No Arabic abstract
We study phenomena driven by electron-electron interactions in the minimally twisted bilayer graphene (mTBLG) with a perpendicular electric field. The low-energy degrees of freedom in mTBLG are governed by a network of one-dimensional domain-wall states, described by two channels of one-dimensional linearly dispersing spin-1/2 fermions. We show that the interaction can realize a spin-gapped inter-channel charge density wave (CDW) state at low temperatures, forming a Coulomb drag between the channels and leaving only one charge conducting mode. For sufficiently high temperatures, power-law-in-temperature resistivity emerges from the charge umklapp scatterings within a domain wall. Remarkably, the presence of the CDW states can strengthen the charge umklapp scattering and induce a resistivity minimum at an intermediate temperature corresponding to the CDW correlation energy. We further discuss the conditions that resistivity of the network is dominated by the domain walls. In particular, the power-law-in-temperature resistivity results can apply to other systems that manifest topological domain-wall structures.
Recently twisted bilayer graphene (t-BLG) emerges as a new strongly correlated physical platform near a magic twist angle, which hosts many exciting phenomena such as the Mott-like insulating phases, unconventional superconducting behavior and emergent ferromagnetism. Besides the apparent significance of band flatness, band topology may be another critical element in determining strongly correlated twistronics yet receives much less attention. Here we report compelling evidence for nontrivial noninteracting band topology of t-BLG moire Dirac bands through a systematic nonlocal transport study, in conjunction with an examination rooted in $K$-theory. The moire band topology of t-BLG manifests itself as two pronounced nonlocal responses in the electron and hole superlattice gaps. We further show that the nonlocal responses are robust to the interlayer electric field, twist angle, and edge termination, exhibiting a universal scaling law. While an unusual symmetry of t-BLG trivializes Berry curvature, we elucidate that two $Z_2$ invariants characterize the topology of the moire Dirac bands, validating the topological edge origin of the observed nonlocal responses. Our findings not only provide a new perspective for understanding the emerging strongly correlated phenomena in twisted van der Waals heterostructures, but also suggest a potential strategy to achieve topologically nontrivial metamaterials from topologically trivial quantum materials based on twist engineering.
NbSe3 exhibits remarkable anisotropy in most of its physical properties and has been a model system for studies of quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave (CDW) phenomena. Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and electrical transport of single-crystalline NbSe3 nanoribbons by a facile one-step vapour transport process involving the transport of selenium powder onto a niobium foil substrate. Our investigations aid the understanding of the CDW nature of NbSe3 and the growth process of the material. They also indicate that NbSe3 nanoribbons have enhanced CDW properties compared to those of the bulk phase due to size confinement effects, thus expanding the search for new mesoscopic phenomena at the nanoscale level. Single nanoribbon measurements on the electrical resistance as a function of temperature show charge-density wave transitions at 59 K and 141 K. We also demonstrate significant enhancement in the depinning effect and sliding regimes mainly attributed to finite size effects.
Flat electronic bands, characteristic of magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (TBG), host a wealth of correlated phenomena. Early theoretical considerations suggested that, at the magic angle, the Dirac velocity vanishes and the entire width of the moire bands becomes extremely narrow. Yet, this scenario contradicts experimental studies that reveal a finite Dirac velocity as well as bandwidths significantly larger than predicted. Here we use spatially resolved spectroscopy in finite and zero magnetic fields to examine the electronic structure of moire bands and their intricate connection to correlated phases. By following the relative shifts of Landau levels in finite fields, we detect filling-dependent band flattening, that unexpectedly starts already at ~1.3 degrees, well above the magic angle and hence nominally in the weakly correlated regime. We further show that, as the twist angle is reduced, the moire bands become maximally flat at progressively lower doping levels. Surprisingly, when the twist angles reach values for which the maximal flattening occurs at approximate filling of $-2$, $+1$,$+2$,$+3$ electrons per moire unit cell, the corresponding zero-field correlated phases start to emerge. Our observations are corroborated by calculations that incorporate an interplay between the Coulomb charging energy and exchange interactions; together these effects produce band flattening and hence a significant density-of-states enhancement that facilitates the observed symmetry-breaking cascade transitions. Besides emerging phases pinned to integer fillings, we also experimentally identify a series of pronounced correlation-driven band deformations and soft gaps in a wider doping range around $pm 2$ filling where superconductivity is expected. Our results highlight the role of interaction-driven band-flattening in forming robust correlated phases in TBG.
Flat band moire superlattices have recently emerged as unique platforms for investigating the interplay between strong electronic correlations, nontrivial band topology, and multiple isospin flavor symmetries. Twisted monolayer-bilayer graphene (tMBG) is an especially rich system owing to its low crystal symmetry and the tunability of its bandwidth and topology with an external electric field. Here, we find that orbital magnetism is abundant within the correlated phase diagram of tMBG, giving rise to the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in correlated metallic states nearby most odd integer fillings of the flat conduction band, as well as correlated Chern insulator states stabilized in an external magnetic field. The behavior of the states at zero field appears to be inconsistent with simple spin and valley polarization for the specific range of twist angles we investigate, and instead may plausibly result from an intervalley coherent (IVC) state with an order parameter that breaks time reversal symmetry. The application of a magnetic field further tunes the competition between correlated states, in some cases driving first-order topological phase transitions. Our results underscore the rich interplay between closely competing correlated ground states in tMBG, with possible implications for probing exotic IVC ordering.
Focusing on the twist angle for the minimal commensurate structure, we perform nonperturbative calculations of electron dynamics in the twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) under intense laser fields. We show that the TBG exhibits enriched high-harmonic generation that cannot occur in monolayer or conventional bilayers. We elucidate the mechanism of these nonlinear responses by analyzing dynamical symmetries, momentum-resolved dynamics, and roles of interlayer coupling. Our results imply nonlinear optotwistronics, or controlling optical properties of layered materials by artificial twists.