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Photonics and optoelectronics of 2D semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides

Nature Photonics volume 10, pages 216–226 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Recent advances in the development of atomically thin layers of van der Waals bonded solids have opened up new possibilities for the exploration of 2D physics as well as for materials for applications. Among them, semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides, MX2 (M = Mo, W; X = S, Se), have bandgaps in the near-infrared to the visible region, in contrast to the zero bandgap of graphene. In the monolayer limit, these materials have been shown to possess direct bandgaps, a property well suited for photonics and optoelectronics applications. Here, we review the electronic and optical properties and the recent progress in applications of 2D semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides with emphasis on strong excitonic effects, and spin- and valley-dependent properties.

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Figure 1: Electronic and optical properties of 2D TMDs.
Figure 2: Strong excitonic effects in 2D TMDs.
Figure 3: Structure, mechanism and performance of 2D TMD photodetectors.
Figure 4: Valley-dependent optoelectronic devices.
Figure 5: Coupled TMD–cavity photonic devices.
Figure 6: Quantum dot single-photon emitters in monolayer WSe2.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences under contracts DESC0013883 (K.F.M.) and DESC0012635, the National Science Foundation under awards DMR-1410407 and 1420451, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under grant FA9550-14-1-0268 (J.S.) for support.

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  1. Department of Physics and Center for Two-Dimensional and Layered Materials, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802-6300, Pennsylvania, USA

    Kin Fai Mak & Jie Shan

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Mak, K., Shan, J. Photonics and optoelectronics of 2D semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides. Nature Photon 10, 216–226 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2015.282

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