Ultrafast Optical Control of Spins in Antiferromagnet-TMDC Heterostructures

Principal investigators

  1. Hamoon Hedayat, University of Cologne [webpage]
  2. Paul H.M. van Loosdrecht, University of Cologne [webpage]

teaser picture

Abstract

Antiferromagnets support terahertz-frequency spin waves (magnons), enabling ultrafast and energy-efficient information transmission. However, their optical control is challenging. This project aims to achieve efficient optical manipulation of magnons in antiferromagnet-transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures (AFM-TMDC-HS). We will exploit the strong coupling between AFM magnons and valley-polarized excitons in TMDCs to study exciton-magnon interactions in both monolayer and bilayer AFM magnets. By selectively exciting valley-polarized excitons, we aim to control magnons via injection of hot spin-polarized carriers. Additionally, we will investigate moiré magnon-excitons in twisted layered structures to manipulate magnetic oscillations and achieve precise control over magnetization dynamics.

We will employ ultrafast optical techniques such as transient absorption, magneto-optical spectroscopy, and time-resolved micro-Raman spectroscopy to investigate magnon-exciton and magnon-phonon interactions. By utilizing layer twisting and external fields, we aim to control charge transfer and spin dynamics, focusing on the coupled dynamics of magnons and excitons in AFM-TMDC-HS.