Exciton Propagation and Halo Formation in Two-Dimensional Materials

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Raül Perea-Causín - , Chalmers University of Technology (Author)
  • Samuel Brem - , Chalmers University of Technology (Author)
  • Roberto Rosati - , Chalmers University of Technology (Author)
  • Roland Jago - , Chalmers University of Technology (Author)
  • Marvin Kulig - , University of Regensburg (Author)
  • Jonas D. Ziegler - , University of Regensburg (Author)
  • Jonas Zipfel - , University of Regensburg (Author)
  • Alexey Chernikov - , University of Regensburg (Author)
  • Ermin Malic - , Chalmers University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

The interplay of optics, dynamics, and transport is crucial for the design of novel optoelectronic devices, such as photodetectors and solar cells. In this context, transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have received much attention. Here, strongly bound excitons dominate optical excitation, carrier dynamics, and diffusion processes. While the first two have been intensively studied, there is a lack of fundamental understanding of nonequilibrium phenomena associated with exciton transport that is of central importance (e.g., for high-efficiency light harvesting). In this work, we provide microscopic insights into the interplay of exciton propagation and many-particle interactions in TMDs. On the basis of a fully quantum mechanical approach and in excellent agreement with photoluminescence measurements, we show that Auger recombination and emission of hot phonons act as a heating mechanism giving rise to strong spatial gradients in excitonic temperature. The resulting thermal drift leads to an unconventional exciton diffusion characterized by spatial exciton halos.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7317-7323
Number of pages7
JournalNano letters
Volume19
Issue number10
Publication statusPublished - 9 Oct 2019
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 31532993

Keywords

Keywords

  • Auger scattering, exciton diffusion, halos, hot phonons