Finding an exciton condensate in a topological insulator

Recent evidence suggests monolayer WTe2 could be an excitonic insulator. While this theory is controversial, if correct, the excitonic condensate should exhibit a charge density wave (CDW) and should collapse with electron doping. Through scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) we display evidence of these phenomena and are making progress toward confirming their excitonic nature with theoretical calculations.

About the presenter

Liam Watson is a PhD Student at Monash University with CI Michael Fuhrer. His project aims to grown and analyse WTe2 on insulating substrates to verify if it is an excitonic insulator, as part of FLEET’s Research Theme 1, Topological Materials.