Intrinsic 1$${T}^{{\prime} }$$ phase induced in atomically thin 2H-MoTe2 by a single terahertz pulse

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: The polymorphic transition from 2 H to 1 $${T}^{{\prime} }$$ T ′ -MoTe 2 , which was thought to be induced by high-energy photon irradiation among many other means, has been intensely studied for its technological relevance in nanoscale transistors due to the remarkable improvement in electrical performance. However, it remains controversial whether a crystalline 1 $${T}^{{\prime} }$$ T ′ phase is produced because optical signatures of this putative transition are found to be associated with the formation of tellurium clusters instead. Here we demonstrate the creation of an intrinsic 1 $${T}^{{\prime} }$$ T ′ lattice after irradiating a mono- or few-layer 2 H -MoTe 2 with a single field-enhanced terahertz pulse. Unlike optical pulses, the low terahertz photon energy limits possible structural damages. We further develop a single-shot terahertz-pump-second-harmonic-probe technique and reveal a transition out of the 2 H -phase within 10 ns after photoexcitation. Our results not only provide important insights to resolve the long-standing debate over the light-induced polymorphic transition in MoTe 2 but also highlight the unique capability of strong-field terahertz pulses in manipulating quantum materials.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41291-w

Authors: Jiaojian Shi, Ya-Qing Bie, Alfred Zong, Shiang Fang, Wei Chen, Jinchi Han, Zhaolong Cao, Yong Zhang, Takashi Taniguchi, Kenji Watanabe, Xuewen Fu, Vladimir Bulović, Efthimios Kaxiras, Edoardo Baldini, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, Keith A. Nelson

Institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, University of California, Berkeley, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Harvard University, Peking University, National Institute for Materials Science, Nankai University, The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: 2D Materials and Applications

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $6,290

Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Adolph C. and Mary Sprague Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science, University of California Berkeley, University of Texas at Austin, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Army Research Office

OpenAlex ID: W4386945303