Dynamics of spin and orbital phase transitions in YVO3

TL;DR

This paper investigates the ultrafast dynamics of spin and orbital phase transitions in YVO3, revealing that spin order can be optically destroyed within 4 ps, while orbital reordering occurs over 100 ps via a nonthermal phase.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the differing timescales and mechanisms of spin and orbital transitions in YVO3, highlighting the role of symmetry in phase dynamics.

Findings

Spin order can be destroyed in less than 4 ps by optical pulses.

Orbital reordering from C-type to G-type takes over 100 ps and involves a nonthermal intermediate phase.

Phase transition dynamics are influenced by symmetry relations between phases.

Abstract

YVO3 exhibits a well separated sequence of orbital and spin order transitions at 200 K and 116 K, followed by a combined spin-orbital reorientation at 77 K. It is shown that the spin order can be destroyed by a sufficiently strong optical pulse within less than 4 ps. In contrast, the orbital reordering transition from C-type to G-type orbital order is slower than 100 ps and goes via an intermediate nonthermal phase. We propose that the dynamics of phase transitions is subjected to symmetry relations between the associated phases.