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Lin, Shi-Zeng (ORCID:0000000243685244)

Publications and source records attributed to Lin, Shi-Zeng (ORCID:0000000243685244).

Quantum-metric-induced quantum Hall conductance inversion and reentrant transition in fractional Chern insulators

The quantum metric of single-particle wave functions in topological flat bands plays a crucial role in determining the stability of fractional Chern insulating (FCI) states. Here, we unravel that the quantum metric causes the many-body Chern number of the FCI states to deviate sharply from the expected value associated with partial filling of the single-particle topological flat band. Furthermore, the variation of the quantum metric in momentum space induces band dispersion through interactions, affecting the stability of the FCI states. This causes a reentrant transition into the Fermi liquid from the FCI phase as the interaction strength increases. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Wu, Ang-Kun (ORCID:0000000270181674)↗

Kondo enabled transmutation between spinons and superconducting vortices: Origin of magnetic memory in 4 H b − TaS 2

Recent experiments [Persky , ] demonstrate a magnetic memory effect in 4 H b − TaS 2 above its superconducting transition temperature, where Abriokosov vortices are spontaneously generated by lowering the temperature at zero magnetic field after field training the normal state. Motivated by the experiment, we propose the chiral quantum spin liquid (QSL) stabilized in the constituent layers of 4 H b − TaS 2 as a mechanism. We model 4 H b − TaS 2 as coupled layers of the chiral QSL and the superconductor. Through the Kondo coupling between the localized moments and conduction electrons, there is mutual transmutation between spinons and vortices during the thermal-cycling process, which yields the magnetic memory effect observed in experiments. We also propose a mechanism to stabilize chiral and nematic superconductivity in 4 H b − TaS 2 through the Kondo coupling of conduction electrons to the chiral QSL. Our picture suggests 4 H b − TaS 2 as an exciting platform to explore the interplay between QSL and superconductivity through the Kondo effect. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Floquet engineering of Kitaev quantum magnets

Abstract In recent years, there has been an intense search for materials realizing the Kitaev quantum spin liquid model. A number of edge-shared compounds with strong spin-orbit coupling, such as RuCl 3 and iridates, have been proposed to realize this model. Nevertheless, an effective spin Hamiltonian derived from the microscopic model relevant to these compounds generally contains terms that are antagonistic toward the quantum spin liquid. This is consistent with the fact that the zero magnetic field ground state of these materials is generally magnetically ordered. It is a pressing issue to identify protocols to drive the system to the limit of the Kitaev quantum spin model. In this work, we propose Floquet engineering of these Kitaev quantum magnets by coupling materials to a circularly polarized laser. We demonstrate that all the magnetic interactions can be tuned in situ by the amplitude and frequency of the laser, hence providing a route to stabilize the Kitaev quantum spin liquid phase.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spin-texture-driven electrical transport in multi-Q antiferromagnets

Abstract Unusual magnetic textures can be stabilized in f -electron materials due to the interplay between competing magnetic interactions, complex Fermi surfaces, and crystalline anisotropy. Here we investigate CeAuSb 2 , an f -electron incommensurate antiferromagnet hosting both single- Q and double- Q spin textures as a function of magnetic fields ( H ) applied along the c axis. Experimentally, we map out the field-temperature phase diagram via electrical resistivity and thermal expansion measurements. Supported by calculations of a Kondo lattice model, we attribute the puzzling magnetoresistance enhancement in the double- Q phase to the localization of the electronic wave functions caused by the incommensurate magnetic texture.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Skyrmion lattice creep at ultra-low current densities

Abstract Magnetic skyrmions are well-suited for encoding information because they are nano-sized, topologically stable, and only require ultra-low critical current densities j c to depin from the underlying atomic lattice. Above j c skyrmions exhibit well-controlled motion, making them prime candidates for race-track memories. In thin films thermally-activated creep motion of isolated skyrmions was observed below j c as predicted by theory. Uncontrolled skyrmion motion is detrimental for race-track memories and is not fully understood. Notably, the creep of skyrmion lattices in bulk materials remains to be explored. Here we show using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy—a probe highly sensitive to the coupling between skyrmion and atomic lattices—that in the prototypical skyrmion lattice material MnSi depinning occurs at $${j}_{c}^{* }$$ j c * that is only 4 percent of j c . Our experiments are in excellent agreement with Anderson-Kim theory for creep and allow us to reveal a new dynamic regime at ultra-low current densities characterized by thermally-activated skyrmion-lattice-creep with important consequences for applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗