Researchers from various institutions, including the University of Rochester, Penn State University, and the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan, have made a significant discovery in the field of quantum materials. Their work focuses on layered hybrid perovskites, a type of two-dimensional material that shows promise for optoelectronic applications.
The team, led by Hanwei Gao and Letian Dou, investigated the electronic structure and symmetry of layered hybrid perovskites, which can be manipulated by incorporating specific organic ligands. Their research, published in the journal Nature Communications, reveals a novel quantum geometric effect that enables spontaneous photocurrent along the crystalline orientation of these materials.
Traditionally, it was assumed that charge transport across the two-dimensional planes of these materials was limited. However, the researchers observed a spontaneous photocurrent along this orientation, contrary to these assumptions. This phenomenon is attributed to a quantum geometric effect, specifically the shift current, which arises from ionic displacements from centrosymmetric coordinates and is enhanced by multiband transitions in the layered hybrid crystal.
The researchers used a tight-binding model to theoretically analyze the observed effects. Their findings suggest that the unique low-dimensional systems with tunable structures can provide a fertile ground for discovering novel optoelectronic functionalities. This discovery could have practical applications in the energy sector, particularly in the development of more efficient solar cells and other optoelectronic devices.
The researchers’ work highlights the importance of understanding the quantum geometric aspects of materials, which can lead to the discovery of new phenomena and the development of advanced technologies. As the energy industry continues to seek innovative solutions for clean and sustainable energy, such discoveries are crucial for driving progress in the field.
Source: Nature Communications
This article is based on research available at arXiv.