Electric Field-Tunable Structural Phase Transitions in Monolayer Tellurium

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Chemistry

Background:

• Monolayer materials are crucial for next-generation electronics.
• Tellurium (Te) is a promising material with unique electronic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the electronic properties of monolayer tellurium under external electric fields.
• Explore the impact of electric fields on band gaps and atomic structures.

Main Methods:

• First-principles calculations were employed.
• Three atomic configurations (α-Te, β-Te, γ-Te) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• α-Te and γ-Te possess indirect band gaps; β-Te is a direct semiconductor without an electric field.
• Structural transformations and chirality changes occur in α- and γ-Te under specific electric fields.
• Perpendicular electric fields tune band gaps, approaching 0 eV at critical strengths.

Conclusions:

• Monolayer tellurium's electronic properties are highly tunable via electric fields.
• Significant potential exists for monolayer tellurium in designing nanoscale electronic devices.