Visualization of Band Shifting and Interlayer Coupling in WxMo1-xS2 Alloys using Near-Field Broadband Absorption Microscopy
Beyond-diffraction-limit optical absorption spectroscopy provides profound information on the graded band structures of composition-spread and stacked two-dimensional materials, in which direct/indirect bandgap, interlayer coupling, sliding, and possible defects significantly modify their optoelectronic functionalities such as photoluminescence efficiency. We here visualize the spatially-varying band structure of monolayer and bilayer transition metal dichalcogenide alloys for the first time by using near-field broadband absorption microscopy. The near-field-spectral and -spatial diagrams manifest the excitonic band shift that results from the interplay of composition spreading and interlayer coupling. These results enable us to identify the top layer of the bilayer alloy as pure WS2. We also use the aberration-free near-field transmittance images to demarcate the exact boundaries of alloyed and pure transition metal dichalcogenides. This technology can offer new insights on various layered structures in the era of stacking science in quest of novel quantum optoelectronic devices.