Enhanced charge density wave coherence in a light-quenched, high-temperature superconductor

• Published in: arXiv.org 2022-05
• Main Authors: Wandel, S, Boschini, F, E H da Silva Neto, Shen, L, Na, M X, Zohar, S, Wang, Y, Welch, S B, Seaberg, M H, Koralek, J D, Dakovski, G L, Hettel, W, M-F, Lin, Moeller, S P, Schlotter, W F, Reid, A H, Minitti, M P, Boyle, T, F He, Sutarto, R, Liang, R, Bonn, D, Hardy, W, Kaindl, R A, Hawthorn, D G, J -S Lee, Kemper, A F, Damascelli, A, Giannetti, C, Turner, J J, Coslovich, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Charge density waves; Cuprates; Evolution; High temperature superconductors; Infrared lasers; Knobs; Phase modulation; Soft x rays; Steady state; Superconductivity; Time; X-ray scattering
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2003.04224

Superconductivity and charge density waves (CDW) are competitive, yet coexisting orders in cuprate superconductors. To understand their microscopic interdependence, a probe capable of discerning their interaction on its natural length and time scales is necessary. We use ultrafast resonant soft x-ray scattering to track the transient evolution of CDW correlations in YBa\(_{2}\)Cu\(_{3}\)O\(_{6+x}\) following the quench of superconductivity by an infrared laser pulse. We observe a non-thermal response of the CDW order characterized by a near doubling of the correlation length within \(\approx\) 1 picosecond of the superconducting quench. Our results are consistent with a model in which the interaction between superconductivity and CDW manifests inhomogeneously through disruption of spatial coherence, with superconductivity playing the dominant role in stabilizing CDW topological defects, such as discommensurations.