Highlights

Irreversible process of the atomic reconstruction phenomenon induced by uniaxial stress in MnP

Hiromu Tamatsukuri, Tatsuya Kozawa, Setsuo Mitsuda, Masayoshi Fujihala, Katsuki Kinjo, Kazuhiro Nawa, Hung-Cheng Wu, Taku J. Sato, and Shin-ichiro Yano

Phys. Rev. B 112, 184115 (2025) - Published 24 November, 2025

The authors present here a process of a unusual “atomic reconstruction” phenomenon. Applying a uniaxial stress along the a axis (σa) to a single domain structure of MnP generates crystal domains corresponding to structures in which the original structure is rotated by ±123.1° around the b axis. Additionally, the authors find applying further σa leads to “pseudopolycrysallization” around the b axis, although the ingot is not crushed macroscopically.

Majorana zero modes in a heterogeneous structure of topological and trivial domains in FeSe1xTex

Prashant Gupta, Jasmin Bedow, Eric Mascot, and Dirk K. Morr

Phys. Rev. B 112, L180505 (2025) - Published 24 November, 2025

One of the most puzzling observations in the putative topological superconductor FeSe1xTex is that not all vortices possess Majorana zero modes (MZMs). The authors propose here that this phenomenon arises from a heterogeneous mixture of strong topological and trivial superconducting domains, with only vortices in the former exhibiting MZMs. A unique spectroscopic signature separates topological and trivial vortices: a domain wall harboring a Majorana edge mode, which, when a vortex crosses from a trivial to a topological domain, is transferred to the vortex as an MZM.

Momentum-robust temporal scattering via PT-symmetry transition

Meng-Cheng Jin, Guang-Chen He, Ze-Guo Chen, Ming-Hui Lu, Peng Zhan, and Yan-Feng Chen

Phys. Rev. B 112, 184313 (2025) - Published 21 November, 2025

The authors show here that non-Hermitian terms can enforce a fixed geometric relationship between eigenstates of a two-level system on the Bloch sphere, governed by the system’s 𝒫𝒯 phase rather than by momentum. This geometric constraint yields a momentum-independent projection angle at temporal interfaces when the system undergoes a 𝒫𝒯-symmetry transition, enabling broadband control of temporal scattering. Measurements in an active acoustic lattice confirm the geometric prediction. This work identifies eigenstate-geometry restructuring as a key mechanism underlying temporal scattering phenomena.

Ubiquitous missing first Shapiro step in Al-InSb nanosheet Josephson junctions

Xingjun Wu, Haitian Su, Chuanchang Zeng, Ji-Yin Wang, Shili Yan, Dong Pan, Jianhua Zhao, Po Zhang, and H. Q. Xu

Phys. Rev. B 112, 184518 (2025) - Published 21 November, 2025

Why is the first Shapiro step often missing in Josephson junction experiments—a hallmark which has long been associated with topological superconductivity? The authors solve this puzzle here using topologically trivial Al–InSb nanosheet junctions, showing the missing step comes from a measurement blind region caused by sharp superconducting switching jumps. Tuning temperature, magnetic field, microwave power, or frequency restores the step when jumps are softened or lowered, identifying that there exists a ubiquitous non-topological origin.

Efficient GW band structure calculations using Gaussian basis functions and application to atomically thin transition-metal dichalcogenides

Rémi Pasquier, María Camarasa-Gómez, Anna-Sophia Hehn, Daniel Hernangómez-Pérez, and Jan Wilhelm

Phys. Rev. B 112, 205130 (2025) - Published 21 November, 2025

The GW approximation is the state-of-the-art Green’s function method for calculating electronic band structures beyond density functional theory. The authors present here an atomic-orbital GW algorithm that enables efficient band-structure calculations for two-dimensional materials on a laptop. Implemented as an open-source module in the CP2K program, the method is orders of magnitude faster than conventional plane wave approaches, while retaining high accuracy.

Unconventional spin dynamics and supersolid excitations in the triangular-lattice XXZ model

Rafael Flores-Calderón, Roderich Moessner, and Frank Pollmann

Phys. Rev. B 112, 184423 (2025) - Published 20 November, 2025

The authors investigate here the spin-½ XXZ model on the triangular lattice with strong Ising anisotropy, motivated by recent neutron scattering experiments. DMRG simulations of the dynamical spin structure factor reveal a roton-like minimum and a broad continuum beyond linear spin-wave theory. The authors contrast these results with hard-core boson methods, Schwinger bosons, and a variational supersolid quantum-dimer ansatz. The supersolid QDM wavefunction and the DMRG ground state produce nearly identical dimer structure factors with pronounced transverse photon-like excitations.

Sextets in four-terminal Josephson junctions

Miriam Rike Ebert, David Christian Ohnmacht, Wolfgang Belzig, and Juan Carlos Cuevas

Phys. Rev. B 112, 195430 (2025) - Published 19 November, 2025

The authors show here how correlated processes involving the simultaneous tunneling of three Cooper pairs, known as sextets, can be revealed in the current-phase relation of four-terminal Josephson junctions. They also show how they are connected to the hybridization of Andreev bound states in these devices, and they argue that sextets were already indirectly observed in recent experiments in hybrid superconductor-semiconductor heterostructures.

Higher Chern bands in helical homotrilayer transition metal dichalcogenides

Jungho Daniel Choi, Nicolás Morales-Durán, Yves H. Kwan, Andrew J. Millis, Nicolas Regnault, and Daniele Guerci

Phys. Rev. B 112, 205122 (2025) - Published 19 November, 2025

Band topology, as encoded by the Chern number calculated from the quantum geometry (wavefunction overlap) of electronic states, is implicated in many interesting electronic behaviors. Many examples of bands with Chern number C=±1 are known. The authors show here, using a single-particle model with parameters appropriate for MoTe2, that helically twisted transition metal dichalcogenide homotrilayers may exhibit a highest-energy band with Chern number 2 that is tunable via displacement field and persists beyond the single-particle approximation.

Digital quantum simulation of the Kitaev quantum spin liquid

Seongjun Park and Eun-Gook Moon

Phys. Rev. B 112, 205123 (2025) - Published 19 November, 2025

The authors present here a digital quantum simulation protocol that prepares and manipulates the ground and excited states of the Kitaev quantum spin liquid. The protocol is based on a two-step unitary decomposition that separates the fermionic rotations within a fixed gauge sector from operations that change the gauge field. Implemented on a superconducting quantum processor, it successfully prepares the ground state and controls the excitations of the Kitaev model.

Generation of phonons with angular momentum during ultrafast demagnetization

M. S. Mrudul, Markus Weißenhofer, and Peter M. Oppeneer

Phys. Rev. B 112, L180407 (2025) - Published 19 November, 2025

A century ago, Einstein and de Haas observed the transfer of spin angular momentum to mechanical rotation. It remains, however, unknown how the Einstein-de Haas effect operates at ultrafast timescales and atomic length scales. The authors use here time-dependent density functional theory combined with nuclear dynamics to investigate how ferromagnetic FePt reacts when irradiated by a femtosecond laser. They find that ultrafast loss of electronic spin angular momentum leads to generation of phonons carrying angular momentum, in a transfer process mediated by spin-orbit interaction.

Zero-flux localization: Magic flat bands via non-Abelian gauge fields

Alireza Parhizkar and Victor Galitski

Phys. Rev. B 112, L201115 (2025) - Published 19 November, 2025

Solving a longstanding puzzle, the authors give here an exact account of magic flat bands at zero net magnetic flux. They present closed-form wavefunctions and recast moiré “magic” as a special case of zero-flux localization. A single real-space criterion enforced by a non-Abelian spin field guarantees perfect flatness. Remarkably, the solution is clear enough for graduate-level homework and serves as a springboard toward strongly correlated phases in zero-flux settings.

Tunable roton-like exciton states via magnetic fields in two-dimensional layered systems

Yingda Chen, Wen-Kai Lou, and Kai Chang

Phys. Rev. B 112, 195304 (2025) - Published 17 November, 2025

Excitons are crucial for the optical and electronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures, characterized by large binding energies and excitonic Bose-Einstein condensates. Here, the authors show that magnetic fields can selectively control intralayer and interlayer excitons. Intralayer excitons show weak quadratic diamagnetic shifts and strong screening dependence, whereas interlayer states with finite spacing experience strengthened magnetic confinement, producing linear-in-B shifts, pronounced mass renormalization, and rotonlike minima for B ≲30 T. Magnetic fields thus act as a practical knob for exciton-specific tunable optoelectronic functionality.

Sensitive infrared surface photovoltage in quasiequilibrium in a layered semiconductor at low-intensity low-temperature conditions

Qiang Wan, Keming Zhao, Guohao Dong, Enting Li, Tianyu Yang, Hao Wang, Yaobo Huang, Yao Wen, Yiwei Li, Jun He, Youguo Shi, Hong Ding, and Nan Xu

Phys. Rev. B 112, L201114 (2025) - Published 17 November, 2025

The surface photovoltaic effect (SPV) is extensively utilized in optoelectronic devices including ultraviolet/infrared photodetectors, ambient light sensors, and specific solar cell configurations. It enables the conversion of light energy into electrical signals or electrical power by inducing a surface potential difference in materials upon illumination. The authors demonstrate here an ultrahigh sensitive SPV in NbSi0.5Te2 under low-illumination and low-temperature conditions, while stronger infrared illumination suppresses SPV via the Dember effect. Temperature-dependent measurements reveal that the ultrahigh photoresponse arises as bulk carrier freezing at low temperatures enables minute photoexcited carriers to dominate. The work also highlights an observer effect in ARPES measurements, where the probing itself alters the system’s original state.

Two-dimensional Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations in PtSe2: A fermiological charge carrier investigation

Julian Max Salchegger, Rajdeep Adhikari, Bogdan Faina, and Alberta Bonanni

Phys. Rev. B 112, 195425 (2025) - Published 14 November, 2025

PtSe2 exhibits substantial spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and is expected to host large orbital currents, making it an appealing candidate for low-dissipation computing. However, its charge carrier dynamics system remains largely unexplored. The authors investigate here quantum oscillations, revealing essential charge carrier characteristics. Further, Pt vacancies are found to break the time-reversal symmetry, reducing the SOC. The results provide quantitative information about the dynamics of charge carriers in PtSe2 and approach the origin of the nontrivial Berry phase detected in this system.

Enantiomer-dependent study of photogalvanic effects in the multifold fermion PdGa

Wesley E. Deeg, Sujan Subedi, Manita Rai, Alexandre Crosbie, Michael Zdilla, Chandra Shekhar, Claudia Felser, and Darius H. Torchinsky

Phys. Rev. B 112, 195114 (2025) - Published 13 November, 2025

Weyl topological materials with chiral crystal structures provide a valuable platform for investigating the relationship between structural chirality and nonlinear optical response. Using terahertz emission photogalvanic effect spectroscopy, the authors demonstrate here that both bulk and surface states of the multifold fermion material PdGa yield transients whose sign depends on material handedness. Surface-specific measurements further reveal that the nature of the helicoidally dispersing state is reflected in the complementary dependence of the photocurrent direction as a function of photon energy.

Terahertz-induced population transfer between exciton complexes in monolayer WSe2

Marzia Cuccu, Tommaso Venanzi, Edith Wietek, Xiaoxiao Sun, Raul Perea-Causin, Takashi Taniguchi, Kenji Watanabe, Ermin Malic, Manfred Helm, Stephan Winnerl, and Alexey Chernikov

Phys. Rev. B 112, 205302 (2025) - Published 13 November, 2025

Pulsed terahertz radiation is shown here to efficiently convert excitonic many-particle complexes in monolayer semiconductors that are primary carriers of energy and information. The conversion is induced on demand after the optical injection, occurs on picosecond time scales, and persists across a broad temperature range. This offers both access to the formation of excitonic states and can be used for their manipulation using low-energy photons. The universal nature of the approach is expected be useful for a wide range of excitonic materials.

Weyl metal prediction and anomalous Hall effect in hexagonal Fe2MnSn alloy

Xuanhe Fu, Zezhong Li, Jiangtao Yu, Enke Liu, and Zhuhong Liu

Phys. Rev. B 112, 174412 (2025) - Published 12 November, 2025

The topological band structure is fundamental to condensed matter physics. This study identifies hexagonal D019-II type Fe2MnSn as a magnetic Weyl metal. First-principles calculations reveal symmetry-protected Weyl nodes near the Fermi level, yielding large intrinsic anomalous Hall conductivity (AHC). Experiments shows an AHC of 303 Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 10 K, with 92.7% attributed to Berry curvature, confirming dominant topological transport and establishing it as an ideal platform for exploring Berry curvature effects in topological magnetic materials with multiatomic configurations.

Generalized Wigner crystal states on square lattices

Zhan-Qin Tong, Da Wang, Bin Cheng, and Feng Miao

Phys. Rev. B 112, 195113 (2025) - Published 12 November, 2025

The authors present here a comprehensive study of generalized Wigner crystals on a square lattice with long-range density-density interactions. Combining classical Monte Carlo and quantum mean-field theory, they systematically determine the charge-ordered ground states for a wide range of fillings. The phase diagram is explained by a hierarchical construction involving different fundamental states and a dual lattice subtraction rule, with most crystals found to be stable against quantum melting.

Correction of out-of-plane spin torque extracted from second harmonic Hall measurements: Role of antisymmetric planar Hall effects

Qi Jia, Sreejith Nair, Yifei Yang, Seung Gyo Jeong, Seungjun Lee, Denis Tonini, Shuang Liang, Yu-Chia Chen, Onri Jay Benally, Brahmdutta Dixit, Tony Low, Bharat Jalan, and Jian-Ping Wang

Phys. Rev. B 112, 174409 (2025) - Published 10 November, 2025

The authors identify here a previously overlooked artifact in second harmonic Hall measurements: the antisymmetric planar Hall effect (APHE). Using rutile RuO2 as a model system, they show that APHE mixes with the cos(2φ) term and leads to up to 20% overestimation of the out-of-plane damping-like torque. A corrected analytical model is presented to accurately evaluate z-spin torque components in low-symmetry spin–orbit materials.

Three-dimensional spinless Euler insulators with rotational symmetry

Manabu Sato, Shingo Kobayashi, Motoaki Hirayama, and Akira Furusaki

Phys. Rev. B 112, 195108 (2025) - Published 10 November, 2025

The Euler class is a ℤ-valued topological invariant characterizing two real bands protected by C2z𝒯 symmetry. The authors investigate here the relationship between the Euler class and rotation symmetry in spinless insulators with additional C4z or C6z symmetry. They derive general formulas relating the Euler class to rotation eigenvalues and two types of representation-protected invariants. They further construct tight-binding models and present numerical calculations of the Wilson loop spectra and topological surface states to support their analysis.

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