Layer-dependent transport properties in the Moir\'e of strained homobilayer transition metal dichalcogenides

TL;DR

This paper explores how strain, electric fields, and moiré period number influence layer-dependent transport in strained homobilayer TMDs, revealing mechanisms for controlling layer polarization and transport modes.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model analyzing layer-dependent transport in strained moiré TMDs, highlighting controllable transitions between intra- and interlayer conduction mechanisms.

Findings

Transport can be perfectly transmitted through the moiré potential.

Strain controls the transition between intra- and interlayer transport.

Electric fields enable layer polarization and selective interlayer transmission.

Abstract

Bilayer moir\'e structures have attracted significant attention recently due to their spatially modulated layer degrees of freedom. However, the layer-dependent transport mechanism in the moir\'e structures is still a problem to be explored. Here we investigate the layer-dependent transport properties regulated by the strain, the interlayer bias and the number of moir\'e periods in a strained moir\'e homobilayer TMDs nanoribbon based on low-energy efficient models. The charge carriers can pass perfectly through the scattering region with the moir\'e potential. While, it is noted that the overall transmission coefficient is mainly contributed from either intralayer or interlayer transmissions. The transition of transport mechanism between intralayer and interlayer transmissions can be achieved by adjusting the strain. The intralayer transmissions are suppressed and one of the interlayer transmissions can be selected by a vertical external electric field, which can cause a controllable layer polarization. Moreover, the staggered intralayer and interlayer minigaps are formed as the number of moir\'e periods increases in the scattering region due to the overlap of the wave functions in two adjacent moir\'e periods. Our finding points to an opportunity to realize layer functionalities by the strain and electric field.