Durable Enhancement of $\mathbf{MoS_2}$ Single-Layer Photoluminescence by Ultraviolet Laser Treatment Under Ambient Conditions

TL;DR

This study presents a durable, non-destructive UV laser treatment that significantly enhances and stabilizes the photoluminescence of single-layer MoS₂, with potential applications in nanophotonics.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel UV laser treatment method that permanently boosts and stabilizes MoS₂ photoluminescence under ambient conditions, with precise spatial control.

Findings

Over 8-fold increase in PL intensity after UV laser treatment.

Enhanced PL stability observed over 72 days in ambient conditions.

UV laser treatment induces electron depletion and Mo-O bond formation.

Abstract

Single-layer molybdenum disulfide ($MoS_2$) possesses significant potential for nanoscale optoelectronics, but achieving high-intensity, long-term-stable photoluminescence (PL) emission remains a challenge. In this work, we demonstrate a remarkably robust, more than 8-fold maximum enhancement in the PL intensity of exfoliated and CVD-grown single-layer $MoS_2$ via a non-destructive ultraviolet (UV) laser treatment method. This substantial increase in radiative efficiency is accompanied by a trion-to-neutral exciton transition in the PL signal and a corresponding blue shift of the Raman $E_{2g}^1$ and $A_{1g}$ vibrational modes, signaling successful electron depletion (p-doping) and formation of Mo-O bonds, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrate precise spatial control over PL properties by confining PL treatment exclusively to the UV laser-treated area. Crucially, the enhanced PL performance shows exceptional longevity; the CVD sample and the exfoliated sample remained stable for the entire monitoring period (72 and 32 days, respectively) under ambient conditions. We further investigated UV laser treatment in a controlled-environment chamber under argon, nitrogen, and oxygen atmospheres, distinguishing the influence of oxygen as the PL treatment agent. These findings establish a reliable pathway for the permanent treatment of single-layer $MoS_2$ PL properties, an essential step toward practical, high-performance nanophotonic devices.