Probing low-energy hyperbolic polaritons in van der Waals crystals with an electron microscope

Alexander A. Govyadinov, Andrea Konečná, Andrey Chuvilin, Saül Vélez, Irene Dolado, Alexey Y. Nikitin, Sergei Lopatin, Fèlix Casanova, Luis E. Hueso, Javier Aizpurua and Rainer Hillenbrand ()
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Alexander A. Govyadinov: CIC nanoGUNE
Andrea Konečná: Materials Physics Center, CSIC-UPV/EHU
Andrey Chuvilin: CIC nanoGUNE
Saül Vélez: CIC nanoGUNE
Irene Dolado: CIC nanoGUNE
Alexey Y. Nikitin: CIC nanoGUNE
Sergei Lopatin: Imaging and Characterization Core Lab, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology
Fèlix Casanova: CIC nanoGUNE
Luis E. Hueso: CIC nanoGUNE
Javier Aizpurua: Materials Physics Center, CSIC-UPV/EHU
Rainer Hillenbrand: IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Van der Waals materials exhibit intriguing structural, electronic, and photonic properties. Electron energy loss spectroscopy within scanning transmission electron microscopy allows for nanoscale mapping of such properties. However, its detection is typically limited to energy losses in the eV range—too large for probing low-energy excitations such as phonons or mid-infrared plasmons. Here, we adapt a conventional instrument to probe energy loss down to 100 meV, and map phononic states in hexagonal boron nitride, a representative van der Waals material. The boron nitride spectra depend on the flake thickness and on the distance of the electron beam to the flake edges. To explain these observations, we developed a classical response theory that describes the interaction of fast electrons with (anisotropic) van der Waals slabs, revealing that the electron energy loss is dominated by excitation of hyperbolic phonon polaritons, and not of bulk phonons as often reported. Thus, our work is of fundamental importance for interpreting future low-energy loss spectra of van der Waals materials.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00056-y

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