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Laser-Induced Charge-Density-Wave Transient Depinning in Chromium
V L R Jacques1, C Laulhé2,3, N Moisan1
1Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France.
Physical Review Letters
|October 22, 2016
Summary
Pure chromium exhibits laser-induced charge-density-wave (CDW) sliding. Femtosecond laser excitation causes transient CDW shear strain, distinct from atomic lattice changes, suggesting new transport possibilities.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Background:
- Incommensurate charge-density waves (CDWs) are exotic quantum states in solids.
- Understanding CDW dynamics under external stimuli is crucial for novel electronic applications.
- Chromium exhibits complex CDW behavior, making it a key material for study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrafast dynamics of CDWs in pure bulk chromium after laser excitation.
- To compare the structural response of CDWs and the atomic lattice.
- To provide evidence for laser-induced CDW sliding in three-dimensional systems.
Main Methods:
- Time-resolved X-ray diffraction measurements.
- Femtosecond laser excitation of pure bulk chromium.
- Analysis of incommensurate charge-density-wave (CDW) and atomic lattice reflections.
Main Results:
- Observed distinct structural changes between CDW and atomic lattice reflections a few nanoseconds post-excitation.
- Provided evidence for transient CDW shear strain breaking lattice point symmetry.
- Demonstrated laser-induced CDW sliding capability in a 3D system.
Conclusions:
- Laser excitation can induce CDW sliding in bulk chromium.
- Transient CDW shear strain is a key indicator of sliding behavior.
- This finding opens new avenues for laser-assisted transport of correlated charges.
