Speaker
Description
Light-induced superconducting-like responses have been observed in K₃C₆₀ when driving withmid-infrared laser pulses [1], with a pronounced 10 THz resonance reported more recently [2]. Here we address the microscopic origin of this resonance. Using numerical calculations for a realistic model of K₃C₆₀ we simulate the effect of a periodic drive on the strongly correlated system. We discuss a possible origin of the experimentally observed resonance and the relevant excitation pathway. Our results provide a microscopic explanation for the resonantly enhanced light-induced superconducting-like state in K₃C₆₀ and strengthen its interpretation as being closely connected to superconducting pairing rather than to purely optical or nonthermal population effects.
[1] Mitrano et al., Nature 530 461–464 (2016).
[2] Rowe et al., Nature Physics 19, 1821–1826 (2023).
[3] Budden et al., Nature Physics 17, 611–618 (2021).
[4] J. I. Aranzadi, J. Tindall, P. Fadler, M. A. Sentef, forthcoming (2026).
We acknowledge funding by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German ResearchFoundation)- 531215165 (Research Unit ‘OPTIMAL’)) and the European Union (ERC, CAVMAT,project no. 101124492).