Quantum Transport in Two-Dimensional WS2 with High-Efficiency Carrier Injection through Indium Alloy Contacts

ACS Nano. 2020 Oct 27;14(10):13700-13708. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.0c05915. Epub 2020 Sep 15.

Abstract

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have properties attractive for optoelectronic and quantum applications. A crucial element for devices is the metal-semiconductor interface. However, high contact resistances have hindered progress. Quantum transport studies are scant as low-quality contacts are intractable at cryogenic temperatures. Here, temperature-dependent transfer length measurements are performed on chemical vapor deposition grown single-layer and bilayer WS2 devices with indium alloy contacts. The devices exhibit low contact resistances and Schottky barrier heights (∼10 kΩ μm at 3 K and 1.7 meV). Efficient carrier injection enables high carrier mobilities (∼190 cm2 V-1 s-1) and observation of resonant tunnelling. Density functional theory calculations provide insights into quantum transport and properties of the WS2-indium interface. Our results reveal significant advances toward high-performance WS2 devices using indium alloy contacts.

Keywords: 2D materials; WS2; contacts; quantum transport; transition metal dichalcogenides.