Interlayer exciton interactions and their many-body physics

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibit exceptional properties to study many-body physics with direct optical control through their tightly-bound excitons and enhanced Coulomb interactions. Even more versatile physics emerge in heterobilayers of TMDs, which host long-lived dipolar interlayer excitons (IXs), with promising potential for quantum simulation experiments and realizing a plethora of correlated phases. In recent years, TMD heterobilayers have been at the center of many-body physics where effects such as the formation of a Wigner crystal, the demonstration of Hubbard model quantum simulation and the realization of Bose-Einstein condensates are just a few examples. However, deterministic control of single IXs and therefore interactions among individual IXs has not been shown. For MSCA project, I propose to study many-body physics of IXs, starting from the individual IX level and then progressing to small and well controlled IX populations. To do so I will use nanoscale patterned graphene electrical gates to trap and manipulate them. This top-down approach is scalable and flexible, allowing for the creation of arbitrary trap potentials and geometries. The scope of this two-year project is to use this technique to fundamentally study the exciton-exciton interactions that are at the basis of the exciting physics that arises from these new materials. However, the scientific potential of a method that can site-control IXs does not end here, this technique could form the foundation for quantum-simulation, demonstration of Hubbard model physics and exploring new quantum phases.