Light-induced percolative topological phase transition in type-II Weyl semimetal WTe2

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a light-induced topological phase transition in WTe2, revealing a metastable state with unique terahertz properties and a percolative transition between distinct topological phases.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence and theoretical analysis of a light-driven topological phase transition in WTe2, highlighting a percolative mechanism and dynamic universality.

Findings

Observation of negative differential terahertz photoconductivity

Identification of a metastable electronic state

Detection of a temporal isosbestic point indicating universality

Abstract

We report on an ultrafast terahertz free-carrier dynamic study of a photo-excited WTe2 thin film. In the photo-excited state, we observe a metastable electronic state featuring negative differential terahertz photoconductivity and reduced scattering rate. Detailed electrodynamics analysis and first-principal calculation attribute it to light-induced topological phase transition, reducing density of states near the Fermi level. Furthermore, the emergence of an unconventional temporal isosbestic point marks a dynamic universality, strongly suggesting a percolative interaction between the two topologically distinct phases.