2025-02-18 アルゴンヌ国立研究所 (ANL)
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.anl.gov/article/new-nanoscale-technique-unlocks-quantum-material-secrets
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads8601
量子常誘電体におけるサブテラヘルツ原子振動を表面敏感スピントロニックテラヘルツ分光で明らかにする Revealing subterahertz atomic vibrations in quantum paraelectrics by surface-sensitive spintronic terahertz spectroscopy
Zhaodong Chu, Junyi Yang, Yan Li, Kyle Hwangbo, […], and Haidan Wen
Science Advances Published:29 Nov 2024
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ads8601
Abstract
Understanding surface collective dynamics in quantum materials is crucial for advancing quantum technologies. For example, surface phonon modes in quantum paraelectrics are thought to be essential in facilitating interfacial superconductivity. However, detecting these modes, especially below 1 terahertz, is challenging because of limited sampling volumes and the need for high spectroscopic resolution. Here, we report surface soft transverse optical (TO1) phonon dynamics in KTaO3 and SrTiO3 by surface-sensitive spintronic terahertz spectroscopy that can sense the collective modes only a few nanometers deep from the surface. In KTaO3, the TO1 mode softens and sharpens with decreasing temperature, leveling off at 0.7 terahertz. In contrast, this mode in SrTiO3 broadens substantially below the quantum paraelectric crossover and coincides with the hardening of a sub–milli–electron volt phonon mode related to the antiferrodistortive transition. These observations that deviate from their bulk properties may have implications for interfacial superconductivity and ferroelectricity. The developed technique opens opportunities for sensing low-energy surface collective excitations.
