Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)

Abstract: We demonstrate that parametrically excited eigenmodes in nearby nanomagnets can be coupled to each other. Both positive (in-phase) and negative (anti-phase) couplings can be realized by a combination of appropriately chosen geometry and excitation field frequency. The oscillations are sufficiently stable against thermal fluctuations. The phase relation between field-coupled nanomagnets shows a hysteretic behavior with the phase relation being locked over a wide frequency range. We envision that this computational study lays the groundwork to use field-coupled nanomagnets as parametrons as building blocks of logic devices, neuromorphic systems or Ising machines.

Abstract: We investigate the quantum transport of the heat and the charge through a quantum dot (QD) coupled to fermionic contacts under the influence of time modulation of temperatures. We derive within the nonequilibrium Keldysh Green's function (NEGF) formalism, exact formulas for the charge, heat currents and the dissipation power by employing the concept of gravitational field firstly introduced by Luttinger in the sixties. The gravitational field, entering into the system Hamiltonian and being coupled to the energies stored in the contacts, plays a similar role as the electrostatic potential that is coupled to the charge density. We extend the original idea of Luttinger to correctly handle the dynamical transport driven under a time-modulated (ac) temperature, by coupling the gravitational field to not only the contact energy but also to half of the energy stored in the tunneling barriers connecting the QD to the contacts. The validity of our formalism is supported in that it satisfies the Onsager reciprocity relations and also reproduces the dynamics obtained from the scattering theory for noninteracting cases. Our formalism provides a systematical procedure to obtain general expressions for the charge and heat currents in the linear response regime solely in terms of the retarded and advanced components of the interacting QD NEGFs by a help of the charge conservation and some sum rules. In order to demonstrate the utility of our formalism, we apply it to the noninteracting and interacting QD junctions and interpret the charge and heat transports in terms of the equivalent quantum RC circuits. Via a systematic consideration of the effect of the Coulomb interaction under the ac drive of temperature, our formalism reveals that the interaction can modify the response for charging and energy relaxation with a significant different temperature dependence.

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) ferrovalley semiconductor (FVSC) with spontaneous valley polarization offers an exciting material platform for probing Berry phase physics. How FVSC can be incorporated in valleytronic device applications, however, remain an open question. Here we generalize the concept of metal/semiconductor (MS) contact into the realm of valleytronics. We propose a half-valley Ohmic contact based on FVSC/graphene heterostructure where the two valleys of FVSC separately forms Ohmic and Schottky contacts with those of graphene, thus allowing current to be valley-selectively injected through the `Ohmic' valley while being blocked in the `Schottky' valley. We develop a theory of contact-limited valley-contrasting current injection and demonstrate that such transport mechanism can produce gate-tunable valley-polarized injection current. Using RuCl$_2$/graphene heterostructure as an example, we illustrate a device concept of valleytronic barristor where high valley polarization efficiency and sizable current on/off ratio, can be achieved under experimentally feasible electrostatic gating conditions. These findings uncover contact-limited valley-contrasting current injection as an efficient mechanism for valley polarization manipulation, and reveals the potential of valleytronic MS contact as a functional building block of valleytronic device technology.

Abstract: Recent density-functional theory (DFT) calculations on copper-doped lead apatite $\text{Pb}_9\text{Cu}(\text{PO}_4)_6\text{O}$ indicated various interesting band structure properties in the close vicinity to the Fermi surface including symmetry-enforced band crossings, narrow bands, and van-Hove singularities. These studies assume a regular arrangement of the dopant, such that the space group (SG) 176 (P6$\text{}_3$/m) is reduced to SG 143 (P3). We construct tight-binding models for this space group with two and four bands. A first analysis of these models show excellent agreement with the key features of the DFT results. We show that the symmetry enforced band crossings at $\Gamma$ and $A$ are double Weyl points, implying Chern bands for $k_z\neq 0,\pi$. We map out the distribution of Berry curvature and quantum metric and discuss their relation to the orbital character. For a specific set of parameters we find a singular flat band.

Abstract: Phyllosilicates emerge as a promising class of large bandgap lamellar insulators. Their applications have been explored from fabrication of graphene-based devices to 2D heterostructures based on transition metal dicalcogenides with enhanced optical and polaritonics properties. In this review, we provide an overview on the use of IR s-SNOM for studying nano-optics and local chemistry of a variety of 2D natural phyllosilicates. Finally, we bring a brief update on applications that combine natural lamellar minerals into multifunctional nanophotonic devices driven by electrical control.

Abstract: Introducing quasiparticle anisotropy in graphene via uniaxial strain has a profound effect on the polarization charge density induced by external impurities, both Coulomb and short-range. In particular the charge distribution induced by a Coulomb impurity exhibits a power law tail modulated by a strain-dependent admixture of angular harmonics. The appearance of distributed charge is in sharp contrast to the response in pristine/isotropic graphene, where for subcritical impurities the polarization charge is fully localized at the impurity position. It is also interesting to note that our results are obtained strictly at zero chemical potential, and the behavior is fundamentally distinct from the typical Friedel oscillations observed at finite chemical potential. For weak to moderate strain, the $d$-wave symmetry is dominant. The presence of Dirac cone tilt, relevant to some 2D materials beyond graphene, can also substantially affect the induced charge distribution. Finally we consider impurities with short range potentials, and study the effect of strain on the charge response. Our results were obtained in the continuum via perturbation theory valid for weak (subcritical) potentials, and supported by numerical lattice simulations based on density functional theory.

Abstract: We focus on the transmission and reflection coefficients of light in systems involving of topological insulators (TI). Due to the electro-magnetic coupling in TIs, new mixing coefficients emerge leading to new components of the electromagnetic fields of propagating waves. We have discovered a simple heterostructure that provides a 100-fold enhancement of the mixing coefficients for TI materials. Such effect increases with the TI's wave impedance. We also predict a transverse deviation of the Poynting vector due to these mixed coefficients contributing to the radiative electromagnetic field of an electric dipole. Given an optimal configuration of the dipole-TI system, this deviation could amount to $0.18\%$ of the Poynting vector due to emission near not topological materials, making this effect detectable.