Doped Mott insulators are the starting point for interesting physics such as high temperature superconductivity and quantum spin liquids. For multi-band Mott insulators, orbital selective ground states have been envisioned. However, orbital selective metals and Mott insulators have been difficult to realize experimentally. Here we demonstrate by photoemission spectroscopy how Ca 2 RuO 4 , upon alkali-metal surface doping, develops a single-band metal skin. Our dynamical mean field theory calculations reveal that homogeneous electron doping of Ca 2 RuO 4 results in a multi-band metal. All together, our results provide evidence for an orbital-selective Mott insulator breakdown, which is unachievable via simple electron doping. Supported by a cluster model and cluster perturbation theory calculations, we demonstrate a type of skin metal-insulator transition induced by surface dopants that orbital-selectively hybridize with the bulk Mott state and in turn produce coherent in-gap states.
We have carried out a comprehensive high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) study of the pseudogap interplay with superconductivity in La-based cuprates. The three systems La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$, La$_{1.6-x}$Nd$_{0.4}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$, and La$_{1.8-x}$Eu$_{0.2}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ display slightly different pseudogap critical points in the temperature versus doping phase diagram. We have studied the pseudogap evolution into the superconducting state for doping concentrations just below the critical point. In this setting, near optimal doping for superconductivity and in the presence of the weakest possible pseudogap, we uncover how the pseudogap is partially suppressed inside the superconducting state. This conclusion is based on the direct observation of a reduced pseudogap energy scale and re-emergence of spectral weight suppressed by the pseudogap. Altogether these observations suggest that the pseudogap phenomenon in La-based cuprates is in competition with superconductivity for anti-nodal spectral weight.
The interplay between structural and electronic phases in iron-based superconductors is a central theme in the search for the superconducting pairing mechanism. While electronic nematicity is competing with superconductivity, the effect of purely structural orthorhombic order is unexplored. Here, using x-ray diffraction and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we reveal a structural orthorhombic phase in the electrondoped iron-pnictide superconductor Pr4Fe2As2Te0.88O4 (T-c = 25 K), which is distinct from orthorhombicity in the nematic phase in underdoped pnictides. Despite the high electron doping we find an exceptionally high orthorhombic onset temperature (T-ort similar to 250 K), no signatures of phase competition with superconductivity, and absence of electronic nematic order as the driving mechanism for orthorhombicity. Combined, our results establish a high-temperature phase in the phase diagram of iron-pnictide superconductors and impose strong constraints for the modeling of their superconducting pairing mechanism.
Electronic band structures in solids stem from a periodic potential reflecting the structure of either the crystal lattice or electronic order. In the stoichiometric ruthenate Ca3Ru2O7, numerous Fermi surface-sensitive probes indicate a low-temperature electronic reconstruction. Yet, the causality and the reconstructed band structure remain unsolved. Here, we show by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, how in Ca3Ru2O7 a C-2-symmetric massive Dirac semimetal is realized through a Brillouin-zone preserving electronic reconstruction. This Dirac semimetal emerges in a two-stage transition upon cooling. The Dirac point and band velocities are consistent with constraints set by quantum oscillation, thermodynamic, and transport experiments, suggesting that the complete Fermi surface is resolved. The reconstructed structure-incompatible with translational-symmetry-breaking density waves-serves as an important test for band structure calculations of correlated electron systems.
We present a combined soft x-ray and high-resolution vacuum-ultraviolet angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of the electron-overdoped cuprate Pr1.3-xLa0.7CexCuO4 (PLCCO). Demonstration of its highly two-dimensional band structure enabled precise determination of the in-plane self-energy dominated by electron-electron scattering. Through analysis of this self-energy and the Fermi liquid cut-off energy scale, we find-in contrast to hole-doped cuprates-a momentum isotropic and comparatively weak electron correlation in PLCCO. Yet, the self-energies extracted from multiple oxide systems combine to demonstrate a logarithmic divergent relation between the quasiparticle scattering rate and mass. This constitutes a spectroscopic version of the Kadowaki-Woods relation with an important merit-the demonstration of Fermi liquid quasiparticle lifetime and mass being set by a single energy scale.
Electronic band structures in solids stem from a periodic potential reflecting the structure of either the crystal lattice or an electronic order. In the stoichiometric ruthenate Ca_3Ru_2O_7, numerous Fermi surface sensitive probes indicate a low-temperature electronic reconstruction. Yet, the causality and the reconstructed band structure remain unsolved. Here, we show by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, how in Ca_3Ru_2O_7 a C_2-symmetric massive Dirac semimetal is realized through a Brillouin-zone preserving electronic reconstruction. This Dirac semimetal emerges in a two-stage transition upon cooling. The Dirac point and band velocities are consistent with constraints set by quantum oscillation, thermodynamic, and transport experiments, suggesting that the complete Fermi surface is resolved. The reconstructed structure – incompatible with translational-symmetry-breaking density waves – serves as an important test for band structure calculations of correlated electron systems.
A comprehensive angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of the band structure in singlelayer cuprates is presented with the aim of uncovering universal trends across different materials. Five different hole-and electron-overdoped cuprate superconductors (La1.59Eu0.2Sr0.21CuO4, La1.77Sr0.23CuO4, Bi1.74Pb0.38Sr1.88CuO6+delta, Tl2Ba2CuO6+delta, and Pr1.15La0.7Ce0.15CuO4) have been studied with special focus on the bands with a predominately d-orbital character. Using a light polarization analysis, the e(g) and t(2g) bands are identified across these materials. A clear correlation between the d(3z2-r2) band energy and the apical oxygen distance d(A) is demonstrated. Moreover, the compound dependence of the d(x2-y2) band bottom and the t(2g) band top is revealed. A direct comparison to density functional theory (DFT) calculations employing hybrid exchange-correlation functionals demonstrates excellent agreement. We thus conclude that the DFT methodology can be used to describe the global band structure of overdoped single-layer cuprates on both the hole-and electron-doped side.
We present a comprehensive angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of Ca_1.8Sr_0.2RuO_4. Four distinct bands are revealed and along the Ru-O bond direction their orbital characters are identified through a light polarization analysis and comparison to dynamical mean-field theory calculations. Bands assigned to d_xz, d_yz orbitals display Fermi liquid behavior with fourfold quasiparticle mass renormalization. Extremely heavy fermions - associated with a predominantly d_xy band character - are shown to display non-Fermi-liquid behavior. We thus demonstrate that Ca_1.8Sr_0.2RuO_4 is a hybrid metal with an orbitally selective Fermi liquid quasiparticle breakdown.
M. Horio, Q. Wang, V. Granata, 3 K. P. Kramer, Y. Sassa, S. Jöhr, D. Sutter, A. Bold, L. Das, Y. Xu, R. Frison, R. Fittipaldi, 3 T. K. Kim, C. Cacho, J. E. Rault, P. Le Fèvre, F. Bertran, N. C. Plumb, M. Shi, A. Vecchione, 3 M. H. Fischer, and J. Chang Physik-Institut, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland CNR-SPIN, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy Dipartimento di Fisica ”E.R. Caianiello”, Università di Salerno, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden Center for X-ray Analytics, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland Diamond Light Source, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom Synchrotron SOLEIL, Saint-Aubin-BP 48, F-91192 Gif sur Yvette, France Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
We present a soft x-ray angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of overdoped high-temperature superconductors. In-plane and out-of-plane components of the Fermi surface are mapped by varying the photoemission angle and the incident photon energy. No k_{z} dispersion is observed along the nodal direction, whereas a significant antinodal k_{z} dispersion is identified for La-based cuprates. Based on a tight-binding parametrization, we discuss the implications for the density of states near the van Hove singularity. Our results suggest that the large electronic specific heat found in overdoped La_{2-x}Sr_{x}CuO_{4} cannot be assigned to the van Hove singularity alone. We therefore propose quantum criticality induced by a collapsing pseudogap phase as a plausible explanation for observed enhancement of electronic specific heat.
Relativistic massless Dirac fermions can be probed with high-energy physics experiments, but appear also as low-energy quasi-particle excitations in electronic band structures. In condensed matter systems, their massless nature can be protected by crystal symmetries. Classification of such symmetry-protected relativistic band degeneracies has been fruitful, although many of the predicted quasi-particles still await their experimental discovery. Here we reveal, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, the existence of two-dimensional type-II Dirac fermions in the high-temperature superconductor La_1.77Sr_0.23CuO_4. The Dirac point, constituting the crossing of d_x^2-y^2 and d_z^2 bands, is found approximately one electronvolt below the Fermi level (E_F) and is protected by mirror symmetry. If spin-orbit coupling is considered, the Dirac point degeneracy is lifted and the bands acquire a topologically non-trivial character. In certain nickelate systems, band structure calculations suggest that the same type-II Dirac fermions can be realised near E_F.
The minimal ingredients to explain the essential physics of layered copper-oxide (cuprates) materials remains heavily debated. Effective low-energy single-band models of the copper-oxygen orbitals are widely used because there exists no strong experimental evidence supporting multi-band structures. Here, we report angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments on La-based cuprates that provide direct observation of a two-band structure. This electronic structure, qualitatively consistent with density functional theory, is parametrised by a two-orbital ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) tight-binding model. We quantify the orbital hybridisation which provides an explanation for the Fermi surface topology and the proximity of the van-Hove singularity to the Fermi level. Our analysis leads to a unification of electronic hopping parameters for single-layer cuprates and we conclude that hybridisation, restraining d-wave pairing, is an important optimisation element for superconductivity.
The minimal ingredients to explain the essential physics of layered copper-oxide (cuprates= materials remains heavily debated. Effective low energy single-band models of the copper-oxygen orbitals are widely used because there exists no strong experimental evidence supporting multiband structures. Here we report angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments on La-based cuprates that provide direct observation of a two-band structure. This electronic structure, qualitatively consistent with density functional theory, is parametrised by a two-orbital ($d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$) tight-binding model. We quantify the orbital hybridisation which provides an explanation for the Fermi surface topology and the proximity of the van-Hove singularity to the Fermi level. Our analysis leads to a unification of electronic hopping parameters for single-layer cuprates and we conclude that hybridisation, restraining d-wave pairing, is an important optimisation element for superconductivity.
A paradigmatic case of multi-band Mott physics including spin-orbit and Hund's coupling is realized in Ca2RuO4. Progress in understanding the nature of this Mott insulating phase has been impeded by the lack of knowledge about the low-energy electronic structure. Here we provide-using angle-resolved photoemission electron spectroscopy-the band structure of the paramagnetic insulating phase of Ca2RuO4 and show how it features several distinct energy scales. Comparison to a simple analysis of atomic multiplets provides a quantitative estimate of the Hund's coupling J = 0.4 eV. Furthermore, the experimental spectra are in good agreement with electronic structure calculations performed with Dynamical Mean-Field Theory. The crystal field stabilization of the d(xy) orbital due to c-axis contraction is shown to be essential to explain the insulating phase. These results underscore the importance of multi-band physics, Coulomb interaction and Hund's coupling that together generate the Mott insulating state of Ca2RuO4.
The molecular ligand pyrphyrin, a tetradentate bipyridine based macrocycle, represents an interesting but widely unexplored class of molecules. It resembles the well-known porphyrin, but consists of pyridyl subunits instead of pyrroles. Metal complexes based on pyrphyrin ligands have recently shown promise as water reduction catalysts in homogeneous photochemical water splitting reactions. In this study, the adsorption and metalation of pyrphyrin on a single crystalline Au(111) surface is investigated in an ultrahigh vacuum by means of scanning tunneling microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory. Pyrphyrin coverages of approximately one monolayer and less are obtained by sublimation of the molecules on the substrate kept at room temperature. The molecules self-assemble in two distinct phases of long-range molecular ordering depending on the surface coverage. The deposition of cobalt metal and subsequent annealing lead to the formation of Co-ligated pyrphyrin molecules accompanied by a pronounced change of the molecular self-assembly. Electronic structure calculations taking the herringbone reconstruction of Au(111) into account show that the molecules are physisorbed, but preferred adsorption sites are identified where Co and the N atoms of the two terminal cyano groups are optimally coordinated to the surface Au atoms. An intermediate state of the metalation reaction is observed and the reaction steps for the Co metalation of pyrphyrin molecules on Au(111) are established in a joint experimental and computational effort.