Graphene-driven correlated electronic states in one dimensional defects within WS2

TL;DR

The paper shows how graphene influences the formation of special electronic states in defects within WS2, a two-dimensional material.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that graphene's charge transfer is critical for forming Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid states in one-dimensional defects of WS2.

Findings

Graphene induces charge transfer into one-dimensional metal defects in WS2.

Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid behavior is observed in these defects when supported by graphene.

Electronic correlations and band structure are visualized using advanced microscopy techniques.

Abstract

Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (TLL) behavior in one-dimensional systems has been predicted and shown to occur at semiconductor-to-metal transitions within two-dimensional materials. Reports of one-dimensional defects hosting a Fermi liquid or a TLL have suggested a dependence on the underlying substrate, however, unveiling the physical details of electronic contributions from the substrate require cross-correlative investigation. Here, we study TLL formation within defectively engineered WS2 atop graphene, where band structure and the atomic environment is visualized with nano angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, and non-contact atomic force microscopy. Correlations between the local density of states and electronic band dispersion elucidated the electron transfer from graphene into a TLL hosted by one-dimensional metal (1DM) defects. It appears that the vertical heterostructure with graphene and the induced charge transfer from graphene into the 1DM is critical for the formation of a TLL.

Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid behavior has been observed within 1D defects in transition metal dichalcogenides. Here, using complementary experiments and engineered defects, the authors demonstrate the importance of graphene as a substrate and its role in the formation of this quasiparticle excitation in 2D WS2.

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