arXiv subjects

Shyni Punathum Chalil

Publications and source records attributed to Shyni Punathum Chalil.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Interfacial properties of MoS2 thin films grown on functional substrates

Interface chemistry and defect formation in MoS2 thin films grown on single crystal substrates critically determine the electronic structure of MoS2 and thus can strongly modify material functionality relevant for many applications, including electronics, optoelectronics, and energy related catalysis. We investigate MoS2 grown on three technologically relevant substrates, namely SrTiO3(111), c-axis Al2O3(0001) and 6H-SiC(0001). Experimental investigations by temperature dependent resistivity, photoemission spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy with coupled energy dispersive spectroscopy, with the support of theoretical calculation by Density Functional Theory, allow the identification of the substrate induced specific defects and their correlation with the electronic properties. Ti interdiffusion in SrTiO3/MoS2 generates donor like states near the Fermi level, leading to metallic transport. Al2O3/MoS2 exhibits a high density of sulfur related defects that introduce localized states and yield nearly temperature independent conductivity. SiC/MoS2 exhibits significant interface disorder resulting in a semiconducting temperature dependent resistivity, yet deviating from the ideal bulk like behavior. These results demonstrate how substrate choice governs defect formation and ultimately dominates the electronic behavior of MoS2 thin films, making the control of film substrate interactions essential for the engineering of new functional devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Uncovering the lowest thickness limit for room-temperature ferromagnetism of Cr$_{1.6}$Te$_{2}$

Metallic ferromagnetic transition metal dichalcogenides have emerged as important building blocks for scalable magnonics and memory applications. Downscaling such systems to the ultra-thin limit is critical to integrate them into technology. Here, we achieved layer-by-layer control over the transition metal dichalcogenide Cr$_{1.6}$Te$_{2}$ by using pulsed laser deposition, and we uncovered the minimum critical thickness above which room temperature magnetic order is maintained. The electronic and magnetic structure is explored experimentally and theoretically and it is shown that the films exhibit strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy as a consequence of large spin-orbit effects. Our study elucidates both magnetic and electronic properties of Cr$_{1.6}$Te$_{2}$, and corroborates the importance of intercalation to tune the magnetic properties of nanoscale materials architectures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Signatures of a surface spin-orbital chiral metal

The relation between crystal symmetries, electron correlations, and electronic structure steers the formation of a large array of unconventional phases of matter, including magneto-electric loop currents and chiral magnetism. Detection of such hidden orders is a major goal in condensed matter physics. However, to date, nonstandard forms of magnetism with chiral electronic ordering have been experimentally elusive. Here, we develop a theory for symmetry-broken chiral ground states and propose a methodology based on circularly polarized spin-selective angular-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to probe them. We exploit the archetypal quantum material Sr2RuO4 and reveal spectroscopic signatures which, even though subtle, may be reconciled with the formation of spin-orbital chiral currents at the material surface. As we shed light on these chiral regimes, our findings pave the way for a deeper understanding of ordering phenomena and unconventional magnetism.

cond-mat.str-el↗