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Research Article | Open Access

Magnetic tuning of optical anisotropy in 2D materials: Insights from antiferromagnetic-TMDC interfaces

Miaoxia Gao1,2, Xing Xie1,2, Junying Chen1,2, Junnan Ding1,2, Fangping Ouyang1,3, Zongwen Liu4,5, Jian-Tao Wang6,7,8, Jun He1,2, Yanping Liu1,2 ()
Institute of Quantum Physics, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
State Key Laboratory of Precision Manufacturing for Extreme Service Performance, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
School of Physics and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon Based Energy Resources, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, China
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This study investigates the magnetic modulation of optical anisotropy in two-dimensional (2D) materials by engineering a heterostructure of isotropic MoWSe2 and low-symmetric antiferromagnet NiPS3. The work reveals pronounced exciton polarization rotation under a magnetic field, highlighting the role of magnetic order in tuning optical properties, with implications for polarization-sensitive optoelectronic and magneto-optic devices.

Abstract

Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials offer unique opportunities to enhance interactions between electron spin, charge, and lattice, leading to novel physical properties at low-dimensional scales. While extensive research has explored how breaking three-fold (C3) rotational symmetry in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) can induce optical anisotropy at heterointerfaces, the role of magnetism in modulating these anisotropic optical properties remains underexplored. Here, we engineer an antiferromagnet/semiconductor heterostructure by coupling isotropic MoWSe2 with the low-symmetric antiferromagnet NiPS3, introducing in-plane anisotropy in the MoWSe2 alloy. Low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements reveal a pronounced linear polarization-dependent exciton emission intensity at the MoWSe2/NiPS3 interface, with anisotropy ratios of 1.09 and 1.07 for charged and neutral excitons, respectively. Furthermore, applying an out-of-plane magnetic field results in a dramatic rotation of the exciton polarization direction by up to 90° at 9 T, significantly exceeding the previously reported maximum deflection of around 27°. This pronounced polarization rotation is not solely attributed to valley coherence, indicating a strong influence of the magnetic order in NiPS3. These findings provide new insights into the role of magnetic ordering in tuning optical anisotropy in 2D materials, paving the way for the development of advanced polarization-sensitive optoelectronic and magneto-optic devices.

Keywords

transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC)optical anisotropysymmetry engineeringantiferromagnetic NiPS3

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Nano Research
Volume 18 Issue 2,
February 2025
Article number: 94907111
DOI: 10.26599/NR.2025.94907111
Cite this article:
Gao M, Xie X, Chen J, et al. Magnetic tuning of optical anisotropy in 2D materials: Insights from antiferromagnetic-TMDC interfaces. Nano Research, 2025, 18(2): 94907111. https://doi.org/10.26599/NR.2025.94907111
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