Exciton dynamics in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides [Invited]

Galan Moody, John Schaibley, Xiaodong Xu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

147 Scopus citations

Abstract

Since the discovery of semiconducting monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides, a variety of experimental and theoretical studies have been carried out seeking to understand the intrinsic exciton population recombination and valley relaxation dynamics. Reports of the exciton decay time range from hundreds of femtoseconds to ten nanoseconds, while the valley depolarization time can exceed one nanosecond. At present, however, a consensus on the microscopic mechanisms governing exciton radiative and non-radiative recombination is lacking. The strong exciton oscillator strength resulting in up to 20% absorption for a single monolayer points to ultrafast radiative recombination. However, the low quantum yield and large variance in the reported lifetimes suggest that non-radiative Auger-type processes obscure the intrinsic exciton radiative lifetime. In either case, the electron-hole exchange interaction plays an important role in the exciton spin and valley dynamics. In this paper, we review the experiments and theory that have led to these conclusions and comment on future experiments that could complement our current understanding.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)C39-C49
JournalJournal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics
Volume33
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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