Ultrafast dynamics and interactions in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides and their van der Waals heterostructures

Information and communications technology is estimated to use 7% of Earth’s total electricity, rising to 40% by 2040. This global energy usage is unsustainable with current silicon-based electronics, so alternative ‘quantum materials’ must be considered for next-generation electronic technologies. However, before these devices can be realised, new fundamental physics in these quantum materials must be understood. In this thesis, quantum materials are investigated using state-of-the-art spectroscopy techniques, which involves directing multiple ultra-fast laser bursts towards the sample, then optically collecting the emission signals. Analysis of the signals has provided insight into the underlying physics of these remarkable quantum materials.