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Laser-Patterned Submicrometer Bi2Se3-WS2 Pixels with Tunable Circular Polarization at Room Temperature
Zachariah Hennighausen1, Darshana Wickramaratne2, Kathleen M McCreary2
1NRC Postdoc Residing at the Materials Science and Technology Division, United States Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|February 14, 2022
Summary
Researchers tuned light polarization and photoluminescence in a 2D material using low-power lasers. This method creates stable, reusable submicrometer features for spintronics and quantum computing applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Circular polarization of light is crucial for spintronics and quantum computing.
- Monolayer tungsten disulfide (WS2) is a promising 2D material for photon emitters and valleytronics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a method for tuning the photoluminescence (PL) and valley polarization of a Bi2Se3-WS2 2D heterostructure.
- To investigate the spatial confinement, stability, and reversibility of these tunable properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a low-power laser (0.762 μW) in ambient conditions to modify the Bi2Se3-WS2 heterostructure.
- Performed atmospheric experiments and first-principles calculations to understand the underlying mechanisms.
- Investigated spatial confinement, long-term stability, and reversibility via laser exposure in vacuum.
Main Results:
- Achieved significant tuning of PL intensity (×161), peak position (38.4 meV), circular polarization (39.4%), and valley polarization.
- Demonstrated spatially confined, submicrometer features (814 nm) with long-term stability (>334 days).
- Showed that changes are reversible through laser exposure in vacuum, enabling material reuse.
Conclusions:
- Oxygen diffusion modulates exciton recombination pathways, leading to tunable PL and valley polarization.
- The developed method offers a low-power, stable, and reusable approach for manipulating optical properties in 2D heterostructures.
- This technique has potential applications in advanced optoelectronic devices and quantum technologies.
