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At least 145 records · Page 8

Quantum textures of the many-body wavefunctions in magic-angle graphene

Interactions among electrons create novel many-body quantum phases of matter with wavefunctions that often reflect electronic correlation effects, broken symmetries, and novel collective excitations. A wide range of quantum phases has been discovered in MATBG, including correlated insulating, unconventional superconducting, and magnetic topological phases. The lack of microscopic information, including precise knowledge of possible broken symmetries, has thus far hampered our understanding of MATBG's correlated phases. Here we use high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy to directly probe the wavefunctions of the correlated phases in MATBG. The squares of the wavefunctions of gapped phases, including those of the correlated insulators, pseudogap, and superconducting phases, show distinct patterns of broken symmetry with a √3 x √3 super-periodicity on the graphene atomic lattice that has a complex spatial dependence on the moiré superlattice scale. We introduce a symmetry-based analysis to describe our measurements of the wavefunctions of MATBG's correlated phases with a set of complex-valued local order parameters. For the correlated insulators in MATBG, at fillings of ±2 electrons per moiré unit cell relative to charge neutrality, we compare the observed quantum textures to those expected for proposed theoretical ground states. In typical MATBG devices, the textures of correlated insulators' wavefunctions closely match those of the theoretically proposed IKS order, while in ultra-low-strain samples our data has local symmetries like those of a T-IVC phase. Here, we also study the wavefunction of MATBG's superconducting state, revealing strong signatures of intervalley coherence that can only be distinguished from those of the insulator with our phase-sensitive measurements.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Fractional correlated insulating states at one-third filled magic angle twisted bilayer graphene

Abstract The observation of superconductivity and correlated insulating states in twisted bilayer graphene has motivated much theoretical progress at integer fillings. However, little attention has been given to fractional fillings. Here we show that the three-peak structure of Wannier orbitals, dictated by the symmetry and topology of flat bands, facilitates the emergence of a state we name a “fractional correlated insulator” at commensurate fractional filling of ν = n ± 1/3. Specifically for the filling of 1/3 electrons per moiré unit cell, we show that short-range interactions lead to an extensive entropy due to the “breathing” degree of freedom of an irregular honeycomb lattice that emerges through defect lines. The leading further-range interaction lifts this degeneracy and selects a ferromagnetic nematic state that breaks AB/BA sublattice symmetry. The proposed fractional correlated insulating state might underlie the suppression of superconductivity at ν = 2 − 1/3 filling observed in ref. 1 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The superatomic state beyond conventional magic numbers: Ligated metal chalcogenide superatoms

The field of cluster science is drawing increasing attention due to the strong size and composition-dependent properties of clusters and the exciting prospect of clusters serving as the building blocks for materials with tailored properties. However, identifying a unifying central paradigm that provides a framework for classifying and understanding the diverse behaviors is an outstanding challenge. One such central paradigm is the superatom concept that was developed for metallic and ligand-protected metallic clusters. The periodic electronic and geometric closed shells in clusters result in their properties being based on the stability they gain when they achieve closed shells. This stabilization results in the clusters having a well-defined valence allowing them to be classified as superatoms – thus, extending the periodic table to a third dimension. This perspective focuses on extending the superatomic concept to ligated metal-chalcogen clusters that have recently been synthesized in solutions and form assemblies with counterions that have wide-ranging applications. Here we illustrate that the periodic patterns emerge in the electronic structure of ligated metal-chalcogenide clusters. The stabilization gained by the closing of their electronic shells allows for the prediction of their redox properties. Further investigations reveal how the selection of ligands may control the redox properties of the superatoms. These ligated clusters may serve as chemical dopants for two-dimensional semiconductors to control their transport characteristics. Superatomic molecules of multiple metal-chalcogen superatoms allow for the formation of nano pn junctions ideal for directed transport and photon harvesting. As a result, the perspective outlines future developments, including the synthesis of magnetic superatoms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Genetic mapping and prediction of flowering time and plant height in a maize Stiff Stalk MAGIC population

Abstract The Stiff Stalk heterotic pool is a foundation of US maize seed parent germplasm and has been heavily utilized by both public and private maize breeders since its inception in the 1930s. Flowering time and plant height are critical characteristics for both inbred parents and their test crossed hybrid progeny. To study these traits, a 6-parent multiparent advanced generation intercross population was developed including maize inbred lines B73, B84, PHB47 (B37 type), LH145 (B14 type), PHJ40 (novel early Stiff Stalk), and NKH8431 (B73/B14 type). A set of 779 doubled haploid lines were evaluated for flowering time and plant height in 2 field replicates in 2016 and 2017, and a subset of 689 and 561 doubled haploid lines were crossed to 2 testers, respectively, and evaluated as hybrids in 2 locations in 2018 and 2019 using an incomplete block design. Markers were derived from a practical haplotype graph built from the founder whole genome assemblies and genotype-by-sequencing and exome capture-based sequencing of the population. Genetic mapping utilizing an update to R/qtl2 revealed differing profiles of significant loci for both traits between 635 of the DH lines and 2 sets of 570 and 471 derived hybrids. Genomic prediction was used to test the feasibility of predicting hybrid phenotypes based on the per se data. Predictive abilities were highest on direct models trained using the data they would predict (0.55–0.63), and indirect models trained using per se data to predict hybrid traits had slightly lower predictive abilities (0.49–0.55). Overall, this finding is consistent with the overlapping and nonoverlapping significant quantitative trait loci found within the per se and hybrid populations and suggests that selections for phenology traits can be made effectively on doubled haploid lines before hybrid data is available.

Genetics & Heredity↗

Ground-state order in magic-angle graphene at filling ν = - 3 : A full-scale density matrix renormalization group study

Here we investigate twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) at filling ν = -3 in the presence of realistic heterostrain. Strain amplifies the band dispersion and drives the system beyond the strong-coupling regime of previous theoretical studies. We use DMRG to conduct an unbiased, large-scale numerical calculations that include all spin and valley degrees of freedom, up to bond dimension χ = 24576. We establish a global phase diagram that unifies a number of theoretical and experimental results. Near zero strain we find an intervalley-coherent quantized anomalous Hall (QAH-IVC) state, a competitive strong-coupling order that evaded past numerical studies. A tiny strain around 0.05% drives a transition into an incommensurate Kekulé spiral (IKS) phase, supporting the mean-field prediction in [Kwan, Phys. Rev. X 11, 041063 (2021)2160-330810.1103/PhysRevX.11.041063]. Even higher strains above 0.2% favor a flavor-symmetric metallic order, which may explain metals found at ν = -3 in many experiments.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

𝛽−decay of neutron-rich 45 Cl located at the magic number 𝑁 = 28

Results from the β-decay study of 45 Cl, produced in the fragmentation of a 140-MeV/u 48 Ca beam, are presented. The half-life of 45 Cl is measured to be 513(36) ms. β – and β – 1n decay populate excited states in 45 Ar and 44 Ar, respectively, and decay schemes for both daughter nuclei are established based on γ-ray singles and γ-γ coincidence data. Comparison with shell-model calculations using the FSU interaction shows that the low-lying negative-parity states in 45 Ar are well described by single-neutron configurations near the Fermi surface, whereas positive-parity states require neutron excitations across the N = 20 shell gap, consistent with allowed Gamow–Teller decay from 45 Cl. The strong β-feeding to the 5/2 + state in 45 Ar supports a 3/2 + ground-state assignment for 45 Cl over 1/2 + . Furthermore, the high Q β – value enables population of 1p1h states above the neutron separation energy in 45 Ar, leading to positive-parity states in 44 Ar through neutron emission. Tentative spin-parity assignments for excited levels in 44 Ar are made for the first time based on comparison with shell-model predictions, and the 2978-keV level is identified as an excited 0 + state with a configuration distinct from the ground state.

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗

Cascades between Light and Heavy Fermions in the Normal State of Magic-Angle Twisted Bilayer Graphene

We present a framework for understanding the cascade transitions and the Landau level degeneracies of twisted bilayer graphene. The Coulomb interaction projected onto narrow bands causes the charged excitations at an integer filling to disperse, forming new bands. If the excitation moves the filling away from the charge neutrality point, then it has a band minimum at the moiré Brillouin zone center with a small mass that compares well with the experiment; if towards the charge neutrality point, then it has a much larger mass and a higher degeneracy. At a nonzero density away from an integer filling the excitations interact. The system on the small mass side has a large bandwidth and forms a Fermi liquid. On the large mass side the bandwidth is narrow, the compressibility is negative and the Fermi liquid is likely unstable. This explains the observed sawtooth features in compressibility, the Landau fans pointing away from charge neutrality and their degeneracies. The framework sets the stage for superconductivity at lower temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗