Acoustically-modulated interlayer excitons in bilayer heterostructures

• Grant number: 24/05925-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Odilon Divino Damasceno Couto Júnior
• Grantee: Bárbara Luiza Teixeira Rosa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06803-4 - Acoustically-modulated exciton dynamics in twisted van der Waals heterostructures, AP.JP2

Abstract

In this project, we will address the surface acoustic wave (SAW) modulation of light-matter interaction in twisted vdW heterostructures. We will investigate how the high-frequency SAW piezoelectric potential and mechanical deformation interact with different quantum states (like intralayer, interlayer, and moiré excitons) in vdW heterostructures which have their twist angle and dielectric environment precisely tailored by deterministic placement. We will employ SAWs to tune their symmetry-governed properties in order to manipulate the excitonic interaction strength, modulate recombination energies, induce the formation/ annihilation of excitonic states, change valley scattering mechanisms, and (eventually) position-dependent spin-valley polarization. Carrier transport and remote injection in lateral and vertical vdW heterostructures will also be investigated. To achieve our goals, we will set up new experiments like SAW-modulated second-harmonic generation and stroboscopic light detection. The development of our proposal will allow us to shed light in the fundamental properties of excitonic states in vdW heterostructures as well as to evaluate their application in future quantum information devices which explore their twist and spin-valley properties. (AU)