- Open Access
Phonon-Activated Collective Hopping in a Superionic Phase
Phys. Rev. X 16, 031046 – Published 21 August, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/lx5w-x6wl
Abstract
Superionic conductors are fascinating systems representing a state of matter intermediate between solids and liquids, yet their underlying physics remain poorly understood. Correlations in jump dynamics have been theoretically proposed as a key mechanism underlying superionic diffusion, but a direct experimental demonstration remains elusive. Here, we report the direct observation of collective cation hopping in the argyrodite compound , using single-crystal neutron scattering to access the full four-dimensional space-time correlations of ionic motion. By leveraging the rarely used coherent scattering channel in quasielastic neutron scattering, together with diffuse scattering, we reveal pronounced short-range dynamical correlations between diffusing Cu ions, providing direct experimental evidence of collective hopping in a superionic phase. Machine-learned molecular dynamics simulations quantitatively reproduce all our measurements and pinpoint the dominant collective hopping mechanism. Furthermore, we establish through both experiments and simulations that the collective diffusive hops originate from the breakdown of low-energy phonons dominated by the Cu motions in the parent ordered phase, demonstrating a key link between phonon precursors and the activation of facile collective hops. This work presents the first direct experimental evidence of collective hopping in superionic argyrodites and identifies wave-vector-resolved soft phonons as its physical origin, advancing the microscopic understanding of ionic transport in superionic solids.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Popular Summary
Superionic conductors are unique materials in which ions diffuse through a crystalline framework as fast as in a liquid, making them attractive for applications such as solid-state batteries, fuel cells, iontronics, and thermoelectrics. Theory has long suggested that fast ionic transport in these materials arises from collective diffusion, but direct experimental evidence has been lacking. We provide observations of collective ionic hopping in a superionic phase and show that it is driven by specific vibration modes of the parent phase. By experimentally establishing collective hopping and identifying its vibrational origin, we uncover a key mechanism of superionic conduction. This provides a direct path for designing and optimizing superionic materials for a variety of applications.
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