A substitutional quantum defect in WS2 discovered by high-throughput computational screening and fabricated by site-selective STM manipulation

Point defects in two-dimensional materials are of key interest for quantum information science. However, the parameter space of possible defects is immense, making the identification of high-performance quantum defects very challenging. Here, we perform high-throughput (HT) first-principles computational screening to search for promising quantum defects within WS2, which present localized levels in the band gap that can lead to bright optical transitions in the visible or telecom regime. Our computed database spans more than 700 charged defects formed through substitution on the tungsten or sulfur site. We found that sulfur substitutions enable the most promising quantum defects. We computationally identify the neutral cobalt substitution to sulfur (CoS 0 ) and fabricate it with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The CoS 0 electronic structure measured by STM agrees with first principles and showcases an attractive quantum defect. Our work shows how HT computational screening and nanoscale synthesis routes can be combined to design promising quantum defects.

Direct Visualization of the Charge Transfer in a Graphene/α-RuCl3 Heterostructure via Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy

We investigate the electronic properties of a graphene and α-ruthenium trichloride (α-RuCl3) heterostructure using a combination of experimental techniques. α-RuCl3 is a Mott insulator and a Kitaev material. Its combination with graphene has gained increasing attention due to its potential applicability in novel optoelectronic devices. By using a combination of spatially resolved photoemission spectroscopy and low-energy electron microscopy, we are able to provide a direct visualization of the massive charge transfer from graphene to α-RuCl3, which can modify the electronic properties of both materials, leading to novel electronic phenomena at their interface. A measurement of the spatially resolved work function allows for a direct estimate of the interface dipole between graphene and α-RuCl3. Their strong coupling could lead to new ways of manipulating electronic properties of a two-dimensional heterojunction. Understanding the electronic properties of this structure is pivotal for designing next generation low-power optoelectronics devices.

Integrating collapsible plasmonic gaps on near-field probes for polarization-resolved mapping of plasmon-enhanced emission in 2D material

Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) is an important technique used to study the optical properties of material systems at the nanoscale. In previous work, we reported on the use of nanoimprinting to improve the reproducibility and throughput of near-field probes including complicated optical antenna structures such as the 'campanile' probe. However, precise control over the plasmonic gap size, which determines the near-field enhancement and spatial resolution, remains a challenge. Here, we present a novel approach to fabricating a sub-20 nm plasmonic gap in a near-field plasmonic probe through the controlled collapse of imprinted nanostructures using atomic layer deposition (ALD) coatings to define the gap width. The resulting ultranarrow gap at the apex of the probe provides a strong polarization-sensitive near-field optical response, which results in an enhancement of the optical transmission in a broad wavelength range from 620 to 820 nm, enabling tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL) mapping of 2-dimensional (2D) materials. We demonstrate the potential of this near-field probe by mapping a 2D exciton coupled to a linearly polarized plasmonic resonance with below 30 nm spatial resolution. This work proposes a novel approach for integrating a plasmonic antenna at the apex of the near-field probe, paving the way for the fundamental study of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.

Near-Field Coupling with a Nanoimprinted Probe for Dark Exciton Nanoimaging in Monolayer WSe2

Tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TRPL) is a powerful technique for spatially and spectrally probing local optical properties of 2-dimensional (2D) materials that are modulated by the local heterogeneities, revealing inaccessible dark states due to bright state overlap in conventional far-field microscopy at room temperature. While scattering-type near-field probes have shown the potential to selectively enhance and reveal dark exciton emission, their technical complexity and sensitivity can pose challenges under certain experimental conditions. Here, we present a highly reproducible and easy-to-fabricate near-field probe based on nanoimprint lithography and fiber-optic excitation and collection. The novel near-field measurement configuration provides an ∼3 orders of magnitude out-of-plane Purcell enhancement, diffraction-limited excitation spot, and subdiffraction hyperspectral imaging resolution (below 50 nm) of dark exciton emission. The effectiveness of this high spatial X_D mapping technique was then demonstrated through reproducible hyperspectral mapping of oxidized sites and bubble areas.

Sharp, high numerical aperture (NA), nanoimprinted bare pyramid probe for optical mapping

The ability to correlate optical hyperspectral mapping and high resolution topographic imaging is critically important to gain deep insight into the structure-function relationship of nanomaterial systems. Scanning near-field optical microscopy can achieve this goal, but at the cost of significant effort in probe fabrication and experimental expertise. To overcome these two limitations, we have developed a low-cost and high-throughput nanoimprinting technique to integrate a sharp pyramid structure on the end facet of a single-mode fiber that can be scanned with a simple tuning-fork technique. The nanoimprinted pyramid has two main features: (1) a large taper angle (∼70°), which determines the far-field confinement at the tip, resulting in a spatial resolution of 275 nm, an effective numerical aperture of 1.06, and (2) a sharp apex with a radius of curvature of ∼20 nm, which enables high resolution topographic imaging. Optical performance is demonstrated through evanescent field distribution mapping of a plasmonic nanogroove sample, followed by hyperspectral photoluminescence mapping of nanocrystals using a fiber-in-fiber-out light coupling mode. Through comparative photoluminescence mapping on 2D monolayers, we also show a threefold improvement in spatial resolution over chemically etched fibers. These results show that the bare nanoimprinted near-field probes provide simple access to spectromicroscopy correlated with high resolution topographic mapping and have the potential to advance reproducible fiber-tip-based scanning near-field microscopy.

Imaging gate-tunable Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids in 1H-MoSe2 mirror twin boundaries

One-dimensional electron systems exhibit fundamentally different properties than higher-dimensional systems. For example, electron-electron interactions in one-dimensional electron systems have been predicted to induce Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid behaviour. Naturally occurring grain boundaries in single-layer transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit one-dimensional conducting channels that have been proposed to host Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids, but charge density wave physics has also been suggested to explain their behaviour. Clear identification of the electronic ground state of this system has been hampered by an inability to electrostatically gate such boundaries and tune their charge carrier concentration. Here we present a scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy study of gate-tunable mirror twin boundaries in single-layer 1H-MoSe₂ devices. Gating enables scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy for different mirror twin boundary electron densities, thus allowing precise characterization of electron-electron interaction effects. Visualization of the resulting mirror twin boundary electronic structure allows unambiguous identification of collective density wave excitations having two velocities, in quantitative agreement with the spin-charge separation predicted by finite-length Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid theory.

Optimizing cathodoluminescence microscopy of buried interfaces through nanoscale heterostructure design

Mapping the optical response of buried interfaces with nanoscale spatial resolution is crucial in several systems where an active component is embedded within a buffer layer for structural or functional reasons. Here, we demonstrate that cathodoluminescence microscopy is not only an ideal tool for visualizing buried interfaces, but can be optimized through heterostructure design. We focus on the prototypical system of monolayers of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenide sandwiched between hexagonal boron nitride layers. We leverage the encapsulating layers to tune the nanoscale spatial resolution achievable in cathodoluminescence mapping while also controlling the brightness of the emission. Thicker encapsulation layers result in a brighter emission while thinner ones enhance the spatial resolution at the expense of the signal intensity. We find that a favorable trade-off between brightness and resolution is achievable up to about ∼100 nm of total encapsulation. Beyond this value, the brightness gain is marginal, while the spatial resolution enters a regime that is achievable by diffraction-limited optical microscopy. By preparing samples of varying encapsulation thickness, we are able to determine a surprisingly isotropic exciton diffusion length of >200 nm within the hexagonal boron nitride which is the dominant factor that determines spatial resolution. We further demonstrate that we can overcome the exciton diffusion-limited spatial resolution by using spectrally distinct signals, which is the case for nanoscale inhomogeneities within monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides.

Spin-dependent vibronic response of a carbon radical ion in two-dimensional WS2

Atomic spin centers in 2D materials are a highly anticipated building block for quantum technologies. Here, we demonstrate the creation of an effective spin-1/2 system via the atomically controlled generation of magnetic carbon radical ions (CRIs) in synthetic two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides. Hydrogenated carbon impurities located at chalcogen sites introduced by chemical doping are activated with atomic precision by hydrogen depassivation using a scanning probe tip. In its anionic state, the carbon impurity is computed to have a magnetic moment of 1 μ_B resulting from an unpaired electron populating a spin-polarized in-gap orbital. We show that the CRI defect states couple to a small number of local vibrational modes. The vibronic coupling strength critically depends on the spin state and differs for monolayer and bilayer WS₂. The carbon radical ion is a surface-bound atomic defect that can be selectively introduced, features a well-understood vibronic spectrum, and is charge state controlled.

Spin-polarized defects in 2D materials are attracting attention for future quantum technology applications, but their controlled fabrication is still challenging. Here, the authors report the creation and characterization of effective spin 1/2 defects via the atomically-precise generation of magnetic carbon radical ions in 2D WS₂.

Photoinduced Charge Transfer and Trapping on Single Gold Metal Nanoparticles on TiO2

We present a study of the effect of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on TiO₂ on charge generation and trapping during illumination with photons of energy larger than the substrate band gap. We used a novel characterization technique, photoassisted Kelvin probe force microscopy, to study the process at the single Au NP level. We found that the photoinduced electron transfer from TiO₂ to the Au NP increases logarithmically with light intensity due to the combined contribution of electron-hole pair generation in the space charge region in the TiO₂-air interface and in the metal-semiconductor junction. Our measurements on single particles provide direct evidence for electron trapping that hinders electron-hole recombination, a key factor in the enhancement of photo(electro)catalytic activity.

Ag-Diamond Core-Shell Nanostructures Incorporated with Silicon-Vacancy Centers

Silicon-vacancy (SiV) centers in diamond have attracted attention as highly stable fluorophores for sensing and as possible candidates for quantum information science. While prior studies have shown that the formation of hybrid diamond-metal structures can increase the rates of optical absorption and emission, many practical applications require diamond plasmonic structures that are stable in harsh chemical and thermal environments. Here, we demonstrate that Ag nanospheres, produced both in quasi-random arrays by thermal dewetting and in ordered arrays using electron-beam lithography, can be completely encapsulated with a thin diamond coating containing SiV centers, leading to hybrid core-shell nanostructures exhibiting extraordinary chemical and thermal stability as well as enhanced optical properties. Diamond shells with a thickness on the order of 20-100 nm are sufficient to encapsulate and protect the Ag nanostructures with different sizes ranging from 20 nm to hundreds of nanometers, allowing them to withstand heating to temperatures of 1000 °C and immersion in harsh boiling acid for 24 h. Ultrafast photoluminescence lifetime and super-resolution optical imaging experiments were used to study the SiV properties on and off the core-shell structures, which show that the SiV on core-shell structures have higher brightness and faster decay rate. The stability and optical properties of the hybrid Ag-diamond core-shell structures make them attractive candidates for high-efficiency imaging and quantum-based sensing applications.

The role of chalcogen vacancies for atomic defect emission in MoS2

For two-dimensional (2D) layered semiconductors, control over atomic defects and understanding of their electronic and optical functionality represent major challenges towards developing a mature semiconductor technology using such materials. Here, we correlate generation, optical spectroscopy, atomic resolution imaging, and ab initio theory of chalcogen vacancies in monolayer MoS2. Chalcogen vacancies are selectively generated by in-vacuo annealing, but also focused ion beam exposure. The defect generation rate, atomic imaging and the optical signatures support this claim. We discriminate the narrow linewidth photoluminescence signatures of vacancies, resulting predominantly from localized defect orbitals, from broad luminescence features in the same spectral range, resulting from adsorbates. Vacancies can be patterned with a precision below 10 nm by ion beams, show single photon emission, and open the possibility for advanced defect engineering of 2D semiconductors at the ultimate scale.

Ultrahigh-resolution scanning microwave impedance microscopy of moiré lattices and superstructures

Two-dimensional heterostructures composed of layers with slightly different lattice vectors exhibit new periodic structure known as moiré lattices, which, in turn, can support novel correlated and topological phenomena. Moreover, moiré superstructures can emerge from multiple misaligned moiré lattices or inhomogeneous strain distributions, offering additional degrees of freedom in tailoring electronic structure. High-resolution imaging of the moiré lattices and superstructures is critical for understanding the emerging physics. Here, we report the imaging of moiré lattices and superstructures in graphene-based samples under ambient conditions using an ultrahigh-resolution implementation of scanning microwave impedance microscopy. Although the probe tip has a gross radius of ~100 nm, spatial resolution better than 5 nm is achieved, which allows direct visualization of the structural details in moiré lattices and the composite super-moiré. We also demonstrate artificial synthesis of novel superstructures, including the Kagome moiré arising from the interplay between different layers.

Scalable Substitutional Re-Doping and its Impact on the Optical and Electronic Properties of Tungsten Diselenide

Reliable, controlled doping of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides will enable the realization of next-generation electronic, logic-memory, and magnetic devices based on these materials. However, to date, accurate control over dopant concentration and scalability of the process remains a challenge. Here, a systematic study of scalable in situ doping of fully coalesced 2D WSe₂ films with Re atoms via metal-organic chemical vapor deposition is reported. Dopant concentrations are uniformly distributed over the substrate surface, with precisely controlled concentrations down to <0.001% Re achieved by tuning the precursor partial pressure. Moreover, the impact of doping on morphological, chemical, optical, and electronic properties of WSe₂ is elucidated with detailed experimental and theoretical examinations, confirming that the substitutional doping of Re at the W site leads to n-type behavior of WSe₂ . Transport characteristics of fabricated back-gated field-effect-transistors are directly correlated to the dopant concentration, with degrading device performances for doping concentrations exceeding 1% of Re. The study demonstrates a viable approach to introducing true dopant-level impurities with high precision, which can be scaled up to batch production for applications beyond digital electronics.

Neutral Exciton Diffusion in Monolayer MoS2

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are promising materials for next generation optoelectronic devices. The exciton diffusion length is a critical parameter that reflects the quality of exciton transport in monolayer TMDCs and limits the performance of many excitonic devices. Although diffusion lengths of a few hundred nanometers have been reported in the literature for as-exfoliated monolayers, these measurements are convoluted by neutral and charged excitons (trions) that coexist at room temperature due to natural background doping. Untangling the diffusion of neutral excitons and trions is paramount to understand the fundamental limits and potential of new optoelectronic device architectures made possible using TMDCs. In this work, we measure the diffusion lengths of neutral excitons and trions in monolayer MoS₂ by tuning the background carrier concentration using a gate voltage and utilizing both steady state and transient spectroscopy. We observe diffusion lengths of 1.5 μm and 300 nm for neutral excitons and trions, respectively, at an optical power density of 0.6 W cm^-2_.

Selectively accessing the hotspots of optical nanoantennas by self-aligned dry laser ablation

Plasmonic nanostructures serve as optical antennas for concentrating the energy of incoming light in localized hotspots close to their surface. By positioning nanoemitters in the antenna hotspots, energy transfer is enabled, leading to novel hybrid antenna-emitter-systems, where the antenna can be used to manipulate the optical properties of the nano-objects. The challenge remains how to precisely position emitters within the hotspots. We report a self-aligned process based on dry laser ablation of a calixarene that enables the attachment of molecules within the electromagnetic hotspots at the tips of gold nanocones. Within the laser focus, the ablation threshold is exceeded in nanoscale volumes, leading to selective access of the hotspot areas. A first indication of the site-selective functionalization process is given by attaching fluorescently labelled proteins to the nanocones. In a second example, Raman-active molecules are selectively attached only to nanocones that were previously exposed in the laser focus, which is verified by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Enabling selective functionalization is an important prerequisite e.g. for preparing single photon sources for quantum optical technologies, or multiplexed Raman sensing platforms.

Electrically driven photon emission from individual atomic defects in monolayer WS2

Quantum dot-like single-photon sources in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibit appealing quantum optical properties but lack a well-defined atomic structure and are subject to large spectral variability. Here, we demonstrate electrically stimulated photon emission from individual atomic defects in monolayer WS2 and directly correlate the emission with the local atomic and electronic structure. Radiative transitions are locally excited by sequential inelastic electron tunneling from a metallic tip into selected discrete defect states in the WS2 bandgap. Coupling to the optical far field is mediated by tip plasmons, which transduce the excess energy into a single photon. The applied tip-sample voltage determines the transition energy. Atomically resolved emission maps of individual point defects closely resemble electronic defect orbitals, the final states of the optical transitions. Inelastic charge carrier injection into localized defect states of two-dimensional materials provides a powerful platform for electrically driven, broadly tunable, atomic-scale single-photon sources.

Long-Range Exciton Diffusion in Two-Dimensional Assemblies of Cesium Lead Bromide Perovskite Nanocrystals

Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET)-mediated exciton diffusion through artificial nanoscale building block assemblies could be used as an optoelectronic design element to transport energy. However, so far, nanocrystal (NC) systems supported only diffusion lengths of 30 nm, which are too small to be useful in devices. Here, we demonstrate a FRET-mediated exciton diffusion length of 200 nm with 0.5 cm²/s diffusivity through an ordered, two-dimensional assembly of cesium lead bromide perovskite nanocrystals (CsPbBr₃ PNCs). Exciton diffusion was directly measured via steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) microscopy, with physical modeling providing deeper insight into the transport process. This exceptionally efficient exciton transport is facilitated by PNCs' high PL quantum yield, large absorption cross section, and high polarizability, together with minimal energetic and geometric disorder of the assembly. This FRET-mediated exciton diffusion length matches perovskites' optical absorption depth, thus enabling the design of device architectures with improved performances and providing insight into the high conversion efficiencies of PNC-based optoelectronic devices.

Atomistic Positioning of Defects in Helium Ion Treated Single-Layer MoS2

Structuring materials with atomic precision is the ultimate goal of nanotechnology and is becoming increasingly relevant as an enabling technology for quantum electronics/spintronics and quantum photonics. Here, we create atomic defects in monolayer MoS₂ by helium ion (He-ion) beam lithography with a spatial fidelity approaching the single-atom limit in all three dimensions. Using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we confirm the formation of individual point defects in MoS₂ upon He-ion bombardment and show that defects are generated within 9 nm of the incident helium ions. Atom-specific sputtering yields are determined by analyzing the type and occurrence of defects observed in high-resolution STM images and compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Both theory and experiment indicate that the He-ion bombardment predominantly generates sulfur vacancies.

Global Control of Stacking-Order Phase Transition by Doping and Electric Field in Few-Layer Graphene

The layer stacking order has profound effects on the physical properties of two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures. For example, graphene multilayers can have distinct electronic band structures and exhibit completely different behaviors depending on the stacking order. Fascinating physical phenomena, such as correlated insulators, superconductors, and ferromagnetism, can also emerge with a periodic variation of the layer stacking order, which is known as the moiré superlattice in van der Waals materials. In this work, we realize the global phase transition between different graphene layer stacking orders and elucidate its microscopic origin. We experimentally determine the energy difference between different stacking orders with the accuracy of μeV/atom. We reveal that both the carrier doping and the electric field can drive the layer-stacking phase transition through different mechanisms: carrier doping can change the energy difference because of a non-negligible work function difference between different stacking orders; the electric field, on the other hand, induces a band-gap opening in ABC-stacked graphene and hence changes the energy difference. Our findings provide a fundamental understanding of the electrically driven stacking-order phase transition in few-layer graphene and demonstrate a reversible and noninvasive method to globally control the stacking order.

How Substitutional Point Defects in Two-Dimensional WS2 Induce Charge Localization, Spin-Orbit Splitting, and Strain

Control of impurity concentrations in semiconducting materials is essential to device technology. Because of their intrinsic confinement, the properties of two-dimensional semiconductors such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are more sensitive to defects than traditional bulk materials. The technological adoption of TMDs is dependent on the mitigation of deleterious defects and guided incorporation of functional foreign atoms. The first step toward impurity control is the identification of defects and assessment of their electronic properties. Here, we present a comprehensive study of point defects in monolayer tungsten disulfide (WS₂) grown by chemical vapor deposition using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, CO-tip noncontact atomic force microscopy, Kelvin probe force spectroscopy, density functional theory, and tight-binding calculations. We observe four different substitutional defects: chromium (Cr_W) and molybdenum (Mo_W) at a tungsten site, oxygen at sulfur sites in both top and bottom layers (O_S top/bottom), and two negatively charged defects (CD type I and CD type II). Their electronic fingerprints unambiguously corroborate the defect assignment and reveal the presence or absence of in-gap defect states. Cr_W forms three deep unoccupied defect states, two of which arise from spin-orbit splitting. The formation of such localized trap states for Cr_W differs from the Mo_W case and can be explained by their different d shell energetics and local strain, which we directly measured. Utilizing a tight-binding model the electronic spectra of the isolectronic substitutions O_S and Cr_W are mimicked in the limit of a zero hopping term and infinite on-site energy at a S and W site, respectively. The abundant CDs are negatively charged, which leads to a significant band bending around the defect and a local increase of the contact potential difference. In addition, CD-rich domains larger than 100 nm are observed, causing a work function increase of 1.1 V. While most defects are electronically isolated, we also observed hybrid states formed between Cr_W dimers. The important role of charge localization, spin-orbit coupling, and strain for the formation of deep defect states observed at substitutional defects in WS₂ as reported here will guide future efforts of targeted defect engineering and doping of TMDs.

Large Spin-Orbit Splitting of Deep In-Gap Defect States of Engineered Sulfur Vacancies in Monolayer WS_{2}

Structural defects in 2D materials offer an effective way to engineer new material functionalities beyond conventional doping. We report on the direct experimental correlation of the atomic and electronic structure of a sulfur vacancy in monolayer WS_{2} by a combination of CO-tip noncontact atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy. Sulfur vacancies, which are absent in as-grown samples, were deliberately created by annealing in vacuum. Two energetically narrow unoccupied defect states followed by vibronic sidebands provide a unique fingerprint of this defect. Direct imaging of the defect orbitals, together with ab initio GW calculations, reveal that the large splitting of 252±4  meV between these defect states is induced by spin-orbit coupling.

Identifying substitutional oxygen as a prolific point defect in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides

Chalcogen vacancies are generally considered to be the most common point defects in transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductors because of their low formation energy in vacuum and their frequent observation in transmission electron microscopy studies. Consequently, unexpected optical, transport, and catalytic properties in 2D-TMDs have been attributed to in-gap states associated with chalcogen vacancies, even in the absence of direct experimental evidence. Here, we combine low-temperature non-contact atomic force microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, and state-of-the-art ab initio density functional theory and GW calculations to determine both the atomic structure and electronic properties of an abundant chalcogen-site point defect common to MoSe2 and WS2 monolayers grown by molecular beam epitaxy and chemical vapor deposition, respectively. Surprisingly, we observe no in-gap states. Our results strongly suggest that the common chalcogen defects in the described 2D-TMD semiconductors, measured in vacuum environment after gentle annealing, are oxygen substitutional defects, rather than vacancies.

Planar Aperiodic Arrays as Metasurfaces for Optical Near-Field Patterning

Plasmonic metasurfaces have spawned the field of flat optics using nanostructured planar metallic or dielectric surfaces that can replace bulky optical elements and enhance the capabilities of traditional far-field optics. Furthermore, the potential of flat optics can go far beyond far-field modulation and can be exploited for functionality in the near-field itself. Here, we design metasurfaces based on aperiodic arrays of plasmonic Au nanostructures for tailoring the optical near-field in the visible and near-infrared spectral range. The basic element of the arrays is a rhomboid that is modulated in size, orientation, and position to achieve the desired functionality of the micron-size metasurface structure. Using two-photon-photoluminescence as a tool to probe the near-field profiles in the plane of the metasurfaces, we demonstrate the molding of light into different near-field intensity patterns and active pattern control via the far-field illumination. Finite element method simulations reveal that the near-field modulation occurs via a combination of the plasmonic resonances of the rhomboids and field enhancement in the nanoscale gaps in between the elements. This approach enables optical elements that can switch the near-field distribution across the metasurface via wavelength and polarization of the incident far-field light and provides pathways for light matter interaction in integrated devices.

Effects of Defects on Band Structure and Excitons in WS2 Revealed by Nanoscale Photoemission Spectroscopy

Two-dimensional materials with engineered composition and structure will provide designer materials beyond conventional semiconductors. However, the potentials of defect engineering remain largely untapped, because it hinges on a precise understanding of electronic structure and excitonic properties, which are not yet predictable by theory alone. Here, we utilize correlative, nanoscale photoemission spectroscopy to visualize how local introduction of defects modifies electronic and excitonic properties of two-dimensional materials at the nanoscale. As a model system, we study chemical vapor deposition grown monolayer WS₂, a prototypical, direct gap, two-dimensional semiconductor. By cross-correlating nanoscale angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, core level spectroscopy, and photoluminescence, we unravel how local variations in defect density influence electronic structure, lateral band alignment, and excitonic phenomena in synthetic WS₂ monolayers.

Anomalous Above-Gap Photoexcitations and Optical Signatures of Localized Charge Puddles in Monolayer Molybdenum Disulfide

Broadband optoelectronics such as artificial light harvesting technologies necessitate efficient and, ideally, tunable coupling of excited states over a wide range of energies. In monolayer MoS₂, a prototypical two-dimensional layered semiconductor, the excited state manifold spans the visible electromagnetic spectrum and is comprised of an interconnected network of excitonic and free-carrier excitations. Here, photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy is used to reveal the energetic and spatial dependence of broadband excited state coupling to the ground-state luminescent excitons of monolayer MoS₂. Photoexcitation of the direct band gap excitons is found to strengthen with increasing energy, demonstrating that interexcitonic coupling across the Brillouin zone is more efficient than previously reported, and thus bolstering the import and appeal of these materials for broadband optoelectronic applications. Narrow excitation resonances that are superimposed on the broadband photoexcitation spectrum are identified and coincide with the energetic positions of the higher-energy excitons and the electronic band gap as predicted by first-principles calculations. Identification of such features outlines a facile route to measure the optical and electronic band gaps and thus the exciton binding energy in the more sophisticated device architectures that are necessary for untangling the rich many-body phenomena and complex photophysics of these layered semiconductors. In as-grown materials, the excited states exhibit microscopic spatial variations that are characteristic of local carrier density fluctuations, similar to charge puddling phenomena in graphene. Such variations likely arise from substrate inhomogeneity and demonstrate the possibility to use substrate patterning to tune local carrier density and dynamically control excited states for designer optoelectronics.

Gain and Raman line-broadening with graphene coated diamond-shape nano-antennas

Using Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), we report on intensity-dependent broadening in graphene-deposited broad-band antennas. The antenna gain curve includes both the incident frequency and some of the scattered mode frequencies. By comparing antennas with various gaps and types (bow-tie vs. diamond-shape antennas) we make the case that the line broadening did not originate from strain, thermal or surface potential. Strain, if present, further shifts and broadens those Raman lines that are included within the antenna gain curve.

Visualizing nanoscale excitonic relaxation properties of disordered edges and grain boundaries in monolayer molybdenum disulfide

Two-dimensional monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductors are ideal building blocks for atomically thin, flexible optoelectronic and catalytic devices. Although challenging for two-dimensional systems, sub-diffraction optical microscopy provides a nanoscale material understanding that is vital for optimizing their optoelectronic properties. Here we use the ‘Campanile' nano-optical probe to spectroscopically image exciton recombination within monolayer MoS₂ with sub-wavelength resolution (60 nm), at the length scale relevant to many critical optoelectronic processes. Synthetic monolayer MoS₂ is found to be composed of two distinct optoelectronic regions: an interior, locally ordered but mesoscopically heterogeneous two-dimensional quantum well and an unexpected ∼300-nm wide, energetically disordered edge region. Further, grain boundaries are imaged with sufficient resolution to quantify local exciton-quenching phenomena, and complimentary nano-Auger microscopy reveals that the optically defective grain boundary and edge regions are sulfur deficient. The nanoscale structure–property relationships established here are critical for the interpretation of edge- and boundary-related phenomena and the development of next-generation two-dimensional optoelectronic devices.

Understanding the dynamics of light-induced carriers is vital for employing two-dimensional materials in optoelectronic applications. Here, the authors use a sub diffraction-limit optical technique to reveal the excitonic properties of monolayer molybdenum disulfide at the nanoscale.

Deep-subwavelength imaging of both electric and magnetic localized optical fields by plasmonic campanile nanoantenna

Tailoring the electromagnetic field at the nanoscale has led to artificial materials exhibiting fascinating optical properties unavailable in naturally occurring substances. Besides having fundamental implications for classical and quantum optics, nanoscale metamaterials provide a platform for developing disruptive novel technologies, in which a combination of both the electric and magnetic radiation field components at optical frequencies is relevant to engineer the light-matter interaction. Thus, an experimental investigation of the spatial distribution of the photonic states at the nanoscale for both field components is of crucial importance. Here we experimentally demonstrate a concomitant deep-subwavelength near-field imaging of the electric and magnetic intensities of the optical modes localized in a photonic crystal nanocavity. We take advantage of the “campanile tip”, a plasmonic near-field probe that efficiently combines broadband field enhancement with strong far-field to near-field coupling. By exploiting the electric and magnetic polarizability components of the campanile tip along with the perturbation imaging method, we are able to map in a single measurement both the electric and magnetic localized near-field distributions.

Switching individual quantum dot emission through electrically controlling resonant energy transfer to graphene

Electrically controlling resonant energy transfer of optical emitters provides a novel mechanism to switch nanoscale light sources on and off individually for optoelectronic applications. Graphene's optical transitions are tunable through electrostatic gating over a broad wavelength spectrum, making it possible to modulate energy transfer from a variety of nanoemitters to graphene at room temperature. We demonstrate photoluminescence switching of individual colloidal quantum dots by electrically tuning their energy transfer to graphene. The gate dependence of energy transfer modulation confirms that the transition occurs when the Fermi level is shifted over half the emitter's excitation energy. The modulation magnitude decreases rapidly with increasing emitter-graphene distance (d), following the 1/d(4) rate trend unique to the energy transfer process to two-dimensional materials.

Triggering and monitoring plasmon-enhanced reactions by optical nanoantennas coupled to photocatalytic beads

Plasmonic metal/semiconductor nanocomposites promise to be a breakthrough for boosting and investigating photon-assisted processes at the nanoscale, with exciting perspectives for energy conversion and catalysis. However, the efficiency and selectivity of these surface processes are still far from being controlled. Here, shown for the first time, is a new class of photocatalyst which is based on the synergistic combination of bowtie-like gold nanoantennas and SiO2 /TiO2 core/shell oxide beads. These systems are exploited as efficient near-field optical light concentrators, stimulating photon-driven processes at the metal-semiconductor interface. Extraordinary enhancements of photodegradation rates (minutes instead of hours) result from matching the nanoantenna surface plasmon resonance with the optical absorption of organic dyes and the excitation source wavelength. Moreover, strong Raman enhancements are observed allowing for direct in-situ monitoring of reaction progress of different analytes on the same site.

A single particle plasmon resonance study of 3D conical nanoantennas

Metallic nanocones are well-suited optical antennas for near-field microscopy and spectroscopy, exhibiting a number of different plasmonic modes. A major challenge in using nanocones for many applications is maximizing the signal at the tip while minimizing the background from the base. It is shown that nanocone plasmon resonance properties can be shifted over a wide range of wavelengths by variation of the substrate, material, size and shape, enabling potential control over specific modes and field distributions. The individual resonances are identified and studied by correlated single particle dark field scattering and scanning electron microscopy in combination with numerical simulations.

Reaching the theoretical resonance quality factor limit in coaxial plasmonic nanoresonators fabricated by helium ion lithography

Optical antenna structures have revolutionized the field of nano-optics by confining light to deep subwavelength dimensions for spectroscopy and sensing. In this work, we fabricated coaxial optical antennae with sub-10-nanometer critical dimensions using helium ion lithography (HIL). Wavelength dependent transmission measurements were used to determine the wavelength-dependent optical response. The quality factor of 11 achieved with our HIL fabricated structures matched the theoretically predicted quality factor for the idealized flawless gold resonators calculated by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD). For comparison, coaxial antennae with 30 nm critical dimensions were fabricated using both HIL and the more common Ga focus ion beam lithography (Ga-FIB). The quality factor of the Ga-FIB resonators was 60% of the ideal HIL results for the same design geometry due to limitations in the Ga-FIB fabrication process.

Plasmonic near-field probes: a comparison of the campanile geometry with other sharp tips

Efficient conversion of photonic to plasmonic energy is important for nano-optical applications, particularly imaging and spectroscopy. Recently a new generation of photonic/plasmonic transducers, the 'campanile' probes, has been developed that overcomes many shortcomings of previous near-field probes by efficiently merging broadband field enhancement with bidirectional coupling of far- to near-field electromagnetic modes. In this work we compare the properties of the campanile structure with those of current NSOM tips using finite element simulations. Field confinement, enhancement, and polarization near the apex of the probe are evaluated relative to local fields created by conical tapered tips in vacuum and in tip-substrate gap mode. We show that the campanile design has similar field enhancement and bandwidth capabilities as those of ultra-sharp metallized tips, but without the substrate and sample restrictions inherent in the tip-surface gap mode operation often required by those tips. In addition, we show for the first time that this campanile probe structure also significantly enhances the radiative rate of any dipole emitter located near the probe apex, quantifying the enhanced decay rate and demonstrating that over 90% of the light radiated by the emitter is "captured" by this probe. This is equivalent to collecting the light from a solid angle of ~3.6 pi. These advantages are crucial for performing techniques such as Raman and IR spectroscopy, white-light nano-ellipsometry and ultrafast pump-probe studies at the nanoscale.

Gold nanocone near-field scanning optical microscopy probes

Near-field scanning optical microscopy enables the simultaneous topographical and subdiffraction limited optical imaging of surfaces. A process is presented for the implementation of single individually engineered gold cones at the tips of atomic force microscopy cantilevers. These cantilevers act as novel high-performance optical near-field probes. In the fabrication, thin-film metallization, electron beam induced deposition of etch masks, and Ar ion milling are combined. The cone constitutes a well-defined highly efficient optical antenna with a tip radius on the order of 10 nm and an adjustable plasmon resonance frequency. The sharp tip enables high resolution topographical imaging. By controllably varying the cone size, the resonance frequency can be adapted to the application of choice. Structural properties of these sharp-tipped probes are presented together with topographical images recorded with a cone probe. The antenna functionality is demonstrated by gathering the near-field enhanced Raman signature of individual carbon nanotubes with a gold cone scanning probe.

Hyperspectral nanoscale imaging on dielectric substrates with coaxial optical antenna scan probes

We have demonstrated hyperspectral tip-enhanced Raman imaging on dielectric substrates using linearly polarized light and nanofabricated coaxial antenna tips. A full Raman spectrum was acquired at each pixel of a 256 by 256 pixel contact-mode atomic force microscope image of carbon nanotubes grown on a fused silica microscope coverslip, allowing D and G mode intensity and D-mode peak shifts to be measured with ∼20 nm spatial resolution. Tip enhancement was sufficient to acquire useful Raman spectra in 50-100 ms. Coaxial scan probes combine the efficiency and enhanced, ultralocalized optical fields of plasmonically coupled antennae with the superior topographical imaging properties of sharp metal tips. The yield of the coaxial tip fabrication process is close to 100%, and the tips are sufficiently durable to support hours of contact-mode force microscope imaging. Our coaxial probes avoid the limitations associated with the "gap-mode" imaging geometry used in most tip-enhanced Raman studies to date, where a sharp metal tip is held ∼1 nm above a metallic substrate with the sample located in the gap.

Nonperturbative visualization of nanoscale plasmonic field distributions via photon localization microscopy

We demonstrate the nonperturbative use of diffraction-limited optics and photon localization microscopy to visualize the controlled nanoscale shifts of zeptoliter mode volumes within plasmonic nanostructures. Unlike tip- or coating-based methods for mapping near fields, these measurements do not affect the electromagnetic properties of the structure being investigated. We quantify the local field manipulation capabilities of asymmetric bowtie antennas, in agreement with theoretical calculations. The photon-limited localization accuracy of nanoscale mode positions is determined for many of the measured devices to be within a 95% confidence interval of +/-2.5 nm. This accuracy also enables us to characterize the effects of nm-scale fabrication irregularities on local plasmonic mode distributions.

Cis-dicarbonyl binding at cobalt and iron porphyrins with saddle-shape conformation

Diatomic molecules attached to complexed iron or cobalt centres are important in many biological processes. In natural systems, metallotetrapyrrole units carry respiratory gases or provide sensing and catalytic functions. Conceiving synthetic model systems strongly helps to determine the pertinent chemical foundations for such processes, with recent work highlighting the importance of the prosthetic groups' conformational flexibility as an intricate variable affecting their functional properties. Here, we present simple model systems to investigate, at the single molecule level, the interaction of carbon monoxide with saddle-shaped iron- and cobalt-porphyrin conformers, which have been stabilized as two-dimensional arrays on well-defined surfaces. Using scanning tunnelling microscopy we identified a novel bonding scheme expressed in tilted monocarbonyl and cis-dicarbonyl configurations at the functional metal-macrocycle unit. Modelling with density functional theory revealed that the weakly bonded diatomic carbonyl adduct can effectively bridge specific pyrrole groups with the metal atom as a result of the pronounced saddle-shape conformation of the porphyrin cage.

L-tyrosine on Ag(111): universality of the amino acid 2D zwitterionic bonding scheme?

We present a combined study of the adsorption and ordering of the l-tyrosine amino acid on the close-packed Ag(111) noble-metal surface in ultrahigh vacuum by means of low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. On this substrate the biomolecules self-assemble at temperatures exceeding 320 K into linear structures primarily following specific crystallographic directions and evolve with larger molecular coverage into two-dimensional nanoribbons which are commensurate with the underlying atomic lattice. Our high resolution topographical STM data reveal noncovalent molecular dimerization within the highly ordered one-dimensional nanostructures, which recalls the geometrical pattern already seen in the l-methionine/Ag(111) system and supports a universal bonding scheme for amino acids on smooth and unreactive metal surfaces. The molecules desorb for temperatures above 350 K, indicating a relatively weak interaction between the molecules and the substrate. XPS measurements reveal a zwitterionic adsorption, whereas NEXAFS experiments show a tilted adsorption configuration of the phenol moiety. This enables the interdigitation between aromatic side chains of adjacent molecules via parallel-displaced pi-pi interactions which, together with the hydrogen-bonding capability of the hydroxyl functionality, presumably mediates the emergence of the self-assembled supramolecular nanoribbons.

Functional plasmonic antenna scanning probes fabricated by induced-deposition mask lithography

We have fabricated plasmonic bowtie antennae on the apex of silicon atomic-force microscope cantilever tips that enhance the local silicon Raman scattering intensity by approximately 4 x 10(4) when excited near the antenna resonance. The antennae were fabricated using a novel method, induced-deposition mask lithography (IDML), capable of creating high-purity metallic nanostructures on non-planar, non-conducting substrates with high repeatability. IDML involves electron-beam-induced deposition of a W or SiO(x) hard mask on the material to be pattered, here a 20 nm Au film, followed by Ar ion etching to remove the mask and the unmasked gold, leaving a chemically pure Au bowtie antenna. Antenna function and reproducibility was confirmed by comparing Raman spectra for excitation polarized parallel and perpendicular to the antenna axis, as well as by dark-field spectroscopic characterization of resonant modes. The field enhancement of these plasmonic AFM antennae tips was comparable with antennae produced by electron-beam lithography on flat substrates.

Manipulating nanoscale light fields with the asymmetric bowtie nano-colorsorter

We present a class of devices called Asymmetric Bowtie nano-Colorsorters. These devices are specifically engineered to not only capture and confine optical fields, but also to spectrally filter and steer them while maintaining nanoscale field distributions. We show that spectral properties and localized spatial mode distributions can be readily tuned by controlled asymmetry. Nano-Colorsorters can control light's spatial and spectral distributions at the nanoscale and thus significantly impact applications ranging from broadband light harvesting to ultrafast wavelength-selective photodetection.

Label-free in situ imaging of lignification in the cell wall of low lignin transgenic Populus trichocarpa

Chemical imaging by confocal Raman microscopy has been used for the visualization of the cellulose and lignin distribution in wood cell walls. Lignin reduction in wood can be achieved by, for example, transgenic suppression of a monolignol biosynthesis gene encoding 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL). Here, we use confocal Raman microscopy to compare lignification in wild type and lignin-reduced 4CL transgenic Populus trichocarpa stem wood with spatial resolution that is sub-microm. Analyzing the lignin Raman bands in the spectral region between 1,600 and 1,700 cm(-1), differences in lignin signal intensity and localization are mapped in situ. Transgenic reduction of lignin is particularly pronounced in the S2 wall layer of fibers, suggesting that such transgenic approach may help overcome cell wall recalcitrance to wood saccharification. Spatial heterogeneity in the lignin composition, in particular with regard to ethylenic residues, is observed in both samples.

Dimerization boosts one-dimensional mobility of conformationally adapted porphyrins on a hexagonal surface atomic lattice

We employed temperature-controlled fast-scanning tunneling microscopy to monitor the diffusion of tetrapyridylporphyrin molecules on the Cu(111) surface. The data reveal unidirectional thermal migration of conformationally adapted monomers in the 300-360 K temperature range. Surprisingly equally oriented molecules spontaneously form dimers that feature a drastically increased one-dimensional diffusivity. The analysis of the bonding and mobility characteristics indicates that this boost is driven by a collective transport mechanism of a metallosupramolecular complex.

Conformational Adaptation and Selective Adatom Capturing of Tetrapyridyl-porphyrin Molecules on a Copper (111) Surface

We present a combined low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and near-edge X-ray adsorption fine structure study on the interaction of tetrapyridyl-porphyrin (TPyP) molecules with a Cu(111) surface. A novel approach using data from complementary experimental techniques and charge density calculations allows us to determine the adsorption geometry of TPyP on Cu(111). The molecules are centered on "bridge" sites of the substrate lattice and exhibit a strong deformation involving a saddle-shaped macrocycle distortion as well as considerable rotation and tilting of the meso-substituents. We propose a bonding mechanism based on the pyridyl-surface interaction, which mediates the molecular deformation upon adsorption. Accordingly, a functionalization by pyridyl groups opens up pathways to control the anchoring of large organic molecules on metal surfaces and tune their conformational state. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the affinity of the terminal groups for metal centers permits the selective capture of individual iron atoms at low temperature.

Controlled metalation of self-assembled porphyrin nanoarrays in two dimensions

We report a bottom-up approach for the fabrication of metallo-porphyrin compounds and nanoarchitectures in two dimensions. Scanning tunneling microscopy and tunneling spectroscopy observations elucidate the interaction of highly regular porphyrin layers self-assembled on a Ag(111) surface with iron monomers supplied by an atomic beam. The Fe is shown to be incorporated selectively in the porphyrin macrocycle whereby the template structure is strictly preserved. The immobilization of the molecular reactants allows the identification of single metalation events in a novel reaction scheme. Because the template layers provide extended arrays of reaction sites, superlattices of coordinatively unsaturated and magnetically active metal centers are obtained. This approach offers novel pathways to realize metallo-porphyrin compounds, low-dimensional metal-organic architectures and patterned surfaces which cannot be achieved by conventional means.

Self-assembly and conformation of tetrapyridyl-porphyrin molecules on Ag(111)

We present a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study on the supramolecular ordering of tetrapyridyl-porphyrin (TPyP) molecules on Ag(111). Vapor deposition in a wide substrate temperature range reveals that TPyP molecules easily diffuse and self-assemble into large, highly ordered chiral domains. We identify two mirror-symmetric unit cells, each containing two differently oriented molecules. From an analysis of the respective arrangement it is concluded that lateral intermolecular interactions control the packing of the layer, while its orientation is induced by the coupling to the substrate. This finding is corroborated by molecular mechanics calculations. High-resolution STM images recorded at 15 K allow a direct identification of intramolecular features. This makes it possible to determine the molecular conformation of TPyP on Ag(111). The pyridyl groups are alternately rotated out of the porphyrin plane by an angle of 60 degrees.