Browsing by Author "Tzeng, Wen-Yen"

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Femtosecond time-evolution of mid-infrared spectral line shapes of Dirac fermions in topological insulators
(2020-06-17)
Yeh, Tien-Tien
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Tu, Chien-Ming
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Lin, Wen-Hao
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Cheng, Cheng-Maw
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Tzeng, Wen-Yen
Mid-infrared (MIR) light sources have much potential in the study of Dirac-fermions (DFs) in graphene and topological insulators (TIs) because they have a low photon energy. However, the topological surface state transitions (SSTs) in Dirac cones are veiled by the free carrier absorption (FCA) with same spectral line shape that is always seen in static MIR spectra. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish the SST from the FCA, especially in TIs. Here, we disclose the abnormal MIR spectrum feature of transient reflectivity changes (Delta R/R) for the non-equilibrium states in TIs, and further distinguish FCA and spin-momentum locked SST using time-resolved and linearly polarized ultra-broadband MIR spectroscopy with no environmental perturbation. Although both effects produce similar features in the reflection spectra, they produce completely different variations in the Delta R/R to show their intrinsic ultrafast dynamics.
Heteroepitaxial approach to explore charge dynamics across Au/BiVO4 interface for photoactivity enhancement
(2015-07-01)
Chien Nguyen Van
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Chang, Wei Sea
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Chen, Jhih-Wei
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Tsai, Kai-An
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Tzeng, Wen-Yen
Heterostructure provides a powerful route in manipulating electrical transport, optical response, electrolytic water splitting and water treatment of complex oxides. As a model for noble metal/ complex oxide heterostructures, we have successfully prepared Au/BiVO4 (BVO) heterostructures in which the Au nanoparticles (NPs) with various sizes and densities were uniformly deposited on the {001} facets of epitaxial BVO thin films. The heterostructures exhibit significantly enhanced photoactivities in both dye degradation and electrolytic water splitting. By employing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the energy band alignment of Au/BVO heterojunction suggests a charge separation at their interfaces, that can manipulate the photoexcited electron-hole pairs and photocatalytic efficiency of the heterostructures. Photogenerated carrier injection, which mainly affects the photoactivity of photocatalysis, was detected across Au/BVO interfaces by ultrafast dynamics spectroscopy. This study delivers a general approach to probe and understand the photochemistry of noble metal-complex oxide heterostructures for photoconversion applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Manifestation of a Second Dirac Surface State and Bulk Bands in THz Radiation from Topological Insulators
(2015-09-15)
Tu, Chien-Ming
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Yeh, Tien-Tien
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Tzeng, Wen-Yen
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Chen, Yi-Ru
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Chen, Hsueh-Ju
Topological insulators (TIs) are interesting quantum matters that have a narrow bandgap for bulk and a Dirac-cone-like conducting surface state (SS). The recent discovered second Dirac surface state (SS) and bulk bands (BBs) located similar to 1.5 eV above the first SS are important for optical coupling in TIs. Here, we report on the time-domain measurements of THz radiation generated from TIs n-type Cu0.02Bi2Se3 and p-type Bi2Te3 single crystals by ultrafast optical pulse excitation. The observed polarity-reversal of the THz pulse originated from transient current is unusual, and cannot be reconciled with the photo-Dember effect. The second SS and BBs are found to be indispensable for the explanation of the unusual phenomenon. Thanks to the existence of the second SS and BBs, TIs manifest an effective wide band gap in THz generation. The present study demonstrates that time-domain THz spectroscopy provide rich information of the optical coupling and the electronic structure of TIs.
Selenium nanoparticle prepared by femtosecond laser-induced plasma shock wave
(2020-01-06)
Tzeng, Wen-Yen
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Tseng, Ya-Hsin
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Yeh, Tien-Tien
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Tu, Chien-Ming
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Sankar, Raman
A novel approach for the production of both amorphous and crystalline selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using femtosecond laser-induced plasma shock wave on the surface of Bi2Se3 topological insulators at room temperature and ambient pressure is demonstrated. The shape and size of SeNPs can be reliably controlled via the kinetic energy obtained from laser pulses, so these are applicable as active components in nanoscale applications. Importantly, the rapid, low-cost and eco-friendly synthesis strategy developed in this study could also be extendable to other systems. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement
Self-Assembled BiFeO3-epsilon-Fe2O3 Vertical Heteroepitaxy for Visible Light Photoelectrochemistry
(2016-09-21)
Le Thi Quynh
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Chien Nguyen Van
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Bitla, Yugandhar
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Chen, Jhih-Wei
;
Thi Hien Do
Self-assembled vertical heterostructure with a high interface-to-volume ratio offers tremendous opportunities to realize intriguing properties and advanced modulation of functionalities. Here, a heterostructure composed of two visible-light photocatalysts, BiFeO3 (BFO) and epsilon-Fe2O3 (epsilon-FO), is designed to investigate its photoelectrochemical performance. The structural characterization of the BFO-FO heterostructures confirms the phase separation with BFO nanopillars embedded in the epsilon-FO matrix. The investigation of band structure of the heterojunction suggests the assistance of photoexcited carrier separation, leading to an enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. The insights into the charge separation are further revealed by means of ultrafast dynamics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopies. This work shows a delicate design of the self-assembled vertical heteroepitaxy by taking advantage of the intimate contact between two phases that can lead to a tunable charge interaction, providing a new confi guration for the optimization of photoelectrochemical cell.
Strain-Mediated Inverse Photoresistivity in SrRuO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 Superlattices
(2016-02-02)
Liu, Heng-Jui
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Wei, Tzu-Chiao
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Zhu, Yuan-Min
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Liu, Rui-Rui
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Tzeng, Wen-Yen
In the pursuit of novel functionalities by utilizing the lattice degree of freedom in complex oxide heterostructure, the control mechanism through direct strain manipulation across the interfaces is still under development, especially with various stimuli, such as electric field, magnetic field, light, etc. In this study, the superlattices consisting of colossal-magnetoresistive manganites La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) and photostrictive SrRuO3 (SRO) have been designed to investigate the light-dependent controllability of lattice order in the corresponding functionalities and rich interface physics. Two substrates, SrTiO3 (STO) and LaAlO3 (LAO), have been employed to provide the different strain environments to the superlattice system, in which the LSMO sublayers exhibit different orbital occupations. Subsequently, by introducing light, we can modulate the strain state and orbital preference of LSMO sublayers through light-induced expansion of SRO sublayers, leading to surprisingly opposite changes in photoresistivity. The observed photoresistivity decreases in the superlattice grown on STO substrate while increases in the superlattice grown on LAO substrate under light illumination. This work has presented a model system that demonstrates the manipulation of orbital-lattice coupling and the resultant functionalities in artificial oxide superlattices via light stimulus.
Superconductivity in textured Bi clusters/Bi2Te3 films
(2014-09-01)
Le, Phuoc Huu
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Tzeng, Wen-Yen
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Chen, Hsueh-Ju
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Luo, Chih Wei
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Lin, Jiunn-Yuan
We report superconductivity at an onset critical temperature below 3.1 K in topological insulator similar to 200-nm-thick Bi2Te3 thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition. Using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental mapping and Auger electron spectroscopy elemental depth profiling, we clearly identified bismuth (Bi) precipitation and Bi cluster signatures. Superconductivity in the Bi2Te3 films was attributed to the proximity effect of Bi clusters precipitated on the surface of the Bi2Te3 films. (C) 2014 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
The optical properties of Ag2Te crystals from THz to UV
(2017-11-25)
Yeh, Tien-Tien
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Lin, Wen Hao
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Tzeng, Wen-Yen
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Le, Phuoc Huu
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Luo, Chih-Wei
The optical properties of monoclinic Ag2Te crystals are studied in a wide range (3.7 meV-6.2 eV) of photon energies. The measured reflectivity spectra from THz to UV allow unambiguous a photon energy-dependent complex dielectric function, complex refractive index and absorption coefficient to be obtained. The spectral structure in these optical parameters further indicates the coexistence of an indirect transition with a bandgap energy of about 10 meV and a direct transition with a bandgap energy of about 1.84 eV. (C) 2017 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
Tunable photoelectrochemical performance of Au/BiFeO3 heterostructure
(2016)
Huang, Yen-Lin
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Chang, Wei Sea
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Chien Nguyen Van
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Liu, Heng-Jui
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Tsai, Kai-An
Ferroelectric photoelectrodes, other than conventional semiconductors, are alternative photo-absorbers in the process of water splitting. However, the capture of photons and efficient transfer of photo-excited carriers remain as two critical issues in ferroelectric photoelectrodes. In this work, we overcome the aforementioned issues by decorating the ferroelectric BiFeO3 (BFO) surface with Au nanocrystals, and thus improving the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of BFO film. We demonstrate that the internal field induced by the spontaneous polarization of BFO can (1) tune the efficiency of the photo-excited carriers\' separation and charge transfer characteristics in bare BFO photoelectrodes, and (2) modulate an extra optical absorption within the visible light region, created by the surface plasmon resonance excitation of Au nanocrystals to capture more photons in the Au/BFO heterostructure. This study provides key insights for understanding the tunable features of PEC performance, composed of the heterostructure of noble metals and ferroelectric materials.
Ultrafast Giant Photostriction of Epitaxial Strontium Iridate Film with Superior Endurance
(2018-12-01)
Yang, Jan-Chi
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Liou, Yi-De
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Tzeng, Wen-Yen
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Liu, Heng-Jui
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Chang, Yao-Wen
Photostriction, optical stimulus driven mechanical deformation in materials, provides a solution toward next-generation technology. Here, the giant photostriction (similar to 2% change of lattice) of epitaxial strontium iridate (SrIrO3) films under illumination at room temperature is revealed via power-dependent Raman scattering, which is significantly larger as compared to conventional inorganic materials. The time scale and mechanism of this giant photostriction in SrIrO3 are further studied through time-resolved transient reflectivity measurements. The main mechanism is determined to be the electron-phonon coupling. In addition, we find that such an exotic behavior happens within few picoseconds and remains up to 107 cyclic on/off operations. The observation of giant photostriction in SrIrO3 films with superior endurance promises the advance of shape responsive solids that are sensitive to environmental stimuli, which could be widely utilized for multifunctional optoelectronics and optomechanical devices.
WO3 mesocrystal-assisted photoelectrochemical activity of BiVO4
(2017-03-01)
Chien Nguyen Van
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Thi Hien Do
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Chen, Jhih-Wei
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Tzeng, Wen-Yen
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Tsai, Kai-An
Self- assembled nanocomposites have gained much attention over the past decade due to their intriguing properties and functionalities. In this work, we developed a self-assembled nanocomposite photoanode composed of an epitaxial BiVO4 matrix embedded with WO3 mesocrystals for photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications in the visible- light regime. The orientation of the crystal facet and interface provides a superior template to understand the intimate contact between the two constituent phases. We demonstrate that the interfacial coupling of the mesocrystal and matrix improves the separation of photoexcited carriers and the properties of charge transfer, resulting in a greatly enhanced PEC performance compared with their parent compounds. The current study demonstrates that the utilization of the interface-to-volume ratio to optimize charge interactions in the nanocomposite is essential for the advanced design of novel mesocrystal-embedded nanocomposite photoelectrodes.