arXiv subjects

Léo Colombier

Publications and source records attributed to Léo Colombier.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Dynamically-enhanced strain in atomically thin resonators

Graphene and related two-dimensional (2D) materials associate remarkable mechanical, electronic, optical and phononic properties. As such, 2D materials are promising for hybrid systems that couple their elementary excitations (excitons, phonons) to their macroscopic mechanical modes. These built-in systems may yield enhanced strain-mediated coupling compared to bulkier architectures, e.g., comprising a single quantum emitter coupled to a nano-mechanical resonator. Here, using micro-Raman spectroscopy on pristine monolayer graphene drums, we demonstrate that the macroscopic flexural vibrations of graphene induce dynamical optical phonon softening. This softening is an unambiguous fingerprint of dynamically-induced tensile strain that reaches values up to $\mathbf{\approx 4 \times 10^{-4}}$ under strong non-linear driving. Such non-linearly enhanced strain exceeds the values predicted for harmonic vibrations with the same root mean square (RMS) amplitude by more than one order of magnitude. Our work holds promise for dynamical strain engineering and dynamical strain-mediated control of light-matter interactions in 2D materials and related heterostructures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Opto-valleytronic imaging of atomically thin semiconductors

Transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductors represent elementary components of layered heterostructures for emergent technologies beyond conventional opto-electronics. In their monolayer form they host electrons with quantized circular motion and associated valley polarization and valley coherence as key elements of opto-valleytronic functionality. Here, we introduce two-dimensional polarimetry as means of direct imaging of the valley pseudospin degree of freedom in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides. Using MoS$_2$ as a representative material with valley-selective optical transitions, we establish quantitative image analysis for polarimetric maps of extended crystals, and identify valley polarization and valley coherence as sensitive probes of crystalline disorder. Moreover, we find site-dependent thermal and non-thermal regimes of valley-polarized excitons in perpendicular magnetic fields. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of wide-field polarimetry for rapid inspection of opto-valleytronic devices based on atomically thin semiconductors and heterostructures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Identifying optical signatures of momentum-dark excitons in transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers (MLs) exhibit rich photoluminescence spectra associated with interband optical transitions of direct-gap semiconductors. Upon absorption of photons, direct excitons with zero center-of-mass momentum are formed by photo-excited electrons in the conduction band and the respective unoccupied states in the valence band of the same valley. Different spin configurations of such momentum-direct excitons as well as their charged counterparts provide a powerful platform for spin-valley and microcavity physics in two-dimensional materials. The corresponding spectral signatures, however, are insufficient to explain the main characteristic peaks observed in the photoluminescence spectra of ML TMDs on the basis of momentum-\textit{direct} excitons alone. Here, we show that the notion of momentum-\textit{indirect} excitons is important for the understanding of the versatile photoluminescence features. Taking into account phonon-assisted radiative recombination pathways for electrons and holes from dissimilar valleys, we interpret unidentified peaks in the emission spectra as acoustic and optical phonon sidebands of momentum-dark excitons. Our approach will facilitate the interpretation of optical, valley and spin phenomena in TMDs arising from bright and dark exciton manifolds.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

The role of momentum-dark excitons in the elementary optical response of bilayer WSe$_{2}$

Monolayer (ML) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) undergo substantial changes in the single-particle band structure and excitonic optical response upon the addition of just one layer. As opposed to the single-layer limit, the bandgap of bilayer (BL) TMD semiconductors is indirect which results in reduced photoluminescence with richly structured spectra that have eluded a detailed understanding to date. Here, we provide a closed interpretation of the elementary optical responses of BL WSe$_2$ as a representative material for the wider class of TMD semiconductors. By combining theoretical calculations with comprehensive spectroscopy experiments, we identify the crucial role of momentum-indirect excitons for the understanding of basic absorption and emission spectra ubiquitously exhibited by various TMD BLs. Our results shed light on the origin of quantum dot (QD) formation in monolayer and bilayer crystals and will facilitate further advances directed at opto-electronic applications of layered TMD semiconductors in van der Waals heterostructures and devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Cavity-control of bright and dark interlayer excitons in van der Waals heterostructures

Monolayer (ML) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) integrated in optical microcavities host exciton-polaritons as a hallmark of the strong light-matter coupling regime. Analogous concepts for hybrid light-matter systems employing spatially indirect excitons with a permanent electric dipole moment in heterobilayer (HBL) crystals promise realizations of exciton-polariton gases and condensates with immanent dipolar interactions. Here, we identify optical signatures of spatially indirect momentum-bright and momentum-dark interlayer excitons in vertical MoSe$_2$-WSe$_2$ heterostructures and implement cavity-control of both exciton manifolds. Our experiments quantify the strength of light-matter coupling for both zero and finite momentum excitons residing in Moiré superlattices of TMD HBLs and demonstrate that both exciton species are susceptible to Purcell enhancement in cavity-modified photonic environments. Our results form the basis for further developments of dipolar exciton-polariton gases and condensates in hybrid cavity -- van der Waals heterostructure systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗