Juhe Liu | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Interface Control of Second-Harmonic Generation in Layered CuInP2S6 via PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 Domain Wall

The control of nonlinear optical responses in van der Waals ferroelectrics at the nanoscale offers opportunities for developing two-dimensional integrated nanophotonics with programmable functionalities. In this work, we report the first realization of nanoscale nonvolatile control of the amplitude and polarization of second-harmonic generation (SHG) response in layered CuInP2S6 (CIPS) via the domain structure in an interfacial PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 (PZT) thin film. The SHG intensity at CIPS/PZT heterointerface is continuously modulated, either substantially enhanced or almost entirely quenched, by the circular domain walls in underlying ferroelectric oxide. The interfacial coupling of CIPS polar axis with in-plane polarization of PZT domain walls tailors the SHG light polarization into two-fold (C2V) symmetry, which is well modeled by nonlinear electromagnetic theory. Overall, this study enables nonvolatile programmable design of nonlinear light intensity and polarization in van der Waals ferroelectrics at the nanoscale.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Composition-Driven Tunable Optical and Electrical Properties in Van der Waals Ferroelectric NbOI2-xClx Alloys

Layered niobium oxide dihalides NbOX2 (X = I, Cl), as a new family of Van der Waals (vdW) ferroelectrics, have attracted extensive attention, while achieving non-volatile modulation of their optical and electrical properties remains challenging, thereby limiting their integration into next-generation nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. Here, we report the controlled fabrication of highly crystalline NbOI2-xClx vdW alloys with composition-driven tunable optical and electrical properties via a chemical vapor transport method. Comprehensive experimental characterization combined with first-principles calculation shows that the crystal lattices, phonon modes, and band structures of NbOI2-xClx can be well tailored, which are distributed between NbOI2 and NbOCl2. Both the amplitude and polarization of second harmonic generation optical signal in NbOI2-xClx exhibit pronounced compositional dependence, offering optical evidence for tunable in-plane ferroelectric characteristic. Moreover, field-effect transistors based on NbOI2-xClx display robust n-type semiconducting behavior, with threshold voltage and carrier mobility precisely modulated through adjustment of I/Cl molar ratio. Furthermore, 2D NbOI2-xClx photodetectors across all compositions exhibit exceptional gate-tunable current on/off ratio and strong polarization-sensitive photo-response. This study thus provides a new vdW ferroelectric material platform with tunable optical and electrical properties, paving the path for its implementation in modern nanophotonics and nanoelectronics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗