Quasiparticle Relaxation Research Articles

Response functions for electric field induced two-dimensional nonlinear spectroscopy in a Kitaev magnet

We study the dynamical response functions relevant for electric field induced two-dimensional (2D) coherent nonlinear optical spectroscopy in a Kitaev magnet at finite temperature. We show that these response functions are susceptible to both types of fractional quasiparticles of this quantum spin-liquid, i.e. fermions and flux visons. Focusing on the second order response, we find a strong antidiagonal feature in the 2D frequency plane, related to the galvanoelectric effect of the fractional fermions. Perpendicular to the antidiagonal, the width of this feature is set by quasiparticle relaxation rates beyond the bare Kitaev magnet, thereby providing access to single-particle characteristics within a multi-particle continuum. While the 2D spectrum of the response is set by the fermionic quasiparticles and displays Fermi blocking versus temperature, the emergent bond randomness which arises due to thermally populated visons strongly modifies the fermionic spectrum. Therefore also the presence of gauge excitations is manifest in the 2D nonlinear response as the temperature is increased beyond the flux proliferation crossover.

Investigation of quasi-particle relaxation in strongly disordered superconductor resonators

In this paper, we investigate the quasi-particle (QP) relaxation of strongly disordered superconducting resonators under optical illumination at different bath temperatures with the Rothwarf and Taylor equations and the gap-broadening theory described by the Usadal equation. The analysis is validated with various single-photon responses of titanium nitride (TiN) microwave kinetic inductance detectors under pulsed 405 nm laser illumination. The QP relaxation in TiN is dominated by QPs with energy below the energy gap smeared by the disorder, and its duration is still inversely proportional to the QP density. The QP lifetime versus temperature can be fitted. The relaxation of the resonator can be further modeled with QP diffusion. The fitted QP diffusion coefficient of TiN is significantly smaller than expected. Our result also shows a significant increase in QP generation efficiency as the bath temperature increases.

Characterization of quasiparticle relaxation times in microstrips of NbReN for perspective applications for superconducting single-photon detectors

The study of the flux-flow instability in superconducting materials has recently gained renewed attention due to its potential implications for the use of the analyzed materials as micrometer-sized superconducting detectors for single photons. The values of the quasiparticle relaxation time (τE) measured for these detectors are affected by pinning properties. Here, we report electric transport properties of NbReN microstrips of different quality. For the strip characterized by high resistivity, and large critical currents and pinning, we estimate a value of τE that is almost two orders of magnitude larger compared to that of another strip with a smaller value for the critical current, for which we measure τE∼12 ps. This low value is comparable to those reported in the literature for microstrips made of other highly-disordered superconductors. Our results suggest that NbReN microstrips have great potential for the realization of superconducting single-photon detectors, depending on further optimization of their fabrication process and the superconducting properties affected by it.

2D High-Temperature Superconductor Integration in Contact Printed Circuit Boards.

Inherent properties of superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x films, such as the high superconducting transition temperature Tc, efficient Josephson coupling between neighboring CuO layers, and fast quasiparticle relaxation dynamics, make them a promising platform for advances in quantum computing and communication technologies. However, preserving two-dimensional superconductivity during device fabrication is an outstanding experimental challenge because of the fast degradation of the superconducting properties of two-dimensional flakes when they are exposed to moisture, organic solvents, and heat. Herein, to realize superconducting devices utilizing two-dimensional (2D) superconducting films, we develop a novel fabrication technique relying on the cryogenic dry transfer of printable circuits embedded into a silicon nitride membrane. This approach separates the circuit fabrication stage requiring chemically reactive substances and ionizing physical processes from the creation of the thin superconducting structures. Apart from providing electrical contacts in a single transfer step, the membrane encapsulates the surface of the crystal, shielding it from the environment. The fabricated atomically thin Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x-based devices show a high superconducting transition temperature of Tc ≃ 91 K close to that of the bulk crystal and demonstrate stable superconducting properties.

Interplay between nonequilibrium quasiparticle relaxation and dynamic supercurrent enhancement in aluminum superconducting constriction junctions

Interplay between nonequilibrium quasiparticle relaxation and dynamic supercurrent enhancement in aluminum superconducting constriction junctions

Highly anisotropic transient optical response of charge density wave order in ZrTe3

Low dimensionality in CDW systems leads to anisotropic optical properties, in both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. Here we perform polarized two-color pump probe measurements on a quasi-1D material ZrTe$_3$, in order to study the anisotropic transient optical response in the CDW state. Profound in-plane anisotropy is observed with respect to polarization of probe photons. Below $T_\mathrm{CDW}$ both the quasi-particle relaxation signal and amplitude mode (AM) oscillation signal are much larger with $\mathbf{E}_\mathrm{pr}$ nearly parallel to $a$ axis ($\mathbf{E}_\mathrm{pr} \parallel a$) than for $\mathbf{E}_\mathrm{pr}$ parallel to $b$ axis ($\mathbf{E}_\mathrm{pr} \parallel b$). This reveals that $\mathbf{E}_\mathrm{pr} \parallel a$ signal is much more sensitive to the variation of the CDW gap. Interestingly, the lifetime of the AM oscillations observed with $\mathbf{E}_\mathrm{pr} \parallel b$ is longer than $\mathbf{E}_\mathrm{pr} \parallel a$. Moreover, at high pump fluence where the electronic order melts and the AM oscillations vanish for $\mathbf{E}_\mathrm{pr} \parallel a$ , the AM oscillatory response still persists for $\mathbf{E}_\mathrm{pr} \parallel b$. We discuss possible origins that lead to such unusual discrepancy between the two polarizations.

Fluctuation-driven excess noise near superconducting phase transition

We discuss intrinsic mechanisms of nonequilibrium excess noise in superconducting devices and transition edge sensors. In particular, we present an overview of fluctuation-driven contributions to the current noise in the vicinity of the superconducting transition. We argue that sufficiently close to the critical temperature fluctuations of conductivity may become correlated provided that the rate of quasiparticle relaxation is slow as compared to dynamics of superconducting fluctuations. In this regime, fluctuations of conductivity adiabatically follow the fluctuations of the electron distribution. This leads to a substantial enhancement of current noise. The corresponding spectral power density of noise has a Lorentzian shape in the frequency domain while its magnitude scales proportionally to the inelastic relaxation time. It also sensitively depends on the dephasing and Ginzburg–Landau timescales. Further estimates suggest that this mechanism dominates over the conventional temperature fluctuations in the same range of parameters. To describe these effects microscopically, we use the nonequilibrium Keldysh technique in the semiclassical approximation of superconductivity with Boltzmann–Langevin random forces to account for correlations of fluctuations.

Directing Quasiparticle Movement in Graphitic Carbon Nitride through Spatial Engineering for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The inherently low dielectric properties of polymeric semiconductors lead to high exciton binding energy, impeding the photogenerated electron and hole separation. The aim of this work is to regulate the spacing of charge through spatial engineering in graphitic carbon nitride (CN), which performs photocatalysis through dual routes, where ruthenium phosphide (RuxP) and hydroxide ions (OH–) serve as the electron acceptor and hole extractor, respectively. The unique heterojunction of RuxP incorporated in the bulk CN (B-RuxP-CN) shows a lower exciton binding energy (61 meV) than bare CN and CN surface-deposited RuxP (S-RuxP-CN). This favors high carrier density and rapid escape of active electrons from bound excitons. The photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution rate of B-RuxP-CN increases with increasing pH. However, S-RuxP-CN maintains an almost invariable H2 production rate even with similar increases in pH. We reasonably ascribe the different H2 evolution performances of both photocatalysts to their contrasting structures and discrepancy in quasiparticle relaxation dynamics. The wrapped structure of B-RuxP-CN endows it with a prolonged charge separation lifetime (189 ns) and an enhanced H2 evolution rate (32.0 μmol/h) in an alkaline scavenger solution. This work provides a controllable procedure for quasiparticles’ directional movement in polymeric photocatalysts.

Thickness dependence of the flux-flow velocity and the vortex instability in nanocrystalline γ-Mo2N thin films

The influence of the thickness on the vortex instability of nanocrystalline γ-Mo2N thin films is analyzed. The samples were grown on Si (100) using reactive sputtering. The quasiparticle relaxation time for films with thickness between 7 and 26 nm is analyzed in the framework of Larkin–Ovchinnikov instability by performing current-voltage curves. Considering self-heating effects due to finite heat removal from the substrate, we determine a fast quasiparticle relaxation time τ ≈ 50 ps for all the samples at low temperatures. On the other hand, close to Tc, the vortex velocity becomes magnetic field-independent, and τ increases from ≈ 40 to 110 ps as the films are made thicker. The results are discussed considering the disorder's contribution and the bridges' geometry on the vortex instability.

Direct transport between superconducting subgap states in a double quantum dot

We demonstrate direct transport between two opposing sets of Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) subgap states realized in a double quantum dot. This sub-gap transport relies on intrinsic quasiparticle relaxation, but the tunability of the device allows us to explore also an additional relaxation mechanism based on charge transferring Andreev reflections. The transition between these two relaxation regimes is identified in the experiment as a marked gate-induced stepwise change in conductance. We present a transport calculation, including YSR bound states and multiple Andreev reflections alongside with quasiparticle relaxation, due to a weak tunnel coupling to a nearby normal metal, and obtain excellent agreement with the data.

Ultrafast optical spectroscopy evidence of pseudogap and electron-phonon coupling in an iron-based superconductor KCa2Fe4As4F2

We use ultrafast optical spectroscopy to study the nonequilibrium quasiparticle relaxation dynamics of the iron-based superconductor KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ with $T_c=33.5$ K. Our results reveal a possible pseudogap ($\Delta_{PG}$ = 2.4 $\pm$ 0.1 meV) below $T^*\approx 50$ K but prior to the opening of a superconducting gap ($\Delta_{SC}$(0) $\approx$ 4.3 $\pm$ 0.1 meV). Measurements under high pump fluence real two distinct, coherent phonon oscillations with 1.95 and 5.51 THz frequencies, respectively. The high-frequency $A_{1g}$(2) mode corresponds to the $c-$axis polarized vibrations of FeAs planes with a nominal electron-phonon coupling constant $\lambda_{A_{1g}(2)}$ = 0.194 $\pm$ 0.02. Our findings suggest that the pseudogap is likely a precursor of superconductivity, and the electron-phonon coupling may play an essential role in the superconducting pairing in KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$.

Nanocrystalline superconducting γ-Mo2N ultra-thin films for single photon detectors

We analyze the influence of the surface passivation produced by oxides on the superconducting properties of γ-Mo2N ultra-thin films. The superconducting critical temperature of thin films grown directly on Si (100) with those using a buffer and a capping layer of AlN are compared. The results show that the cover layer avoids the presence of surface oxides, maximizing the superconducting critical temperature for films with thicknesses of a few nanometers. We characterize the flux-flow instability measuring current-voltage curves in a 6.4 nm thick Mo2N film with a superconducting critical temperature of 6.4 K. The data is analyzed using the Larkin and Ovchinnikov model. Considering self-heating effects due to finite heat removal from the substrate, we determine a fast quasiparticle relaxation time ≈ 45 ps. This value is promising for its applications in single-photon detectors.

Ultrafast transient reflectivity measurements of optimally doped Bi2+xSr2−xCaCu2O8+δ with disorder

The effect of disorder in high-${T}_{\mathrm{c}}$ superconductors is investigated from the viewpoint of photoinduced quasiparticle (QP) dynamics, obtained through time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy. We perform the measurements on an optimally doped (OPD) ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2+x}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{8+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ (Bi2212) with an out-of-plane disorder induced by Bi-Sr substitution $(x)$, which is present in standard Bi2212 but is not usually controlled. Based on the systematic change of the disorder with controlled $x$, we identify the changes in the dynamics of QP relaxation and gap formation in superconducting (SC) and pseudogap (PG) states. The onset temperature ${T}^{*}$ of the PG response increases with an increase in $x$, which is more significant than the slight decrease in ${T}_{\mathrm{c}}$. These properties are equivalently reflected in the destruction fluences of the SC and PG states. Bi-Sr substitution also accelerates relaxation times for SC and PG QPs, which can be due to the increased phonon scattering probability caused by the disorder. In contrast, the SC gap recovery observed in the strongly excited condition shows an identical fluence dependence for various $x$, implying that the disorder does not significantly contribute to coherent gap formation.

Relaxation Process of Spin-Polarized Quasiparticles in a Superconducting Nb Wire

A mesoscopic multi-terminal superconducting Nb strip with a spin injection terminal has been developed. We investigate the influence of the spin polarization on the relaxation process of the quasiparticle in the superconducting Nb. The position dependence of the nonlocal voltage provides the quasiparticle relaxation length. The relaxation length for the spin-polarized quasiparticle is found to show 12.5 percent increase from that for the un-polarized quasiparticle. This demonstration opens a new avenue for utilization of the the spin current in a superconducting device.

Hydrodynamic Approach to Electronic Transport in Graphene: Energy Relaxation

In nearly compensated graphene, disorder-assisted electron-phonon scattering or “supercollisions” are responsible for both quasiparticle recombination and energy relaxation. Within the hydrodynamic approach, these processes contribute weak decay terms to the continuity equations at local equilibrium, i.e., at the level of “ideal” hydrodynamics. Here we report the derivation of the decay term due to weak violation of energy conservation. Such terms have to be considered on equal footing with the well-known recombination terms due to nonconservation of the number of particles in each band. At high enough temperatures in the “hydrodynamic regime” supercollisions dominate both types of the decay terms (as compared to the leading-order electron-phonon interaction). We also discuss the contribution of supercollisions to the heat transfer equation (generalizing the continuity equation for the energy density in viscous hydrodynamics).

Flux flow velocity instability and quasiparticle relaxation time in nanocrystalline β-W thin films

We characterized the superconducting properties of a micropatterned 23 nm thick β-W film using electrical transport measurements in magnetic fields. The film is nanocrystalline and displays a smooth surface. The superconducting critical temperature is 4.6 K. The critical current densities display a fast drop with the magnetic field, indicating weak vortex pinning. From the analysis of the instability in the vortex motion at low magnetic fields in the flux-flow state, we observe vortex velocities up 800 m/s. An inelastic lifetime of quasiparticles around 0.6 ns is estimated at low temperatures. Together with high uniformity in thickness and simplicity in the fabrication process, the superconducting properties make β-W films promising for applications in fast single-photon detectors.

Kinetic Processes in Fermi–Luttinger Liquids

In this work we discuss extensions of the pioneering analysis by Dzyaloshinskii and Larkin of correlation functions for one-dimensional Fermi systems, focusing on the effects of quasiparticle relaxation enabled by a nonlinear dispersion. Throughout the work we employ both, the weakly interacting Fermi gas picture and nonlinear Luttinger liquid theory to describe attenuation of excitations and explore the fermion-boson duality between both approaches. Special attention is devoted to the role of spin-exchange processes, effects of interaction screening, and integrability. Thermalization rates for electron- and hole-like quasiparticles, as well as the decay rate of collective plasmon excitations and the momentum space mobility of spin excitations are calculated for various temperature regimes. The phenomenon of spin-charge drag is considered and the corresponding momentum transfer rate is determined. We further discuss how momentum relaxation due to several competing mechanisms, viz. triple electron collisions, electron-phonon scattering, and long-range inhomogeneities affect transport properties, and highlight energy transfer facilitated by plasmons from the perspective of the inhomogeneous Luttinger liquid model. Finally, we derive the full matrix of thermoelectric coefficients at the quantum critical point of the first conductance plateau transition, and address magnetoconductance in ballistic semiconductor nanowires with strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling.

KINETIC PROCESSES IN FERMI-LUTTINGER LIQUIDS

In this work we discuss extensions of the pioneering analysis by Dzyaloshinskii and Larkin of correlation functions for one-dimensional Fermi systems, focusing on the effects of quasiparticle relaxation enabled by a nonlinear dispersion. Throughout the work we employ both, the weakly interacting Fermi gas picture and nonlinear Luttinger liquid theory to describe attenuation of excitations and explore the fermion-boson duality between both approaches. Special attention is devoted to the role of spin-exchange processes, effects of interaction screening, and integrability. Thermalization rates for electron- and hole-like quasiparticles, as well as the decay rate of collective plasmon excitations and the momentum space mobility of spin excitations are calculated for various temperature regimes. The phenomenon of spin-charge drag is considered and the corresponding momentum transfer rate is determined. We further discuss how momentum relaxation due to several competing mechanisms, viz. triple electron collisions, electron-phonon scattering, and long-range inhomogeneities affect transport properties, and highlight energy transfer facilitated by plasmons from the perspective of the inhomogeneous Luttinger liquid model. Finally, we derive the full matrix of thermoelectric coefficients at the quantum critical point of the first conductance plateau transition, and address magnetoconductance in ballistic semiconductor nanowires with strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling.

Flux flow instability as a probe for quasiparticle energy relaxation time in Fe-chalcogenides

In this work, we aim to demonstrate the potential of the flux flow instability (FFI) tool as a probe for the evaluation of the quasiparticle energy relaxation time τ ϵ in iron-based superconductors (IBS). The knowledge of this microscopic parameter, its temperature dependence and the magnetic field influence, turns particularly useful to implement IBS materials in photon detection applications, as well as to get information on the gap symmetry or its anisotropy. Here, we focus on Fe(Se,Te) thin films that both from structural and magnetic properties show the simpler behaviour, thus it can be a reference test for any more complex IBS. By current-voltage characterizations and resistance measurements, we investigate the FFI features in the presence of an external applied magnetic field as a function of the angular dependence between the crystal structure of the film and the orientation of the field. We describe the observed experimental characteristics of FFI within the intrinsic electronic mechanism of Larkin-Ovchinnikov model. In this way, we are able to give a quantitative estimate of τ ϵ in Fe(Se,Te) that can be compared with evaluation from other techniques such as pump and probe measurements. Thus, the angular measurements of FFI in high magnetic fields are a viable route to the possible mechanisms of quasiparticle relaxation and to the complementary knowledge on its anisotropy.

Scrambling versus relaxation in Fermi and non-Fermi liquids

We compute the Lyapunov exponent characterizing quantum scrambling in a family of generalized Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev models, which can be tuned between different low temperature states from Fermi liquids, through non-Fermi liquids to fast scramblers. The analytic calculation, controlled by a small coupling constant and large $N$, allows us to clarify the relations between the quasi-particle relaxation rate $1/\tau$ and the Lyapunov exponent $\lambda_L$ characterizing scrambling. In the Fermi liquid states we find that the quasi-particle relaxation rate dictates the Lyapunov exponent. In non-Fermi liquids, where $1/\tau \gg T$, we find that $\lambda_L$ is always $T$-linear with a prefactor that is independent of the coupling constant in the limit of weak coupling. Instead it is determined by a scaling exponent that characterizes the relaxation rate. $\lambda_L$ approaches the general upper bound $2\pi T$ at the transition to a fast scrambling state. Finally in a marginal Fermi liquid state the exponent is linear in temperature with a prefactor that vanishes as a non analytic function $\sim g \ln (1/g)$ of the coupling constant $g$.