arXiv subjects

Zhiming Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Zhiming Wang.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Temporal plasmonics: Fano and Rabi regimes in the time domain in metal nanostructures

The Fano and Rabi models represent remarkably common effects in optics. Here we study the coherent time dynamics of plasmonic systems exhibiting Fano and Rabi resonances. We demonstrate that these systems show fundamentally different dynamics. A system with a Fano resonance displays at most one temporal beat under pulsed excitation, whereas a system in the Rabi regime may have any number of beats. Remarkably, the Fano-like systems show time dynamics with very characteristic coherent tails despite the strong decoherence that is intrinsic for such systems. The coherent Fano and Rabi dynamics that we predicted can be observed in plasmonic nanocrystal dimers in time-resolved experiments. Our study demonstrates that such coherent temporal plasmonics includes nontrivial and characteristic relaxation behaviors and presents an interesting direction to develop with further research.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Half-Heusler thermoelectric materials: NMR studies

We report $^{59}$Co, $^{93}$Nb, and $^{121}$Sb nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations on a series of half-Heusler semiconductors, including NbCoSn, ZrCoSb, TaFeSb and NbFeSb, to better understand their electronic properties and general composition-dependent trends. These materials are of interest as potentially high efficiency thermoelectric materials. Compared to the other materials, we find that ZrCoSb tends to have a relatively large amount of local disorder, apparently antisite defects. This contributes to a small excitation gap corresponding to an impurity band near the band edge. In NbCoSn and TaFeSb, Curie-Weiss-type behavior is revealed, which indicates a small density of interacting paramagnetic defects. Very large paramagnetic chemical shifts are observed associated with a Van Vleck mechanism due to closely spaced $d$ bands splitting between the conduction and valence bands. Meanwhile, DFT methods were generally successful in reproducing the chemical shift trend for these half-Heusler materials, and we identify an enhancement of the larger-magnitude shifts, which we connect to electron interaction effects. The general trend is connected to changes in $d$-electron hybridization across the series.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Single spin-polarised Fermi surface in SrTiO$_3$ thin films

The 2D electron gas (2DEG) formed at the surface of SrTiO$_3$(001) has attracted great interest because of its fascinating physical properties and potential as a novel electronic platform, but up to now has eluded a comprehensible way to tune its properties. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with and without spin detection we here show that the band filling can be controlled by growing thin SrTiO$_3$ films on Nb doped SrTiO$_3$(001) substrates. This results in a single spin-polarised 2D Fermi surface, which bears potential as platform for Majorana physics. Based on our results it can furthermore be concluded that the 2DEG does not extend more than 2 unit cells into the film and that its properties depend on the amount of SrO$_x$ at the surface and possibly the dielectric response of the system.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Defect charging and resonant levels in half-Heusler Nb$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$FeSb

We report $^{93}$Nb and $^{121}$Sb NMR and $^{57}$Fe Mössbauer studies combined with DFT calculations of Nb$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$FeSb ($0\leqslant x \leqslant0.3$), one of the most promising thermoelectric systems for applications above 1000 K. These studies provide local information about defects and electronic configurations in these heavily $p$-type materials. The NMR spin-lattice relaxation rate provides a measure of states within the valence band. With increasing $x$, changes of relaxation rate vs carrier concentration for different substitution fractions indicate the importance of resonant levels which do not contribute to charge transport. The local paramagnetic susceptibility is significantly larger than expected based on DFT calculations, which we discuss in terms of an enhancement of the susceptibility due to a Coulomb enhancement mechanism. The Mössbauer spectra of Ti-substituted samples show small departures from a binomial distribution of substituted atoms, while for unsubstituted $p$-type NbFeSb, the amplitude of a Mössbauer satellite peak increases vs temperature, a measure of the $T$-dependent charging of a population of defects residing about 30 meV above the valence band edge, indicative of an impurity band at this location.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Photoacoustic Identification of Laser-induced Microbubbles as Light Scattering Centers for Optical Limiting in Liquid Suspension of Graphene Nanosheets

Liquid suspensions of carbon nanotubes, graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides have exhibited excellent performance in optical limiting. However, the underlying mechanism has remained elusive and is generally ascribed to their superior nonlinear optical properties such as nonlinear absorption or nonlinear scattering. Using graphene as an example, we show that photo-thermal microbubbles are responsible for the optical limiting as strong light scattering centers: graphene sheets absorb incident light and become heated up above the boiling point of water, resulting in vapor and microbubble generation. This conclusion is based on direct observation of bubbles above the laser beam as well as a strong correlation between laser-induced ultrasound and optical limiting. In-situ Raman scattering of graphene further confirms that the temperature of graphene under laser pulses rises above the boiling point of water but still remains too low to vaporize graphene and create graphene plasma bubbles. Photo-thermal bubble scattering is not a nonlinear optical process and requires very low laser intensity. This understanding helps us to design more efficient optical limiting materials and understand the intrinsic nonlinear optical properties of nanomaterials.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Self-formed 2D/3D Heterostructure on the Edge of 2D Ruddlesden-Popper Hybrid Perovskites Responsible for Intriguing Optoelectronic Properties and Higher Cell Efficiency

The observation of low energy edge photoluminescence and its beneficial effect on the solar cell efficiency of Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites has unleashed an intensive research effort to reveal its origin. This effort, however, has been met with more challenges as the underlying material structure has still not been identified; new modellings and observations also do not seem to converge. Using 2D (BA)2(MA)2Pb3Br10 as an example, we show that 3D MAPbBr3 is formed due to the loss of BA on the edge. This self-formed MAPbBr3 can explain the reported edge emission under various conditions, while the reported intriguing optoelectronic properties such as fast exciton trapping from the interior 2D perovskite, rapid exciton dissociation and long carrier lifetime can be understood via the self-formed 2D/3D lateral perovskite heterostructure. The 3D perovskite is identified by submicron infrared spectroscopy, the emergence of XRD signature from freezer-milled nanometer-sized 2D perovskite and its photoluminescence response to external hydrostatic pressure. The revelation of this edge emission mystery and the identification of a self-formed 2D/3D heterostructure provide a new approach to engineering 2D perovskites for high-performance optoelectronic devices.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2019

Photoluminescence mapping and time-domain thermo-photoluminescence for rapid imaging and measurement of thermal conductivity of boron arsenide

Cubic boron arsenide (BAs) is attracting greater attention due to the recent experimental demonstration of ultrahigh thermal conductivity \k{appa} above 1000 W/mK. However, its bandgap has not been settled and a simple yet effective method to probe its crystal quality is missing. Furthermore, traditional \k{appa} measurement methods are destructive and time consuming, thus they cannot meet the urgent demand for fast screening of high \k{appa} materials. After we experimentally established 1.82 eV as the indirect bandgap of BAs and observed room-temperature band-edge photoluminescence, we developed two new optical techniques that can provide rapid and non-destructive characterization of \k{appa} with little sample preparation: photoluminescence mapping (PL-mapping) and time-domain thermo-photoluminescence (TDTP). PL-mapping provides nearly real-time image of crystal quality and \k{appa} over mm-sized crystal surfaces; while TDTP allows us to pick up any spot on the sample surface and measure its \k{appa} using nanosecond laser pulses. These new techniques reveal that the apparent single crystals are not only non-uniform in \k{appa}, but also are made of domains of very distinct \k{appa}. Because PL-mapping and TDTP are based on the band-edge PL and its dependence on temperature, they can be applied to other semiconductors, thus paving the way for rapid identification and development of high-\k{appa} semiconducting materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Broadband mid-infrared perfect absorber using fractal Gosper curve

Designing broadband metamaterial perfect absorbers is challenging due to the intrinsically narrow bandwidth of surface plasmon resonances. Here, the paper reports an ultra-broadband metamaterial absorber by using space filling Gosper curve. The optimized result shows an average absorptivity of 95.78% from 2.64 to 9.79 μm across the entire mid-infrared region. Meanwhile, the absorber shows insensitivity to the polarization angle and the incident angle of the incident light. The underlying physical principles, used in our broadband absorber, involve a fractal geometry with multiple scales and a dissipative plasmonic crystal. The broadband perfect absorption can be attributed to multiple electric resonances at different wavelengths supported by a few segments in the defined Gosper curve.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Graphene Induced Large Shift of Surface Plasmon Resonances of Gold Films: Effective Medium Theory for Atomically Thin Materials

Despite successful modeling of graphene as a 0.34-nm thick optical film synthesized by exfoliation or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), graphene induced shift of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of gold films has remained controversial. Here we report the resolution of this controversy by developing a clean CVD graphene transfer method and extending Maxwell-Garnet effective medium theory (EMT) to 2D materials. A SPR shift of 0.24 is obtained and it agrees well with 2D EMT in which wrinkled graphene is treated as a 3-nm graphene/air layered composite, in agreement with the average roughness measured by atomic force microscope. Because the anisotropic built-in boundary condition of 2D EMT is compatible with graphene's optical anisotropy, graphene can be modelled as a film thicker than 0.34-nm without changing its optical property; however, its actual roughness, i.e., effective thickness will significantly alter its response to strong out-of-plane fields, leading to a larger SPR shift.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Revealing the Origin of Luminescence Center in 0D Cs4PbBr6 Perovskite

Zero dimensional perovskite Cs4PbBr6 has attracted considerable attention recently not only because of its highly efficient green photoluminescence (PL), but also its two highly debated opposing mechanisms of the luminescence: embedded CsPbBr3 nanocrystals versus intrinsic Br vacancy states. After a brief discussion on the root cause of the controversy, we provide sensitive but non-invasive methods that can not only directly correlate luminescence with the underlying structure, but also distinguish point defects from embedded nanostructures. We first synthesized both emissive and non-emissive Cs4PbBr6 crystals, obtained the complete Raman spectrum of Cs4PbBr6 and assigned all Raman bands based on density functional theory simulations. We then used correlated Raman-PL as a passive structure-property method to identify the difference between emissive and non-emissive Cs4PbBr6 crystals and revealed the existence of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals in emissive Cs4PbBr6. We finally employed a diamond anvil cell to probe the response of luminescence centers to hydrostatic pressure. The observations of fast red-shifting, diminishing and eventual disappearance of both green emission and Raman below Cs4PbBr6 phase transition pressure of ~3 GPa is compatible with CsPbBr3 nanocrystal inclusions as green PL emitters and cannot be explained by Br vacancies. The resolution of this long-lasting controversy paves the way for further device applications of low dimensional perovskites, and our comprehensive optical technique integrating structure-property with dynamic pressure response is generic and can be applied to other emerging optical materials to understand the nature of their luminescent centers.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Chiral plasmonic nanocrystals for generation of hot electrons: towards polarization-sensitive photochemistry

The use of biomaterials - with techniques such as DNA-directed assembly or bio-directed synthesis - can surpass top-down fabrication techniques in creating plasmonic superstructures, in terms of spatial resolution, range of functionality and fabrication speed. Particularly, by enabling a very precise placement of nanoparticles in a bio-assembled complex or a controlled bio-directed shaping of single nanoparticles, plasmonic nanocrystals can show remarkably strong circular dichroism (CD) signals. Here we show that chiral bio-plasmonic assemblies and nanocrystals can enable polarization-sensitive photochemistry based on the generation of energetic (hot) electrons. It is now established that hot plasmonic electrons can induce surface photochemistry or even reshape plasmonic nanocrystals. Here we show that merging chiral plasmonic nanocrystal systems and the hot-election generation effect offers unique possibilities in photochemistry - such as polarization-sensitive photochemistry promoting nonchiral molecular reactions, chiral photo-induced growth of a colloid at the atomic level and chiral photochemical destruction of chiral nanocrystals. Regarding practical applications, our study suggests interesting opportunities in polarization-sensitive photochemistry, chiral recognition or separation, and in promoting chiral crystal growth at the nanoscale.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2018

Extreme multiexciton emission from deterministically assembled single emitter subwavelength plasmonic patch antennas

Plasmonic antennas are attractive optical structures for many applications in nano and quantum technologies. By providing enhanced interaction between a nanoemitter and light, they efficiently accelerate and direct spontaneous emission. One challenge, however, is the precise nanoscale positioning of the emitter in the structure. Here we present a laser etching protocol that deterministically positions a single colloidal CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dot emitter inside a subwavelength plasmonic patch antenna with three-dimensional nanoscale control. By exploiting the properties of metal-insulator-metal structures at the nanoscale, the fabricated single emitter antenna exhibits an extremely high Purcell factor (>72) and brightness enhancement by a factor of 70. Due to the unprecedented quenching of Auger processes and the strong acceleration of multiexciton emission, more than 4 photons per pulse can be emitted by a single quantum dot. Our technology permits the fabrication of bright room-temperature single-emitter sources emitting either multiple or single photons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Laser Streaming: Turning a Laser Beam into a Flow of Liquid

Transforming a laser beam into a mass flow has been a challenge both scientifically and technologically. Here we report the discovery of a new optofluidics principle and demonstrate the generation of a steady-state water flow by a pulsed laser beam through a glass window. In order to generate a flow or stream in the same path as the refracted laser beam in pure water from an arbitrary spot on the window, we first fill a glass cuvette with an aqueous solution of Au nanoparticles. A flow will emerge from the focused laser spot on the window after the laser is turned on for a few to tens of minutes, the flow remains after the colloidal solution is completely replaced by pure water. Microscopically, this transformation is made possible by an underlying plasmonic nanoparticle-decorated cavity which is self-fabricated on the glass by nanoparticle-assisted laser etching and exhibits size and shape uniquely tailored to the incident beam profile. Hydrophone signals indicate that the flow is driven via acoustic streaming by a long-lasting ultrasound wave that is resonantly generated by the laser and the cavity through the photoacoustic effect. The principle of this light-driven flow via ultrasound, i.e. photoacoustic streaming by coupling photoacoustics to acoustic streaming, is general and can be applied to any liquids, opening up new research and applications in optofluidics as well as traditional photoacoustics and acoustic streaming.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2018

Strain-induced Defect Superstructure on the SrTiO3(110) Surface

We report on a combined scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculation study of the SrTiO3(110)-(4 x 1) surface. It is found that antiphase domains are formed along the [1-10]-oriented stripes on the surface. The domain boundaries are decorated by defects pairs consisting of Ti2O3 vacancies and Sr adatoms, which relieve the residual stress. The formation energy of, and interactions between, vacancies result in a defect superstructure. It is suggested that the density and distributions of defects can be tuned by strain engineering, providing a fexible platform for the designed growth of complex oxide materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Stoichiometry-driven switching between surface reconstructions on SrTiO$_3$(001)

Controlling the surface structure on the atomic scale is a major difficulty for most transition metal oxides; this is especially true for the ternary perovskites. The influence of surface stoichiometry on the atomic structure of the SrTiO$_3$(001) surface was examined with scanning tunneling microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, low-energy He$^+$ ion scattering (LEIS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Vapor deposition of 0.8 monolayer (ML) strontium and 0.3 ML titanium, with subsequent annealing to 850 °C in 4 $\times$ 10$^{-6}$ mbar O$_2$, reversibly switches the surface between c(4 $\times$ 2) and (2 $\times$ 2) reconstructions, respectively. The combination of LEIS and XPS shows a different stoichiometry that is confined to the top layer. Geometric models for these reconstructions need to take into account these different surface compositions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Stabilizing Single Ni adatoms on a Two-dimensional Porous Titania Overlayer at the SrTiO$_3$(110) Surface

Nickel vapor-deposited on the SrTiO$_3$(110) surface was studied using scanning tunneling microscopy, photoemission spectroscopy (PES), and density functional theory calculations. This surface forms a (4 $\times$ 1) reconstruction, composed of a 2-D titania structure with periodic six- and ten-membered nanopores. Anchored at these nanopores, Ni single adatoms are stabilized at room temperature. PES measurements show that the Ni adatoms create an in-gap state located at 1.9 eV below the conduction band minimum and induce an upward band bending. Both experimental and theoretical results suggest that Ni adatoms are positively charged. Our study produces well-dispersed single-adatom arrays on a well-characterized oxide support, providing a model system to investigate single-adatom catalytic and magnetic properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Vacancy clusters at domain boundaries and band bending at the SrTiO$_3$(110) surface

Antiphase domain boundaries (APDBs) in the ($n \times 1$)($n=4,5$) reconstructions of the SrTiO$_3$(110) surface were studied with scanning tunneling microscopy, x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Two types of APDBs form on each reconstruction; they consist of Ti$_x$O$_y$ vacancy clusters with a specific stoichiometry. The presence of these clusters is controlled by the oxygen pressure during annealing. The structural models of the vacancy clusters are resolved with DFT, which also shows that their relative stability depends on the chemical potential of oxygen. The surface band bending can be tuned by controlling the vacancy clusters at the domain boundaries.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Point defects at cleaved Sr$_{n+1}$Ru$_n$O$_{3n+1}$(001) surfaces

The (001) surfaces of cleaved Sr$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$ and Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ samples were investigated using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations. Intrinsic defects are not created during cleaving. This experimental observation is consistent with calculations, where the formation energy for a Sr and O vacancy, 4.19 eV and 3.81 eV, respectively, is significantly larger than that required to cleave the crystal, 1.11 eV/(1 $\times$ 1) unit cell. Surface oxygen vacancies can be created through electron bombardment, however, and their appearance is shown to vary strongly with the imaging conditions. Point defects observed on as-cleaved surfaces result from bulk impurities and adsorption from the residual gas.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗