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Surface plasmons induce topological transition in graphene/α-MoO 3 heterostructures

Polaritons in hyperbolic van der Waals materials-where principal axes have permittivities of opposite signs-are light-matter modes with unique properties and promising applications. Isofrequency contours of hyperbolic polaritons may undergo topological transitions from open hyperbolas to closed elli...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications 2022-06, Vol.13 (1), p.3719
Main Authors: Ruta, Francesco L, Kim, Brian S Y, Sun, Zhiyuan, Rizzo, Daniel J, McLeod, Alexander S, Rajendran, Anjaly, Liu, Song, Millis, Andrew J, Hone, James C, Basov, D N
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Polaritons in hyperbolic van der Waals materials-where principal axes have permittivities of opposite signs-are light-matter modes with unique properties and promising applications. Isofrequency contours of hyperbolic polaritons may undergo topological transitions from open hyperbolas to closed ellipse-like curves, prompting an abrupt change in physical properties. Electronically-tunable topological transitions are especially desirable for future integrated technologies but have yet to be demonstrated. In this work, we present a doping-induced topological transition effected by plasmon-phonon hybridization in graphene/α-MoO heterostructures. Scanning near-field optical microscopy was used to image hybrid polaritons in graphene/α-MoO . We demonstrate the topological transition and characterize hybrid modes, which can be tuned from surface waves to bulk waveguide modes, traversing an exceptional point arising from the anisotropic plasmon-phonon coupling. Graphene/α-MoO heterostructures offer the possibility to explore dynamical topological transitions and directional coupling that could inspire new nanophotonic and quantum devices.
ISSN:2041-1723