Valleytronics in bulk MoS2 with a topologic optical field

Tyulnev I, Jiménez-Galán Á, Poborska J, Vamos L, Russell PSJ, Tani F, Smirnova O, Ivanov M, Silva RE, Biegert J (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Nature Nature Research

Book Volume: 628

Pages Range: 746-751

Journal Issue: 8009

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07156-y

Abstract

The valley degree of freedom1–4 of electrons in materials promises routes towards energy-efficient information storage with enticing prospects for quantum information processing5–7. Current challenges in utilizing valley polarization are symmetry conditions that require monolayer structures8,9 or specific material engineering10–13, non-resonant optical control to avoid energy dissipation and the ability to switch valley polarization at optical speed. We demonstrate all-optical and non-resonant control over valley polarization using bulk MoS2, a centrosymmetric material without Berry curvature at the valleys. Our universal method utilizes spin angular momentum-shaped trefoil optical control pulses14,15 to switch the material’s electronic topology and induce valley polarization by transiently breaking time and space inversion symmetry16 through a simple phase rotation. We confirm valley polarization through the transient generation of the second harmonic of a non-collinear optical probe pulse, depending on the trefoil phase rotation. The investigation shows that direct optical control over the valley degree of freedom is not limited to monolayer structures. Indeed, such control is possible for systems with an arbitrary number of layers and for bulk materials. Non-resonant valley control is universal and, at optical speeds, unlocks the possibility of engineering efficient multimaterial valleytronic devices operating on quantum coherent timescales.

Involved external institutions

Institute Of Photonic Sciences / Instituto de Ciencias Fotónicas / Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO-CERCA) ES Spain (ES) Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE) Max-Born-Institut für Nichtlineare Optik und Kurzzeitspektroskopie im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. / Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy DE Germany (DE) Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM) ES Spain (ES)

How to cite

APA:

Tyulnev, I., Jiménez-Galán, Á., Poborska, J., Vamos, L., Russell, P.S.J., Tani, F.,... Biegert, J. (2024). Valleytronics in bulk MoS2 with a topologic optical field. Nature, 628(8009), 746-751. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07156-y

MLA:

Tyulnev, Igor, et al. "Valleytronics in bulk MoS2 with a topologic optical field." Nature 628.8009 (2024): 746-751.

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