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Correlated states controlled by a tunable van Hove singularity in moiré WSe2 bilayers

Author

Listed:
  • Patrick Knüppel

    (Cornell University)

  • Jiacheng Zhu

    (Cornell University)

  • Yiyu Xia

    (Cornell University)

  • Zhengchao Xia

    (Cornell University)

  • Zhongdong Han

    (Cornell University)

  • Yihang Zeng

    (Cornell University)

  • Kenji Watanabe

    (National Institute for Materials Science)

  • Takashi Taniguchi

    (National Institute for Materials Science)

  • Jie Shan

    (Cornell University
    Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science
    Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter)

  • Kin Fai Mak

    (Cornell University
    Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science
    Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter)

Abstract

Twisted transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) bilayers have enabled the discovery of superconductivity, ferromagnetism, correlated insulators, and a series of new topological phases of matter. However, the connection between these electronic phases of matter and the underlying band structure singularities has remained largely unexplored. Here, combining magnetic circular dichroism and exciton sensing measurements, we investigate the influence of a van Hove singularity (vHS) on the correlated phases in bilayer WSe2 with twist angle between 2 and 3 degrees. By tuning the vHS across the Fermi level using electric and magnetic fields, we observe Stoner ferromagnetism below moiré lattice filling one and Chern insulators at filling one. The experimental observations are supported by the continuum model band structure calculations. Our results highlight the prospect of engineering electronic phases of matter in moiré materials by tunable van Hove singularities.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Knüppel & Jiacheng Zhu & Yiyu Xia & Zhengchao Xia & Zhongdong Han & Yihang Zeng & Kenji Watanabe & Takashi Taniguchi & Jie Shan & Kin Fai Mak, 2025. "Correlated states controlled by a tunable van Hove singularity in moiré WSe2 bilayers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57235-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57235-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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