Superconducting optical response of photodoped Mott insulators

Ultrafast laser pulses can redistribute charges in Mott insulators on extremely short time scales, leading to the fast generation of photocarriers. It has recently been demonstrated that these photocarriers can form a novel [Formula: see text]-paired condensate at low temperatures, featuring a staggered superconducting pairing field. In this conference paper, we discuss the origin of the [Formula: see text]-paired hidden phase and its optical response, which may be detected in a pump-probe experiment. The hidden phase may be relevant for possible light-induced superconductivity in Mott insulators.Ultrafast laser pulses can redistribute charges in Mott insulators on extremely short time scales, leading to the fast generation of photocarriers. It has recently been demonstrated that these photocarriers can form a novel [Formula: see text]-paired condensate at low temperatures, featuring a staggered superconducting pairing field. In this conference paper, we discuss the origin of the [Formula: see text]-paired hidden phase and its optical response, which may be detected in a pump-probe experiment. The hidden phase may be relevant for possible light-induced superconductivity in Mott insulators.

arXiv:2001.00184Modern Physics Letters BJun 12, 20204 citations

η -paired superconducting hidden phase in photodoped Mott insulators

Jiajun Li, Denis Golež, Philipp Werner +1 more

We show that a metastable $\ensuremath{\eta}$-pairing superconducting phase can be induced by photodoping doublons and holes into a strongly repulsive fermionic Hubbard model. The doublon-hole condensate originates from an intrinsic doublon-hole exchange interaction and does not rely on the symmetry of the half-filled Hubbard model. It extends over a wide range of doublon densities and effective temperatures. Different nonequilibrium protocols to realize this state are proposed and numerically tested. We also study the optical conductivity in the superconducting phase, which exhibits ideal metallic behavior, i.e., a delta function at zero frequency in the conductivity, in conjunction with a negative conductivity at large frequencies. These characteristic optical properties can provide a fingerprint of the $\ensuremath{\eta}$-pairing phase in pump-probe experiments.We show that a metastable $\ensuremath{\eta}$-pairing superconducting phase can be induced by photodoping doublons and holes into a strongly repulsive fermionic Hubbard model. The doublon-hole condensate originates from an intrinsic doublon-hole exchange interaction and does not rely on the symmetry of the half-filled Hubbard model. It extends over a wide range of doublon densities and effective temperatures. Different nonequilibrium protocols to realize this state are proposed and numerically tested. We also study the optical conductivity in the superconducting phase, which exhibits ideal metallic behavior, i.e., a delta function at zero frequency in the conductivity, in conjunction with a negative conductivity at large frequencies. These characteristic optical properties can provide a fingerprint of the $\ensuremath{\eta}$-pairing phase in pump-probe experiments.

arXiv:1908.08693Physical review. B./Physical review. BOct 20, 202064 citations

Photoinduced η Pairing in the Hubbard Model

Tatsuya Kaneko, Tomonori Shirakawa, Sandro Sorella +1 more

By employing unbiased numerical methods, we show that pulse irradiation can induce unconventional superconductivity even in the Mott insulator of the Hubbard model. The superconductivity found here in the photoexcited state is due to the η-pairing mechanism, characterized by staggered pair-density-wave oscillations in the off-diagonal long-range correlation, and is absent in the ground-state phase diagram; i.e., it is induced neither by a change of the effective interaction of the Hubbard model nor by simple photocarrier doping. Because of the selection rule, we show that the nonlinear optical response is essential to increase the number of η pairs and thus enhance the superconducting correlation in the photoexcited state. Our finding demonstrates that nonequilibrium many-body dynamics is an alternative pathway to access a new exotic quantum state that is absent in the ground-state phase diagram, and also provides an alternative mechanism for enhancing superconductivity.By employing unbiased numerical methods, we show that pulse irradiation can induce unconventional superconductivity even in the Mott insulator of the Hubbard model. The superconductivity found here in the photoexcited state is due to the η-pairing mechanism, characterized by staggered pair-density-wave oscillations in the off-diagonal long-range correlation, and is absent in the ground-state phase diagram; i.e., it is induced neither by a change of the effective interaction of the Hubbard model nor by simple photocarrier doping. Because of the selection rule, we show that the nonlinear optical response is essential to increase the number of η pairs and thus enhance the superconducting correlation in the photoexcited state. Our finding demonstrates that nonequilibrium many-body dynamics is an alternative pathway to access a new exotic quantum state that is absent in the ground-state phase diagram, and also provides an alternative mechanism for enhancing superconductivity.

arXiv:1809.01865Physical Review LettersFeb 22, 2019111 citations

Role of the phonon coupling in driving photoexcited Mott insulators towards a transient superconducting state

Sujay Ray, Martin Eckstein, Philipp Werner

Understanding light-induced hidden orders is relevant for nonequilibrium materials control and future ultrafast technologies. Hidden superconducting order, in particular, has been a focus of recent experimental and theoretical efforts. In this study, we investigate the stability of light-induced $\ensuremath{\eta}$ pairing. Using a memory truncated implementation of nonequilibrium dynamical mean field theory (DMFT) and entropy-cooling techniques, we study the long-time dynamics of the photoinduced superconducting state. In the presence of coupling to a cold phonon bath, the photodoped system reaches a quasi-steady state, which can be sustained over a long period of time in large-gap Mott insulators. We show that this long-lived prethermalized state is well described by the nonequilibrium steady-state implementation of DMFT.Understanding light-induced hidden orders is relevant for nonequilibrium materials control and future ultrafast technologies. Hidden superconducting order, in particular, has been a focus of recent experimental and theoretical efforts. In this study, we investigate the stability of light-induced $\ensuremath{\eta}$ pairing. Using a memory truncated implementation of nonequilibrium dynamical mean field theory (DMFT) and entropy-cooling techniques, we study the long-time dynamics of the photoinduced superconducting state. In the presence of coupling to a cold phonon bath, the photodoped system reaches a quasi-steady state, which can be sustained over a long period of time in large-gap Mott insulators. We show that this long-lived prethermalized state is well described by the nonequilibrium steady-state implementation of DMFT.

arXiv:2412.19205Physical review. B./Physical review. BMay 27, 20255 citations

Nonthermal superconductivity in photodoped multiorbital Hubbard systems

Sujay Ray, Yuta Murakami, Philipp Werner

Superconductivity in laser-excited correlated electron systems has attracted considerable interest due to reports of light-induced superconductinglike states. Here we explore the possibility of nonthermal superconducting order in strongly interacting multiorbital Hubbard systems, using nonequilibrium dynamical mean field theory. We find that a staggered $\ensuremath{\eta}$-type superconducting phase can be realized on a bipartite lattice in the high photodoping regime, if the effective temperature of the photocarriers is sufficiently low. The $\ensuremath{\eta}$ superconducting state is stabilized by Hund coupling---a positive Hund coupling favors orbital-singlet spin-triplet $\ensuremath{\eta}$ pairing, whereas a negative Hund coupling stabilizes spin-singlet orbital-triplet $\ensuremath{\eta}$ pairing.Superconductivity in laser-excited correlated electron systems has attracted considerable interest due to reports of light-induced superconductinglike states. Here we explore the possibility of nonthermal superconducting order in strongly interacting multiorbital Hubbard systems, using nonequilibrium dynamical mean field theory. We find that a staggered $\ensuremath{\eta}$-type superconducting phase can be realized on a bipartite lattice in the high photodoping regime, if the effective temperature of the photocarriers is sufficiently low. The $\ensuremath{\eta}$ superconducting state is stabilized by Hund coupling---a positive Hund coupling favors orbital-singlet spin-triplet $\ensuremath{\eta}$ pairing, whereas a negative Hund coupling stabilizes spin-singlet orbital-triplet $\ensuremath{\eta}$ pairing.

arXiv:2305.06760Physical review. B./Physical review. BNov 27, 202313 citations

Photoinduced nonequilibrium states in Mott insulators

Yuta Murakami, Denis Golež, Martin Eckstein +1 more

The study of nonequilibrium phenomena in interacting lattice systems can provide new perspectives on correlation effects, and information on metastable states of matter. Mott insulators are a promising class of systems for nonequilibrium studies, since they exhibit exotic phenomena and complex phase diagrams upon doping, and because a large Mott gap provides protection against fast thermalization and heating after photo-excitations. We can thus expect the emergence of interesting transient states and photo-induced phases in Mott systems. This review presents the current understanding of the mechanisms which control the time evolution of photo-doped charge carriers and the properties of photo-induced metastable states. We focus on recent theoretical progress, identify the relevant underlying concepts, and link them to experimental observations. The review starts with a general discussion of field-induced nonequilibrium setups and an overview of key experiments which revealed characteristic properties of photo-excited Mott states, proceeds with a compact overview of the theoretical tools which have been developed to investigate these strongly correlated nonequilibrium states, and then analyzes Mott insulators driven out of equilibrium by static electric fields, periodic fields, and short laser pulses. We also discuss the appearance of nonthermal electronic orders in photo-excited Mott systems, including nonthermal spin and orbital orders, $η$ pairing states, and novel types of excitonic orders.The study of nonequilibrium phenomena in interacting lattice systems can provide new perspectives on correlation effects, and information on metastable states of matter. Mott insulators are a promising class of systems for nonequilibrium studies, since they exhibit exotic phenomena and complex phase diagrams upon doping, and because a large Mott gap provides protection against fast thermalization and heating after photo-excitations. We can thus expect the emergence of interesting transient states and photo-induced phases in Mott systems. This review presents the current understanding of the mechanisms which control the time evolution of photo-doped charge carriers and the properties of photo-induced metastable states. We focus on recent theoretical progress, identify the relevant underlying concepts, and link them to experimental observations. The review starts with a general discussion of field-induced nonequilibrium setups and an overview of key experiments which revealed characteristic properties of photo-excited Mott states, proceeds with a compact overview of the theoretical tools which have been developed to investigate these strongly correlated nonequilibrium states, and then analyzes Mott insulators driven out of equilibrium by static electric fields, periodic fields, and short laser pulses. We also discuss the appearance of nonthermal electronic orders in photo-excited Mott systems, including nonthermal spin and orbital orders, $η$ pairing states, and novel types of excitonic orders.

arXiv:2310.05201Reviews of Modern PhysicsMay 12, 202531 citations

η

pairing states, and novel types of excitonic orders.