Search

Electrons and holes in quantum materials often self-organize into ordered electronic phases, such as charge or spin density waves. These states are widely regarded as competing with superconductivity, and achieving their control could lead to higher superconducting transition temperatures. By using ultrafast optical and soft x-ray pulses, here, the authors observe a novel sliding state of the charge density wave in the cuprate superconductor La${}_{1.875}$Ba${}_{0.125}$CuO${}_{4}$, in which the condensate translates with respect to the lattice due to the ultrafast pump field.