[en] In the ferroelectric devices, polarization control is usually accomplished by application of an electric field. In this paper, we demonstrate optically induced polarization switching in BaTiO3-based ferroelectric heterostructures utilizing a two-dimensional narrow-gap semiconductor MoS2 as a top electrode. This effect is attributed to the redistribution of the photo-generated carriers and screening charges at the MoS2/BaTiO3 interface. Specifically, a two-step process, which involves formation of intra-layer excitons during light absorption followed by their decay into inter-layer excitons, results in the positive charge accumulation at the interface forcing the polarization reversal from the upward to the downward direction. Theoretical modeling of the MoS2 optical absorption spectra with and without the applied electric field provides quantitative support for the proposed mechanism. It is suggested that the discovered effect is of general nature and should be observable in any heterostructure comprising a ferroelectric and a narrow gap semiconductor.
Disciplines :
Physics
Author, co-author :
Tao, Li; Univ Nebraska
Lipatov, Alexej; Univ Nebraska
Lu, Haidong; Univ Nebraska
Lee, Hyungwoo; Univ Wisconsin
Lee, Jung-Woo; Univ Wisconsin
Torun, Engin ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit
Wirtz, Ludger ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit
Eom, Chang-Beom; Univ Wisconsin
Iñiguez, Jorge; Luxembourg Institute of Science & Technology - LIST > MRT
Sinitskii, Alexander; Univ Nebraska
Gruverman, Alexej; Univ Nebraska
External co-authors :
yes
Language :
English
Title :
Optical control of polarization in ferroelectric heterostructures
Publication date :
August 2018
Journal title :
Nature Communications
ISSN :
2041-1723
Publisher :
Nature Publishing Group, London, United Kingdom
Volume :
9
Pages :
3344
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Focus Area :
Physics and Materials Science
FnR Project :
FNR7490149 - 20 Electric Transport And Superconductivity In Transition Metal Dichalcogenides Nanolayers, 2013 (01/02/2014-31/01/2019) - Ludger Wirtz