Science Daily January 2, 2019
Using ultrafast terahertz pump-probe a team of researchers in the US (Iowa State University, University of Alabama) found an unusual out-of-equilibrium Cooper pair nonlinear dynamics and a nonequilibrium state in iron pnictides. They identified long prebottleneck dynamics that are sensitive to both doping and temperature. According to the researchers the buildup of excitonic interpocket correlation between electron-hole quasiparticles quenches superconductivity after photoexcitation leading to a long-lived, many-quasiparticle excitonic state. Findings help create better superconducting electronics and energy-efficient devices…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Many quick images reveal the subtle movement of electron pairings inside the materials using long wavelength far-infrared light. CREDIT: US Department of Energy, Ames Laboratory