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Spin and pseudospins in 2D semiconductors |
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Xiaodong Xu Department of
Physics and MSE University of Washington |
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Electronic valleys are
extrema of Bloch energy bands in momentum space. Having multiple valleys
gives the electron states pseudospin degrees of freedom in addition to their
real spin. In this talk, I will discuss our experimental progress on the
investigation of spins and pseudospins using atomically thin semiconductors,
which are either single or bilayer group VI transition metal dichalcogenides.
These new 2D semiconductors behave as remarkable excitonic systems, providing
an exciting laboratory for optical manipulation and electrical control of the
valley degrees of freedom. I will also discuss strong coupling effects
between spin, valley, and layer pseudo-spins in bilayers, which lead to
enhanced lifetimes and allow electrical control of spin states. |