Hybrid k$\cdot$p tight-binding model for subbands and infrared intersubband optics in few-layer films of transition-metal dichalcogenides: MoS$_2$, MoSe$_2$, WS$_2$ and WSe${}_2$

TL;DR

This paper develops a hybrid k·p tight-binding model based on density functional theory to analyze and predict intersubband optical transitions in few-layer transition-metal dichalcogenides, revealing their potential for infrared applications.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new hybrid k·p tight-binding model for atomically thin TMD films, enabling detailed analysis of intersubband transitions and optical properties across various layer thicknesses.

Findings

Intersubband spectra cover 2-30 μm infrared range.

Electronic dispersion oscillates with layer number in doped films.

Potential for quantum Hall effect studies in these materials.

Abstract

We present a density functional theory parametrized hybrid k$\cdot$p tight binding model for electronic properties of atomically thin films of transition-metal dichalcogenides, 2H-$MX_2$ ($M$=Mo, W; $X$=S, Se). We use this model to analyze intersubband transitions in $p$- and $n$-doped $2{\rm H}-MX_2$ films and predict the line shapes of the intersubband excitations, determined by the subband-dependent two-dimensional electron and hole masses, as well as excitation lifetimes due to emission and absorption of optical phonons. We find that the intersubband spectra of atomically thin films of the 2H-${MX_2}$ family with thicknesses of $N=2$ to $7$ layers densely cover the infrared spectral range of wavelengths between $2$ and $30\ {\rm \mu m}$. The detailed analysis presented in this paper shows that for thin $n$-doped films, the electronic dispersion and spin-valley degeneracy of the lowest-energy subbands oscillate between odd and even number of layers, which may also offer interesting opportunities for quantum Hall effect studies in these systems.