2024/06/12 by Zhao Chen, Ming Wu, Zhao, Chen +11
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) #Photonic and Optical Devices #Quantum optics and atomic interactions #Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Devices
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2406.08044
openalex publication_date 2024/06/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Recently, the Hofstadter spectrum of a twisted WSe2/MoSe2 heterobilayer has been observed in experiment [C. R. Kometter, et al. Nat.Phys.19, 1861 (2023)], but the origin of Hofstadter states remains unclear. Here, we present a comprehensive theoretical interpretation of the observed Hofstadter states by calculating its accurate Hofstadter spectrum. We point out that the valley Zeeman effect, a unique feature of the transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials, plays a crucial role in determining the shape of the Hofstadter spectrum, due to the narrow bandwidth of the moiré bands. This is distinct from the graphene-based moiré systems. We further predict that the Hofstadter spectrum of the moiré flat band, which was not observed in experiment, can be observed in the same system with a larger twist angle 2^∘\lesssimθ\lesssim 3^∘. Our theory paves the way for further studies of the interplay between the Hofstadter states and correlated insulting states in such moiré lattice systems.