New paper: Element-Specific Ultrafast Lattice Dynamics in Monolayer WSe2
We have successfully resolved sub-picosecond atomic vibrations in a single atomically-thing layer (“monolayer”) of WSe2, a candidate semiconducter material for future electronics. This was achieved using a novel UED data analysis method, which we able to extract the vibrations of each element individually. With this element specificity we identified distinct trends for each element, revealing a series of stages within the phonon thermalization process, in which energy is transferred between different phonon groups. Beyond the case of WSe2, our method can be readily applied to UED studies of other solids, and offers a real-space view of atomic motion on sub-Å length scales.