Jonathan J. P. Peters

Lateral heterojunctions within monolayer MoSe2–WSe2 semiconductors

Heterojunctions between three-dimensional (3D) semiconductors with different bandgaps are the basis of modern light-emitting diodes, diode lasers and high-speed transistors. Creating analogous heterojunctions between different 2D semiconductors would enable band engineering within the 2D plane and open up new realms in materials science, device physics and engineering. Here we demonstrate that seamless high-quality in-plane heterojunctions can be grown between the 2D monolayer semiconductors MoSe2 and WSe2. The junctions, grown by lateral heteroepitaxy using physical vapour transport, are visible in an optical microscope and show enhanced photoluminescence. Atomically resolved transmission electron microscopy reveals that their structure is an undistorted honeycomb lattice in which substitution of one transition metal by another occurs across the interface. The growth of such lateral junctions will allow new device functionalities, such as in-plane transistors and diodes, to be integrated within a single atomically thin layer.

Polarization curling and flux closures in multiferroic tunnel junctions

Formation of domain walls in ferroelectrics is not energetically favourable in low-dimensional systems. Instead, vortex-type structures are formed that are driven by depolarization fields occurring in such systems. Consequently, polarization vortices have only been experimentally found in systems in which these fields are deliberately maximized, that is, in films between insulating layers. As such configurations are devoid of screening charges provided by metal electrodes, commonly used in electronic devices, it is wise to investigate if curling polarization structures are innate to ferroelectricity or induced by the absence of electrodes. Here we show that in unpoled Co/PbTiO3/(La,Sr)MnO3 ferroelectric tunnel junctions, the polarization in active PbTiO3 layers 9 unit cells thick forms Kittel-like domains, while at 6 unit cells there is a complex flux-closure curling behaviour resembling an incommensurate phase. Reducing the thickness to 3 unit cells, there is an almost complete loss of switchable polarization associated with an internal gradient.

Atomic Defects and Doping of Monolayer NbSe2

We have investigated the structure of atomic defects within monolayer NbSe2 encapsulated in graphene by combining atomic resolution transmission electron microscope imaging, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and strain mapping using geometric phase analysis. We demonstrate the presence of stable Nb and Se monovacancies in monolayer material and reveal that Se monovacancies are the most frequently observed defects, consistent with DFT calculations of their formation energy. We reveal that adventitious impurities of C, N, and O can substitute into the NbSe2 lattice stabilizing Se divacancies. We further observe evidence of Pt substitution into both Se and Nb vacancy sites. This knowledge of the character and relative frequency of different atomic defects provides the potential to better understand and control the unusual electronic and magnetic properties of this exciting two-dimensional material.

Structural, optical and vibrational properties of self-assembled Pbn+1(Ti1−xFex)nO3n+1−δ Ruddlesden-Popper superstructures

Bulk crystals and thin films of PbTi1−xFexO3−δ (PTFO) are multiferroic, exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism at room temperature. Here we report that the Ruddlesden-Popper phase Pbn+1(Ti1−xFex)nO3n+1−δ forms spontaneously during pulsed laser deposition of PTFO on LaAlO3 substrates. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy were utilised to perform a structural and compositional analysis, demonstrating that and . The complex dielectric function of the films was determined from far-infrared to ultraviolet energies using a combination of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The simultaneous Raman and infrared activity of phonon modes and the observation of second harmonic generation establishes a non-centrosymmetric point group for Pbn+1(Ti0.5Fe0.5)nO3n+1−δ, a prerequisite for (but not proof of) ferroelectricity. No evidence of macroscopic ferromagnetism was found in SQUID magnetometry. The ultrafast optical response exhibited coherent magnon oscillations compatible with local magnetic order, and additionally was used to study photocarrier cooling on picosecond timescales. An optical gap smaller than that of BiFeO3 and long photocarrier lifetimes may make this system interesting as a ferroelectric photovoltaic.

Bi-ferroic memristive properties of multiferroic tunnel junctions

The giant tunnelling electroresistance (TER) and memristive behaviours of ferroelectric tunnel junctions make them promising candidates for future information storage technology. Using conducting ferromagnetic layers as electrodes results in multiferroic tunnel junctions (MFTJs) which show spin dependent transport. The tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) of such structures can be reversibly controlled by electric pulsing owing to ferroelectric polarisation-dependent spin polarisation at the ferroelectric/ferromagnetic interface. Here, we show multilevel electric control of both TMR and TER of MFTJs, which indicates the bi-ferroic or magneto-electric memristive properties. This effect is realised by manipulating the ferroelectric domain configuration via non-volatile partial ferroelectric switching obtained by applying low voltage pulses to the junction. Through electrically modulating the ratio between up- and down-polarised ferroelectric domains, a broad range of TMR (between ∼3% and ∼30%) and TER (∼1000%...

On the vertical stacking in semiconducting WSe2 bilayers

The vertical stacking in semiconducting WSe2 bilayers grown by physical vapour transport was studied using atomic resolution annular dark field imaging. Our results show that the most common geometry was consistent with AA′, the most stable configuration. However in some areas AB alignment was also observed, as expected due to the small energy difference between AA′ and AB. Additionally, two different rotational stacking orientations were observed, with rotation angles of 12 and 21°. These different vertical WSe2 bilayers could provide a means of engineering electronic band structure for specific optoelectronic properties.