Direct Observation of Gate Tunable Dark Trions in Monolayer WSe2

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the electrostatic control of dark trions in monolayer WSe2, revealing their properties, magnetic responses, and tunable lifetimes, which could advance excitonic optoelectronics and valleytronics.

Contribution

We directly observed and controlled gate-tunable dark trions in monolayer WSe2, providing new insights into their properties and potential applications.

Findings

Dark trions have a binding energy of ~15 meV.

Dark trion lifetime can be tuned from ~50 to ~215 ps.

Distinct valley polarization observed for electron and hole dressing.

Abstract

Spin-forbidden intravalley dark exciton in tungsten-based transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), owing to its unique spin texture and long lifetime, has attracted intense research interest. Here, we show that we can control the dark exciton electrostatically by dressing it with one free electron or free hole, forming the dark trions. The existence of the dark trions is suggested by the unique magneto-photoluminescence spectroscopy pattern of the boron nitride (BN) encapsulated monolayer WSe2 device at low temperature. The unambiguous evidence of the dark trions is further obtained by directly resolving the radiation pattern of the dark trions through back focal plane imaging. The dark trions possess binding energy of ~ 15 meV, and it inherits the long lifetime and large g-factor from the dark exciton. Interestingly, under the out-of-plane magnetic field, dressing the dark exciton with one free electron or hole results in distinctively different valley polarization of the emitted phonon, a result of the different intervalley scattering mechanism for the electron and hole. Finally, the lifetime of the positive dark trion can be further tuned from ~ 50 to ~ 215 ps by controlling the gate voltage. The gate tunable dark trions ushers in new opportunities for excitonic optoelectronics and valleytronics.