Observation of Circular Dichroism Induced by Electronic Chirality

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Qian Xiao - , Peking University (Author)
  • Oleg Janson - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Sonia Francoual - , German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) (Author)
  • Qingzheng Qiu - , Peking University (Author)
  • Qizhi Li - , Peking University (Author)
  • Shilong Zhang - , Peking University (Author)
  • Wu Xie - , German Electron Synchrotron (DESY), Zhejiang University (Author)
  • Pablo Bereciartua - , German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) (Author)
  • Jeroen Van Den Brink - , Clusters of Excellence ct.qmat: Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter, Chair of Solid State Theory, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Jasper Van Wezel - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Yingying Peng - , Peking University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter (Author)

Abstract

Chiral phases of matter, characterized by a definite handedness, abound in nature, ranging from the crystal structure of quartz to spiraling spin states in helical magnets. In 1T-TiSe2 a source of chirality has been proposed that stands apart from these classical examples as it arises from combined electronic charge and quantum orbital fluctuations. This may allow its chirality to be accessed and manipulated without imposing either structural or magnetic handedness. However, direct bulk evidence that broken inversion symmetry and chirality are intrinsic to TiSe2 remains elusive. Here, employing resonant elastic x-ray scattering technique, we reveal the presence of circular dichroism, i.e., polarization dependence of the resonant diffraction intensity, up to ∼40% at forbidden Bragg peaks that emerge at the charge and orbital ordering transition. The dichroism varies dramatically with incident energy and azimuthal angle. Comparison to calculated scattering intensities traces its origin to bulk chiral electronic order in TiSe2 and establishes resonant elastic x-ray scattering as a sensitive probe to electronic chirality.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number126402
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume133
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - 20 Sept 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas