Imaging interlayer exciton superfluidity in a 2D semiconductor heterostructure
2025

Imaging Interlayer Exciton Superfluidity in a 2D Semiconductor Heterostructure

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Jacob Cutshall, Fateme Mahdikhany, Anna Roche, Daniel N. Shanks, Michael R. Koehler, David G. Mandrus, Takashi Taniguchi, Kenji Watanabe, Qizhong Zhu, Brian J. LeRoy, John R. Schaibley

Primary Institution: University of Arizona

Hypothesis

Can interlayer excitons in a 2D semiconductor heterostructure form a superfluid state?

Conclusion

The study successfully images a macroscopic exciton superfluid state in a 2D semiconductor heterostructure, persisting to a temperature of 15 K.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study directly images the exciton superfluid state in a 2D semiconductor heterostructure.
  • Quasi-long-range order was identified through spatially resolved coherence measurements.
  • The superfluid phase was observed to persist to a temperature of 15 K.
  • The results align well with theoretical predictions regarding exciton superfluidity.

Takeaway

The researchers looked at a special type of particle called excitons in a thin material and found that they can act like a superfluid, which is a state where they flow without resistance.

Methodology

The study involved imaging the exciton superfluidity using spatial coherence measurements in an hBN-separated MoSe2-WSe2 heterostructure.

Limitations

The estimation of exciton density in the hBN region is difficult due to unknown interlayer carrier transfer rates.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1126/sciadv.adr1772

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