evidence of QGS. With increasing film thickness to 6 monolayers, the QGS disappears under perpendicular field but persists under parallel field, and this discordance may originate from the differences in microscopic processes. Our work demonstrates the universality of parallel field induced QGS and can stimulate further investigations on novel quantum phase transitions under parallel magnetic field.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Magnetization-tuned topological quantum phase transition in MnBi2Te4 devices

Recently, the intrinsic magnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4 has attracted enormous research interest due to the great success in realizing exotic topological quantum states, such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE), axion insulator state, high-Chern-number and high-temperature Chern insulator states. One key issue in this field is to effectively manipulate these states and control topological phase transitions. Here, by systematic angle-dependent transport measurements, we reveal a magnetization-tuned topological quantum phase transition from Chern insulator to magnetic insulator with gapped Dirac surface states in MnBi2Te4 devices. Specifically, as the magnetic field is tilted away from the out-of-plane direction by around 40-60 degrees, the Hall resistance deviates from the quantization value and a colossal, anisotropic magnetoresistance is detected. The theoretical analyses based on modified Landauer-Buttiker formalism show that the field-tilt-driven switching from ferromagnetic state to canted antiferromagnetic state induces a topological quantum phase transition from Chern insulator to magnetic insulator with gapped Dirac surface states in MnBi2Te4 devices. Our work provides an efficient means for modulating topological quantum states and topological quantum phase transitions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Intrinsic magnetic topological insulators

Introducing magnetism into topological insulators breaks time-reversal symmetry, and the magnetic exchange interaction can open a gap in the otherwise gapless topological surface states. This allows various novel topological quantum states to be generated, including the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) and axion insulator states. Magnetic doping and magnetic proximity are viewed as being useful means of exploring the interaction between topology and magnetism. However, the inhomogeneity of magnetic doping leads to complicated magnetic ordering and small exchange gaps, and consequently the observed QAHE appears only at ultralow temperatures. Therefore, intrinsic magnetic topological insulators are highly desired for increasing the QAHE working temperature and for investigating topological quantum phenomena further. The realization and characterization of such systems are essential for both fundamental physics and potential technical revolutions. This review summarizes recent research progress in intrinsic magnetic topological insulators, focusing mainly on the antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4 and its family of materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Detection of magnetic gap in the topological surface states of MnBi2Te4

Recently, intrinsic antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4 has drawn intense research interest and leads to plenty of significant progress in physics and materials science by hosting quantum anomalous Hall effect, axion insulator state, and other quantum phases. An essential ingredient to realize these quantum states is the magnetic gap in the topological surface states induced by the out-of-plane ferromagnetism on the surface of MnBi2Te4. However, the experimental observations of the surface gap remain controversial. Here, we report the observation of the surface gap via the point contact tunneling spectroscopy. In agreement with theoretical calculations, the gap size is around 50 meV, which vanishes as the sample becomes paramagnetic with increasing temperature. The magnetoresistance hysteresis is detected through the point contact junction on the sample surface with an out-of-plane magnetic field, substantiating the surface ferromagnetism. Furthermore, the non-zero transport spin polarization coming from the ferromagnetism is determined by the point contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy. Combining these results, the magnetism-induced gap in topological surface states of MnBi2Te4 is revealed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗