Research paperExperimental CharacterizationComputational DFTTwo-Dimensional Moiré Polaronic Electron CrystalsEric A. Arsenault, Yiliu Li, Birui Yang, Xi Wang et al.2025·10.1103/physrevlett.132.126501·arXiv:2307.16563AbstractTwo-dimensional moiré materials have emerged as the most versatile platform for realizing quantum phases of electrons. Here, we explore the stability origins of correlated states in WSe₂/WS₂ moiré superlattices. We find that ultrafast electronic excitation leads to partial melting of the Mott states on time scales five times longer than predictions from the charge hopping integrals and that the melting rates are thermally activated, with activation energies of 18±3 and 13±2 meV for the one- and two-hole Mott states, respectively, suggesting significant electron-phonon coupling. DFT calculation of the one-hole Mott state confirms polaron formation and yields a hole-polaron binding energy of 16 meV. These findings reveal a close interplay of electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions in stabilizing the polaronic Mott insulators at transition metal dichalcogenide moiré interfaces.Read more
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₁ with top and bottom graphite gates and hBN encapsulation, measured at 60° twist angle.3 characterizations4 properties4 figuresExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₂ with 0° twist angle, mentioned as an additional sample.No measurements recordedExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₃ with 0° twist angle, mentioned as an additional sample.No measurements recordedExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
DFT model of the one-hole Mott state in the WSe₂/WS₂ moiré heterobilayer used to evaluate polaron formation and binding energy.1 propertySimulated Supercell DftWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialExpand
Research paperExperimental CharacterizationComputational DFTTwo-Dimensional Moiré Polaronic Electron CrystalsEric A. Arsenault, Yiliu Li, Birui Yang, Xi Wang et al.2025·10.1103/physrevlett.132.126501·arXiv:2307.16563AbstractTwo-dimensional moiré materials have emerged as the most versatile platform for realizing quantum phases of electrons. Here, we explore the stability origins of correlated states in WSe₂/WS₂ moiré superlattices. We find that ultrafast electronic excitation leads to partial melting of the Mott states on time scales five times longer than predictions from the charge hopping integrals and that the melting rates are thermally activated, with activation energies of 18±3 and 13±2 meV for the one- and two-hole Mott states, respectively, suggesting significant electron-phonon coupling. DFT calculation of the one-hole Mott state confirms polaron formation and yields a hole-polaron binding energy of 16 meV. These findings reveal a close interplay of electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions in stabilizing the polaronic Mott insulators at transition metal dichalcogenide moiré interfaces.Read more
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₁ with top and bottom graphite gates and hBN encapsulation, measured at 60° twist angle.3 characterizations4 properties4 figuresExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₂ with 0° twist angle, mentioned as an additional sample.No measurements recordedExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₃ with 0° twist angle, mentioned as an additional sample.No measurements recordedExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
DFT model of the one-hole Mott state in the WSe₂/WS₂ moiré heterobilayer used to evaluate polaron formation and binding energy.1 propertySimulated Supercell DftWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialExpand
Research paperExperimental CharacterizationComputational DFTTwo-Dimensional Moiré Polaronic Electron CrystalsEric A. Arsenault, Yiliu Li, Birui Yang, Xi Wang et al.2025·10.1103/physrevlett.132.126501·arXiv:2307.16563AbstractTwo-dimensional moiré materials have emerged as the most versatile platform for realizing quantum phases of electrons. Here, we explore the stability origins of correlated states in WSe₂/WS₂ moiré superlattices. We find that ultrafast electronic excitation leads to partial melting of the Mott states on time scales five times longer than predictions from the charge hopping integrals and that the melting rates are thermally activated, with activation energies of 18±3 and 13±2 meV for the one- and two-hole Mott states, respectively, suggesting significant electron-phonon coupling. DFT calculation of the one-hole Mott state confirms polaron formation and yields a hole-polaron binding energy of 16 meV. These findings reveal a close interplay of electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions in stabilizing the polaronic Mott insulators at transition metal dichalcogenide moiré interfaces.Read more
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₁ with top and bottom graphite gates and hBN encapsulation, measured at 60° twist angle.3 characterizations4 properties4 figuresExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₂ with 0° twist angle, mentioned as an additional sample.No measurements recordedExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₃ with 0° twist angle, mentioned as an additional sample.No measurements recordedExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
DFT model of the one-hole Mott state in the WSe₂/WS₂ moiré heterobilayer used to evaluate polaron formation and binding energy.1 propertySimulated Supercell DftWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialExpand
Research paperExperimental CharacterizationComputational DFTTwo-Dimensional Moiré Polaronic Electron CrystalsEric A. Arsenault, Yiliu Li, Birui Yang, Xi Wang et al.2025·10.1103/physrevlett.132.126501·arXiv:2307.16563AbstractTwo-dimensional moiré materials have emerged as the most versatile platform for realizing quantum phases of electrons. Here, we explore the stability origins of correlated states in WSe₂/WS₂ moiré superlattices. We find that ultrafast electronic excitation leads to partial melting of the Mott states on time scales five times longer than predictions from the charge hopping integrals and that the melting rates are thermally activated, with activation energies of 18±3 and 13±2 meV for the one- and two-hole Mott states, respectively, suggesting significant electron-phonon coupling. DFT calculation of the one-hole Mott state confirms polaron formation and yields a hole-polaron binding energy of 16 meV. These findings reveal a close interplay of electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions in stabilizing the polaronic Mott insulators at transition metal dichalcogenide moiré interfaces.Read more
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₁ with top and bottom graphite gates and hBN encapsulation, measured at 60° twist angle.3 characterizations4 properties4 figuresExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₂ with 0° twist angle, mentioned as an additional sample.No measurements recordedExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
WSe₂/WS₂ heterobilayer moiré device D₃ with 0° twist angle, mentioned as an additional sample.No measurements recordedExperimentalWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialhBNSubstrate / DielectricCCapping Or ContactExpand
DFT model of the one-hole Mott state in the WSe₂/WS₂ moiré heterobilayer used to evaluate polaron formation and binding energy.1 propertySimulated Supercell DftWSe₂Studied MaterialWS₂Studied MaterialExpand
