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Probing and manipulating the Mexican hat-shaped valence band of In2Se3

Author

Listed:
  • James Felton

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Jordan Harknett

    (Loughborough University)

  • Joe Page

    (Loughborough University)

  • Zhuo Yang

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Nada Alghofaili

    (University of Nottingham)

  • James N. O’Shea

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Laurence Eaves

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Yoshimitsu Kohama

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Mark T. Greenaway

    (Loughborough University)

  • Amalia Patanè

    (University of Nottingham)

Abstract

Ferroelectrics based on van der Waals semiconductors represent an emergent class of materials for disruptive technologies ranging from neuromorphic computing to low-power electronics. However, many theoretical predictions of their electronic properties have yet to be confirmed experimentally and exploited. Here, we use nanoscale angle-resolved photoemission electron spectroscopy and optical transmission in high magnetic fields to reveal the electronic band structure of the van der Waals ferroelectric indium selenide (α-In2Se3). This indirect bandgap semiconductor features a weakly dispersed valence band, which is shaped like an inverted Mexican hat. Its form changes following an irreversible structural phase transition of α-In2Se3 into β-In2Se3 via a thermal annealing in ultra-high vacuum. Density functional theory supports the experiments and reveals the critical contribution of spin orbit coupling to the form of the valence band. The measured band structure and its in situ manipulation offer opportunities for precise engineering of ferroelectrics and their functional properties beyond traditional semiconducting systems.

Suggested Citation

  • James Felton & Jordan Harknett & Joe Page & Zhuo Yang & Nada Alghofaili & James N. O’Shea & Laurence Eaves & Yoshimitsu Kohama & Mark T. Greenaway & Amalia Patanè, 2025. "Probing and manipulating the Mexican hat-shaped valence band of In2Se3," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56139-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56139-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yuan Liu & Yu Huang & Xiangfeng Duan, 2019. "Van der Waals integration before and beyond two-dimensional materials," Nature, Nature, vol. 567(7748), pages 323-333, March.
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