Broken symmetries associated with a Kagome chiral charge order.

ABSTRACT: Chirality, or handedness, is ubiquitous in science, from cell biology to physics, and in condensed matter can underlie exotic phases such as chiral charge density waves and chiral superconductivity. However, detecting subtle broken symmetries that define such states is challenging, leading to debate and controversy. Here, using second-order optical response, we reveal the broken symmetries of a chiral charge density wave in the Kagome lattice KV₃Sb₅. Polarization-dependent mid-infrared photocurrent microscopy uncovers a longitudinal, helicity-dependent photocurrent associated with the charge order, indicating broken inversion and mirror symmetries. These findings, supported by theoretical analysis, directly establish the intrinsic chiral nature of the ordered state. M

SUBMITTER: Cheng ZJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12015278 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature