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Vincent Meunier

Publications and source records attributed to Vincent Meunier.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Machine-learning models for Raman spectra analysis of twisted bilayer graphene

The vibrational properties of twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) show complex features, due to the intricate energy landscape of its low-symmetry configurations. A machine learning-based approach is developed to provide a continuous model between the twist angle and the simulated Raman spectra of tBLGs. Extracting the structural information of the twist angle from Raman spectra corresponds to solving a complicated inverse problem. Once trained, the machine learning regressors (MLRs) quickly provide predictions without human bias and with an average of 98% of the data variance being explained by the model. The significant spectral features learned by MLRs are analyzed revealing the intensity profile near the calculated G-band to be the most important feature. The trained models are tested on noise-containing test data demonstrating their robustness. The transferability of the present models to experimental Raman spectra is discussed in the context of validation of the level of theory used for the construction of the analyzed database. This work serves as a proof of concept that machine-learning analysis is a potentially powerful tool for interpretation of Raman spectra of tBLG and other 2D materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Lattice dynamics localization in low-angle twisted bilayer graphene

A low twist angle between the two stacked crystal networks in bilayer graphene enables self-organized lattice reconstruction with the formation of a periodic domain. This superlattice modulates the vibrational and electronic structures, imposing new rules for electron-phonon coupling and the eventual observation of strong correlation and superconductivity. Direct optical images of the crystal superlattice in reconstructed twisted bilayer graphene are reported here, generated by the inelastic scattering of light in a nano-Raman spectroscope. The observation of the crystallographic structure with visible light is made possible due to lattice dynamics localization, the images resembling spectral variations caused by the presence of strain solitons and topological points. The results are rationalized by a nearly-free-phonon model and electronic calculations that highlight the relevance of solitons and topological points, particularly pronounced for structures with small twist angles. We anticipate our discovery to play a role in understanding Jahn-Teller effects and electronic Cooper pairing, among many other important phonon-related effects, and it may be useful for characterizing devices in the most prominent platform for the field of twistronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Soliton signature in the phonon spectrum of twisted bilayer graphene

The phonon spectra of twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) are analyzed for a series of 692 twisting angle values in the $[0,30{\degree}]$ range. The evolution of the phonon bandstructure as a function of twist angle is examined using a band unfolding scheme where the large number of phonon modes computed at the $Γ$ point for the large moiré tBLG supercells are unfolded onto the Brillouin Zone (BZ) of one of the two constituent layers. In addition to changes to the low-frequency breathing and shear modes, a series of well-defined side-bands around high-symmetry points of the extended BZ emerge due to the twist angle-dependent structural relaxation. The results are rationalized by introducing a nearly-free-phonon model that highlights the central role played by solitons in the description of the new phonon branches, which are particularly pronounced for structures with small twist angles, below a buckling angle $θ_{\rm B}\sim {3.75}{\degree}$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

An Environmentally Stable and Lead-Free Chalcogenide Perovskite

Organic-inorganic halide perovskites are intrinsically unstable when exposed to moisture and/or light. Additionally, the presence of lead in many perovskites raises toxicity concerns. Herein is reported a thin film of BaZrS3, a lead-free chalcogenide perovskite. Photoluminescence and X-ray diffraction measurements show that BaZrS3 is far more stable than methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) in moist environments. Moisture- and light-induced degradations in BaZrS3 and MAPbI3 are compared by using simulations and calculations based on density functional theory. The simulations reveal drastically slower degradation in BaZrS3 due to two factors - weak interaction with water, and very low rates of ion migration. BaZrS3 photo-detecting devices with photo-responsivity of ~46.5 mA W-1 are also reported. The devices retain ~60% of their initial photo-response after 4 weeks in ambient conditions. Similar MAPbI3 devices degrade rapidly and show ~95% decrease in photo-responsivity in just 4 days. The findings establish the superior stability of BaZrS3 and strengthen the case for its use in optoelectronics. New possibilities for thermoelectric energy conversion using these materials are also demonstrated.

physics.app-ph↗

A Universal Length-Dependent Vibrational Mode in Graphene Nanoribbons

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have attracted considerable interest as their atomically tunable structure makes them promising candidates for future electronic devices. However, obtaining detailed information about the length of GNRs has been challenging and typically relies on low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. Such methods are ill-suited for practical device application and characterization. In contrast, Raman spectroscopy is a sensitive method for the characterization of GNRs, in particular for investigating their width and structure. Here, we report on a length-dependent, Raman active low-energy vibrational mode that is present in atomically precise, bottom-up synthesized armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs). Our Raman study demonstrates that this mode is present in all families of AGNRs and provides information on their length. Our spectroscopic findings are corroborated by scanning tunneling microscopy images and supported by first-principles calculations that allow us to attribute this mode to a longitudinal acoustic phonon. Finally, we show that this mode is a sensitive probe for the overall structural integrity of the ribbons and their interaction with technologically relevant substrates.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

In-Plane Breathing and Shear Modes in Low-Dimensional Nanostructures

We use continuum elasticity theory to revise scaling laws for radial breathing-like and shear-like vibration modes in quasi-2D nanostructures including finite-width nanoribbons and finite-size thin circular discs. Such modes can be observed spectroscopically in corresponding nanostructures of graphene and phosphorene and can be determined numerically by atomistic ab initio density functional theory and classical force-field calculation. The revised scaling laws differ from previously used expressions, some of which display an unphysical asymptotic behavior. Apart from model assumptions describing the effect of edge termination, the continuum scaling laws have no adjustable parameters and display correct asymptotic behavior. These scaling laws yield excellent agreement with experimental and numerical results for vibration frequencies in both isotropic and anisotropic structures as well as useful expressions for the frequency dependence on structure size and edge termination.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Optimized substrates and measurement approaches for Raman spectroscopy of graphene nanoribbons

The on-surface synthesis of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) allows for the fabrication of atomically precise narrow GNRs. Despite their exceptional properties which can be tuned by ribbon width and edge structure, significant challenges remain for GNR processing and characterization. In this contribution, we use Raman spectroscopy to characterize different types of GNRs on their growth substrate and to track their quality upon substrate transfer. We present a Raman-optimized (RO) device substrate and an optimized mapping approach that allows for acquisition of high-resolution Raman spectra, achieving enhancement factors as high as 120 with respect to signals measured on standard SiO2/Si substrates. We show that this approach is well-suited to routinely monitor the geometry-dependent low-frequency modes of GNRs. In particular, we track the radial breathing-like mode (RBLM) and the shear-like mode (SLM) for 5-, 7- and 9-atom wide armchair GNRs (AGNRs) and compare their frequencies with first-principles calculations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Substrate transfer and ex situ characterization of on-surface synthesized graphene nanoribbons

Recent progress in the on-surface synthesis of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) has given access to atomically precise narrow GNRs with tunable electronic band gaps that makes them excellent candidates for room-temperature switching devices such as field-effect transistors (FET). However, in spite of their exceptional properties, significant challenges remain for GNR processing and characterization. This contribution addresses some of the most important challenges, including GNR fabrication scalability, substrate transfer, long-term stability under ambient conditions and ex situ characterization. We focus on 7- and 9-atom wide armchair graphene nanoribbons (i.e, 7-AGNR; and 9-AGNR) grown on 200 nm Au(111)/mica substrates using a high throughput system. Transfer of both, 7- and 9-AGNRs from their Au growth sub-strate onto various target substrates for additional characterization is accomplished utilizing a polymer-free method that avoids residual contamination. This results in a homogeneous GNR film morphology with very few tears and wrinkles, as examined by atomic force microscopy. Raman spectroscopy indicates no significant degradation of GNR quality upon substrate transfer, and reveals that GNRs have remarkable stability under ambient conditions over a 24-month period. The transferred GNRs are analyzed using multi-wavelength Raman spectroscopy, which provides detailed insight into the wavelength dependence of the width-specific vibrational modes. Finally, we characterize the optical properties of 7- and 9-AGNRs via ultra-violet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Engineering of robust topological quantum phases in graphene nanoribbons

Here we present a flexible strategy to realize robust nanomaterials exhibiting valence electronic structures whose fundamental physics is described by the SSH-Hamiltonian. These solid-state materials are realized using atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNR). We demonstrate the controlled periodic coupling of topological boundary states at junctions of armchair GNRs of different widths to create quasi-1D trivial and non-trivial electronic quantum phases. Their topological class is experimentally determined by drawing upon the bulk-boundary correspondence and measuring the presence (non-trivial) or absence (trivial) of localized end states by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). The strategy we propose has the potential to tune the band width of the topological electronic bands close to the energy scale of proximity induced spin-orbit coupling or superconductivity, and may allow the realization of Kitaev like Hamiltonians and Majorana type end states.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Quantum oscillation in carrier transport in two-dimensional junctions

Two-dimensional (2D) device structures have recently attracted considerable attention. Here, we show that most 2D device structures, regardless vertical or lateral, act as a lateral monolayer-bilayer-monolayer junction in their operation. In particular, a vertical structure cannot function as a vertical junction as having been widely believed in the literature. Moreover, due to a larger electrostatic screening, the bilayer region in the junction always has a smaller band gap than its monolayer counterpart. As a result, a potential well, aside from the usual potential barrier, will form universally in the bilayer region to affect the hole or electron quantum transport in the form of transmission or reflection. Taking black phosphorus as an example, we show that an oscillation in the transmission coefficient can be clearly resolved in a two-electrode prototypical device by non-equilibrium Green function combined with density functional theory calculations and the results can be qualitatively understood using a simple quantum well model. The presence of the quantum well is vital to 2D device design, including the effective tuning of quantum transmission by a vertical electric field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Interlayer bond polarizability model for stacking-dependent low-frequency Raman scattering in layered materials

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials have been extensively studied owing to their fascinating and technologically relevant properties. Their functionalities can be often tailored by the interlayer stacking pattern. Low-frequency (LF) Raman spectroscopy provides a quick, non-destructive and inexpensive optical technique for stacking characterization, since the intensities of LF interlayer vibrational modes are sensitive to the details of the stacking. A simple and generalized interlayer bond polarizability model is proposed here to explain and predict how the LF Raman intensities depend on complex stacking sequences for any thickness in a broad array of 2D materials, including graphene, MoS2, MoSe2, NbSe2, Bi2Se3, GaSe, h-BN, etc. Additionally, a general strategy is proposed to unify the stacking nomenclature for these 2D materials. Our model reveals the fundamental mechanism of LF Raman response to the stacking, and provides general rules for stacking identification.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Half-metallic ferromagnetism in Sr$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$

The bilayered member of the Ruddesden-Popper family of ruthenates, Sr$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$, has received an increasing attention due to its interesting properties and phases. By using first principle calculations we find that the ground-state is characterized by a ferromagnetic (FM) half-metallic state. This state strongly competes with an antiferromagnetic metallic phase, which indicates the possible presence of a particular state characterized by the existence of different magnetic domains. To drive the system towards a phase transition we studied the electronic and magnetic properties as a function of RuO$_6$ octahedra rotations and found that the magnetic phase does not couple with the rotation angle. Our results provide accurate electronic, structure, and magnetic ground-state properties of Sr$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$ and stimulate the investigation of other type of octahedra rotations and distortions in the search of phase transitions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Uniaxial pressure induced half-metallic ferromagnetic phase transition in LaMnO$_3$

We use first-principles theory to predict that the application of uniaxial compressive strain leads to a transition from an antiferromagnetic insulator to a ferromagnetic half-metal phase in LaMnO$_3$. We identify the Q2 Jahn-Teller mode as the primary mechanism that drives the transition, indicating that this mode can be used to tune the lattice, charge, and spin coupling. Applying $\simeq$ 6 GPa of uniaxial pressure along the [010] direction activates the transition to a half-metallic $\textit{pseudo-cubic}$ state. The half-metallicity opens the possibility of producing colossal magnetoresistance in the stoichiometric LaMnO$_3$ compound at significantly lower pressure compared to recently observed investigations using hydrostatic pressure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Electronic, structural, and magnetic properties of LaMnO$_3$ phase transition at high temperature

We develop a procedure to determine the portion of exact Hartree-Fock exchange interaction contained in a hybrid density functional to treat the range of electronic correlation governing the physics of a system as a function of a thermodynamical parameter. This includes systems that depend on physical parameters accessible to experiment (i.e., temperature, pressure, composition, etc.) or those composed of two or more materials such as heterostructures and interfaces. This approach is applied to LaMnO$_3$ where for the first time we are able to simulate the high temperature insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) and observe a half-metallic orbital disorder ferromagnetic state using density functional theory. In particular, we show that the softening of the \textit{Q$_2$} Jahn-Teller mode plays a central role in driving the IMT. These findings are likely to motivate the investigation of heterostructures and bulk materials that contain a range of electronic correlation in similar material systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Observation of Low-frequency Interlayer Breathing Modes in Few-layer Black Phosphorus

As a new two-dimensional layered material, black phosphorus (BP) is a promising material for nanoelectronics and nano-optoelectronics. We use Raman spectroscopy and first-principles theory to report our findings related to low-frequency (LF) interlayer breathing modes (<100 cm-1) in few-layer BP for the first time. The breathing modes are assigned to Ag symmetry by the laser polarization dependence study and group theory analysis. Compared to the high-frequency (HF) Raman modes, the LF breathing modes are much more sensitive to interlayer coupling and thus their frequencies show much stronger dependence on the number of layers. Hence, they could be used as effective means to probe both the crystalline orientation and thickness for few-layer BP. Furthermore, the temperature dependence study shows that the breathing modes have a harmonic behavior, in contrast to HF Raman modes which are known to exhibit anharmonicity.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Quantum-interference-controlled three-terminal molecular transistors based on a single ring-shaped-molecule connected to graphene nanoribbon electrodes

We study all-carbon-hydrogen molecular transistors where zigzag graphene nanoribbons play the role of three metallic electrodes connected to a ring-shaped 18-annulene molecule. Using the nonequilibrium Green function formalism combined with density functional theory, recently extended to multiterminal devices, we show that the proposed nanostructures exhibit exponentially small transmission when the source and drain electrodes are attached in a configuration that ensures destructive interference of electron paths around the ring. The third electrode, functioning either as an attached infinite-impedance voltage probe or as an "air-bridge" top gate covering half of molecular ring, introduces dephasing that brings the transistor into the "on" state with its transmission in the latter case approaching the maximum limit for a single conducting channel device. The current through the latter device can also be controlled in the far-from-equilibrium regime by applying a gate voltage.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Oxygen-Induced Surface Reconstruction of SrRuO3 and Its Effect on the BaTiO3 Interface

Atomically engineered oxide multilayers and superlattices display unique properties responsive to the electronic and atomic structures of the interfaces. We have followed the growth of ferroelectric BaTiO3 on SrRuO3 electrode with in situ atomic scale analysis of the surface structure at each stage. An oxygen-induced surface reconstruction of SrRuO3 leads to formation of SrO rows spaced at twice the bulk periodicity. This reconstruction modifies the structure of the first BaTiO3 layers grown subsequently, including intermixing observed with cross-section spectroscopy. These observations reveal that this common oxide interface is much more interesting than previously reported, and provide a paradigm for oxygen engineering of oxide structure at an interface.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

First-principles methodology for quantum transport in multiterminal junctions

We present a generalized approach for computing electron conductance and I-V characteristics in multiterminal junctions from first-principles. Within the framework of Keldysh theory, electron transmission is evaluated employing an O(N) method for electronic-structure calculations. The nonequilibrium Green function for the nonequilibrium electron density of the multiterminal junction is computed self-consistently by solving Poisson equation after applying a realistic bias. We illustrate the suitability of the method on two examples of four-terminal systems, a radialene molecule connected to carbon chains and two crossed carbon chains brought together closer and closer. We describe charge density, potential profile, and transmission of electrons between any two terminals. Finally, we discuss the applicability of this technique to study complex electronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗