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Quantifying Plasmon-Enhanced Light Absorption in Monolayer WS2 Films
Serkan Butun1, Edgar Palacios1, Jeffrey D Cain1
1Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, ‡Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and §International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|April 11, 2017
Summary
Silver nanodisks boost light absorption in tungsten disulfide (WS₂) monolayers by fourfold. This enhancement in WS₂ films improves optoelectronic device performance, like solar cells and photodetectors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductors, like tungsten disulfide (WS₂), are promising for optoelectronics due to their unique properties.
- Improving light absorption in monolayer WS₂ is critical for efficient device applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate and quantify the absorption enhancement in WS₂ monolayer films.
- To explore the use of silver plasmonic nanodisk arrays for enhancing light absorption.
Main Methods:
- Conducted numerical simulations (full-field electromagnetic) and experimental optical absorption spectroscopy.
- Fabricated hybrid silver (Ag)/WS₂ heterostructures.
Main Results:
- Achieved a fourfold enhancement in WS₂ monolayer absorption near its band edge.
- Observed enhancement correlated with the plasmonic resonance of Ag nanodisk arrays.
- Calculated a 2.5-fold increase in short-circuit current for the Ag/WS₂ heterostructure.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid plasmonic/2D material structures significantly enhance light absorption in WS₂ monolayers.
- This approach facilitates the development of advanced 2D optoelectronic devices, including solar cells and photodetectors.