Optically induced lattice deformations, electronic structure changes, and enhanced superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O6.48

Autor: R. Mankowsky, M. Fechner, M. Först, A. von Hoegen, J. Porras, T. Loew, G. L. Dakovski, M. Seaberg, S. Möller, G. Coslovich, B. Keimer, S. S. Dhesi, A. Cavalleri
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Zdroj: Structural Dynamics, Vol 4, Iss 4, Pp 044007-044007-9 (2017)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2329-7778
DOI: 10.1063/1.4977672
Popis: Resonant optical excitation of apical oxygen vibrational modes in the normal state of underdoped YBa2Cu3O6+x induces a transient state with optical properties similar to those of the equilibrium superconducting state. Amongst these, a divergent imaginary conductivity and a plasma edge are transiently observed in the photo-stimulated state. Femtosecond hard x-ray diffraction experiments have been used in the past to identify the transient crystal structure in this non-equilibrium state. Here, we start from these crystallographic features and theoretically predict the corresponding electronic rearrangements that accompany these structural deformations. Using density functional theory, we predict enhanced hole-doping of the CuO2 planes. The empty chain Cu dy2-z2 orbital is calculated to strongly reduce in energy, which would increase c-axis transport and potentially enhance the interlayer Josephson coupling as observed in the THz-frequency response. From these results, we calculate changes in the soft x-ray absorption spectra at the Cu L-edge. Femtosecond x-ray pulses from a free electron laser are used to probe changes in absorption at two photon energies along this spectrum and provide data consistent with these predictions.
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