arXiv subjects

Youngkuk Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Youngkuk Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Hot carrier diffusion-assisted ideal carrier multiplication in monolayer MoSe2

Carrier multiplication (CM), the process of generating multiple charge carriers from a single photon, offers an opportunity to exceed the Shockley-Queisser limit in photovoltaic applications. Despite extensive research, no material has yet achieved ideal CM efficiency, primarily owing to significant energy losses from carrier-lattice scattering. In this study, we demonstrate that monolayer MoSe2 can attain the theoretical maximum CM efficiency permitted by energy-momentum conservation principle, using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. By resolving the scatter-free ballistic transport of hot carriers and validating our findings with first-principles calculations, we identify the cornerstone of optimal CM in monolayer MoSe2: superior hot-carrier dynamics characterized by suppressed energy dissipation via minimized carrier-lattice scattering, and the availability of abundant CM pathways facilitated by 2Eg band nesting. Comparative analysis with bulk MoSe2 further emphasizes the enhanced CM efficiency in the monolayer, attributed by superior hot-carrier diffusion and access to additional CM pathways. These results position monolayer MoSe2 as a promising candidate for high-performance optoelectronic applications, providing a robust platform for next-generation energy conversion technologies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Normal Dirac Semimetal Phase and Zeeman-Induced Topological Fermi Arc in PtSr5

Pt-Sr binary intermetallics encompass a broad range of stoichiometries and crystal structures, stabilized by complex bonding and multivalent chemistry. The Sr-rich end member, PtSr5, is recently identified via artificial-intelligence-guided materials design as a body-centered tetragonal compound (I4/m). Using first-principles calculations, we show that PtSr5 hosts a Dirac semimetal phase with trivial Z2 topology, classified as a normal Dirac semimetal. A symmetry-indicator analysis based on parity eigenvalues at the eight time-reversal-invariant momenta confirms that all Z2 invariants-evaluated on time-reversal-invariant two-dimensional subspaces of momentum space with a direct band gap-are trivial, thereby establishing the topologically trivial nature of the Dirac semimetal phase. Nonetheless, our calculations reveal that applying an external Zeeman magnetic field along the z-axis drives the system into a Weyl semimetal phase, as corroborated by characteristic changes in the computed surface states. This work demonstrates the tunability of topological phases in PtSr5 via external perturbations and highlights the effectiveness of AI-based materials exploration in discovering new quantum materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Coexisting Kagome and Heavy Fermion Flat Bands in YbCr$_6$Ge$_6$

Flat bands, emergent in strongly correlated electron systems, stand at the frontier of condensed matter physics, providing fertile ground for unconventional quantum phases. Recent observations of dispersionless bands at the Fermi level in kagome lattice open the possibility of unifying the disjoint paradigms of topology and correlation-driven heavy fermion liquids. Here, we report the unprecedented coexistence of these mechanisms in the layered kagome metal YbCr6Ge6. At high temperatures, an intrinsic kagome flat band-arising from the frustrated hopping on the kagome lattice-dominates the Fermi level. Upon cooling, localized Yb 4f-states hybridize with the topological kagome flat bands, transforming this state into the Kondo resonance states that are nearly dispersionless across the entire Brillouin zone. Crystalline symmetry forbids hybridization along specific high-symmetry lines, which stabilizes Dirac crossings of heavy-fermion character. Topological analysis of the resulting gaps reveals both trivial and nontrivial Z2 invariants, establishing the emergence of a Dirac-Kondo semimetal phase. Taken together, these results identify YbCr6Ge6 as a prototype of a topological heavy-fermion system and a platform where geometric frustration, strong correlations, and topology converge, with broad implications for correlated quantum matter.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Stacking-dependent topological electronic structures in honeycomb-kagome heterolayers

Heterostructures of stacked two-dimensional lattices have shown great promise for engineering novel material properties. As an archetypal example of such a system, the hexagon-shared honeycomb-kagome lattice has been experimentally synthesized in various material platforms. In this work, we explore three rotationally symmetric variants of the honeycomb-kagome lattice: the hexagonal, triagonal, and biaxial phases. While the triagonal and biaxial phases exhibit trivial insulating and Dirac semimetal band structures, respectively, the hexagonal phase hosts a higher-order topological phase driven by band inversion near the $\Gamma$-point. This highlights a key distinction from the conventional band inversions at the $K$-point observed in hexagonal homobilayer systems. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the distinct topological properties of these phases result in network band structures within moir\'e heterostructures formed by twisted or lattice-mismatched HK systems. These network band structures can be experimentally observed through extrinsic twisting or intrinsic lattice mismatching between the honeycomb and kagome systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Stacking-Dependent Van Hove Singularity Shifts in Three-Dimensional Charge Density Waves of Kagome Metals AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A = K, Rb, Cs)

Vanadium-based kagome systems AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A = K, Rb, Cs) have emerged as paradigmatic examples exhibiting unconventional charge density waves (CDWs) and superconductivity linked to van Hove singularities (VHSs). Despite extensive studies, the three-dimensional (3D) nature of CDW states in these systems remains elusive. This study employs first-principles density functional theory and a tight-binding model to investigate the stacking-dependent electronic structures of 3D CDWs in AV$_3$Sb$_5$, emphasizing the significant role of interlayer coupling in behaviors of the VHSs associated with diverse 3D CDW orders. We develop a minimal 3D tight-binding model and present a detailed analysis of band structures and density of states for various 3D CDW stacking configurations, including those with and without a $π$-phase shift stacking of the inverse star of David, as well as alternating stacking of the inverse star of David and the star of David. We find that VHSs exist below the Fermi level even in 3D CDWs without $π$-phase shift stackings, and that these VHSs shift downward in the $π$-phase shift stacking CDW structure, stabilizing the $2\times2\times2$ $π$-shifted inverse star of David distortions in alternating vanadium layers as the ground state 3D CDW order of AV$_3$Sb$_5$. Our work provides the electronic origin of 3D CDW orders, paving the way for a deeper understanding of CDWs and superconductivity in AV$_3$Sb$_5$ kagome metals.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Electrically Tunable Spin Exchange Splitting in Graphene Hybrid Heterostructure

Graphene, with spin and valley degrees of freedom, fosters unexpected physical and chemical properties for the realization of next-generation quantum devices. However, the spin symmetry of graphene is rather robustly protected, hampering manipulation of the spin degrees of freedom for the application of spintronic devices such as electric gate tunable spin filters. We demonstrate that a hybrid heterostructure composed of graphene and LaCoO3 epitaxial thin film exhibits an electrically tunable spin exchange splitting. The large and adjustable spin exchange splitting of 155.9 - 306.5 meV was obtained by the characteristic shifts in both the spin symmetry broken quantum Hall states and the Shubnikov-de-Haas oscillations. Strong hybridization induced charge transfer across the hybrid heterointerface has been identified for the observed spin exchange splitting. The substantial and facile controllability of the spin exchange splitting provides an opportunity for spintronics applications with the electrically-tunable spin polarization in hybrid heterostructures.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Monolayer Kagome Metals AV$_3$Sb$_5$

Recently, layered kagome metals AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A = K, Rb, and Cs) have emerged as a fertile platform for exploring frustrated geometry, correlations, and topology. Here, using first-principles and mean-field calculations, we demonstrate that AV$_3$Sb$_5$ can crystallize in a mono-layered form, revealing a range of properties that render the system unique. Most importantly, the two-dimensional monolayer preserves intrinsically different symmetries from the three-dimensional layered bulk, enforced by stoichiometry. Consequently, the van Hove singularities, logarithmic divergences of electronic density of states, are enriched, leading to a variety of competing instabilities such as doublets of charge density waves and s-and d-wave superconductivity. We show that the competition between orders can be fine-tuned in the monolayer via electron-filling of the van Hove singularities. Thus, our results suggest the monolayer kagome metal AV$_3$Sb$_5$ as a promising platform for designer quantum phases.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Replica Higher-Order Topology of Hofstadter Butterflies in Twisted Bilayer Graphene

The Hofstadter energy spectrum of twisted bilayer graphene is found to have recursive higher-order topological properties. We demonstrate that higher-order topological insulator (HOTI) phases, characterized by localized corner states, occur as replicas of the original HOTIs to fulfill the self-similarity of the Hofstadter spectrum. We show the existence of the exact flux translational symmetry of twisted bilayer graphene at all commensurate angles. Based on this result, we carefully identify that the original HOTI phase at zero flux is re-entrant at a half-flux periodicity, where the effective twofold rotation is preserved. In addition, numerous replicas of the original HOTIs are found for fluxes without protecting symmetries. Similar to the original HOTIs, replica HOTIs feature both localized corner states and edge-localized real-space topological markers. The replica HOTIs originate from the different interaction scales, namely, intralayer and interlayer couplings, in twisted bilayer graphene. The topological aspect of Hofstadter butterflies revealed in our results highlights symmetry-protected topology in quantum fractals.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Tunable bulk photovoltaic effect in strained $γ$-GeSe

Recently, Lee \textit{et. al.} [Nano Lett. \textbf{21}, 4305 (2021)] newly synthesized monochalcogenide GeSe in a polar phase, referred to as $γ$-phase. Motivated by this work, we study shift current of $γ$-GeSe and its tunability via an in-plane uniaxial strain. Using first-principles calculations, we uncover the electronic structure of the strained $γ$-GeSe systems. We then calculate frequency-dependent shift current conductivities at various strains. The tunability is demonstrated to enhance the shift current up to $\sim$ 20 $μ$A/V$^2$. Moreover, the direction of shift current can be inverted by a light strain. Markedly, an anomalous behavior is found in the zero-frequency limit, which can be an indicative of band inversion and a potential topological phase transition driven by the strain. Our results suggest that shift current can be a tangible prove of bulk electronic states of $γ$-GeSe.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Stable topological phase transitions without symmetry indications in NaZnSb$_{1-x}$Bi$_x$

We study topological phase transitions in tetragonal NaZnSb$_{1-x}$Bi$_x$, driven by the chemical composition $x$. Notably, we examine mirror Chern numbers that change without symmetry indicators. First-principles calculations are performed to show that NaZnSb$_{1-x}$Bi$_x$ experiences consecutive topological phase transitions, diagnosed by the strong $\mathbb Z_{2}$ topological index $ν_{0}$ and two mirror Chern numbers $μ_{x}$ and $μ_{xy}$. As the chemical composition $x$ increases, the topological invariants ($μ_{x}μ_{xy}ν_{0}$) change from $(000)$, $(020)$, $(220)$, to $(111)$ at $x$ = 0.15, 0.20, and 0.53, respectively. A simplified low-energy effective model is developed to examine the mirror Chern number changes, highlighting the central role of spectator Dirac fermions in avoiding symmetry indicators. Our findings suggest that NaZnSb$_{1-x}$Bi$_{x}$ can be an exciting testbed for the exploration of the interplay between the topology and symmetry.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Two-dimensional weak-type topological insulators in inversion symmetric crystals

The Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) chain is an one-dimensional lattice that comprises two dimerized sublattices. Recently, Zhu, Prodan, and Ahn (ZPA) proposed in [L. Zhu, E. Prodan, and K. H. Ahn, Phys. Rev. B \textbf{99}, 041117 (2019)] that one-dimensional flat bands can occur at topological domain walls of a two-dimensional array of the SSH chains. Here, we newly suggest a two-dimensional topological insulator that is protected by inversion and time-reversal symmetries without spin-orbit coupling. It is shown that the two-dimensional SSH chains realize the proposed topological insulator. Utilizing the first Stiefel-Whitney numbers, a weak type of $\mathbb{Z}_2$ topological indices are developed, which identify the proposed topological insulator, dubbed a two-dimensional Stiefel-Whitney insulator (2DSWI). The ZPA model is employed to study the topological phase diagrams and topological phase transitions. It is found that the phase transition occurs via the formation of the massless Dirac points that wind the entire Brillouin zone. We argue that this unconventional topological phase transition is a characteristic feature of the 2DSWI, manifested as the one-dimensional domain wall states. The new insight from our work could help efforts to realize topological flat bands in solid-state systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

On-demand quantum spin Hall insulators controlled by two-dimensional ferroelectricity

The coexistence of ferroelectric and topological orders in two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals allows non-volatile and switchable quantum spin Hall states. Here we offer a general design principle for 2D bilayer heterostructures that can host ferroelectricity and nontrivial band topology simultaneously using only topologically trivial building blocks. The built-in electric field arising from the out-of-plane polarization across the heterostrucuture enables a robust control of the band gap size and band inversion strength, which can be utilized to manipulate topological phase transitions. Using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate a series of bilayer heterostructures are 2D ferroelectric topological insulators (2DFETIs) characterized with a direct coupling between band topology and polarization state. We propose a few 2DFETI-based quantum electronics including domain-wall quantum circuits and topological memristor.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Nonlinear optical Hall effect in Weyl semimetal WTe2

The ordinary Hall effect refers to generation of a transverse voltage upon exertion of an electric field in the presence of an out-of-plane magnetic field. While a linear Hall effect is commonly observed in systems with breaking time-reversal symmetry via an applied external magnetic field or their intrinsic magnetization1, 2, a nonlinear Hall effect can generically occur in non-magnetic systems associated with a nonvanishing Berry curvature dipole3. Here we report, observations of a nonlinear optical Hall effect in a Weyl semimetal WTe2 without an applied magnetic field at room temperature. We observe an optical Hall effect resulting in a polarization rotation of the reflected light, referred to as the nonlinear Kerr rotation. The nonlinear Kerr rotation linearly depends on the charge current and optical power, which manifests the fourth-order nonlinearity. We quantitatively determine the fourth-order susceptibility, which exhibits strong anisotropy depending on the directions of the charge current and the light polarization. Employing symmetry analysis of Berry curvature multipoles, we demonstrate that the nonlinear Kerr rotations can arise from the Berry curvature hexapole allowed by the crystalline symmetries of WTe2. There also exist marginal signals that are incompatible with the symmetries, which suggest a hidden phase associated with the nonlinear process.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Higher-Order Topological Instanton Tunneling Oscillation

We propose a new type of instanton interference effect in two-dimensional higher-order topological insulators. The intercorner tunneling consists of the instanton and the anti-instanton pairs that travel through the boundary of the higher-order topological insulator. The Berry phase difference between the instanton pairs causes the interference of the tunneling. This topological effect leads to the gate-tunable oscillation of the energy splitting between the corner states, where the oscillatory nodes signal the perfect suppression of the tunneling. We suggest this phenomenon as a unique feature of the topological corner states that differentiate from trivial bound states. In the view of experimental realization, we exemplify twisted bilayer graphene, as a promising candidate of a two-dimensional higher-order topological insulator. The oscillation can be readily observed through the transport experiment that we propose. Thus, our work provides a feasible route to identify higher-order topological materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Higher-Order Topological Insulator in Twisted Bilayer Graphene

Higher-order topological insulators are newly proposed topological phases of matter, whose bulk topology manifests as localized modes at two- or higher-dimensional lower boundaries. In this work, we propose the twisted bilayer graphenes with large angles as higher-order topological insulators, hosting topological corner charges. At large commensurate angles, the intervalley scattering opens up the bulk gap and the corner states occur at half filling. Based on both first-principles calculations and analytic analysis, we show the striking results that the emergence of the corner states do not depend on the choice of the specific angles as long as the underlying symmetries are intact. Our results show that the twisted bilayer graphene can serve as a robust candidate material of two-dimensional higher-order topological insulator.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Ferromagnetic nodal-line metal in monolayer {\em h}-InC

Based on first-principles calculations, we predict a new two-dimensional ferromagnetic material that exhibits exotic Fermi surface topology. We show that monolayer hexagonal indium carbide ({\em h}-InC) is thermodynamically and dynamically stable, and it energetically favors the ferromagnetic ordering of spins. The perfectly planar geometry in two dimensions, together with ferromagnetism, gives rise to a unique opportunity to encounter intriguing electronic properties, captured in the Fermi surface and band topology. We show that multiple nodal lines coexist in momentum space, accompanied by the electron and hole pockets that touch each other linearly at the nodal lines. Inclusion of spin-orbit coupling enriches the magnetic and electronic properties of {\em h}-InC. Spin-orbit coupling leads to an easy-plane type magnetocrystalline anisotropy, and the nodal lines can be tuned into topological nodal points, contingent upon the magnetization direction. Symmetry analysis and a tight-binding model are provided to explain the nodal structure of the bands. Our findings suggest {\em h}-InC as a new venue for supporting carbon-based magnetism and exotic band topology in two dimensions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Dual topological nodal line and nonsymmorphic Dirac semimetal in three dimensions

Previously known three-dimensional Dirac semimetals (DSs) occur in two types -- topological DSs and nonsymmorphic DSs. Here we present a novel three-dimensional DS that exhibits both features of the topological and nonsymmorphic DSs. We introduce a minimal tight-binding model for the space group 100 that describes a layered crystal made of two-dimensional planes in the $p4g$ wallpaper group. Using this model, we demonstrate that double glide-mirrors allow a noncentrosymmetric three-dimensional DS that hosts both symmetry-enforced Dirac points at time-reversal invariant momenta and twofold-degenerate Weyl nodal lines on a glide-mirror-invariant plane in momentum space. The proposed DS allows for rich topological physics manifested in both topological surface states and topological phase diagrams, which we discuss in detail. We also perform first-principles calculations to predict that the proposed DS is realized in a set of existing materials BaLa$X$B$Y_5$, where $X$ = Cu or Au, and $Y$ = O, S, or Se.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Stiefel-Whitney classes and topological phases in band theory

In this article, we review the recent progress in the study of topological phases in systems with space-time inversion symmetry $I_{\text{ST}}$. $I_{\text{ST}}$ is an anti-unitary symmetry which is local in momentum space and satisfies $I_{\text{ST}}^2=1$ such as $PT$ or $C_{2}T$ symmetry where $P$, $T$, $C_2$ indicate inversion, time-reversal, and two-fold rotation symmetries, respectively. Under $I_{\text{ST}}$, the Hamiltonian and the Bloch wave function can be constrained to be real-valued, which makes the Berry curvature and the Chern number to vanish. In this class of systems, gapped band structures of real wave functions can be topologically distinguished by Stiefel-Whitney numbers instead. The first and second Stiefel-Whitney numbers $w_1$ and $w_2$, respectively, are the corresponding invariants in 1D and 2D, which are equivalent to the quantized Berry phase and the $Z_2$ monopole charge, respectively. We first describe the topological phases characterized by the first Stiefel-Whitney number, including 1D topological insulators with quantized charge polarization, 2D Dirac semimetals, and 3D nodal line semimetals. Next we review how the second Stiefel-Whitney class characterizes the 3D nodal line semimetals carrying a $Z_{2}$ monopole charge. In particular, we explain how the second Stiefel-Whitney number $w_2$, the $Z_{2}$ monopole charge, and the linking number between nodal lines are related. Finally, we review the properties of 2D and 3D topological insulators characterized by the nontrivial second Stiefel Whitney class.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗