arXiv subjects

Youguo Shi

Publications and source records attributed to Youguo Shi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Excitons probe intrinsic flat band Mottness in a van der Waals heterostructure

Excitons provide a sensitive optical probe of electronic correlations in nearby two-dimensional materials, yet their coupling to intrinsic flat-band Mott systems remains largely unexplored. Here we combine gate-tunable optical spectroscopy with first-principles calculations to study monolayer WSe$_2$ in direct contact with the van der Waals Mott insulator Nb$_3$Cl$_8$. The gate evolution of WSe$_2$ excitonic resonances reveals signatures of a correlation-reconstructed Mott gap in Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ that is absent from the single-particle band picture. In the electron-doped regime, the WSe$_2$ 2s Rydberg exciton undergoes a multistage evolution and develops into interlayer attractive and repulsive polaron branches, showing that a Rydberg exciton can be dressed by strongly correlated flat-band electrons in an adjacent Mott layer. Under an out-of-plane magnetic field, spin-polarized Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ states further induce valley-selective exciton coupling, producing a strongly enhanced circular polarization of the WSe$_2$ exciton emission. These results extend exciton-based sensing and exciton-polaron physics to intrinsic flat-band Mott materials, providing an optical route to probe and engineer correlation-driven interfacial quasiparticles.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Fractional phase slips across the charge-density-wave domain walls in 1-T TiSe2

The microscopic origin of the charge density wave (CDW) in 1\textit{T}-TiSe$_2$ remains controversial, with competing scenarios based on phonon-driven lattice instability and electronically driven excitonic correlations. Here, we combine low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy with two-dimensional lock-in phase analysis to directly resolve the local CDW phase in real space and track its evolution across individual domain walls. In homogeneous regions, the CDW phase remains uniform; by contrast, across domain walls we uncover a robust and reproducible $2\pi/3$ phase shift that occurs collectively in all three symmetry-related CDW components. This nontrivial and correlated phase-slip configuration places stringent constraints on the order-parameter manifold and challenges the simplest purely phonon-driven commensurate lock-in picture, which would instead predict a $\pi$ phase shift. A minimal free-energy model incorporating both electron-phonon and electron-hole interactions reproduces the observed phase behavior and indicates that electronic interactions play an important role in shaping the local phase structure of the CDW order. These results establish domain walls as direct real-space probes of the microscopic interactions underlying multicomponent order and provide a general phase-resolved framework for constraining competing ordering mechanisms in correlated materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Spin-orbit-enabled Fermi-surface splitting in noncollinear antiferromagnetic SmBi

Spin-split electronic structures in compensated antiferromagnets are commonly sought in the nonrelativistic limit, where magnetic order lifts spin degeneracy without spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Whether SOC can instead be the indispensable symmetry-breaking ingredient remains largely unexplored. Here we combine quantum oscillations detected by ultrahigh-sensitivity ac magnetostriction, magnetic-symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations to resolve the bulk Fermi-surface evolution of SmBi across two successive antiferromagnetic (AFM) transitions. New oscillation branches emerge below TN and undergo a further reconstruction below T*, whereas isostructural SmSb shows no comparable change. For the candidate noncollinear orders of SmBi, breaking global parity-time symmetry is insufficient in the nonrelativistic limit because residual spin-space symmetries protect twofold band degeneracy; conversely, SOC alone cannot lift the degeneracy of the centrosymmetric paramagnetic (PM) phase. Only the coexistence of noncollinear order and SOC locks spin to the lattice and removes the residual protection. SmBi therefore realizes a cooperative, relativistic route to spin-split Fermi surfaces, broadening unconventional magnetism beyond systems whose splitting is already present in the nonrelativistic limit.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Layer-parity-dependent interfacial coupling in Nb$_3$Cl$_8$/graphene van der Waals heterostructures

Strongly correlated two-dimensional systems provide compelling platforms for investigating exotic quantum phenomena. Niobium chloride (Nb$_3$Cl$_8$), a single-band Mott insulator, exhibits a remarkable out-of-plane polarization in its topmost layer that oscillates with layer parity, manifesting as an odd-even effect. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), this layer-parity-dependent polarization can be effectively characterized through surface morphology and potential mapping, enabling the unambiguous identification of different surface phases. We then fabricated dual-gate Hall devices by coupling different surface phases of Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ with monolayer graphene to investigate how the topmost-layer out-of-plane polarization influences interfacial coupling and the resulting transport behavior. Our results reveal significant phase-dependent variations in charge transfer, carrier densities, and hybridization gaps (25.2 meV for Phase 1 and 30.0 meV for Phase 2). Density functional theory calculations corroborate these experimental findings, showing that distinct out-of-plane polarizations in the topmost layer lead to different orbital overlaps and interfacial coupling strengths. These findings highlight the critical importance of surface polarization and orbital orientation in engineering the properties of strongly correlated van der Waals heterostructures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Layer-parity-defined surface polarization in Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ for excitonic modulation at van der Waals interfaces

The intrinsic symmetry breaking in the breathing kagome lattice of layered Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ provides a unique mechanism for realizing electrically polar surfaces. In each monolayer, the trimerization of Nb atoms breaks inversion and mirror symmetries, generating an out-of-plane electric dipole. The AB-stacked $\alpha$ phase arranges adjacent layer dipoles antiferroelectrically, leaving the uncompensated surface polarization strictly governed by layer parity. Here, using atomic force microscopy operated in Kelvin probe force microscopy mode, we directly visualize layer-dependent polarization states in exfoliated Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ flakes and resolve a pronounced odd-even oscillation of the surface electrostatic potential. Beyond this parity-locked antiferroelectric order, we further identify intralayer polar domains in which local atomic reconstructions of the breathing kagome network reverse the out-of-plane dipole of the surface layer, producing ferroelectric-like stacking configurations. By interfacing monolayer MoSe$_2$ with Nb$_3$Cl$_8$, we demonstrate that these surface-polarization textures effectively modulate adjacent excitonic emission through domain-dependent interfacial band alignment and charge transfer. Our findings establish Nb$_3$Cl$_8$ as an intrinsic layer-polarized van der Waals platform and show that layer parity provides powerful structural degree of freedom for programming excitonic and optoelectronic responses at van der Waals interfaces.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Magnetoelastic instabilities in kagome antiferromagnet Mn3-xGa

We present a systematic study of the structural, magnetic, and transport properties of hexagonal Mn3-xGa alloys, revealing a series of composition-controlled emergent phenomena. By tuning the Mn concentration, we uncover distinct lattice responses, including a zero thermal expansion-like volume compensation behavior in Mn-poor compositions and a magnetoelastic-driven, field-assisted structural phase transition in Mn-rich samples. These lattice instabilities are accompanied by correlated magnetic and transport anomalies, including metamagnetic transitions, negative magnetoresistance, and anomalous Hall sign reversal. First-principles calculations demonstrate that the Hall sign reversal originates from crystal-symmetry breaking rather than magnetic reorientation alone. Our results establish composition as the key control parameter governing magnetoelastic coupling in Mn3-xGa, providing a unified framework to tailor structural, magnetic, and topological transport properties in kagome antiferromagnets and reconcile previously disparate experimental observations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Unusual Dual Flat Bands and two-dimensional Dirac-node Arc State in Kagome Metal Ni3In2S2

Kagome materials are at the frontier of condensed matter physics. An ideal kagome lattice features only one geometrically frustrated flat band spanning the entire momentum space and a single Dirac cone at the Brillouin-zone corners. However, for the first time, here we observe unusual flat-band and Dirac physics in the newly discovered "322" kagome material Ni3In2S2 by combining high-resolution synchrotron- and laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with a micro-focused beam, scanning tunneling microscopy, and first-principles calculations. We resolve two distinct electronic flat-band states located in close proximity to the Fermi level: a robust Topological Surface Flat Band at ~40 meV below the Fermi level on the Sulfur-terminated surface, originating from weak topological insulator states, and a kagome lattice-derived flat band at ~100 meV binding energy with an ultranarrow bandwidth (~5 meV). Instead of the single Dirac cone, the Indium-terminated surface hosts a rare two-dimensional Dirac-node arc state, where the gapless Dirac nodes extend along an open one-dimensional line crossing the Brillouin-zone boundary, exhibiting sharp linear dispersion, exceptionally high Fermi velocity, and pronounced circular dichroism. These findings establish Ni3In2S2 as a unique topological kagome metal in which multiple flat-band states of different physical origin coexist with an unusual Dirac-node arc, opening an avenue for discovering flat-band--driven and topology-enabled quantum phenomena.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Spectral Visualization of Excitonic Pair Breaking at Individual Impurities in Ta2Pd3Te5

Excitonic insulators host the condensates of bound electron-hole pairs, offering a platform for studying correlated bosonic quantum states. Yet, how macroscopic coherence emerges from locally collapsed pairing remains elusive. Here, using scanning tunnelling spectroscopy, we report the impurity-induced pair breaking in an excitonic insulator Ta2Pd3Te5. Individual Te vacancies are found to generate a pair of spectral peaks within the excitonic gap. Their energies depend sensitively on the defect configurations and are continuously tunable by tip electric field, indicating controllable impurity scatterings. Spectral mapping shows spatially anisotropic and electronically coupled electron-hole components of the subgap states. These observations, together with mean-field modelling, suggest an excitonic pair-breaking origin. In the strongly electron-hole imbalanced region, a secondary pair-breaking effect, manifesting as an additional pair of subgap states with distinctly lower energies, can emerge, presenting the interplay of pairing breakings with different excitonic order parameters. Our findings demonstrate the spectroscopic 'fingerprint' of local excitonic depairing at the atomic level, offering a crucial clue to the critical behavior across excitonic condensation.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Magnetotransport and Carrier Dynamics in Quasi-One-Dimensional Antiferromagnet KMn$_6$Bi$_5$

Quasi-one-dimensional materials $A$Mn$_6$Bi$_5$ ($A$ = Na, K, Rb, Cs) exhibit unique electronic behaviors such as antiferromagnetism, charge density waves, and pressure-induced superconductivity. Thus, they serve as a suitable model system to investigate emergent quantum phenomena produced by the interactions among spin, charge, and lattice. Here we report the magnetotransport properties of KMn$_6$Bi$_5$, revealing a cascade of temperature-dependent carrier dynamics. Below 5 K, the system, despite its anisotropic electronic structure, could be effectively described by an isotropic two-band model and exhibits a large, non-saturating magnetoresistance ($\propto B^{1.8}$). Upon warming, a crossover to a single-band regime occurs around 20 K, driven by the suppression of a hole pocket. Electron density recovers as antiferromagnetic gap openings gradually close from 25 to 70 K which is just below the N$\mathrm{\acute{e}}$el temperature. Within this temperature range, field-quenched spin fluctuations suppress magnetoresistance. Furthermore, we attribute the low-temperature resistivity upturn to the scaling behavior of magnetoresistance. These findings provide crucial insights into the interplay of dimensionality, magnetism, and electron correlations in quasi-one-dimensional magnetic semimetals.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Quantum fluctuations associated with first-order magnetic transition in a frustrated kagome lattice antiferromagnet

Intense quantum fluctuations arising from geometrical frustrations in kagome-lattice magnets provide a feasible approach to exotic quantum states. Here, we document an unexpected isosymmetric first-order magnetic transition in the recently synthesized frustrated kagome-lattice antiferromagnet Nd3ScBi5, which is characterized by significant latent heat and a pronounced magnetocaloric effect, as well as discontinuous Raman shifts and negligible hysteresis. Employing the magnetocaloric effect as a detection method, in conjunction with systematical field-dependent physical properties, we uncover a distinctive 1/2 magnetization plateau phase with significant quantum fluctuations. Our study unveils Nd3ScBi5 as a prototypical model with an emerging phase of enhanced quantum fluctuations triggered by first-order magnetic transitions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Quasi-linear magnetoresistance and paramagnetic singularity in Hypervalent Bismuthide

Materials featuring hypervalent bismuth motifs have generated immense interest due to their extraordinary electronic structure and exotic quantum transport. In this study, we synthesized high-quality single crystals of La3ScBi5 characterized by one-dimensional hypervalent bismuth chains and performed a systematic investigation of the magnetoresistive behavior and quantum oscillations. The metallic La3ScBi5 exhibits a low-temperature plateau of electrical resistivity and quasi-linear positive magnetoresistance, with anisotropic magnetoresistive behaviors suggesting the presence of anisotropic Fermi surfaces. This distinctive transport phenomenon is perfectly elucidated by first-principles calculations utilizing the semiclassical Boltzmann transport theory. Furthermore, the nonlinear Hall resistivity pointed towards a multiband electronic structure, characterized by the coexistence of electron and hole carriers, which is further supported by our first-principles calculations. Angle-dependent de Haas-van Alphen oscillations are crucial for further elucidating its Fermiology and topological characteristics. Intriguingly, magnetization measurements unveiled a notable paramagnetic singularity at low fields, which might suggest the nontrivial nature of the surface states. Our findings underscore the interplay between transport phenomena and the unique electronic structure of hypervalent bismuthide La3ScBi5, opening avenues for exploring novel electronic applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Stability Frontiers and Mixed-dimensional physics in the Kagome Intermetallics Ln3ScBi5 (Ln = La-Nd, Sm)

Low-dimensional physics provides profound insights into strongly correlated interactions, leading to enhanced quantum effects and the emergence of exotic quantum states. The Ln3ScBi5 family stands out as a chemically versatile kagome platform with mixed low-dimensional structural framework and tunable physical properties. Our research initiates with a comprehensive evaluation of the currently known Ln3ScBi5 (Ln = La-Nd, Sm) materials, providing a robust methodology for assessing their stability frontiers within this system. Focusing on Pr3ScBi5, we investigate the influence of the zigzag chains of quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) motifs and the distorted kagome layers of quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) networks in the mixed-dimensional structure on the intricate magnetic ground states and unique spin fluctuations. Our study reveals that the noncollinear antiferromagnetic (AFM) moments of Pr3+ ions are confined within the Q2D kagome planes, displaying minimal in-plane anisotropy. In contrast, a strong AFM coupling is observed within the Q1D zigzag chains, significantly constraining spin motion. Notably, the magnetic frustration is partially the consequence of coupling to conduction electrons via the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya Yosida (RKKY) interaction, highlighting a promising framework for future investigations into mixed-dimensional frustration in Ln3ScBi5 systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Magnetization plateau and anisotropic magnetoresistance in the frustrated Kondo-lattice compound Ce3ScBi5

Kondo metals with geometric frustration offer fertile ground for exploring exotic states of matter with a field-induced fractional magnetization platform and nonsaturating magnetoresistance. Herein, a Ce3ScBi5 single crystal with anti-Hf5Sn3Cu hexagonal structure was successfully synthesized via the bismuth self-flux method, leading to the formation of cerium cations arranged in a frustrated structure within a distorted kagome lattice. Magnetic measurements exhibit two distinct antiferromagnetic transitions at 4.1 and 5.9 K. Specifically, the occurrence of multiple metamagnetic transitions between magnetization plateaus is evidenced upon applying magnetic fields perpendicular to the c axis. Transport measurements highlight remarkable Kondo-lattice characteristics and anisotropic magnetoresistance in Ce3ScBi5. The anomalous Hall contributions are observed at low temperatures under critical fields, suggesting Fermi surface reconstruction in a subset of the metamagnetic transitions. We have constructed a temperature-field phase diagram to provide comprehensive information on the complex magnetic structures arising from competitive interactions. Our work establishes Ce3ScBi5 and related materials as a unique platform for exploring low-dimensional quantum fluctuations in bulk crystals, and analyzes the critical role of geometric frustration in Kondo and Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida physical frameworks.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Development of a 10.8-eV Tabletop Femtosecond Laser with Tunable Polarization for High-Resolution Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy

The development of extreme ultraviolet sources is critical for advancing angleresolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), a powerful technique for probing the electronic structure of materials. Here, we report the construction of a tabletop 10.8-eV femtosecond laser through cascaded third-harmonic generation, which operates at a repetition rate of 1 MHz and delivers a photon flux of approximately 1012 photons/s. The system achieves a high energy resolution of approximately 11.8 meV and tunable polarization. This flexibility enables detailed studies of orbitaland (pseudo)spin characteristics in quantum materials. We demonstrate the capabilities of this laser-ARPES system by investigating several prototypical materials, showcasing its potential for elucidating complex phenomena in quantum materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Magnetic-Field Control of Tomonaga-Luttinger Liquids in Ta2Pd3Te5 Edge States

Ta2Pd3Te5 is a quasi-one-dimensional transition-metal telluride whose heavy atoms endow the material with strong spin-orbit coupling, while the Fermi level inside the bulk gap makes the low-energy electronic structure highly tunable.Theory and early experiments have already identified a wealth of emergent phases in this platform: an excitonic insulator driven by electron-hole binding, a second-order topological insulator protected by crystalline symmetry, a potential topological-protected quantum-spin-Hall edge, and proximity-induced edge supercurrents when coupled to a conventional s-wave superconductor. These properties make it a promising platform for hosting Majorana zero modes and quantum computation, provided that time-reversal symmetry can be broken by a Zeeman gap. In this work, we demonstrate that the one-dimensional edge channels of exfoliated Ta2Pd3Te5 host a robust and tunable Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid by electrostatic gating because it shifts the chemical potential across the bulk gap without changing the gap size. More importantly, the application of a magnetic field introduces a Zeeman gap that systematically increases the TLL power-law exponent alpha. Furthermore, rotating the field reveals a pronounced twofold anisotropy--alpha is maximal for a field parallel to the edge and minimal for a perpendicular orientation--originating from an orientation-dependent edge g-factor that is likely amplified by quantum-confinement-induced orbital-angular-moment quenching. The existence of gate-tunable edge supercurrents together with the field-controlled Zeeman gap provides a direct route to break time-reversal symmetry in a particle-hole-symmetric superconducting gap and thus to engineer a topological superconducting phase, paving the way towards Majorana-based quantum devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Hidden Moir\'e Topology of Low-Symmetry Weyl Surfaces

Topological materials are defined by the correspondence between bulk topology and boundary states, yet this correspondence becomes enigmatic on low-symmetry surfaces where bulk and surface periodicities are inherently mismatched. Here we reveal a hidden moir\'e topology emerging on the (103) surface of the Weyl semimetal NdAlSi. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy uncovers closed Fermi-arc loops and momentum-space moir\'e modulations, phenomena unanticipated in conventional topological theory. We show that these emerge from incomplete bulk projection and multi-cell interference governed by a least-common-multiple framework. Least-common-multiple guided DFT and Green's-function calculations quantitatively reproduce the observed spectra, establishing the universality of this commensuration rule. These findings transform a long-standing paradox of bulk-boundary correspondence into a new paradigm of momentum-space moir\'e reconstruction, bridging crystalline and quasicrystalline topologies and opening routes to flat-band engineering on complex surfaces.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

A non-invasive dry-transfer method for fabricating mesoscopic devices on sensitive materials

Many materials with novel or exotic properties are highly sensitive to environmental factors such as air, solvents, and heat, which complicates device fabrication and limits their potential applications. Here, we present a universal submicron fabrication method for mesoscopic devices using a dry-transfer technique, tailored specifically for sensitive materials. This approach utilizes PMMA masks, combined with a water-dissoluble coating as a sacrificial layer, to ensure that sensitive materials are processed without exposure to harmful environmental conditions. The entire fabrication process is carried out in a glove box, employing dry techniques that avoid air, solvents, and heat exposure, culminating in an encapsulation step. We demonstrate the utility of this method by fabricating and characterizing K2Cr3As3 and WTe2 devices, a one- and two-dimensional material, respectively. The results show that our technique preserves the integrity of the materials, provides excellent contact interfaces, and is broadly applicable to a range of sensitive materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Crystalline electric field excitations in Weyl semimetal \textit{R}AlSi (\textit{R} = Ce, Pr and Nd)

The rare earth intermetallic system \textit{R}Al\textit{X} (\textit{R} = rare earth elements, \textit{X} = Si and Ge) is known to be a promising candidate of magnetic Weyl semimetal. Due to the complex interactions between the rare earth elements and surrounding atoms, as well as hybridization with itinerant electrons, this family likely possesses highly intriguing and novel magnetic structures and thus exhibits dynamic behaviors. We systematically probe polycrystalline samples of \textit{R}AlSi (\textit{R} = La, Ce, Pr and Nd) combining inelastic neutron scattering (INS), heat capacity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The INS measurements identify well-resolved crystalline electric field (CEF) excitations at 19.2 and 24.9 meV in CeAlSi, at 5.4 meV in PrAlSi, and at 2.5 and 4.2 meV in NdAlSi. We analyzed the INS data using the corresponding CEF models and determined the CEF parameters and ground state wave functions of \textit{R}AlSi (\textit{R} = Ce, Pr and Nd). Our results suggest strong single-ion anisotropy in their ground states: $|\pm3/2\rangle$ (94.5\%) in CeAlSi, $|\pm3\rangle$ (99.2\%) in PrAlSi, and $|\pm9/2\rangle$ (76.2\%) in NdAlSi. Notably, the weaker anisotropy and strong exchange interactions in NdAlSi promote competing magnetic orders and CEF splitting at low temperature, contrasting with the robust CEF levels in magnetic states of CeAlSi and PrAlSi.

cond-mat.str-el↗