Coherent light control of a metastable hidden state
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Metastable phases present a promising route to expand the functionality of complex materials. Of particular interest are light-induced metastable phases that are inaccessible under equilibrium conditions, as they often host new, emergent properties switchable on ultrafast timescales. However, the processes governing the trajectories to such hidden phases remain largely unexplored. Here, using time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we investigate the ultrafast dynamics of the formation of a hidden quantum state in the layered dichalcogenide 1 T -TaS 2 upon photoexcitation. Our results reveal the nonthermal character of the transition governed by a collective charge-density-wave excitation. Using a double-pulse excitation of the structural mode, we show vibrational coherent control of the phase-transition efficiency. Our demonstration of exceptional control, switching speed, and stability of the hidden state are key for device applications at the nexus of electronics and photonics.
Source: Science Advances
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Institut "Jožef Stefan", European Commission, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Technische Universität Dresden, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Paul Scherrer Institut, Basic Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Awards: G1032002168, G1865863944, G203184580, G3541077418, G434337789, Femtosecond Time- and Angle-Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy on Novel Quantum Materials, G4448048814, G4725523307, G6403920893, G8169959410, Optical Topologic Logic, Untersuchung elektronischer Korrelationen, Exzitonik und Topologie auf ultraschnellen Zeitskalen in van der WaalsHeterostrukturen
OpenAlex ID: W4388966729