Nonmonotonic Band Flattening near the Magic Angle of Twisted Bilayer MoTe 2
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Twisted bilayer MoTe 2 ( tMoTe 2 ) is an emergent platform for exploring exotic quantum phases driven by the interplay between nontrivial band topology and strong electron correlations. Direct experimental access to its momentum-resolved electronic structure is essential for uncovering the microscopic origins of the correlated topological phases therein. Here, we report angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements of tMoTe 2 , revealing pronounced twist-angle-dependent band reconstruction shaped by orbital character, interlayer coupling, and moiré potential modulation. Density functional theory captures the qualitative evolution, yet underestimates key energy scales across twist angles, highlighting the importance of electronic correlations. Notably, the hole effective mass at the K point exhibits a nonmonotonic dependence on twist angle, peaking near 2°, consistent with band flattening at the magic angle predicted by continuum models. Via electrostatic gating and surface dosing, we further visualize the evolution of electronic structure versus doping, enabling direct observation of the conduction band minimum and confirm tMoTe 2 as a direct band gap semiconductor. These results establish a spectroscopic foundation for modeling and engineering emergent quantum phases in this moiré platform.
Source: Physical Review X
DOI: 10.1103/q11l-9jy1
Institutions: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, University of Washington, Boston College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, National Institute for Materials Science, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Advanced Light Source
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,200
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Simons Foundation, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Office of Science, Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy, TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy, Stanford University, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems, Basic Energy Sciences, Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Advanced Light Source
Awards: G1079818582, G1143651532, G1229526393, G1286236842, G1286251239, G1451874870, G1863003419, G2371548206, NNCI: nano@stanford, G2442584775, G262532246, ULTRAFAST CONTROL OF EMERGING ELECTRONIC PHENOMENA IN 2D QUANTUM, G3083819904, G3702897590, G3884951186, G3958281630, G4089419421, G4091144171, G4162329948, G419881185, G4235786860, G4264918310, G4501827968, G453897845, G4654690619, G4806815962, G4941447227, G495301720, G498139845, G5570207115, G650090426, G6550344761, G6652958823, G6902702339, G7283024673, G7354628648, G7486974924, G7624836136, G8065195062, G8382000481, G8684999232, G898758523, G911061179, G969889393
OpenAlex ID: W4417065349