Ultrafast THz Probe of Photoinduced Polarons in Lead-Halide Perovskites

Highly intrinsic carrier mobility in tin diselenide crystal accessed with ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy

Tin diselenide (SnSe2), a layered transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC), stands out among other TMDCs for its extraordinary photoactive ability and low thermal conductivity. Consequently, it has stimulated many influential researches on photodetectors, ultrafast pulse shaping, thermoelectric devices, etc. However, the carrier mobility in SnSe2, as determined experimentally, remains limited to tens of cm2V-1s-1. This limitation poses a challenge for achieving high-performance SnSe2-based devices. Theoretical calculations, on the other hand, predict that the carrier mobility in SnSe2 can reach hundreds of cm2V-1s-1, approximately one order of magnitude higher than experimental value. Interestingly, the carrier mobility could be underestimated significantly in long-range transportation measurements due to the presence of defects and boundary scattering effects. To address this discrepancy, we employ optic pump terahertz probe spectroscopy to access the photoinduced dynamical THz photoconductivity of SnSe2. Our findings reveal that the intrinsic carrier mobility in conventional SnSe2 single crystal is remarkably high, reaching 353.2 ± 37.7 cm2V-1s-1, consistent with the theoretical prediction. Additionally, dynamical THz photoconductivity measurements reveal that the SnSe2 crystal containing rich defects efficiently capture photoinduced conduction-band electrons and valence-band holes with time constants of ∼20 and ∼200 ps, respectively. Meanwhile, we observe an impulsively stimulated Raman scattering at 0.60 THz. Our study not only demonstrates ultrafast THz spectroscopy as a reliable method for determining intrinsic carrier mobility and detection of low frequency coherent Raman mode in materials but also provides valuable reference for the future application of high-performance SnSe2-based devices.

Spectroscopic Evidence of Localized Small Polarons in Low-Dimensional Ionic Liquid Lead-Free Hybrid Perovskites

Rational design is an important approach to consider in the development of low-dimensional hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs). In this study, 1-butyl-1-methyl pyrrolidinium (BMP), 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole (API), and 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium (BMI) serve as prototypical ionic liquid components in bismuth-based HOIPs. Element-sensitive X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements of BMPBiBr4 and APIBiBr5 reveal distinct resonant excitation profiles across the N K-edges, where contrasting peak shifts are observed. These 1D-HOIPs exhibit a large Stokes shift due to the small polaron contribution, as probed by photoluminescence spectroscopy at room temperature. Interestingly, the incorporation of a small fraction of tin (Sn) into the APIBiBr5 (Sn/Bi mole ratio of 1:3) structure demonstrates a strong spectral weight transfer accompanied by a fast decay lifetime (2.6 ns). These phenomena are the direct result of Sn-substitution in APIBiBr5, decreasing the small polaron effect. By changing the active ionic liquid, the electronic interactions and optical responses can be moderately tuned by alteration of their intermolecular interaction between the semiconducting inorganic layers and organic moieties.

Small to Large Polaron Behavior Induced by Controlled Interactions in Perovskite Quantum Dot Solids

The polaron is an essential photoexcitation that governs the unique optoelectronic properties of organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskites, and it has been subject to extensive spectroscopic and theoretical investigation over the past decade. A crucial but underexplored question is how the nature of the photogenerated polarons is impacted by the microscopic perovskite structure and what functional properties this affects. To tackle this question, we chemically tuned the interactions between perovskite quantum dots (QDs) to rationally manipulate the polaron properties. Through a suite of time-resolved spectroscopies, we find that inter-QD interactions open an excited-state channel to form large polaron species, which exhibit enhanced spatial diffusion, slower hot polaron cooling, and a longer intrinsic lifetime. At the same time, polaronic excitons are formed in competition via localized band-edge states, exhibiting strong photoluminescence but are limited by shorter intrinsic lifetimes. This control of polaron type and function through tunable inter-QD interactions not only provides design principles for QD-based materials but also experimentally disentangles polaronic species in hybrid perovskite materials.

Mechanical Control of Polaritonic States in Lead Halide Perovskite Phonons Strongly Coupled in THz Microcavity

We demonstrate the generation and control of polaritonic states in perovskite phonon polaritons, which are strongly coupled in the middle of a flexible Fabry-Perot cavity. We fabricated flexible perovskite films on a microporous substrate coated with graphene oxide, which led to a virtually free-standing film incorporated into the microcavity. Rabi splitting was observed when the cavity resonance was in tune with that of the phonons. The Rabi splitting energy increased as the film thickness increased, reaching 1.9 meV, which is 2.4-fold higher than the criterion for the strong coupling regime. We obtained dispersion curves for various perovskite film thicknesses exhibiting two polariton branches; clear beats between the two polaritonic branches were observed in the time domain. Flexible cavity devices with perovskite phonons enable macroscopic control over the polaritonic energy states through bending processes, which add an additional degree of freedom in the manipulation of polaritonic devices.

Signatures of Polaron Dynamics in Photoexcited MAPbBr3 by Infrared Spectroscopy

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) have attracted considerable attention in the past years as photoactive materials for low-cost, high-performance photovoltaics. Polaron formation through electron-phonon coupling has been recognized as the leading mechanism governing charge carrier transport and recombination in HOIPs. In this work, two types of MAPbBr3 film samples deposited on different substrates (transparent insulating SrTiO3 and a heterostructure mimicking a functioning photovoltaic cell) were photoexcited with above-bandgap radiation at 450 nm, and the effects of illumination on the sample were analyzed in the infrared region. The infrared absorbance detected at different powers of the photoexciting laser allowed us to obtain an estimate of the characteristic decay time of photoexcited polaron population of the order of 100-1000 ns. When focusing on the absorption features of the MA molecular cation in the region of the NH stretching modes, we observed the influence of hydrogen bonding and the effect of the polaron dynamics on the cation reorientation.

Recent Progresses of Polarons: Fundamentals and Roles in Photocatalysis and Photoelectrocatalysis

Photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis are promising ways in the utilization of solar energy. To address the low efficiency of photocatalysts and photoelectrodes, in-depth understanding of their catalytic mechanism is in urgent need. Recently, polaron is considered as an influential factor in catalysis, which brings researchers a new approach to modify photocatalysts and photoelectrodes. In this review, brief introduction of polaron is given first, followed by which models and recent experimentally observations of polarons are reviewed. Studies about roles of polarons in photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis are listed in order to provide some inspiration in exploring the mechanism and improving the efficiency of photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis.

Self-Assembled Monolayers of Bi-Functionalized Porphyrins: A Novel Class of Hole-Layer-Coordinating Perovskites and Indium Tin Oxide in Inverted Solar Cells

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) offer the advantage of facile interfacial modification, leading to significant improvements in device performance. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of a new series of carboxylic acid-functionalized porphyrin derivatives, namely AC-1, AC-3, and AC-5, and present, for the first time, a strategy to exploit the large π-moiety of porphyrins as a backbone for interfacing the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode and perovskite active layer in an inverted perovskite solar cell (PSC) configuration. The electron-rich nature of porphyrins facilitates hole transfer and the formation of SAMs, resulting in a dense surface that minimizes defects. Comprehensive spectroscopic and dynamic studies demonstrate that the double-anchored AC-3 and AC-5 enhance SAMs on ITO, passivate the perovskite layer, and function as conduits to facilitate hole transfer, thus significantly boosting the performance of PSCs. The champion inverted PSC employing AC-5 SAM achieves an impressive solar efficiency of 23.19 % with a high fill factor of 84.05 %. This work presents a novel molecular engineering strategy for functionalizing SAMs to tune the energy levels, molecular dipoles, packing orientations to achieve stable and efficient solar performance. Importantly, our comprehensive investigation has unraveled the associated mechanisms, offering valuable insights for future advancements in PSCs.

The Role of Polaronic States on the Spin Dynamics in Solution-Processed Two-Dimensional Layered Perovskite with Different Layer Thickness

2D lead halide perovskites (LHPs) show strong excitonic and spin-orbit coupling effects, generating a facile spin injection. Besides, they possess a polaron character due to the soft crystal lattice, which can prolong the spin lifetime, making them favorable materials for spintronic applications. Here, the spin dynamics of 2D PEA2 PbI4 (MAPbI3 )n -l thin films with different layers by temperature- and pump fluence-dependent circularly polarization-resolved transient absorption (TA) measurements is studied. These results indicate that the spin depolarization mechanism is gradually converted from the Maialle-Silva-Sham (MSS) mechanism to the polaronic states protection mechanism with the layer number increasing from = 1 to 3, which is determined by the interplay between the strength of Coulomb exchange interaction and the strength of polaronic effect. While for ≥ 4, the Elliot-Yafet (EY) impurities mechanism is proposed, in which the formed polaronic states with free charge carriers no longer play the protective role.

Carriers, Quasi-particles, and Collective Excitations in Halide Perovskites

Halide perovskites (HPs) are potential game-changing materials for a broad spectrum of optoelectronic applications ranging from photovoltaics, light-emitting devices, lasers to radiation detectors, ferroelectrics, thermoelectrics, etc. Underpinning this spectacular expansion is their fascinating photophysics involving a complex interplay of carrier, lattice, and quasi-particle interactions spanning several temporal orders that give rise to their remarkable optical and electronic properties. Herein, we critically examine and distill their dynamical behavior, collective interactions, and underlying mechanisms in conjunction with the experimental approaches. This review aims to provide a unified photophysical picture fundamental to understanding the outstanding light-harvesting and light-emitting properties of HPs. The hotbed of carrier and quasi-particle interactions uncovered in HPs underscores the critical role of ultrafast spectroscopy and fundamental photophysics studies in advancing perovskite optoelectronics.

Many-Body Correlations and Exciton Complexes in CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots

All-inorganic lead-halide perovskite (LHP) (CsPbX₃ , X = Cl, Br, I) quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as a competitive platform for classical light-emitting devices (in the weak light-matter interaction regime, e.g., LEDs and laser), as well as for devices exploiting strong light-matter interaction at room temperature. Many-body interactions and quantum correlations among photogenerated exciton complexes play an essential role, for example, by determining the laser threshold, the overall brightness of LEDs, and the single-photon purity in quantum light sources. Here, by combining cryogenic single-QD photoluminescence spectroscopy with configuration-interaction (CI) calculations, the size-dependent trion and biexciton binding energies are addressed. Trion binding energies increase from 7 to 17 meV for QD sizes decreasing from 30 to 9 nm, while the biexciton binding energies increase from 15 to 30 meV, respectively. CI calculations quantitatively corroborate the experimental results and suggest that the effective dielectric constant for biexcitons slightly deviates from the one of the single excitons, potentially as a result of coupling to the lattice in the multiexciton regime. The findings here provide a deep insight into the multiexciton properties in all-inorganic LHP QDs, essential for classical and quantum optoelectronic devices.

Real-time observation of the buildup of polaron in α-FAPbI3

The formation of polaron, i.e., the strong coupling process between the carrier and lattice, is considered to play a crucial role in benefiting the photoelectric performance of hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskites. However, direct observation of the dynamical formation of polarons occurring at time scales within hundreds of femtoseconds remains a technical challenge. Here, by terahertz emission spectroscopy, we demonstrate the real-time observation of polaron formation process in FAPbI₃ films. Two different polaron resonances interpreted with the anharmonic coupling emission model have been studied: P1 at ~1 THz relates to the inorganic sublattice vibration mode and the P2 at ~0.4 THz peak relates to the FA⁺ cation rotation mode. Moreover, P2 could be further strengthened than P1 by pumping the hot carriers to the higher sub-conduction band. Our observations could open a door for THz emission spectroscopy to be a powerful tool in studying polaron formation dynamics in perovskites.

Direct Observation of Ultrafast Lattice Distortions during Exciton-Polaron Formation in Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

The microscopic origin of slow hot-carrier cooling in lead halide perovskites remains debated and has direct implications for applications. Slow hot-carrier cooling of several picoseconds has been attributed to either polaron formation or a hot-phonon bottleneck effect at high excited carrier densities (>10¹⁸ cm^-3). These effects cannot be unambiguously disentangled with optical experiments alone. However, they can be distinguished by direct observations of ultrafast lattice dynamics, as these effects are expected to create qualitatively distinct fingerprints. To this end, we employ femtosecond electron diffraction and directly measure the sub-picosecond lattice dynamics of weakly confined CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals following above-gap photoexcitation. While we do not observe signatures of a hot-phonon bottleneck lasting several picoseconds, the data reveal a light-induced structural distortion appearing on a time scale varying between 380 and 1200 fs depending on the excitation fluence. We attribute these dynamics to the effect of exciton-polarons on the lattice and the slower dynamics at high fluences to slower sub-picosecond hot-carrier cooling, which slows down the establishment of the exciton-polaron population. Further analysis and simulations show that the distortion is consistent with motions of the [PbBr₃]^- octahedral ionic cage, and closest agreement with the data is obtained for Pb-Br bond lengthening. Our work demonstrates how direct studies of lattice dynamics on the sub-picosecond time scale can discriminate between competing scenarios proposed in the literature to explain the origin of slow hot-carrier cooling in lead halide perovskites.

Carrier Dynamics in Solution-Processed CuI as a P-Type Semiconductor: The Origin of Negative Photoconductivity

There is an urgent need for efficient solution-processable p-type semiconductors. Copper(I) iodide (CuI) has attracted attention as a potential candidate due to its good electrical properties and ease of preparation. However, its carrier dynamics still need to be better understood. Carrier dynamics after bandgap excitation yielded a convoluted signal of free carriers (positive signal) and a negative feature, which was also present when the material was excited with sub-bandgap excitation energies. This previously unseen feature was found to be dependent on measurement temperature and attributed to negative photoconductivity. The unexpected signal relates to the formation of polarons or strongly bound excitons. The possibility of coupling CuI to plasmonic sensitizers is also tested, yielding positive results. The outcomes mentioned above could have profound implications regarding the applicability of CuI in photocatalytic and photovoltaic systems and could also open a whole new range of possible applications.

Nanoscale heterogeneity of ultrafast many-body carrier dynamics in triple cation perovskites

In high fluence applications of lead halide perovskites for light-emitting diodes and lasers, multi-polaron interactions and associated Auger recombination limit the device performance. However, the relationship of the ultrafast and strongly lattice coupled carrier dynamics to nanoscale heterogeneities has remained elusive. Here, in ultrafast visible-pump infrared-probe nano-imaging of the photoinduced carrier dynamics in triple cation perovskite films, a ~20 % variation in sub-ns relaxation dynamics with spatial disorder on tens to hundreds of nanometer is resolved. We attribute the non-uniform relaxation dynamics to the heterogeneous evolution of polaron delocalization and increasing scattering time. The initial high-density excitation results in faster relaxation due to strong many-body interactions, followed by extended carrier lifetimes at lower densities. These results point towards the missing link between the optoelectronic heterogeneity and associated carrier dynamics to guide synthesis and device engineering for improved perovskites device performance.

The optoelectronic performance of lead halide perovskite in highfluence applications are hindered by heterogeneous multi-polaron interactions in the nanoscale. Here, Nishda et al. spatially resolve sub-ns relaxation dynamics on the nanometer scale by ultrafast infrared pumpprobe nanoimaging.

Energy Transfer in Stability-Optimized Perovskite Nanocrystals

Outstanding optoelectronic properties and a facile synthesis render halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) a promising material for nanostructure-based devices. However, the commercialization is hindered mainly by the lack of NC stability under ambient conditions and inefficient charge carrier injection. Here, we investigate solutions to both problems, employing methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr₃) NCs encapsulated in diblock copolymer core-shell micelles of tunable size. We confirm that the shell does not prohibit energy transfer, as FRET efficiencies between these NCs and 2D CsPbBr₃ nanoplatelets (NPLs) reach 73.6%. This value strongly correlates to the micelle size, with thicker shells displaying significantly reduced FRET efficiencies. Those high efficiencies come with a price, as the thinnest shells protect the encapsulated NCs less from environmentally induced degradation. Finding the sweet spot between efficiency and protection could lead to the realization of tailored energy funnels with enhanced carrier densities for high-power perovskite NC-based optoelectronic applications.

Nanoscale Femtosecond Dynamics of Mott Insulator (Ca0.99Sr0.01)2RuO4

Ca₂RuO₄ is a transition-metal oxide that exhibits a Mott insulator-metal transition (IMT) concurrent with a symmetry-preserving Jahn-Teller distortion (JT) at 350 K. The coincidence of these two transitions demonstrates a high level of coupling between the electronic and structural degrees of freedom in Ca₂RuO₄. Using spectroscopic measurements with nanoscale spatial resolution, we interrogate the interplay of the JT and IMT through the temperature-driven transition. Then, we introduce photoexcitation with subpicosecond temporal resolution to explore the coupling of the JT and IMT via electron-hole injection under ambient conditions. Through the temperature-driven IMT, we observe phase coexistence in the form of a stripe phase existing at the domain wall between macroscopic insulating and metallic domains. Through ultrafast carrier injection, we observe the formation of midgap states via enhanced optical absorption. We propose that these midgap states become trapped by lattice polarons originating from the local perturbation of the JT.

Photoinduced large polaron transport and dynamics in organic-inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskite with terahertz probes

Organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have attracted tremendous attention for optoelectronic applications. The long photocarrier lifetime and moderate carrier mobility have been proposed as results of the large polaron formation in MHPs. However, it is challenging to measure the effective mass and carrier scattering parameters of the photogenerated large polarons in the ultrafast carrier recombination dynamics. Here, we show, in a one-step spectroscopic method, that the optical-pump and terahertz-electromagnetic probe (OPTP) technique allows us to access the nature of interplay of photoexcited unbound charge carriers and optical phonons in polycrystalline CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPbI₃) of about 10 μm grain size. Firstly, we demonstrate a direct spectral evidence of the large polarons in polycrystalline MAPbI₃. Using the Drude-Smith-Lorentz model along with the Frӧhlich-type electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling, we determine the effective mass and scattering parameters of photogenerated polaronic carriers. We discover that the resulting moderate polaronic carrier mobility is mainly influenced by the enhanced carrier scattering, rather than the polaron mass enhancement. While, the formation of large polarons in MAPbI₃ polycrystalline grains results in a long charge carrier lifetime at room temperature. Our results provide crucial information about the photo-physics of MAPbI₃ and are indispensable for optoelectronic device development with better performance.

Light-intensity-dependent photoresponse time of organic photodetectors and its molecular origin

Organic photodetectors (OPDs) exhibit superior spectral responses but slower photoresponse times compared to inorganic counterparts. Herein, we study the light-intensity-dependent OPD photoresponse time with two small-molecule donors (planar MPTA or twisted NP-SA) co-evaporated with C60 acceptors. MPTA:C60 exhibits the fastest response time at high-light intensities (>0.5 mW/cm2), attributed to its planar structure favoring strong intermolecular interactions. However, this blend exhibits the slowest response at low-light intensities, which is correlated with biphasic photocurrent transients indicative of the presence of a low density of deep trap states. Optical, structural, and energetical analyses indicate that MPTA molecular packing is strongly disrupted by C60, resulting in a larger (370 meV) HOMO level shift. This results in greater energetic inhomogeneity including possible MPTA-C60 adduct formation, leading to deep trap states which limit the low-light photoresponse time. This work provides important insights into the small molecule design rules critical for low charge-trapping and high-speed OPD applications.

Control of Polaronic Behavior and Carrier Lifetimes via Metal and Anion Alloying in Chalcogenide Perovskites

Transition-metal perovskite chalcogenides (TMPCs) have emerged as lead-free alternatives to lead-halide perovskites and have been currently of increasing interest for optoelectronic applications because of their suitable band gaps, high carrier mobility, strong light absorption, and high stability. Here, we systematically report a study on the effects of Ti- and Se-alloying strategies on polaron behavior and carrier lifetimes in nonradiative recombination. Although such alloying can effectively tune the band gap of BaZrS₃, we observe localized small polaron formation upon Ti alloying and large polarons generating in Se alloying. Ti-alloying strengthens the electron-phonon coupling, leading to a reduced carrier lifetime. Remarkably, Se-alloying weakens the electron-phonon coupling and prolongs the nonradiative electron-hole recombination lifetime by up to 60% compared to that in pristine BaZrS₃ material. The simulations rationalize the difference in carrier lifetimes in TMPC alloys and provide guidelines for further improvements in TMPC-based photoelectronic devices.

Optical control of exciton spin dynamics in layered metal halide perovskites via polaronic state formation

One of the open challenges of spintronics is to control the spin relaxation mechanisms. Layered metal-halide perovskites are an emerging class of semiconductors which possess a soft crystal lattice that strongly couples electronic and vibrational states and show promise for spintronic applications. Here, we investigate the impact of such strong coupling on the spin relaxation of excitons in the layered perovskite BA₂FAPbI₇ using a combination of cryogenic Faraday rotation and transient absorption spectroscopy. We report an unexpected increase of the spin lifetime by two orders of magnitude at 77 K under photoexcitation with photon energy in excess of the exciton absorption peak, and thus demonstrate optical control over the dominant spin relaxation mechanism. We attribute this control to strong coupling between excitons and optically excited phonons, which form polaronic states with reduced electron-hole wave function overlap that protect the exciton spin memory. Our insights highlight the special role of exciton-lattice interactions on the spin physics in the layered perovskites and provide a novel opportunity for optical spin control.

Spintronic devices will require long spin lifetimes, but the effect of exciton-lattice coupling on spin lifetime in metal-halide perovskites is not well understood. Here, the authors find a 100-fold increase in the lifetime of exciton spins in a 2D perovskite by exciting with excess energy, resulting from strong coupling between excitons and optically excited phonons.

Constraint Mechanism of Power Device Design Based on Perovskite Quantum Dots Pumped by an Electron Beam

This paper studied the constraint mechanism for power device design based on perovskite quantum dots pumped by an electron beam. Combined with device designing, an experimental system of self-saturation luminescence and aging failure was designed for CsPbBr3 films. On this basis, we further completed the self-saturation luminescence and aging failure experiment and constructed a model of self-saturation luminescence and aging failure for CsPbBr3 device designing. Three constraints were proposed after analyzing and discussing the experimental data. Firstly, too high of a pumping current density makes it difficult to effectively promote the enhancement of luminescence efficiency. Secondly, radiation decomposition and aging failure of CsPbBr3 films are mainly related to the polarized degree of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals. Thirdly, by increasing the pumping electric field, the pumping energy can be effectively and widely delivered to the three-dimensional quantum dots film layer space, and there is a nonlinear relationship between the attenuation of the pumping energy density and the increment of the pumping electric field, which will effectively avoid the local high-energy density of instantaneous optical pumping.

Polaronic Signatures in Doped and Undoped Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals through a Photoinduced Raman Mode

Lead halide perovskites (LHPs) are promising candidates for photovoltaic applications as they exhibit large carrier diffusion lengths and long carrier lifetimes among many other interesting properties. One of the widely accepted mechanisms for these properties is polaron formation, which is mainly driven by octahedral distortions of the inorganic framework. Since structure modifications of the framework largely affect associated distortions, we investigated Mn-doped and undoped CsPbX₃ (where X = Cl, Br, Cl/Br) using a local probe via micro-Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations for polaron formation. Our results highlight a new vibrational lattice mode at 132 cm^-1 due to polaronic distortion upon photoinduction. From the DFT studies, we have shown that the polaronic states are dominated by the B-site cation in the perovskite structure, but it is the strong covalent overlap of the halide which determines its stability. This elucidation to map polaronic signatures with excellent spatial resolution using traditional Raman spectroscopy can be used as a simple tool to understand the structural changes and their impacted electronic properties and thus design superior devices using its in situ applications.

Volatile and Nonvolatile Switching of Phase Change Material Ge2Sb2Te5 Revealed by Time-Resolved Terahertz Spectroscopy

Phase change materials exhibit unique advantages in reconfigurable photonic devices due to drastic tunability of photoelectric properties. Here, we systematically investigate the thermal equilibrium process and the ultrafast dynamics of Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ (GST) driven by femtosecond (fs) pulses, using time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy. Both fs-pulse-driven crystallization and amorphization are demonstrated, and the threshold of photoinduced crystallization (amorphization) is determined to be 8.4 mJ/cm² (10.1 mJ/cm²). The ultrafast carrier dynamics reveal that the cumulative photothermal effect plays a crucial role in the ultrafast crystallization, and modulation depth of volatile (nonvolatile) THz has switching limits up to 30% (15%). A distinctive phonon absorption at 1.1 THz is observed, providing fingerprint spectrum evidence of crystalline lattice formation driven by intense fs pulses. Finally, multistate volatile (nonvolatile) THz switching is implemented by tuning optical pump fluence. These results provide insight into the photoinduced phase change of GST and offer benefits for all optical THz functional devices.

Potassium Iodide Doping Strategy for High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells Revealed by Ultrafast Spectroscopy

Organic-inorganic halide perovskites are promising materials for high-performance photovoltaics. The doping strategy is considered to be an effective method for regulating the performance of perovskite solar cells, yet its efficiency is still far below what has been anticipated. Here, we systematically investigate the regulatory mechanisms of the performance of perovskites by exploiting potassium iodide (KI) doping. We find that the surface states are passivated apart from the modified lattice structure. Most importantly, carrier recombination and transport are regulated by varying two different trap states when doping KI. The corresponding defect penalty can be effectively restrained at an optimal concentration of added KI (5%). A significant increase in the conductivity and radiative efficiency is achieved under such conditions. Our results provide fundamental insights into defect engineering through doping and a promising route toward highly efficient perovskite solar cells.

A Comparison of Charge Carrier Dynamics in Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells

The charge carrier dynamics in organic solar cells and organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskite solar cells, two leading technologies in thin-film photovoltaics, are compared. The similarities and differences in charge generation, charge separation, charge transport, charge collection, and charge recombination in these two technologies are discussed, linking these back to the intrinsic material properties of organic and perovskite semiconductors, and how these factors impact on photovoltaic device performance is elucidated. In particular, the impact of exciton binding energy, charge transfer states, bimolecular recombination, charge carrier transport, sub-bandgap tail states, and surface recombination is evaluated, and the lessons learned from transient optical and optoelectronic measurements are discussed. This perspective thus highlights the key factors limiting device performance and rationalizes similarities and differences in design requirements between organic and perovskite solar cells.

Terahertz Wave Absorption Property of all Mixed Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite Thin Film MA(Sn, Pb)(Br, I)3 Fabricated by Sequential Vacuum Evaporation Method

All mixed hybrid perovskite (MA(Sn, Pb)(Br,I)3) thin film was fabricated by sequential vacuum evaporation method. To optimize the first layer with PbBr2 and SnI2, we performed different annealing treatments. Further, MA(Sn, Pb)(Br, I)3 thin film was synthesized on the optimized first layer by evaporating MAI and post-annealing. The formed hybrid perovskite thin film exhibited absorptions at 1.0 and 1.7 THz with small absorbance (<10%). Moreover, no chemical and structural defect-incorporated absorption was found. In this study, the possibility of changing terahertz absorption frequency through the mixture of metal cations (Sn+ and Pb+) and halogen anions (Br- and I-) was verified.

Multipulse Terahertz Spectroscopy Unveils Hot Polaron Photoconductivity Dynamics in Metal-Halide Perovskites

Hot carriers in metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) present a foundation for understanding carrier-phonon coupling in the materials as well as the prospective development of high-performance hot carrier photovoltaics. While the carrier population dynamics during cooling have been scrutinized, the evolution of the hot carrier properties, namely mobility, remains largely unexplored. Here we introduce novel ultrafast visible pump-infrared push-terahertz probe spectroscopy to monitor the real-time conductivity dynamics of cooling carriers in methylammonium lead iodide. We find a decrease in mobility upon optically re-exciting the carriers, as expected for band transport. Surprisingly, the conductivity recovery is incommensurate with the hot carrier population dynamics measured by infrared probe and exhibits a negligible dependence on the hot carrier density. Our results reveal the importance of localized lattice heating toward the hot carrier mobility. This collective polaron-lattice phenomenon may contribute to the unusual photophysics of MHPs and should be accounted for in hot carrier devices.

Ultrafast Photoconductivity and Terahertz Vibrational Dynamics in Double-Helix SnIP Nanowires

Tin iodide phosphide (SnIP), an inorganic double-helix material, is a quasi-1D van der Waals semiconductor that shows promise in photocatalysis and flexible electronics. However, the understanding of the fundamental photophysics and charge transport dynamics of this new material is limited. Here, time-resolved terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is used to probe the transient photoconductivity of SnIP nanowire films and measure the carrier mobility. With insight into the highly anisotropic electronic structure from quantum chemical calculations, an electron mobility as high as 280 cm²   V^-1 s^-1 along the double-helix axis and a hole mobility of 238 cm²   V^-1 s^-1 perpendicular to the double-helix axis are detected. Additionally, infrared-active (IR-active) THz vibrational modes are measured, which shows excellent agreement with first-principles calculations, and an ultrafast photoexcitation-induced charge redistribution is observed that reduces the amplitude of a twisting mode of the outer SnI helix on picosecond timescales. Finally, it is shown that the carrier lifetime and mobility are limited by a trap density greater than 10¹⁸  cm^-3 . The results provide insight into the optical excitation and relaxation pathways of SnIP and demonstrate a remarkably high carrier mobility for such a soft and flexible material, suggesting that it could be ideally suited for flexible electronics applications.

Thin Layer Buckling in Perovskite CsPbBr3 Nanobelts

Flexible semiconductor materials, where structural fluctuations and transformation are tolerable and have low impact on electronic properties, focus interest for future applications. Two-dimensional thin layer lead halide perovskites are hailed for their unconventional optoelectronic features. We report structural deformations via thin layer buckling in colloidal CsPbBr₃ nanobelts adsorbed on carbon substrates. The microstructure of buckled nanobelts is determined using transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We measured significant decrease in emission from the buckled nanobelt using cathodoluminescence, marking the influence of such mechanical deformations on electronic properties. By employing plate buckling theory, we approximate adhesion forces between the buckled nanobelt and the substrate to be F_adhesion ∼ 0.12 μN, marking a limit to sustain such deformation. This work highlights detrimental effects of mechanical buckling on electronic properties in halide perovskite nanostructures and points toward the capillary action that should be minimized in fabrication of future devices and heterostructures based on nanoperovskites.

Two-dimensional overdamped fluctuations of the soft perovskite lattice in CsPbBr3

Lead halide perovskites exhibit structural instabilities and large atomic fluctuations thought to impact their optical and thermal properties, yet detailed structural and temporal correlations of their atomic motions remain poorly understood. Here, these correlations are resolved in CsPbBr₃ crystals using momentum-resolved neutron and X-ray scattering measurements as a function of temperature, complemented with first-principles simulations. We uncover a striking network of diffuse scattering rods, arising from the liquid-like damping of low-energy Br-dominated phonons, reproduced in our simulations of the anharmonic phonon self-energy. These overdamped modes cover a continuum of wave vectors along the edges of the cubic Brillouin zone, corresponding to two-dimensional sheets of correlated rotations in real space, and could represent precursors to proposed two-dimensional polarons. Further, these motions directly impact the electronic gap edge states, linking soft anharmonic lattice dynamics and optoelectronic properties. These results provide insights into the highly unusual atomic dynamics of halide perovskites, relevant to further optimization of their optical and thermal properties.

Quantifying Photoinduced Polaronic Distortions in Inorganic Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

The development of next-generation perovskite-based optoelectronic devices relies critically on the understanding of the interaction between charge carriers and the polar lattice in out-of-equilibrium conditions. While it has become increasingly evident for CsPbBr3 perovskites that the Pb-Br framework flexibility plays a key role in their light-activated functionality, the corresponding local structural rearrangement has not yet been unambiguously identified. In this work, we demonstrate that the photoinduced lattice changes in the system are due to a specific polaronic distortion, associated with the activation of a longitudinal optical phonon mode at 18 meV by electron-phonon coupling, and we quantify the associated structural changes with atomic-level precision. Key to this achievement is the combination of time-resolved and temperature-dependent studies at Br K and Pb L3 X-ray absorption edges with refined ab initio simulations, which fully account for the screened core-hole final state effects on the X-ray absorption spectra. From the temporal kinetics, we show that carrier recombination reversibly unlocks the structural deformation at both Br and Pb sites. The comparison with the temperature-dependent XAS results rules out thermal effects as the primary source of distortion of the Pb-Br bonding motif during photoexcitation. Our work provides a comprehensive description of the CsPbBr3 perovskites' photophysics, offering novel insights on the light-induced response of the system and its exceptional optoelectronic properties.

Observation of Negative Terahertz Photoconductivity in Large Area Type-II Dirac Semimetal PtTe_{2}

As a newly emergent type-II Dirac semimetal, platinum telluride (PtTe_{2}) stands out from other two dimensional noble-transition-metal dichalcogenides for the unique band structure and novel physical properties, and has been studied extensively. However, the ultrafast response of low energy quasiparticle excitation in terahertz frequency remains nearly unexplored yet. Herein, we employ optical pump-terahertz probe (OPTP) spectroscopy to systematically study the photocarrier dynamics of PtTe_{2} thin films with varying pump fluence, temperature, and film thickness. Upon photoexcitation the terahertz photoconductivity (PC) of PtTe_{2} films shows abrupt increase initially, while the terahertz PC changes into negative value in a subpicosecond timescale, followed by a prolonged recovery process that lasted a few nanoseconds. The magnitude of both positive and negative terahertz PC response shows strongly pump fluence dependence. We assign the unusual negative terahertz PC to the formation of small polaron due to the strong electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling, which is further substantiated by temperature and film thickness dependent measurements. Moreover, our investigations give a subpicosecond timescale of simultaneous carrier cooling and polaron formation. The present study provides deep insights into the underlying dynamics evolution mechanisms of photocarrier in type-II Dirac semimetal upon photoexcitation, which is of crucial importance for designing PtTe_{2}-based optoelectronic devices.

Polarons and Charge Localization in Metal-Halide Semiconductors for Photovoltaic and Light-Emitting Devices

Metal-halide semiconductors have shown excellent performance in optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and detectors. In this review the role of charge-lattice interactions and polaron formation in a wide range of these promising materials, including perovskites, double perovskites, Ruddlesden-Popper layered perovskites, nanocrystals, vacancy-ordered, and other novel structures, is summarized. The formation of Fröhlich-type "large" polarons in archetypal bulk metal-halide ABX₃ perovskites and its dependence on A-cation, B-metal, and X-halide composition, which is now relatively well understood, are discussed. It is found that, for nanostructured and novel metal-halide materials, a larger variation in the strengths of polaronic effects is reported across the literature, potentially deriving from variations in potential barriers and the presence of interfaces at which lattice relaxation may be enhanced. Such findings are further discussed in the context of different experimental approaches used to explore polaronic effects, cautioning that firm conclusions are often hampered by the presence of alternate processes and interactions giving rise to similar experimental signatures. Overall, a complete understanding of polaronic effects will prove essential given their direct influence on optoelectronic properties such as charge-carrier mobilities and emission spectra, which are critical to the performance of energy and optoelectronic applications.

Visualization of dynamic polaronic strain fields in hybrid lead halide perovskites

Excitation localization involving dynamic nanoscale distortions is a central aspect of photocatalysis¹, quantum materials² and molecular optoelectronics³. Experimental characterization of such distortions requires techniques sensitive to the formation of point-defect-like local structural rearrangements in real time. Here, we visualize excitation-induced strain fields in a prototypical member of the lead halide perovskites⁴ via femtosecond resolution diffuse X-ray scattering measurements. This enables momentum-resolved phonon spectroscopy of the locally distorted structure and reveals radially expanding nanometre-scale strain fields associated with the formation and relaxation of polarons in photoexcited perovskites. Quantitative estimates of the magnitude and shape of this polaronic distortion are obtained, providing direct insights into the dynamic structural distortions that occur in these materials^5-9. Optical pump-probe reflection spectroscopy corroborates these results and shows how these large polaronic distortions transiently modify the carrier effective mass, providing a unified picture of the coupled structural and electronic dynamics that underlie the optoelectronic functionality of the hybrid perovskites.

Polaron-formation revealed by transient XUV imaginary refractive index changes in different iron compounds

We use transient extreme ultraviolet (XUV) reflection absorption spectroscopy to study polaron formation on hematite and akaganeite surfaces. We observed a reduction in the offset of the imaginary refractive index (κoffset) that was attributed to the photoemission cross-section. The difference in the κoffset reduction indicated that deeper-trapped polarons were formed in hematite than in akaganeite.

Quantum defect-assisted multiphonon Raman scattering in metal halide perovskites

Quantum defects are essential to understand the non-radiative recombination processes in metal halide perovskites-based photovoltaic devices, in which Huang-Rhys factor, reflecting the coupling strength between the charge carrier and optical phonons, plays a key role in determining the non-radiative recombination via multiphonon processes. Herein, we theoretically present multiphonon Raman scattering intermediated by defects arising from the charge carrier of defect coupled with the longitudinal optical (LO) phonon in the deformation potential and Fröhlich mechanisms, respectively. We find that the Raman scattering shows multiple LO phonon overtones at equal interval LO phonons, where Huang-Rhys factor could be evaluated by the order of the strongest overtone. Meanwhile, we give the combinational multiphonon scattering between two mechanisms. Different types of the combinational modes with the weak scattering intensities provide a possible explanation for the long non-radiative charges-carrier lifetimes in metal halide perovskites.

Solvated Electrons in Solids-Ferroelectric Large Polarons in Lead Halide Perovskites

Solvation plays a pivotal role in chemistry and biology. A solid-state analogy of solvation is polaron formation, but the magnitude of Coulomb screening is typically an order of magnitude weaker than that of solvation in aqueous solutions. Here, we describe a new class of polarons, the ferroelectric large polaron, proposed initially by Miyata and Zhu in 2018 (Miyata, K.; Zhu, X.-Y. Ferroelectric Large Polarons. Nat. Mater. 2018, 17 (5), 379-381). This type of polaron allows efficient Coulomb screening of an electron or hole by extended ordering of dipoles from symmetry-broken unit cells. The local ordering is reflected in the ferroelectric-like THz dielectric responses of lead halide perovskites (LHPs) and may be partially responsible for their exceptional optoelectronic performances. Despite the likely absence of long-range ferroelectricity in LHPs, a charge carrier may be localized to and/or induce the formation of nanoscale domain boundaries of locally ordered dipoles. Based on the known planar nature of energetically favorable domain boundaries in ferroelectric materials, we propose that a ferroelectric polaron localizes to planar boundaries of transient polar nanodomains. This proposal is supported by dynamic simulations showing sheet-like transient electron or hole wave functions in LHPs. Thus, the Belgian-waffle-shaped ferroelectric polaron in the three-dimensional LHP crystal structure is a large polaron in two dimensions and a small polaron in the perpendicular direction. The ferroelectric large polaron may form in other crystalline solids characterized by dynamic symmetry breaking and polar fluctuations. We suggest that the ability to form ferroelectric large polarons can be a general principle for the efficient screening of charge carriers from scattering with other charge carriers, with charged defects and with longitudinal optical phonons, thus contributing to enhanced optoelectronic properties.

Observation of Charge Generation via Photoinduced Stark Effect in Mixed-Cation Lead Bromide Perovskite Thin Films

Extensive transient absorption studies on hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites have elucidated many optical properties important for their device performance. Despite the enormous progress, the derivative shaped photoinduced absorption feature in transient spectra that is above the bandgap has many explanations, including the photoinduced Stark effect, where the bandgap is blue shifted due to a local electric field generated by charges. In this work, we employ broad band transient absorption and two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) to examine the early transient events after photoexcitation of [CH(NH₂)₂]_0.83Cs_0.17PbBr₃ (FA_0.83Cs_0.17PbBr₃). 2DES resolves a photomodulation feature at the excitation energy of the exciton, suggesting the presence of a dipole field created by a polaron pair shifting the exciton transition to higher energies. As this polaron pair dissociates over 200 fs, the exciton transition shifts to higher energies over the same time scale, evidenced by the 2DES diagonal energy spectra. Given that the observations are well explained in terms of the Stark effect, our work provides extra grounds to support the Stark effect assignment of the above-gap photoinduced absorption. Furthermore, our study reports on the time scale of charge generation, contributing to the fundamental understanding of mixed-cation lead bromide perovskite photophysics.

Photoinduced Vibrations Drive Ultrafast Structural Distortion in Lead Halide Perovskite

The success of organic–inorganic perovskites in optoelectronics is dictated by the complex interplay between various underlying microscopic phenomena. The structural dynamics of organic cations and the inorganic sublattice after photoexcitation are hypothesized to have a direct effect on the material properties, thereby affecting the overall device performance. Here, we use ultrafast heterodyne-detected two-dimensional (2D) electronic spectroscopy to reveal impulsively excited vibrational modes of methylammonium (MA) lead iodide perovskite, which drive the structural distortion after photoexcitation. Vibrational analysis of the measured data allows us to monitor the time-evolved librational motion of the MA cation along with the vibrational coherences of the inorganic sublattice. Wavelet analysis of the observed vibrational coherences reveals the coherent generation of the librational motion of the MA cation within ∼300 fs complemented with the coherent evolution of the inorganic skeletal motion. To rationalize this observation, we employed the configuration interaction singles (CIS), which support our experimental observations of the coherent generation of librational motions in the MA cation and highlight the importance of the anharmonic interaction between the MA cation and the inorganic sublattice. Moreover, our advanced theoretical calculations predict the transfer of the photoinduced vibrational coherence from the MA cation to the inorganic sublattice, leading to reorganization of the lattice to form a polaronic state with a long lifetime. Our study uncovers the interplay of the organic cation and inorganic sublattice during formation of the polaron, which may lead to novel design principles for the next generation of perovskite solar cell materials.

Temperature-Dependent Interplay of Polaron Formation and Hot Carrier Cooling Dynamics in CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals: Role of Carrier-Phonon Coupling Strength

Photovoltaic devices with CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals as the working layer are generally subjected to wide variance of extreme temperatures during operation. Thus, the underlying photophysics, which is undeniably a temperature-dependent entity, demands intricate understanding. In this finding, with the assistance of temperature-dependent transient absorption spectroscopy, an endeavor has been made to disentangle the detrimental conflict between polaron formation and hot carrier relaxation for CsPbBr₃ nanocrystal systems. Carrier relaxation pathways are seen to diverge drastically upon varying the lattice temperature from 300 to 5 K. Acquired results indicate the involvement of polarons for retarded carrier cooling dynamics observed at 300 K, whereas its absence at lower temperatures (<200 K) provides the basis for relatively quicker cooling. Additionally, despite the expected participation from the polaron due to the onset of strong carrier-longitudinal optical phonon coupling at 200 K, the reason for its absence in the cooling dynamics at 200 K has been revealed.

Direct Spectroscopic Observation of the Hole Polaron in Lead Halide Perovskites

The intrinsic photophysical origin of lead halide perovskites (LHPs) that are used successfully in optolectronic applications remains hotly debated. Here, by using ultrafast X-ray transient absorption spectroscopy, we successfully tracked the fate of photogenerated charge carriers at room temperature within the thin films of two classic LHPs, namely, MAPbBr₃ (MA = CH₃NH₃) and FAPbBr₃ [FA = CH(NH₂)₂]. We clearly observed in both thin films that the hole polaron is formed by localizing the photogenerated hole at the Br 4p orbital and concurrently distorting the local structure surrounding the Br atom after the photoexcitation. Furthermore, the larger FA cation in the cavity of the [PbBr₆]^4- octahedral framework induces a stronger hole polaron effect due to the hybridization of its p orbital into valence and conduction bands, correlating with the slower charge carrier recombination dynamics. Our direct experimental observation of the localized hole polaron in perovskites should advance the fundamental comprehension of charge carrier behavior within LHPs and their related devices.

Photon Energy-Dependent Ultrafast Photoinduced Terahertz Response in a Microcrystalline Film of CH3NH3PbBr3

Time-resolved terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is applied for a microcrystalline film of methylammonium lead bromide perovskite, CH₃NH₃PbBr₃, to observe the carrier dynamics around the band edge. The ultrafast response of the transmitted THz electric field amplitude after carrier generation is modeled with a biexponential curve with ∼5 and 180 ps time constants, which are ascribed to Auger and electron-hole recombination processes, respectively. From the pump photon energy dependence of the time evolution of the THz electric field amplitude, it is shown that the bound exciton states and free interband excited carrier states show a clearly different temporal response. These measurements support the idea that the bound excitons generated in CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ remain as stable excitons even at room temperature (RT). This is in clear contrast to the cases in CH₃NH₃PbI₃ in which the excitons and band-edge free carriers are interchangeable at RT.

Ultrafast charge carrier dynamics in quantum confined 2D perovskite

We studied the charge carrier dynamics in 2D perovskite NBT₂PbI₄ by ultrafast optical pump-THz probe spectroscopy. We observed a few ps long relaxation dynamics that can be ascribed to the band to band carrier recombination, in the absence of any contribution from many-body and trap assisted processes. The transient conductivity spectra show that the polaron dynamics is strongly modulated by the presence of a rich exciton population. The polarization field resulting from the exciton formation acts as the source of a restoring force that localizes polarons. This is revealed by the presence of a negative imaginary conductivity. Our results show that the dynamics of excitons in 2D perovskites at room temperature can be detected by monitoring their effect on the conductivity of the photoinduced polaronic carrier.

Polarons in Halide Perovskites: A Perspective

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have rapidly emerged as leading contenders in photovoltaic technology and other optoelectronic applications owing to their outstanding optoelectronic properties. After a decade of intense research, an in-depth understanding of the charge carrier transport in MHPs is still an active topic of debate. In this Perspective, we discuss the current state of the field by summarizing the most extensively studied carrier transport mechanisms, such as electron-phonon scattering limited dynamics, ferroelectric effects, Rashba-type band splitting, and polaronic transport. We further extensively discuss the emerging experimental and computational evidence for dominant polaronic carrier dynamics in MHPs. Focusing on both small and large polarons, we explore the fundamental aspects of their motion through the lattice, protecting the photogenerated charge carriers from the recombination process. Finally, we outline different physical and chemical approaches considered recently to study and exploit the polaron transport in MHPs.

Hot Carrier Dynamics in Perovskite Nanocrystal Solids: Role of the Cold Carriers, Nanoconfinement, and the Surface

Carrier cooling is of widespread interest in the field of semiconductor science. It is linked to carrier-carrier and carrier-phonon coupling and has profound implications for the photovoltaic performance of materials. Recent transient optical studies have shown that a high carrier density in lead-halide perovskites (LHPs) can reduce the cooling rate through a "phonon bottleneck". However, the role of carrier-carrier interactions, and the material properties that control cooling in LHPs, is still disputed. To address these factors, we utilize ultrafast "pump-push-probe" spectroscopy on LHP nanocrystal (NC) films. We find that the addition of cold carriers to LHP NCs increases the cooling rate, competing with the phonon bottleneck. By comparing different NCs and bulk samples, we deduce that the cooling behavior is intrinsic to the LHP composition and independent of the NC size or surface. This can be contrasted with other colloidal nanomaterials, where confinement and trapping considerably influence the cooling dynamics.

Phonon-Mediated and Weakly Size-Dependent Electron and Hole Cooling in CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals Revealed by Atomistic Simulations and Ultrafast Spectroscopy

We combine state-of-the-art ultrafast photoluminescence and absorption spectroscopy and nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate charge-carrier cooling in CsPbBr3 nanocrystals over a very broad size regime, from 0.8 to 12 nm. Contrary to the prevailing notion that polaron formation slows down charge-carrier cooling in lead-halide perovskites, no suppression of carrier cooling is observed in CsPbBr3 nanocrystals except for a slow cooling (over ∼10 ps) of "warm" electrons in the vicinity (within ∼0.1 eV) of the conduction band edge. At higher excess energies, electrons and holes cool with similar rates, on the order of 1 eV ps-1 carrier-1, increasing weakly with size. Our ab initio simulations suggest that cooling proceeds via fast phonon-mediated intraband transitions driven by strong and size-dependent electron-phonon coupling. The presented experimental and computational methods yield the spectrum of involved phonons and may guide the development of devices utilizing hot charge carriers.

Low-frequency lattice phonons in halide perovskites explain high defect tolerance toward electron-hole recombination

Low-cost solution-based synthesis of metal halide perovskites (MHPs) invariably introduces defects in the system, which could form Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) electron-hole recombination centers detrimental to solar conversion efficiency. Here, we investigate the nonradiative recombination processes due to native point defects in methylammonium lead halide (MAPbI₃) perovskites using ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics within surface-hopping framework. Regardless of whether the defects introduce a shallow or deep band state, we find that charge recombination in MAPbI₃ is not enhanced, contrary to predictions from SRH theory. We demonstrate that this strong tolerance against defects, and hence the breakdown of SRH, arises because the photogenerated carriers are only coupled with low-frequency phonons and electron and hole states overlap weakly. Both factors appreciably decrease the nonadiabatic coupling. We argue that the soft nature of the inorganic lattice with small bulk modulus is key for defect tolerance, and hence, the findings are general to other MHPs.

Giant Fine Structure Splitting of the Bright Exciton in a Bulk MAPbBr3 Single Crystal

Exciton fine structure splitting in semiconductors reflects the underlying symmetry of the crystal and quantum confinement. Because the latter factor strongly enhances the exchange interaction, most work has focused on nanostructures. Here, we report on the first observation of the bright exciton fine structure splitting in a bulk semiconductor crystal, where the impact of quantum confinement can be specifically excluded, giving access to the intrinsic properties of the material. Detailed investigation of the exciton photoluminescence and reflection spectra of a bulk methylammonium lead tribromide single crystal reveals a zero magnetic field splitting as large as ∼200 μeV. This result provides an important starting point for the discussion of the origin of the large bright exciton fine structure splitting observed in perovskite nanocrystals.