Terahertz response of monolayer and few-layer WTe2 at the nanoscale

Ran Jing (), Yinming Shao, Zaiyao Fei, Chiu Fan Bowen Lo, Rocco A. Vitalone, Francesco L. Ruta, John Staunton, William J.-C Zheng, Alexander S. Mcleod, Zhiyuan Sun, Bor-yuan Jiang, Xinzhong Chen, Michael M. Fogler, Andrew J. Millis, Mengkun Liu, David H. Cobden, Xiaodong Xu and D. N. Basov
Additional contact information
Ran Jing: Columbia University
Yinming Shao: Columbia University
Zaiyao Fei: University of Washington
Chiu Fan Bowen Lo: Columbia University
Rocco A. Vitalone: Columbia University
Francesco L. Ruta: Columbia University
John Staunton: Columbia University
William J.-C Zheng: Columbia University
Alexander S. Mcleod: Columbia University
Zhiyuan Sun: Columbia University
Bor-yuan Jiang: University of California, San Diego
Xinzhong Chen: Stony Brook University
Michael M. Fogler: University of California, San Diego
Andrew J. Millis: Columbia University
Mengkun Liu: Stony Brook University
David H. Cobden: University of Washington
Xiaodong Xu: University of Washington
D. N. Basov: Columbia University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Tungsten ditelluride (WTe2) is an atomically layered transition metal dichalcogenide whose physical properties change systematically from monolayer to bilayer and few-layer versions. In this report, we use apertureless scattering-type near-field optical microscopy operating at Terahertz (THz) frequencies and cryogenic temperatures to study the distinct THz range electromagnetic responses of mono-, bi- and trilayer WTe2 in the same multi-terraced micro-crystal. THz nano-images of monolayer terraces uncovered weakly insulating behavior that is consistent with transport measurements. The near-field signal on bilayer regions shows moderate metallicity with negligible temperature dependence. Subdiffractional THz imaging data together with theoretical calculations involving thermally activated carriers favor the semimetal scenario with $$\Delta \approx -10\,{{{\rm{meV}}}}$$ Δ ≈ − 10 meV over the semiconductor scenario for bilayer WTe2. Also, we observed clear metallic behavior of the near-field signal on trilayer regions. Our data are consistent with the existence of surface plasmon polaritons in the THz range confined to trilayer terraces in our specimens. Finally, data for microcrystals up to 12 layers thick reveal how the response of a few-layer WTe2 asymptotically approaches the bulk limit.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23933-z

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