| 1. |
- Shi, Xun, et al.
(author)
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Ultrafast electron calorimetry uncovers a new long-lived metastable state in 1T-TaSe2 mediated by mode-selective electron-phonon coupling
- 2019
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In: Science Advances. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 2375-2548. ; 5:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Quantum materials represent one of the most promising frontiers in the quest for faster, lightweight, energy-efficient technologies. However, their inherent complexity and rich phase landscape make them challenging to understand or manipulate. Here, we present a new ultrafast electron calorimetry technique that can systematically uncover new phases of quantum matter. Using time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we measure the dynamic electron temperature, band structure, and heat capacity. This approach allows us to uncover a new long-lived metastable state in the charge density wave material 1T-TaSe2, which is distinct from all the known equilibrium phases: It is characterized by a substantially reduced effective total heat capacity that is only 30% of the normal value, because of selective electron-phonon coupling to a subset of phonon modes. As a result, less energy is required to melt the charge order and transform the state of the material than under thermal equilibrium conditions.
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| 2. |
- Tao, Zhensheng, et al.
(author)
-
The nature of non-equilibrium ultrafast demagnetization in ferromagnetic nickel
- 2019
-
In: Eleventh International Conference On Information Optics And Photonics (CIOP 2019). - : SPIE. - 9781510631748
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It has long been known that ferromagnets undergo a phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic at the Curie temperature, associated with critical phenomena such as a divergence in the heat capacity. A ferromagnet can also be transiently demagnetized by heating it with an ultrafast laser pulse. However, to date the connection between out-of-equilibrium and equilibrium phase transitions was not known, nor how fast the out-of-equilibrium phase transitions can proceed. In this work, by combining time- and angle-resolved photoemission (Tr-ARPES) with time-resolved transverse magneto-optical Kerr (Tr-TMOKE) spectroscopies, we show that the same critical behavior also governs the ultrafast magnetic phase transition in nickel. This is evidenced by several observations. First, we observe a divergence of the transient heat capacity of the electron spin system preceding material demagnetization. Second, when the electron temperature is transiently driven above the Curie temperature, we observe an extremely rapid change in the material response: the spin system absorbs sufficient energy within the first 20 fs to subsequently proceed through the phase transition, while demagnetization and the collapse of the exchange splitting occur on much longer timescales. Third, we find that the transient electron temperature alone dictates the magnetic response. By comparing results obtained from different methods, we show that the critical behaviors are essential for fully explaining the fluence-dependent magnetization dynamics measured using magneto-optical spectroscopy.
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| 3. |
- Tao, Zhensheng, et al.
(author)
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The nature of the ultrafast magnetic phase transition in nickel revealed by correlating EUV-MOKE and ARPES spectroscopies
- 2019
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In: XXI International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena 2018 (UP 2018). - : EDP Sciences.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- By correlating time- and angle-resolved photoemission (Tr-ARPES) and time-resolved transverse- magneto-optical Kerr effect (Tr-TMOKE) measurements, both at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths, we uncover the nature of the ultrafast photoinduced magnetic phase transition in Ni. This allows us to explain the ultrafast magnetic response of Ni at all laser fluences - from a small reduction of the magnetization at low laser fluences, to complete quenching at high laser fluences. We provide an alternative explanation to the fluence-dependent recovery timescales commonly observed in ultrafast magneto-optical spectroscopies on ferromagnets: it is due to the bulk-averaging effect and different depths of sample exhibit distinct dynamics, depending on whether a magnetic phase transition is induced. We also show evidence of two competing channels with two distinct timescales in the recovery process, that suggest the presence of coexisting phases in the material.
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