Expérimental
Currently, one of the main research topics in condensed matter physics deals with the electronic properties of atomically thin semiconductors. Electrons in these 2D materials have promising properties due to a unique spin-texture of the conduction and valence bands, with very long spin-lifetimes which can reach 10 µs. Very recently, we have demonstrated that these electrons become highly spin-polarized under a steady-state, circularly-polarized optical excitation. This spin polarization can be detected optically since it produces a large change of the photoluminescence intensity when switching between circular and linear laser excitation. This finding brings the opportunity to optically-detect the spin resonance of valley electrons in TMD monolayers, given for the first time a direct access to their collective coherent oscillations. In this project, the intern will fabricate its own devices based on WS2 and WSe2 monolayers in which the resident electron density can be tuned thanks to the application of a gate voltage. The experiments will involve magneto-photoluminescence at variable temperature, in which the electron spin resonance will be driven by a radiofrequency magnetic field. This project is principally an experimental one, and would suit a student interested in fundamental semiconductor physics and 2D materials. This could lead to further work, including the possibility for a successful intern to pursue a Ph.D. financed by the ERC grant 101075855 (OneSPIN).