arXiv subjects

Yuanping Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Yuanping Chen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Squeezed metallic droplet with tunable Kubo gap and charge injection in transition metal dichalcogenides

Shrinking the size of a bulk metal into nanoscale leads to the discreteness of electronic energy levels, the so-called Kubo gap. Renormalization of the electronic properties with a tunable and size-dependent Kubo gap renders fascinating photon emission and electron tunneling. In contrast with usual three-dimensional (3D) metal clusters, here we demonstrate that Kubo gap can be achieved with a two-dimensional (2D) metallic transition metal dichalcogenide (i.e., 1T'-phase MoTe2) nanocluster embedded in a semiconducting polymorph (i.e., 1H-phase MoTe2). Such a 1T'-1H MoTe2 nanodomain resembles a 3D metallic droplet squeezed in a 2D space which shows a strong polarization catastrophe while simultaneously maintains its bond integrity which is absent in traditional delta-gapped 3D clusters. The weak screening of the host 2D MoTe2 leads to photon emission of such pseudo-metallic systems and a ballistic injection of carriers in the 1T'-1H-1T' homojunctions which may find applications in sensors and 2D reconfigurable devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Realization of a transition between type-I and type-II Dirac semimetals in monolayers

The phase transition between type-I and type-II Dirac semimetals will reveal a series of significant physical properties because of their completely distinct electronic, optical and magnetic properties. However, no mechanism and materials have been proposed to realize the transition to date. Here, we propose that the transition can be realized in two-dimensional (2D) materials consisting of zigzag chains, by tuning external strains. The origination of the transition is that some orbital interactions in zigzag chains vary drastically with structural deformation, which changes dispersions of the corresponding bands. Two 2D nanosheets, monolayer PN and AsN, are searched out to confirm the mechanism by using first-principles calculations. They are intrinsic type-I or type-II Dirac materials, and transit to another type of Dirac materials by external strains. In addition, a possible routine is proposed to synthesize the new 2D structures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Bilayer twisting as a mean to isolate connected flat bands in a Kagome lattice through Wigner crystallization

The physics of flat band is novel and rich but difficult to access. In this regard, recently twisting of bilayer van der Waals (vdW)-bounded two-dimensional (2D) materials has attracted much attention, because the reduction of Brillouin zone will eventually lead to a diminishing kinetic energy. Alternatively, one may start with a 2D Kagome lattice, which already possesses flat bands at the Fermi level, but unfortunately these bands connect quadratically to other (dispersive) bands, leading to undesirable effects. Here, we propose, by first-principles calculation and tight-binding modeling, that the same bilayer twisting approach can be used to isolate the Kagome flat bands. As the starting kinetic energy is already vanishingly small, the interlayer vdW potential is always sufficiently large irrespective of the twisting angle. As such the electronic states in the (connected) flat bands become unstable against a spontaneous Wigner crystallization, which is expected to have interesting interplays with other flat-band phenomena such as novel superconductivity and anomalous quantum Hall effect.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Tunable bandgaps and flat bands in twisted bilayer biphenylene carbon

Owing to the interaction between the layers, the twisted bilayer two-dimensional materials exhibit numerous unique optical and electronic properties different from the monolayer counterpart, and have attracted tremendous interests in current physical research community. By means of first-principles and tight-binding model calculations, the electronic properties of twisted bilayer biphenylene carbon are systematically investigated in this paper. The results indicate that the effect of twist will not only leads to a phase transition from semiconductor to metal, but also an adjustable band gap in BPC (0 meV to 120 meV depending on the twist angle). Moreover, unlike the twisted bilayer graphene (TBG), the flat bands in twisted BPC are no longer restricted by "magic angles", i.e., abnormal flat bands could be appeared as well at several specific large angles in addition to the small angles. The charge density of these flat bands possesses different local modes, indicating them might be derived from different stacked modes and host different properties. The exotic physical properties presented in this work foreshow twisted BPC a promising material for the application of terahertz and infrared photodetectors and the exploration of strong correlation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Isolated flat bands in an interlocking-circles lattice

Flat-band physics has attracted much attention in recently years because of its interesting properties and important applications. Some typical lattices have been proposed to generate flat bands, such as Kagome and Lieb lattices. The flat bands in these lattices contact with other bands rather than isolated. However, an ideal flat band should be isolated, because isolation is a prerequisite for a number of important applications. Here, we propose a new lattice that can produce isolated flat bands. The lattice is named as interlocking-circles lattice because its pattern seems like interlocking circles. Moreover, the new lattice is realized in graphene by hydrogenation. In the hydrogenated graphene, there are two nontrivial isolated flat bands appearing around the Fermi level. Upon hole or electron doping, the flat bands split into spin-polarized bands and then result in a ferromagnetic graphene. Our work not only proposes a new type of lattice but also opens a way to find systems with isolated flat bands.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Universal characteristics of one-dimensional non-Hermitian superconductors

We establish a non-Bloch band theory for one-dimensional(1D) non-Hermitian topological superconductors. The universal physical properties of non-Hermitian topological superconductors are revealed based on the theory. According to the particle-hole symmetry, there exist reciprocal particle and hole loops of generalized Brillouin zone (GBZ). The critical point of quantum phase transition, where the energy gap closes, appears when the particle and hole loops intersect and their values of GBZ satisfy |β| = 1. If the non-Hermitian system has skin modes, these modes should be Z2 style, i.e., the corresponding eigenstates of particle and hole localize at opposite ends of an open chain, respectively. The non-Bloch band theory is applied to two examples, non-Hermitian p- and s-wave topological superconductors. Topological phase transitions occur at β_{c}= \pm 1 in the two systems. In terms of Majorana Pfaffian, a Z2 non-Bloch topological invariant is defined to establish the non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence in non-Hermitian superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Interlocking nodal chains and their examples in carbon networks

Nodal chain is a typical topological phase in nodal line semimetals. Here, we propose a new topological phase -- interlocking nodal chains, in which two sets of nodal chains are interlocked each other. It includes one- (1D), two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) versions, which can be produced by a three-band model. The 2D and 3D interlocking nodal chains will evolve into some other phases, such as double concentric isolated (or intersecting) nodal rings, coexisting nodal chain and isolated (or intersecting) nodal rings. These phases exhibit diverse surface states and Landau levels, which implies that there are rich electronic and magnetic properties associating with them. Moreover, the 2D interlocking nodal chains and related phase transitions can be realized in a series of carbon networks under strain. Without strain, topological phase in the carbon structures is double concentric isolated nodal rings. A larger tensile strain leads to the phase transiting to an interlocking nodal chain, while the middle phase is a coexisting phase of a nodal chain and isolated nodal rings. In addition, stability and synthesis of the carbon networks are discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Intrinsic skyrmions in monolayer Janus magnets

Skyrmions are localized solitonic spin textures with protected topology, which are promising as information carriers in ultra-dense and energy-efficient logic and memory devices. Recently, magnetic skyrmions have been observed in magnetic thin films, and are stabilized by the extrinsic interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) and/or external magnetic fields. The specific effects in magnetic monolayer materials have not been thoroughly studied. Here, we investigate the intrinsic magnetic skyrmions in a family of monolayer Janus van der Waals magnets, MnSTe, MnSeTe, VSeTe, and MnSSe, by the first-principles calculations combined with the micromagnetic simulations. The monolayer Janus MnSTe, MnSeTe, and VSeTe with out-of-plane geometric asymmetry and strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) have a large intrinsic DMI, which could stabilize a sub-50 nm intrinsic skyrmions in monolayer MnSTe and MnSeTe at zero magnetic field. While monolayer VSeTe with in-plane easy axis forms magnetic domain rather than skyrmions. Moreover, the size and shape of skyrmions can be tuned by an external magnetic field. Therefore, our work motivates a new vista for seeking intrinsic skyrmions in atomic-scale magnets.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Topological carbon materials: a new perspective

Carbon has numerous one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) allotropic structures. The study of carbon materials has been a major focus of material science and condensed matter physics. Previous studies have identified different classes of topological semimetallic carbon allotropes with different topological phases. In this review, we first give a brief summary of the development of carbon allotropes from 1D to 3D. Next, we discuss topological properties of carbon materials and their physical origin. Then, we consider possible expansion of the topological study of carbon materials to other light-element materials such as boron. Finally, we present future prospects in pursue of topological physics within carbon allotropes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Design triple points, nexus points and related topological phases by stacking monolayers

Triple points and nexus points are two interesting topological phases, which have been reported in some three-dimensional (3D) materials. Here, we propose that triple points, nexus points and related phases, such as topological tangle nodal lines, can be obtained by alternatively stacking two types of monolayers. Two conditions for the stacking monolayers are required: the first condition is that they have a three-fold (C3) rotation symmetry and three mirror planes along the C3 axis; the second condition is that one of the monolayers should be insulating while the other one should be metallic (or semiconducting) and has a double degenerate band and a nondegenerate band at Γpoint around the Fermi level. Hexagonal boron nitride (HBN) and α/α^'-boron sheets (α/α^'-BS) are suggested as candidate materials. Even if HBN is a wide-gap insulator, the interactions between layers lead to crossings of the nondegenerate and double degenerate bands along the direction normal to the nanosheets, and thus form triple/nexus points or related phases. A tight-binding model is adopted to explain the phase transition between triple points, nexus points and other related phases.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Thermal transports of one-dimensional ultrathin carbon structures

Carbon atomic chain, linear benzene polymers, and carbon nanothreads are all one-dimensional (1D) ultrathin carbon structures. They possess excellent electronic and mechanical properties; however, their thermal transport properties have been rarely explored. Here, we systematically study their thermal conductance by combining the nonequilibrium Green's function and force field methods. The thermal conductance varies from 0.24 to 1.00 nW/K at 300 K, and phonon transport in the linear benzene polymers and carbon nanothreads is strongly dependent on the connectivity styles between the benzene rings. We propose a simple 1D model, namely force-constant model, that explains the complicated transport processes in these structures. Our study not only reveals intrinsic mechanisms of phonon transport in these carbon structures, but also provides an effective method to analyze thermal properties of other 1D ultrathin structures made of only several atomic chains.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Hopf-chain networks evolved from triple points

Exotic links and chains attract interests across various disciplines including mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics. Here, we propose that topological Hopf-chain networks, consisting of one-, two- and three-dimensional (3D) Hopf chains, can be found in the momentum space. These networks can be evolved from a 3D triple-points phase by varying symmetries of a four-band model. Moreover, we identify that the Hopf-chain networks exist in a family of crystals Sc3XC (X = Al, Ga, In, Tl). The crystals are 3D triple-points metals, and transit to topological metals with Hopf-chain networks under strains. These novel Hopf networks exhibit unique Landau levels and magneto-transport properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Double Kagome bands in a two-dimensional phosphorus carbide P2C3

The interesting properties of Kagome bands, consisting of Dirac bands and a flat band, have attracted extensive attention. However, the materials with only one Kagome band around the Fermi level cannot possess physical properties of Dirac fermions and strong correlated fermions simultaneously. Here, we propose a new type of band structure --- double Kagome bands, which can realize coexistence of the two kinds of fermions. Moreover, the new band structure is found to exist in a new two-dimensional material, phosphorus carbide P2C3. The carbide material shows good stability and unusual electronic properties. Strong magnetism appears in the structure by hole doping of the flat band, which results in spin splitting of the Dirac bands. The edge states induced by Dirac and flat bands coexist on the Fermi level, indicating outstanding transport characteristics. In addition, a possible route to experimentally grow P2C3 on some suitable substrates such as the Ag (111) surface is also discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Nodal-chain network, intersecting nodal rings and triple points coexisting in nonsymmorphic Ba3Si4

Coexistence of topological elements in a topological metal/semimetal (TM) has gradually attracted attentions. However, the non-topological factors always mess up the Fermi surface and cover interesting topological properties. Here, we find that Ba3Si4 is a "clean" TM in which coexists nodal-chain network, intersecting nodal rings (INRs) and triple points, in the absence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Moreover, the nodal rings in the topological phase exhibit diverse types: from type-I, type-II to type-III rings according to band dispersions. All the topological elements are generated by crossings of three energy bands, and thus they are correlated rather than mutual independence. When some structural symmetries are eliminated by an external strain, the topological phase evolves into another phase including Hopf link, one-dimensional nodal chain and new INRs.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2018

Nexus networks in carbon honeycombs

Nexus metals represent a new type of topological material in which nodal lines merge at nexus points. Here, we propose novel networks in nexus systems through intertwining between nexus fermions and additional nodal lines. These nexus networks can be realized in several recently synthesized carbon honeycomb materials. In these carbon honeycombs, we demonstrate a phase transition between a nexus network and a system with triply-degenerate points and additional nodal lines. The Landau level spectra show unusual magnetic transport properties in the nexus networks. Our results pave the way toward realizations of new topological materials with novel transport properties beyond standard Weyl/Dirac semimetals.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Spindle Nodal Chain in Three-Dimensional alpha' Boron

Topological metal/semimetals (TMs) have emerged as a new frontier in the field of quantum materials. A few two-dimensional (2D) boron sheets have been suggested as Dirac materials, however, to date TMs made of three-dimensional (3D) boron structures have not been found. Herein, by means of systematic first principles computations, we discovered that a rather stable 3D boron allotrope, namely 3D-alpha' boron, is a nodal-chain semimetal. In the momentum space, six nodal lines and rings contact each other and form a novel spindle nodal chain. This 3D-alpha' boron can be formed by stacking 2D wiggle alpha' boron sheets, which are also nodal-ring semimetals. In addition, our chemical bond analysis revealed that the topological properties of the 3D and 2D boron structures are related to the pi bonds between boron atoms, however, the bonding characteristics are different from those in the 2D and 3D carbon structures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Ferromagnetism and Wigner crystallization in Kagome graphene and related structures

Interaction in a flat band is magnified due to the divergence in the density of states, which gives rise to a variety of many-body phenomena such as ferromagnetism and Wigner crystallization. Until now, however, most studies of the flat band physics are based on model systems, making their experimental realization a distant future. Here, we propose a class of systems made of real atoms, namely, carbon atoms with realistic physical interactions (dubbed here as Kagome graphene/graphyne). Density functional theory calculations reveal that these Kagome lattices offer a controllable way to realize robust flat bands sufficiently close to the Fermi level. Upon hole doping, they split into spin-polarized bands at different energies to result in a flat-band ferromagnetism. At a half filling, this splitting reaches its highest level of 768 meV. At smaller fillings, e.g., when ν=1/6, on the other hand, a Wigner crystal spontaneously forms, where the electrons form closed loops localized on the grid points of a regular triangular lattice. It breaks the translational symmetry of the original Kagome lattice. We further show that the Kagome lattices exhibit good mechanical stabilities, based on which a possible route for experimental realization of the Kagome graphene is also proposed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Symmorphic intersecting nodal rings in semiconducting layers

The unique properties of topological semimetals have strongly driven efforts to seek for new topological phases and related materials. Here, we identify a critical condition for the existence of linked nodal rings (LNRs) in symmorphic crystals, and propose that three types of LNRs, named as alpha-, beta- and gamma-type, can be obtained by stacking semiconducting layers. Several honeycomb structures are suggested to be topological LNR semimetals, including layered and "hidden" layered structures. Transitions between the three types of LNRs can be driven by external strains. Interesting surface states other than drumhead states are found in these topological materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗