Transient Nanoscopy of Exciton Dynamics in 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

The electronic and optical properties of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides are dominated by strong excitonic resonances. Exciton dynamics plays a critical role in the functionality and performance of many miniaturized 2D optoelectronic devices; however, the measurement of nanoscale excitonic behaviors remains challenging. Here, a near-field transient nanoscopy is reported to probe exciton dynamics beyond the diffraction limit. Exciton recombination and exciton-exciton annihilation processes in monolayer and bilayer MoS₂ are studied as the proof-of-concept demonstration. Moreover, with the capability to access local sites, intriguing exciton dynamics near the monolayer-bilayer interface and at the MoS₂ nano-wrinkles are resolved. Such nanoscale resolution highlights the potential of this transient nanoscopy for fundamental investigation of exciton physics and further optimization of functional devices.