The interaction between light and matter in 2D and topological materials offers an intriguing means of manipulating emergent, non-equilibrium properties and unlocking novel functionalities within the ultrafast timescale, ranging from femtoseconds to picoseconds. In the last decade, noteworthy light-induced phenomena, including Bloch–Floquet states and photo-induced phase transitions, have been reported.
Through the resonant excitation of electrons or lattices, particularly with high-power terahertz light the energy landscape of 2D and topological materials can be changed. This alteration can give rise to light-induced phase transitions, such as the emergence of light-induced superconductivity or hidden states.
Light- induced topological phase transitions, reproduction of figure 3 given in Bao, C., Tang, P., Sun, D. et al. Light-induced emergent phenomena in 2D materials and topological materials. Nature Review Physics 4, 33–48 (2022).
