Creating Superlattices Using Excitons to Achieve Novel Properties
Excitons, the quasiparticles formed from electron-hole interactions, are a key component of many technologies, including solar cells, LEDs, and lasers. Now, researchers have developed a new way of controlling excitons using moiré superlattices.
The research team, led by Professor Efstratios Manousakis and Dr. Lixin He, both of Florida State University, has demonstrated a way to control excitons by using moiré superlattices. A moiré superlattice is a lattice structure formed by overlapping two slightly misaligned lattices. The misalignment of the lattices creates a moiré pattern that can be used to control the behavior of excitons. In their study, the researchers used two layers of graphene, a form of carbon, to form their moiré superlattice.
The researchers found that they could use the moiré superlattice to control the binding energy of excitons, as well as the lifetime of the excitons. This could potentially lead to improved performance of devices that rely on excitons, such as solar cells and LEDs.
In a recent blog post, we discussed
source: Phys.org