Electronic Origin of Optically-Induced Sub-Picosecond Lattice Dynamics in MoSe2 Monolayer

Spin-Orbit Couplings for Nonadiabatic Molecular Dynamics at the ΔSCF Level

A procedure for the calculation of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) at the delta self-consistent field (ΔSCF) level of theory is presented. Singlet and triplet excited electronic states obtained with the ΔSCF method are expanded into a linear combination of singly excited Slater determinants composed of ground electronic state Kohn-Sham orbitals. This alleviates the nonorthogonality between excited and ground electronic states and introduces a framework, similar to the auxiliary wave function at the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) level, for the calculation of observables. The ΔSCF observables of the formaldehyde system were compared to reference TD-DFT values. Our procedure gives all components (energies, gradients, nonadiabatic couplings, and SOC terms) at the ΔSCF level of theory for conducting efficient, full-atomistic nonadiabatic molecular dynamics with intersystem crossing, particularly in condensed phase systems.

The ΔSCF method for non-adiabatic dynamics of systems in the liquid phase

Computational studies of ultrafast photoinduced processes give valuable insights into the photochemical mechanisms of a broad range of compounds. In order to accurately reproduce, interpret, and predict experimental results, which are typically obtained in a condensed phase, it is indispensable to include the condensed phase environment in the computational model. However, most studies are still performed in vacuum due to the high computational cost of state-of-the-art non-adiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) simulations. The quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) solvation method has been a popular model to perform photodynamics in the liquid phase. Nevertheless, the currently used QM/MM embedding techniques cannot sufficiently capture all solute-solvent interactions. In this Perspective, we will discuss the efficient ΔSCF electronic structure method and its applications with respect to the NAMD of solvated compounds, with a particular focus on explicit quantum mechanical solvation. As more research is required for this method to reach its full potential, some challenges and possible directions for future research are presented as well.

Photocarrier Dynamics in MoTe2 Nanofilms with 2H and Distorted 1T Lattice Structures

Molybdenum telluride (MoTe₂), an emerging layered two-dimensional (2D) material, possesses excellent phase-changing properties. Previous studies revealed its reversible transition between 2H and 1T' phases with a transition energy as small as 35 meV. Since 1T'-MoTe₂ is metallic, it can serve as an electrical contact for semiconducting 2H-MoTe₂-based optoelectronic devices. Here, the photocarrier dynamics in MoTe₂ nanofilms synthesized by a one-step method and with coexisting multiple phases are investigated by transient absorption measurements. Both the energy relaxation time and the recombination lifetime of the excitons are shorter in the 1T'-MoTe₂ compared to its 2H phase. These results provide information on the different photocarrier dynamical properties of these two phases, which is important for future 2D optoelectronic and phase-change electronic devices based on MoTe₂.

Manipulating Weyl quasiparticles by orbital-selective photoexcitation in WTe2

Optical control of structural and electronic properties of Weyl semimetals allows development of switchable and dissipationless topological devices at the ultrafast scale. An unexpected orbital-selective photoexcitation in type-II Weyl material WTe2 is reported under linearly polarized light (LPL), inducing striking transitions among several topologically-distinct phases mediated by effective electron-phonon couplings. The symmetry features of atomic orbitals comprising the Weyl bands result in asymmetric electronic transitions near the Weyl points, and in turn a switchable interlayer shear motion with respect to linear light polarization, when a near-infrared laser pulse is applied. Consequently, not only annihilation of Weyl quasiparticle pairs, but also increasing separation of Weyl points can be achieved, complementing existing experimental observations. In this work, we provide a new perspective on manipulating the Weyl node singularity and coherent control of electron and lattice quantum dynamics simultaneously.

Optically Induced Three-Stage Picosecond Amorphization in Low-Temperature SrTiO3

Photoexcitation can drastically modify potential energy surfaces of materials, allowing access to hidden phases. SrTiO₃ (STO) is an ideal material for photoexcitation studies due to its prevalent use in nanostructured devices and its rich range of functionality-changing lattice motions. Recently, a hidden ferroelectric phase in STO was accessed through weak terahertz excitation of polarization-inducing phonon modes. In contrast, whereas strong laser excitation was shown to induce nanostructures on STO surfaces and control nanopolarization patterns in STO-based heterostructures, the dynamic pathways underlying these optically induced structural changes remain unknown. Here nonadiabatic quantum molecular dynamics reveals picosecond amorphization in photoexcited STO at temperatures as low as 10 K. The three-stage pathway involves photoinduced charge transfer and optical phonon activation followed by nonlinear charge and lattice dynamics that ultimately lead to amorphization. This atomistic understanding could guide not only rational laser nanostructuring of STO but also broader "quantum materials on demand" technologies.

Hot-Carrier Dynamics and Chemistry in Dielectric Polymers

Dielectric polymers are widely used in electronics and energy technologies, but their performance is severely limited by the electrical breakdown under a high electric field. Dielectric breakdown is commonly understood as an avalanche of processes such as carrier multiplication and defect generation that are triggered by field-accelerated hot electrons and holes. However, how these processes are initiated remains elusive. Here, nonadiabatic quantum molecular dynamics simulations reveal microscopic processes induced by hot electrons and holes in a slab of an archetypal dielectric polymer, polyethylene, under an electric field of 600 MV/m. We found that electronic-excitation energy is rapidly dissipated within tens of femtoseconds because of strong electron-phonon scattering, which is consistent with quantum-mechanical perturbation calculations. This in turn excites other electron-hole pairs to cause carrier multiplication. We also found that the key to chemical damage is localization of holes that travel to a slab surface and weaken carbon-carbon bonds on the surface. Such quantitative information can be incorporated into first-principles-informed, predictive modeling of dielectric breakdown.