Direct Evidence of Interfacial Coherent Electron-Phonon Coupling in Single-Unit-Cell FeSe Film on Nb-Doped
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 126903 – Published 18 September, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/qxfc-khzf
Abstract
Interface-enhanced superconductivity in single-unit-cell FeSe on has been extensively pursued recently. The interfacial electron-phonon coupling (EPC) is widely proposed to enhance pairing, yet to be directly verified. Herein, using ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy, we discover a coherent 4.2 THz optical phonon mode that emerges only upon photoexcitation in FeTe/FeSe/ or FeTe/ heterostructures, but is absent in bare Nb-doped under identical subgap pumping. Atomic-scale electron energy loss spectroscopy in scanning transmission electron microscopy identifies this mode as out-of-plane oxygen vibrations localized at double terminated interface. Crucially, the phonon amplitude in FeTe/FeSe/ is more than twice as large as that in FeTe/, which can be attributed to higher electron doping that strengthens dipole moments penetrating the FeSe layer, thereby resulting in an enhanced interfacial EPC. Temperature-dependent dynamics further highlight the unique electronic nature of monolayer FeSe in sustaining this robust coupling. These findings provide direct evidence for dipole-mediated interfacial EPC as a critical mechanism of interfacial superconductivity in .