Characterization of atomic-layer MoS_2 synthesized using a hot filament chemical vapor deposition method

Atomic-layer MoS_2 ultrathin films are synthesized using a hot filament chemical vapor deposition method. A combination of atomic force microscopy(AFM), x-ray diffraction(XRD), high-resolution transition electron microscopy(HRTEM), photoluminescence(PL), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) characterization methods is applied to investigate the crystal structures, valence states, and compositions of the ultrathin film areas. The nucleation particles show irregular morphology, while for a larger size somewhere, the films are granular and the grains have a triangle shape. The films grow in a preferred orientation(002). The HRTEM images present the graphene-like structure of stacked layers with low density of stacking fault, and the interlayer distance of plane is measured to be about 0.63 nm. It shows a clear quasihoneycomb-like structure and 6-fold coordination symmetry. Room-temperature PL spectra for the atomic layer MoS_2 under the condition of right and left circular light show that for both cases, the A1 and B1 direct excitonic transitions can be observed. In the meantime, valley polarization resolved PL spectra are obtained. XPS measurements provide high-purity samples aside from some contaminations from the air, and confirm the presence of pure MoS_2. The stoichiometric mole ratio of S/Mo is about 2.0–2.1, suggesting that sulfur is abundant rather than deficient in the atomic layer MoS_2 under our experimental conditions.     

Observation of oscillations in the transport for atomic layer MoS_2

In our experiment, an atomic layer MoS_2 structure grown on SiO_2/Si substrates is used in transport test. The voltage U14,23 oscillates and the corresponding period varies with applied current. The largest period appears at 45 μA. The oscillation periods are different when samples are under laser radiation or in darkness. We discover that under the laser irradiation, the oscillation period occurs at lower current than in the darkness case. Meanwhile, the drift velocity is estimated at ~10~7 cm/s. Besides, by studying the envelope of U14,23 versus applied current, we see a beating phenomenon at a certain current value. The beating period in darkness is larger than under laser irradiation. The difference between beating periods reveals the energy difference of electrons. Similar results are obtained by using different laser power densities and different light sources. The possible mechanism behind the oscillation period is discussed.