Ultrafast generation of hidden phases via energy-tuned electronic photoexcitation in magnetite.

ABSTRACT: Phase transitions occurring in nonequilibrium conditions can evolve through high-energy intermediate states inaccessible via equilibrium adiabatic conditions. Because of the subtle nature of such hidden phases, their direct observation is extremely challenging and requires simultaneous visualization of matter at subpicoseconds and subpicometer scales. Here, we show that a magnetite crystal in the vicinity of its metal-to-insulator transition evolves through different hidden states when controlled via energy-tuned ultrashort laser pulses. By directly monitoring magnetite's crystal structure with ultrafast electron diffraction, we found that upon near-infrared (800 nm) excitation, the trimeron charge/orbital ordering pattern is destroyed in favor of a phase-separated state made of cubic-meta

SUBMITTER: Truc B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11214049 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature