Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Experimental Methods for Spin- and Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy Combined with Polarization-Variable Laser
Published on: June 28, 2018
Spin valley dynamics of phonons entangled with circularly polarized light in WSe2
Guodong Liu1, Chundan Lin1, Sen Wang1
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Optical Detection Technology, Center for Basic Research in Energy Interdisciplinary Studies, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China.
Abstract:
Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have generated considerable interest in optoelectronics and valence-band electronics due to their unique electronic structures. In this paper, we incorporate the spin-orbit coupling effects and use the left-handed circularly polarized excitation of K-valley electrons as an example to investigate the excited-state dynamics of the coupling between the optical field and phonons in WSe2. We reveal that left-handed light selectively excites K-valley electrons, while right-handed light selectively excites K'-valley electrons, inducing periodic Rabi oscillations. As the temperature increases from 100 K to 300 K, enhanced phonon interactions alter the primary electron relaxation pathways. At 100 K, post-depolarisation equilibrium sees over 70% of electrons distributed across and CB@K'↑, with approximately 20% residing in the CB@K↑ state. At 300 K, enhanced spin-orbit coupling induces frequent spin flips between the CB@K↓ and CB@K'↑ states following depolarisation equilibrium. Finally, we define the initial electron at the K-valley VB@K↑ and excite it with left-handed light. This achieves a comprehensive simulation of the electron transitioning from the ground state to the excited state and subsequently relaxing to the equilibrium state under the combined effects of the optical field and phonons. And this combined action of light field and phonons activates the inter-valley scattering pathway (VB@K↑ → CB@K'↑).
Related Concept Videos
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling
Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
Valence Bond Theory
NMR Spectroscopy: Spin–Spin Coupling
Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the involved orbitals. The...

