arXiv subjects

Mark I. Stockman

Publications and source records attributed to Mark I. Stockman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Femtosecond currents in transition metal dichalcogenides monolayers

We theoretically study the interaction of an ultrafast intense linearly polarized optical pulse with monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). Such a strong pulse redistributes electrons between the bands and generates femtosecond currents during the pulse. Due to the large bandwidth of the incident pulse, this process is completely off-resonant. While in TMDCs the time-reversal symmetry is conserved, the inversion symmetry is broken and these monolayers have the axial symmetry along armchair direction but not along the zigzag one. Therefore, the pulse polarized along the asymmetric direction of TMDC monolayer generates both longitudinal, i.e., along the direction of polarization, and transverse, i.e., in the perpendicular direction, currents. Such currents result in charge transfer through the system. We study different TMDC materials and show how the femtosecond transport in TMDC monolayers depend on their parameters, such as lattice constant and bandgap.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Anomalous Ultrafast All-Optical Hall Effect in Gapped Graphene

We propose an ultrafast all-optical anomalous Hall effect in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors of hexagonal symmetry such as gapped graphene (GG), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). To induce such an effect, the material is subjected to a sequence of two strong-field single-optical-cycle pulses: a chiral pump pulse followed within a few femtoseconds by a probe pulse linearly polarized in the armchair direction of the 2D lattice. Due to the effect of topological resonance, the first (pump) pulse induces a large chirality (valley polarization) in the system, while the second pulse generates a femtosecond pulse of the anomalous Hall current. The proposed effect is the fundamentally the fastest all-optical anomalous Hall effect possible in nature. It can be applied to ultrafast all-optical storage and processing of information, both classical and quantum.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Bilayer graphene in strong ultrafast laser fields

We theoretically investigate the interaction of an ultrastrong femtosecond-long linearly polarized optical pulse with AB-stacked bilayer graphene. The pulse excite electrons from the valence into the conduction band, resulting in finite conduction band population. Such a redistribution of electrons results in the generation of current which can be manipulated by the angle of incidence of the pulse. For the normal incidence, the current along a direction transverse to the polarization of the optical pulse is zero. However, the interlayer symmetry is broken up by a finite angle of incidence which causes induction of electric current in the direction perpendicular to the $x$-$z$ plane of polarization of the pulse. We show that the magnitude and the direction of such a current as well as charge transfer along this direction can be manipulated by tuning the angle of incidence of the laser pulse. Further, the symmetry of the system prohibits the generation of transverse current if the pulse is polarized along $y$-direction.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Ultrafast strong-field absorption in gapped graphene

We study theoretically the strong-field absorption of an ultrafast optical pulse by a gapped graphene monolayer. At low field amplitudes, the absorbance in the pristine graphene is equal to the universal value of $2.3$ percent. Although the ultrafast optical absorption for low field amplitudes is independent of the polarization, linear or circular, of the applied optical pulse, for high field amplitudes, the absorption strongly depends on the pulse polarization. For a linearly polarized pulse, the optical absorbance is saturated at the value of $\approx 1.4$ percent for the pulse's amplitude of $\geq 0.4~\mathrm{V/Å}$, but no such saturation is observed for a circularly polarized pulse. For the gapped graphene, the absorption of a linearly polarized pulse has a weak dependence on the bandgap, while for a circularly polarized pulse, the absorption is very sensitive to the bandgap. %Opening a bandgap in graphene by placing in on, for example, SiC substrate strongly modify the ultrafast absorption at small field amplitudes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Topological Nanospaser

We propose a nanospaser made of an achiral plasmonic-metal nanodisk and a two-dimensional chiral gain medium -- a monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC). When one valley of the TMDC is selectively pumped (e.g., by a circular-polarized radiation), the spaser generates a mode carrying a topological charge (chirality) that matches that of the gain valley. The chirally mismatched, time-reversed mode has exactly the same frequency but the opposite topological charge; it is actively suppressed by the gain saturation (population clamping) and never generates leading to a strong topological protection for the generating matched mode. This topological spaser is promising for the use in nanooptics and nanospectroscopy in the near-field especially in applications to biomolecules that are typically chiral. Another potential application is a chiral nanolabel for biomedical applications emitting in the far field an intense circularly-polarized coherent radiation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Topological Spaser

We theoretically introduce a topological spaser, which consists of a hexagonal array of plasmonic metal nanoshells containing an achiral gain medium in their cores. Such a spaser can generate two mutually time-reversed chiral surface plasmon modes in the $\mathbf K$- and $\mathbf K^\prime$-valleys, which carry the opposite topological charges, $\pm1$, and are described by a two-dimensional $E^{\prime}$ representation of the $D_{3h}$ point symmetry group. Due to the mode competition, this spaser exhibits a bistability: only one of these two modes generates, which is a spontaneous symmetry breaking. Such a spaser can be used for an ultrafast all-optical memory and information processing

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Topological resonance and single-optical-cycle valley polarization in gapped graphene

For gapped graphene, we predict that an intense ultrashort (single-oscillation) circularly-polarized optical pulse can induce a large population of the conduction band and a large valley polarization. With an increase in the bandgap, the magnitude of the valley polarization gradually increases from zero (for the native gapless graphene) to a value on the order of unity. The energy bandwidth of the electrons excited into the conduction band can be very large ($\gtrsim 10$ eV for a reasonable pulse amplitude of $\sim 0.5$ $\mathrm{V/Å}$). These phenomena are due to the effect of topological resonance: the matching of the topological (geometric) phase and the dynamic phase. Gapped graphene with tunable bandgap can be used as a convenient generic model of two-dimensional semiconductors with honeycomb generic lattice structures and broken inversion symmetry, such as transition metal dichalcogenides.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Ultrafast optical currents in gapped graphene

We study theoretically the interaction of ultrashort optical pulses with gapped graphene. Such strong pulse results in finite conduction band population and corresponding electric current both during and after the pulse. Since gapped graphene has broken inversion symmetry, it has an axial symmetry about the $y$-axis but not about the $x$-axis. We show that, in this case, if the linear pulse is polarized along the $x$-axis, the rectified electric current is generated in the $y$ direction. At the same time, the conduction band population distribution in the reciprocal space is symmetric about the $x$-axis. Thus, the rectified current in gapped graphene has inter-band origin, while the intra-band contribution to the rectified current is zero.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Laser pulse waveform control of Dirac fermions in graphene

We theoretically study the Dirac fermion dynamics in a graphene monolayer in the presence of an applied ultrafast laser pulse. The pulse has the duration of a few femtoseconds and the amplitude of ~ 0.1 - 0.5 $\mathrm{V/Å}$. The waveform of the pulse is described by Hermit Gaussian polynomials with varying carrier-envelope phase. We show that the ultrafast dynamics of Dirac fermions strongly depends on the carrier-envelope phase and the frequency of the applied pulse. The ultrafast pulse generates an electric current which results in a finite transferred charge. The ultrafast field-driven current and the corresponding net transferred charge depend on the waveform of the applied pulse. Our results pave the way for the development of ultrafast information processing in the terahertz domain.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Ultrafast topological phenomena in gapped graphene

In the model of gapped graphene, we have shown how the recently predicted topological resonances are solely related to the presence of an energy band gap at the $K$ and $K^\prime$ points of the Brillouin zone. In the field of a strong single-oscillation chiral (circularly-polarized) optical pulse, the topological resonance causes the valley-selective population of the conduction band. This population distribution represents a chiral texture in the reciprocal space that is structured with respect to the pulse separatrix as has earlier been predicted for transition metal dichalcogenides. As the band gap is switched off, this chirality gradually disappears replaced by an achiral distribution characteristic of graphene.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Fundamentally fastest optical processes at the surface of a topological insulator

We predict that a single oscillation of a strong optical pulse can significantly populate the surface conduction band of a three-dimensional topological insulator, Bi2Se3. Both linearly- and circularly-polarized pulses generate chiral textures of interference fringes of population in the surface Brillouin zone. These fringes constitute a self-referenced electron hologram carrying information on the topology of the surface Bloch bands, in particular, on the effect of the warping term of the low-energy Hamiltonian. These electron-interference phenomena are in a sharp contrast to graphene where there are no chiral textures for a linearly-polarized pulse and no interference fringes for circularly-polarized pulse. These predicted reciprocal space electron-population textures can be measured experimentally by time resolved angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TR-ARPES) to gain direct access to non-Abelian Berry curvature at topological insulator surfaces.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Femtosecond valley polarization and topological resonances in transition metal dichalcogenides

We theoretically introduce the fundamentally fastest induction of a significant population and valley polarization in a monolayer of a transition metal dichalcogenide (i.e., $\mathrm{MoS_2}$ and $\mathrm{WS_2}$). This may be extended to other two-dimensional materials with the same symmetry. This valley polarization can be written and read-out by a pulse consisting of just a single optical oscillation with a duration of a few femtoseconds and an amplitude of $\sim0.2~\mathrm V/\mathrmÅ$. Under these conditions, we predict a new effect of {\em topological resonance}, which is due to Bloch motion of electrons in the reciprocal space where electron population textures are formed defined by non-Abelian Berry curvature. The predicted phenomena can be applied for information storage and processing in PHz-band optoelectronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Near-field edge fringes at sharp material boundaries

We have studied the formation of near-field fringes when sharp edges of materials are imaged using scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM). Materials we have investigated include dielectrics, metals, near-perfect conductor, and those that possess anisotropic permittivity and hyperbolic dispersion. For our theoretical analysis, we use a technique that combines full-wave numerical simulations of tip-sample near-field interaction and signal demodulation at higher orders akin to what is done in typical s-SNOM experiments. Unlike previous tip-sample interaction near-field models, our advanced technique allows simulation of the realistic tip and sample structure. Our analysis clarifies edge imaging of recently emerged layered materials such as hexagonal boron nitride and transition metal dichalcogenides (in particular, molybdenum disulfide), as well as traditional plasmonic materials such as gold. Hexagonal boron nitride is studied at several wavelengths, including the wavelength where it possesses excitation of phonon-polaritons and hyperbolic dispersion. Based on our results of s-SNOM imaging in different demodulation orders, we specify resonant and non-resonant types of edges and describe the edge fringes for each case. We clarify near-field edge-fringe formation at material sharp boundaries, both outside bright fringes and the low-contrast region at the edge, and elaborate on the necessity of separating them from propagating waves on the surface of polaritonic materials.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Ultrafast optical Faraday effect in transparent solids

We predict a strong-field ultrafast optical Faraday effect, where a circularly polarized ultrashort optical pulse induces transient chirality in an achiral transparent dielectric. This effect is attractive for time-resolved measurements because it gives access to the non-instantaneity of the nonlinear medium response, and also because it represents relaxation of time-reversal symmetry by all-optical means. We propose probing the induced transient chirality with a weak linearly polarized ultraviolet pulse that is shorter than the near-infrared pump pulse. The predicted effects are ultrafast: the induced chirality vanishes for probe delays exceeding the duration of the near-infrared pulse. This opens up possibilities for applications in ultrafast circular-polarization modulators and analyzers.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2015

Strong-Field Resonant Dynamics in Semiconductors

We predict that a direct bandgap semiconductor (GaAs) resonantly excited by a strong ultrashort laser pulse exhibits a novel regime: kicked anharmonic Rabi oscillations (KARO). In this regime, Rabi oscillations are strongly coupled to intraband motion, and interband transitions mainly take place during short times when electrons pass near the Brillouin zone center where electron populations undergo very rapid changes. Asymmetry of the residual population distribution induces an electric current controlled by the carrier-envelope phase. The predicted effects are experimentally observable using photoemission and terahertz spectroscopies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Nanoscopy Reveals Metallic Black Phosphorus

Layered and two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, boron nitride, transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDCs), and black phosphorus (BP) have intriguing fundamental physical properties and bear promise of numerous important applications in electronics and optics. Of them, BP is a novel 2D material that has been theoretically predicted to acquire plasmonic behavior for frequencies below ~0.4 eV when highly doped. The electronic properties of BP are unique due to an anisotropic structure, which could strongly influence collective electronic excitations. Advantages of BP as a material for nanoelectronics and nanooptics are due to the fact that, in contrast to metals, the free carrier density in it can be dynamically controlled by electrostatic gating, which has been demonstrated by its use in field-effect transistors. Despite all the interest that BP attracts, near-field and plasmonic properties of BP have not yet been investigated experimentally. Here we report the first observation of nanoscopic near-field properties of BP. We have discovered near field patterns of outside bright fringes and high surface polarizability of nanofilm BP consistent with its surface-metallic, plasmonic behavior at mid-infrared (mid-IR) frequencies. This behavior is highly frequency-dispersive, disappearing above frequency, ω =1070 cm-1, which allowed us to estimate the plasma frequency and carrier density. We have also observed similar behavior in other 2D semiconductors such as TMDCs but not in 2D insulators such as boron nitride. This new phenomenon is attributed to surface charging of the semiconductor nanofilms. This discovery opens up a new field of research and potential applications in nanoplasmonics and optoelectronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Ultrafast field control of symmetry, reciprocity, and reversibility in buckled graphene-like materials

We theoretically show that buckled two-dimensional graphene-like materials (silicene and germanene) subjected to a femtosecond strong optical pulse can be controlled by the optical field component normal to their plane. In such strong fields, these materials are predicted to exhibit non-reciprocal reflection, optical rectification and generation of electric currents both parallel and normal to the in-plane field direction. Reversibility of the conduction band population is also field- and carrier-envelope phase controllable. There is a net charge transfer along the material plane that is also dependent on the normal field component. Thus a graphene-like buckled material behaves analogously to a field-effect transistor controlled and driven by the electric field of light with subcycle (femtosecond) speed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Control of plasmonic nanoantennas by reversible metal-insulator transition

Nanophotonic (nanoplasmonic) structures confine, guide, and concentrate light on the nanoscale. Advancement of nanophotonics critically depends on active nanoscale control of these phenomena. Localized control of the insulator and metallic phases of vanadium dioxide (VO2) would open up a universe of applications in nanophotonics via modulation of the local dielectric environment of nanophotonic structures allowing them to function as active devices. Here we show dynamic reversible control of VO2 insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) locally on the scale of 15 nm or less and control of nanoantennas, observed in the near-field for the first time. Using polarization-selective near-field imaging techniques, we monitor simultaneously the IMT in VO2 and the change of plasmons on gold infrared nanoantennas. Structured nanodomains of the metallic VO2 locally and reversibly transform infrared plasmonic dipolar antennas to monopole antennas. Fundamentally, the IMT in VO2 can be triggered on femtosecond timescale to allow ultrafast nanoscale control of optical phenomena. These unique capabilities open up exciting novel applications in active nanophotonics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗