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Visualizing Uniaxial-strain Manipulation of Antiferromagnetic Domains in Fe1+YTe Using a Spin-polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscope
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Coupled ferroelectricity and superconductivity in bilayer Td-MoTe2
Apoorv Jindal1, Amartyajyoti Saha2,3, Zizhong Li4
1Department of Physics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Nature
|January 4, 2023
Summary
Researchers demonstrate that bilayer Td-MoTe2 exhibits both ferroelectricity and superconductivity. A field-driven transition between superconducting and normal states is observed at the ferroelectric transition point, offering new control over quantum phases.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Quantum materials science
Background:
- Superconductivity is tunable by electrostatic doping in various 2D materials.
- Some 2D materials with polar crystal structures exhibit ferroelectricity, allowing polarization control via electric fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coexistence and interplay of ferroelectricity and superconductivity in bilayer Td-MoTe2.
- To explore electrostatic control of superconducting properties in this material.
Main Methods:
- Experimental synthesis and characterization of bilayer Td-MoTe2.
- Electrical transport measurements to probe superconductivity and ferroelectric switching.
- Systematic variation of carrier density and electric fields.
Main Results:
- Bilayer Td-MoTe2 exhibits simultaneous ferroelectric switching and superconductivity.
- A field-induced, first-order transition from superconducting to normal state occurs at the ferroelectric transition.
- Superconducting transition temperature (Tc) shows a maximum with controlled carrier density and polarization.
- Maximum Tc correlates with compensated electron and hole carrier densities.
Conclusions:
- Bilayer Td-MoTe2 is a novel polarization-sensitive two-dimensional superconductor.
- The observed phenomena suggest an interband pairing mechanism driven by nested Fermi pockets.
- This system offers a new platform for electrostatic control of quantum phases.
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