Ultrafast electron calorimetry uncovers a new long-lived metastable state in 1<i>T</i>-TaSe<sub>2</sub> mediated by mode-selective electron-phonon coupling.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 30838333.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.aav4449 and PMC identifier 6397029.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Quantum materials represent one of the most promising frontiers in the quest for faster, lightweight, energy-efficient technologies. However, their inherent complexity and rich phase landscape make them challenging to understand or manipulate. Here, we present a new ultrafast electron calorimetry technique that can systematically uncover new phases of quantum matter. Using time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we measure the dynamic electron temperature, band structure, and heat capacity. This approach allows us to uncover a new long-lived metastable state in the charge density wave material 1<i>T</i>-TaSe<sub>2</sub>, which is distinct from all the known equilibrium phases: It is characterized by a substantially reduced effective total heat capacity that is only 30% of the normal value, because of selective electron-phonon coupling to a subset of phonon modes. As a result, less energy is required to melt the charge order and transform the state of the material than under thermal equilibrium conditions.