Ultrafast switching of composite order in A$_3$C$_{60}$

Abstract

We study the controlled manipulation of the Jahn-Teller metal state of fulleride compounds using nonequilibrium dynamical mean field theory. This anomalous metallic state is a spontaneous orbital-selective Mott phase, which is characterized by one metallic and two insulating orbitals. Using protocols based on transiently reduced hopping amplitudes or periodic electric fields, we demonstrate the possibility to switch orbitals between Mott insulating and metallic on a sub-picosecond timescale, and to rotate the order parameter between three equivalent states that can be distinguished by their anisotropic conductance. The Jahn-Teller metal phase of alkali-doped fullerides thus provides a promising platform for ultrafast persistent memory devices.