Kagome metals AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, and Cs) exhibit superconductivity at 0.9-2.5 K and charge-density wave (CDW) at 78-103 K. Key electronic states associated with the CDW and superconductivity remain elusive. Here, we investigate low-energy excitations
of CsV3Sb5 by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We found an energy gap of 70-100 meV at the Dirac-crossing points of linearly dispersive bands, pointing to an importance of spin-orbit coupling. We also found a signature of strongly Fermi-surface and momentum-dependent CDW gap characterized by the larger energy gap of maximally 70 meV for a band forming a saddle point around the M point, the smaller (0-18 meV) gap for a band forming massive Dirac cones, and a zero gap at the Gamma-centered electron pocket. The observed highly anisotropic CDW gap which is enhanced around the M point signifies an importance of scattering channel connecting the saddle points, laying foundation for understanding the nature of CDW and superconductivity in AV3Sb5.
We have performed high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of ternary pnictide CaAuAs which is predicted to be a three-dimensional topological Dirac semimetal (TDS). By accurately determining the bulk-band structure, we have revealed
the coexistence of three-dimensional and quasi-two-dimensional Fermi surfaces with dominant hole carriers. The band structure around the Brillouin-zone center is characterized by an energy overlap between hole and electron pockets, in excellent agreement with first-principles band-structure calculations. This indicates the occurrence of bulk-band inversion, supporting the TDS state in CaAuAs. Because of the high tunability in the chemical composition besides the TDS nature, CaAuAs provides a precious opportunity for investigating the quantum phase transition from TDS to other exotic topological phases.
The discovery of high-temperature (Tc) superconductivity in monolayer FeSe on SrTiO3 raised a fundamental question whether high Tc is commonly realized in monolayer iron-based superconductors. Tetragonal FeS is a key material to resolve this issue be
cause bulk FeS is a superconductor with Tc comparable to that of isostructural FeSe. However, difficulty in synthesizing tetragonal monolayer FeS due to its metastable nature has hindered further investigations. Here we report elucidation of band structure of monolayer FeS on SrTiO3, enabled by a unique combination of in-situ topotactic reaction and molecular-beam epitaxy. Our angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy on FeS and FeSe revealed marked similarities in the electronic structure, such as heavy electron doping and interfacial electron-phonon coupling, both of which have been regarded as possible sources of high Tc in FeSe. However, surprisingly, high-Tc superconductivity is absent in monolayer FeS. This is linked to the weak superconducting pairing in electron-doped multilayer FeS in which the interfacial effects are absent. Our results strongly suggest that the cross-interface electron-phonon coupling enhances Tc only when it cooperates with the pairing interaction inherent to the superconducting layer. This finding provides a key insight to explore new heterointerface high-Tc superconductors.
