Layer-dependent transport properties in the moiré structure of strained homobilayer transition metal dichalcogenides

Abstract

<p>Bilayer moiré structures have attracted significant attention recently due to their spatially modulated layer degrees of freedom. However, the layer-dependent transport mechanism in the moiré structures is still a problem to be explored. Here we investigate the layer-dependent transport properties regulated by the strain, the interlayer bias, and the number of moiré periods in a strained moiré homobilayer transition metal dichalcogenide's nanoribbon based on low-energy efficient models. The charge carriers can perfectly pass through the scattering region with the moiré potential, while it is noted that the overall transmission coefficient is mainly contributed from either intralayer or interlayer transmissions. The transition of the transport mechanism between intralayer and interlayer transmissions can be achieved by adjusting the strain. The intralayer transmissions are suppressed and one of the interlayer transmissions can be selected by a vertical external electric field, which can cause a controllable layer polarization. Moreover, the staggered intralayer and interlayer minigaps are formed as the number of moiré periods increases in the scattering region due to the overlap of the wave functions in two adjacent moiré periods. Our finding points to an opportunity to realize layer functionalities by the strain and electric field.<br></p>