Dynamical Control of Interlayer Excitons and Trions in WSe$_2$/Mo$_{0.5}$W$_{0.5}$Se$_2$ Heterobilayer via Tunable Near-Field Cavity

TL;DR

This study demonstrates dynamic, reversible control over excitonic processes in a TMD heterobilayer using tip-enhanced photoluminescence spectroscopy, enabling precise manipulation of optical and electronic properties at the nanoscale.

Contribution

It introduces a multifunctional nano-optical approach to control excitons and trions in TMD heterobilayers via tip-induced engineering, advancing nanoscale optoelectronic device development.

Findings

Reversible control of excitonic emission and energy levels.

Spatial resolution below 20 nm in excitonic manipulation.

Simultaneous spectroscopic and mechanical control of excitonic processes.

Abstract

Emerging photo-induced excitonic processes in transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterobilayers, e.g., coupling, dephasing, and energy transfer of intra- and inter-layer excitons, allow new opportunities for ultrathin photonic devices. Yet, with the associated large degree of spatial heterogeneity, understanding and controlling their complex competing interactions at the nanoscale remains a challenge. Here, we present an all-round dynamic control of intra- and inter-layer excitonic processes in a WSe$_2$/Mo$_{0.5}$W$_{0.5}$Se$_2$ heterobilayer using multifunctional tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL) spectroscopy. Specifically, we control the radiative recombination path and emission rate, electronic bandgap energy, and neutral to charged exciton conversion with <20 nm spatial resolution in a reversible manner. It is achieved through the tip-induced engineering of Au tip-heterobilayer distance and interlayer distance, GPa scale local pressure, and plasmonic hot-electron injection respectively, with simultaneous spectroscopic TEPL measurements. This unique nano-opto-electro-mechanical control approach provides new strategies for developing versatile nano-excitonic devices based on TMD heterobilayers.