arXiv subjects

Zheng-Tai Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Zheng-Tai Liu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Three-dimensional flat band in ultra-thin Kagome metal Mn3Sn film

Flat bands with small energy dispersion can give rise to strongly correlated electronic and topological phases, especially when located at the Fermi level. Whilst flat bands have been experimentally realized in two-dimensional (2D) twisted van der Waals heterostructures, they are highly sensitive to twist angle, necessitating complex fabrication techniques. Geometrically frustrated kagome lattices have emerged as an attractive platform as they natively host flat bands that have been observed experimentally in quasi-2D bulk-crystal kagome metals. An outstanding experimental question is whether flat bands can be realized in atomically thin metals, with opportunities for stronger electron-electron interactions through tuning of the surrounding dielectric environment. Here we use angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy and band structure calculations to show that ultra-thin films of the kagome metal Mn3Sn host a robust dispersionless flat band with a bandwidth of 50 meV. Furthermore, we demonstrate chemical tuning of the flat band to near the Fermi level via manganese defect engineering. The realization of tunable kagome-derived flat bands in an ultra-thin kagome metal, represents a promising platform to study strongly correlated and topological phenomena, with applications in quantum computing, spintronics and low-energy electronics.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Exploring Fermi Surface Nesting and the Nature of Heavy Quasiparticles in the Spin-Triplet Superconductor Candidate CeRh$_2$As$_2$

In this study, we investigate the electronic structure of a spin-triplet superconductor candidate CeRh$_2$As$_2$ using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Notably, Fermi surface nesting hints at connections to magnetic excitation or quadrupole density wave phenomena, elucidating the superconducting mechanisms. Measured band structures reveal primarily localized 4f electrons, with minor itinerant contributions. Additionally, a transition from localized to itinerant behavior and significant c-f hybridization anisotropy underscore the role of f-electrons in shaping electronic properties. These findings deepen our understanding of CeRh$_2$As$_2$'s unconventional superconductivity and magnetism. Further exploration promises advances in superconductivity research.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Unveiling the charge density wave mechanism in vanadium-based Bi-layered kagome metals

The charge density wave (CDW), as a hallmark of vanadium-based kagome superconductor AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, Cs), has attracted intensive attention. However, the fundamental controversy regarding the underlying mechanism of CDW therein persists. Recently, the vanadium-based bi-layered kagome metal ScV6Sn6, reported to exhibit a long-range charge order below 94 K, has emerged as a promising candidate to further clarify this core issue. Here, employing micro-focusing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (μ-ARPES) and first-principles calculations, we systematically studied the unique CDW order in vanadium-based bi-layered kagome metals by comparing ScV6Sn6 with its isostructural counterpart YV6Sn6, which lacks a CDW ground state. Combining ARPES data and the corresponding joint density of states (DOS), we suggest that the VHS nesting mechanism might be invalid in these materials. Besides, in ScV6Sn6, we identified multiple hybridization energy gaps resulting from CDW-induced band folding, along with an anomalous band dispersion, implying a potential electron-phonon coupling driven mechanism underlying the formation of the CDW order. Our finding not only comprehensively maps the electronic structure of V-based bi-layer kagome metals but also provide constructive experimental evidence for the unique origin of CDW in this system.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

High-resolution ARPES endstation for in-situ electronic structure investigations at SSRF

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) is one of the most powerful experimental techniques in condensed matter physics. Synchrotron ARPES, which uses photons with high flux and continuously tunable energy, has become particularly important. However, an excellent synchrotron ARPES system must have features such as a small beam spot, super-high energy resolution, and a user-friendly operation interface. A synchrotron beamline and an endstation (BL03U) were designed and constructed at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The beam spot size at the sample position is 7.5 (V) $μ$m $\times$ 67 (H) $μ$m, and the fundamental photon range is 7-165 eV; the ARPES system enables photoemission with an energy resolution of 2.67 meV@21.2 eV. In addition, the ARPES system of this endstation is equipped with a six-axis cryogenic sample manipulator (the lowest temperature is 7 K) and is integrated with an oxide molecular beam epitaxy system and a scanning tunneling microscope, which can provide an advanced platform for in-situ characterization of the fine electronic structure of condensed matter.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Dirac surface states in intrinsic magnetic topological insulators EuSn2As2 and MnBi2nTe3n+1

In magnetic topological insulators (TIs), the interplay between magnetic order and nontrivial topology can induce fascinating topological quantum phenomena, such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect, chiral Majorana fermions and axion electrodynamics. Recently, a great deal of attention has been focused on the intrinsic magnetic TIs, where disorder effects can be eliminated to a large extent, which is expected to facilitate the emergence of topological quantum phenomena. In despite of intensive efforts, experimental evidence of the topological surface states (SSs) remains elusive. Here, by combining first-principles calculations and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) experiments, we have revealed that EuSn2As2 is an antiferromagnetic TI with observation of Dirac SSs consistent with our prediction. We also observe nearly gapless Dirac SSs in antiferromagnetic TIs MnBi2nTe3n+1 (n = 1 and 2), which were absent in previous ARPES results. These results provide clear evidence for nontrivial topology of these intrinsic magnetic TIs. Furthermore, we find that the topological SSs show no observable changes across the magnetic transition within the experimental resolution, indicating that the magnetic order has quite small effect on the topological SSs, which can be attributed to weak hybridization between the localized magnetic moments, from either 4f or 3d orbitals, and the topological electronic states. This provides insights for further research that the correlations between magnetism and topological states need to be strengthened to induce larger gaps in the topological SSs, which will facilitate the realization of topological quantum phenomena at higher temperatures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗