Researchers from Rice University and Texas A&M University have discovered that a 2D derivative of perovskite has a good potential for valleytronics applications.
The researchers synthesized a layered compound of cesium, bismuth and iodine that is able to store the valley states of electrons, but only in the structure's odd layers. These bits can be set with polarized light, and the even layers appear to protect the odd ones from the kind of field interference that bedevils other perovskites, according to the researchers.
The lab tested the material with up to 11 layers and found a lack of transparency doesn't seem to affect how well light triggered a response. The material also seems less susceptible to environmental degradation, a common problem for hybrid perovskites developed for solar energy.