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Register a new userUltrafast Control of Excitonic Rashba Fine Structure by Phonon Coherences in a Metal Halide Perovskite CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$
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We discover hidden Rashba fine structure in CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$ and demonstrate its quantum control by vibrational coherence through symmetry-selective vibronic (electron-phonon) coupling. Above a critical threshold of a single-cycle terahertz pump field, a Raman phonon mode distinctly modulates the middle excitonic states with {em persistent} coherence for more than ten times longer than the ones on two sides that predominately couple to infrared phonons. These vibronic quantum beats, together with first-principles modeling of phonon periodically modulated Rashba parameters, identify a {em three-fold} excitonic fine structure splitting, i.e., optically-forbidden, degenerate dark states in between two bright ones. Harnessing of vibronic quantum coherence and symmetry inspires light-perovskite quantum control and sub-THz-cycle Rashba engineering of spin-split bands for ultimate multi-function device.
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We study the circular photogalvanic effect in the organometal halide perovskite solar cell absorber CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$. For crystal structures which lack inversion symmetry, the calculated photocurrent density is about $10^{-9}$ A/W, comparable to the previously studied quantum well and bulk Rashba systems. Because of the dependence of the circular photogalvanic effect on inversion symmetry breaking, the degree of inversion asymmetry at different depths from the surface can be probed by tuning the photon energy and associated penetration depth. We propose that measurements of this effect may clarify the presence or absence of inversion symmetry, which remains a controversial issue and has been argued to play an important role in the high conversion efficiency of this material.
Carrier scattering processes are studied in CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$ using temperature-dependent four-wave mixing experiments. Our results indicate that scattering by ionized impurities limits the interband dephasing time (T$_2$) below 30~K, with strong electron-phonon scattering dominating at higher temperatures (with a timescale of 125 fs at 100 K). Our theoretical simulations provide quantitative agreement with the measured carrier scattering rate and show that the rate of acoustic phonon scattering is enhanced by strong spin-orbit coupling, which modifies the band-edge density of states. The Rashba coefficient extracted from fitting the experimental results ($gamma_c=2$ eV angstrom) is in agreement with calculations of the surface Rashba effect and recent experiments using the photogalvanic effect on thin films.
Hybrid halide perovskites exhibit nearly 20% power conversion efficiency, but the origin of their high efficiency is still unknown. Here, we compute the shift current, a dominant mechanism of bulk photovoltaic (PV) effect for ferroelectric photovoltaics, in CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$ and CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_{3-x}$Cl$_{x}$ from first principles. We find that these materials give approximately three times larger shift current PV response to near-IR and visible light than the prototypical ferroelectric photovoltaic BiFeO$_3$. The molecular orientations of CH$_3$NH$_3^{+}$ can strongly affect the corresponding PbI$_3$ inorganic frame so as to alter the magnitude of the shift current response. Specifically, configurations with dipole moments aligned in parallel distort the inorganic PbI$_3$ frame more significantly than configurations with near net zero dipole, yielding a larger shift current response. Furthermore, we explore the effect of Cl substitution on shift current, and find that Cl substitution at the equatorial site induces a larger response than does substitution at the apical site.
Instability of perovskite photovoltaics is still a topic which is currently under intense debate, especially the role of water environment. Unraveling the mechanism of this instability is urgent to enable practical application of perovskite solar cells. Here, ab initio metadynamics is employed to investigate the initial phase of a dissolution process of CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$ (MAPbI$_3$) in explicit water. It is found that the initial dissolution of MAPbI$_3$ is a complex multi-step process triggered by the departure of I$^-$ ion from the CH$_3$NH$_3$I-terminated surface. Reconstruction of the free energy landscape indicates a low energy barrier for water dissolution of MAPbI$_3$. In addition, we propose a two-step thermodynamic cycle for MAPbI$_3$ dissolution in water at a finite concentration that renders a spontaneity of the dissolution process. The low energy barrier for the initial dissolution step and the spontaneous nature of MAPbI$_3$ dissolution in water explain why the water immediately destroys pristine MAPbI$_3$. The dissolution thermodynamics of all-inorganic CsPbI$_3$ perovskite is also analyzed for comparison. Hydration enthalpies and entropies of aqueous ions play an important role for the dissolution process. Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding to the current debate on water instability of MAPbI$_3$.
Cuprous oxide has been conceived as a potential alternative to traditional organic hole transport layers in hybrid halide perovskite-based solar cells. Device simulations predict record efficiencies using this semiconductor, but experimental results do not yet show this trend. More detailed knowledge about the Cu$_2$O/perovskite interface is mandatory to improve the photoconversion efficiency. Using density functional theory calculations, here we study the interfaces of CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$ with Cu$_2$O to assess their influence on device performance. Several atomistic models of these interfaces are provided for the first time, considering different compositions of the interface atomic planes. The interface electronic properties are discussed on the basis of the optimal theoretical situation, but in connection with the experimental realizations and device simulations. It is shown that the formation of vacancies in the Cu$_2$O terminating planes is essential to eliminate dangling bonds and trap states. The four interface models that fulfill this condition present a band alignment favorable for photovoltaic conversion. Energy of adhesion, and charge transfer across the interfaces are also studied. The termination of CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$ in PbI$_2$ atomic planes seems optimal to maximize the photoconversion efficiency.
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