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Dynamically tunable polarized mid-infrared light-emitting diodes from polarization singularities in a band-edge Weyl
Junrong Zhang1,2, Fengyuan Xuan3, Jiexi Song3
1i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Nature Communications
|December 12, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed tunable polarized light emitters using tellurium, a Weyl semiconductor. These devices offer adjustable polarization, paving the way for novel topological optoelectronics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Conventional semiconductors have fixed light polarization determined by selection rules.
- Weyl semiconductors exhibit unique polarization contrasts due to band-crossing Weyl nodes, enabling carrier dynamics sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate tunable polarized light emission from mid-infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
- To investigate the role of Weyl nodes at the conduction band minimum (CBM) in polarization control.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of mid-infrared LEDs using van der Waals tellurium, a Weyl semiconductor.
- Experimental characterization of light polarization states under varying carrier densities.
- First-principles calculations to understand the origin of polarization tunability.
Main Results:
- Achieved high polarization tunability in tellurium LEDs, with linear polarization degrees adjustable from ~100% to 36%.
- Demonstrated that CBM-located Weyl nodes induce polarization singularities.
- Showed dynamic modulation of polarization by quasi-Fermi level shifts and hot-carrier recombination.
Conclusions:
- Band-edge Weyl nodes provide a platform for tunable polarized emitters.
- This work opens new possibilities for topological optoelectronics with dynamic polarization control.
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