Probing spin dynamics of 2D excitons with twisted light (2202.11603v2)

Abstract: We propose a mechanism of intravalley spin-flip scattering in spin-valley coupled two dimensional systems by transferring momentum of light into exciton center of mass using optical vortex (OV) beams. By varying the dispersion of light using the topological charge of OV beam, we demonstrate a unique approach to control the intra-valley spin-flip scattering rate of excitons. From our photoluminescence measurements, we demonstrate that the intra-valley scattering rate in W-based TMDs can be tuned externally by OV beams. Variation of photoluminescence intensity with topological charges shows a crossover temperature (> 150 K), indicating competitions among time scales involving radiative recombination, spin-flip scattering, and thermal relaxations. Our proposed technique utilizing a structured light beam can open up a new approach to explore the physics of excitons in 2D systems.