@article{Zhang2026, 
author = {Xian Zhang and Xing Xie and Shaofei Li and Junying Chen and Jun He and Zongwen Liu and Jian-Tao Wang and Yanping Liu},
title = {Dual-modulation strategy for inducing optical anisotropy in 2D WS2/CrOCl heterostructures},
year = {2026},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {19},
number = {2},
pages = {94908005},
keywords = {van der Waals heterostructures, first principles calculation, optical anisotropy, photoluminescence spectra, strain engineering with hole array},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2025.94908005},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2025.94908005},
abstract = {The intrinsic in-plane isotropy of high-symmetry two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) limits their applicability in polarization-sensitive optoelectronic devices. Conventional strategies such as heterointerface and strain engineering can break rotational symmetry and induce anisotropy, yet they suffer from lattice-matching constraints and limited strain tunability. Here, we present a dual-modulation approach that integrates bilayer WS2 with the anisotropic van der Waals crystal CrOCl and applies externally engineered hole-induced stress. The in-plane lattice anisotropy of CrOCl induces interfacial symmetry breaking in WS2, while hole geometry generates controllable stress gradients. This synergy yields a pronounced optical anisotropy, with excitonic linear polarization reaching up to 59%. Furthermore, external magnetic fields can effectively modulate exciton anisotropy, whereas the anisotropy remains stable across various temperatures. First-principles calculations reveal that interfacial charge redistribution, induced by lattice distortion, underlies the observed optical anisotropy. Our results demonstrate a multi-field tuning platform—mechanical, magnetic, and thermal—for tailoring anisotropic light-matter interactions in 2D semiconductors, advancing the development of next-generation directional optoelectronic and quantum devices.}
}