Chirality manipulation of ultrafast phase switches in a correlated CDW-Weyl semimetal

Bing Cheng (), Di Cheng, Tao Jiang, Wei Xia, Boqun Song, Martin Mootz, Liang Luo, Ilias E. Perakis, Yongxin Yao, Yanfeng Guo and Jigang Wang ()
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Bing Cheng: Ames National Laboratory
Di Cheng: Ames National Laboratory
Tao Jiang: Ames National Laboratory
Wei Xia: ShanghaiTech University
Boqun Song: Ames National Laboratory
Martin Mootz: Ames National Laboratory
Liang Luo: Ames National Laboratory
Ilias E. Perakis: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Yongxin Yao: Ames National Laboratory
Yanfeng Guo: ShanghaiTech University
Jigang Wang: Ames National Laboratory

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Light engineering of correlated states in topological materials provides a new avenue of achieving exotic topological phases inaccessible by conventional tuning methods. Here we demonstrate a light control of correlation gaps in a model charge-density-wave (CDW) and polaron insulator (TaSe4)2I recently predicted to be an axion insulator. Our ultrafast terahertz photocurrent spectroscopy reveals a two-step, non-thermal melting of polarons and electronic CDW gap via the fluence dependence of a longitudinal circular photogalvanic current. This helicity-dependent photocurrent reveals continuous ultrafast phase switches from the polaronic state to the CDW (axion) phase, and finally to a hidden Weyl phase as the pump fluence increases. Additional distinctive attributes aligning with the light-induced switches include: the mode-selective coupling of coherent phonons to the polaron and CDW modulation, and the emergence of a non-thermal chiral photocurrent above the pump threshold of CDW-related phonons. The demonstrated ultrafast chirality control of correlated topological states here holds large potentials for realizing axion electrodynamics and advancing quantum-computing applications.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45036-1

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