Intermediate-state imaging of electrical switching and quantum coupling of molybdenum disulfide monolayer

Tuning and probing electrical states of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with single-unit-cell thickness are attractive for next-generation nanoelectronics by virtue of unique electronic and optical attributes. In this work, we first demonstrated a plasmonic-based phase imaging of individual metal nanoparticles to directly visualize the characteristic switching of the electron-doping regime and near-complete suppression of the conductivity regime for an MoS2 monolayer by modulating potential. Intermediate states of electrical switching for the MoS2 monolayer are directly imaged by ultrasensitive phase variation of a single Au nanoparticle, which is attributable to the reversible switching between classical electromagnetic plasmonic coupling and quantum plasmonic coupling. This model can be operated as a logical inverter converting a logical signal 0-1 and as a universal logical NOR gate electronic directly imaged by plasmonic technique, potentially finding applications in novel nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.

Automated summary

This work demonstrates plasmonic-based phase imaging to visualize the switching and suppression processes of electron-doping and conductivity regime in a monolayer of MoS2. The intermediate states of electrical switching in MoS2 are observed through ultrasensitive phase variation of a single gold nanoparticle. This research has potential applications in novel nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.