Exploring valleytronics in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides

Abstract

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibit distinct electrical and optical properties according to the relative occupation of each of two valleys in their dispersion relation. The resulting valley degree of freedom is robust, linked to a large spin-orbit splitting between valence bands, and shows promise in electro-optical devices or as an information token for logic applications. In order to explore applications of these properties, monolayer crystals are required that have reduced intervalley scattering. To date, the majority of valley-related studies have focused on exfoliated samples for their quality and ease of production. In this thesis, valley polarization is explored in monolayer tungsten disulfide (WS₂) synthesized by chemical vapor transport (CVT). This novel method of bottom-up growth relies on halide-driven vapor transport commonly utilized in bulk crystal growth. Using a small amount of sodium chloride salt as a source of chlorine, non-volatile WS₂ can react to form gaseous tungsten chloride and sulfur. With an open tube system, a controlled reaction generates mono- and few- layer WS₂ crystals. These crystals have excellent optical properties and exhibit a degree of valley polarization near 50% at 77 K and up to 30% at room temperature. This surpasses previous values reported in WS₂ . By decoupling pump photon and thermal energy, valley depolarization shows the characteristics of an electron-hole exchange interaction rather than nonradiative scattering. These results offer the initial groundwork for future devices that use the coupled valley-spin degree of freedom as a robust token of information, promising reduced power consumption compared to conventional MOSFET-based electronics.