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Author

Stefano Dal Conte

Other affiliations: University of Pavia, Leonardo
Bio: Stefano Dal Conte is an academic researcher from Polytechnic University of Milan. The author has contributed to research in topics: Exciton & Graphene. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 54 publications receiving 1318 citations. Previous affiliations of Stefano Dal Conte include University of Pavia & Leonardo.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
04 Jan 2016-ACS Nano
TL;DR: This work uses femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to monitor the relaxation dynamics of single-layer MoS2 over the entire visible range, and finds that, irrespective of excitation photon energy, the transient absorption spectrum shows the simultaneous bleaching of all excitonic transitions and corresponding red-shifted photoinduced absorption bands.
Abstract: Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are emerging as promising two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors for optoelectronic and flexible devices. However, a microscopic explanation of their photophysics, of pivotal importance for the understanding and optimization of device operation, is still lacking. Here, we use femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, with pump pulse tunability and broadband probing, to monitor the relaxation dynamics of single-layer MoS2 over the entire visible range, upon photoexcitation of different excitonic transitions. We find that, irrespective of excitation photon energy, the transient absorption spectrum shows the simultaneous bleaching of all excitonic transitions and corresponding red-shifted photoinduced absorption bands. First-principle modeling of the ultrafast optical response reveals that a transient bandgap renormalization, caused by the presence of photoexcited carriers, is primarily responsible for the observed features. Our results demonstrate the strong impact ...

288 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the third-order nonlinear susceptibility of Graphene can be increased by almost two orders of magnitude by controlling the Fermi energy and the incident photon energy.
Abstract: Optical harmonic generation occurs when high intensity light (>1010 W m–2) interacts with a nonlinear material. Electrical control of the nonlinear optical response enables applications such as gate-tunable switches and frequency converters. Graphene displays exceptionally strong light–matter interaction and electrically and broadband tunable third-order nonlinear susceptibility. Here, we show that the third-harmonic generation efficiency in graphene can be increased by almost two orders of magnitude by controlling the Fermi energy and the incident photon energy. This enhancement is due to logarithmic resonances in the imaginary part of the nonlinear conductivity arising from resonant multiphoton transitions. Thanks to the linear dispersion of the massless Dirac fermions, gate controllable third-harmonic enhancement can be achieved over an ultrabroad bandwidth, paving the way for electrically tunable broadband frequency converters for applications in optical communications and signal processing. Gate tunable and ultrabroadband third-harmonic generation can be achieved in graphene, paving the way for electrically tunable broadband frequency converters for applications in optical communications and signal processing.

201 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the third-order nonlinear susceptibility of Graphene can be increased by almost two orders of magnitude by controlling the Fermi energy and the incident photon energy.
Abstract: Optical harmonic generation occurs when high intensity light (>1010 W m–2) interacts with a nonlinear material. Electrical control of the nonlinear optical response enables applications such as gate-tunable switches and frequency converters. Graphene displays exceptionally strong light–matter interaction and electrically and broadband tunable third-order nonlinear susceptibility. Here, we show that the third-harmonic generation efficiency in graphene can be increased by almost two orders of magnitude by controlling the Fermi energy and the incident photon energy. This enhancement is due to logarithmic resonances in the imaginary part of the nonlinear conductivity arising from resonant multiphoton transitions. Thanks to the linear dispersion of the massless Dirac fermions, gate controllable third-harmonic enhancement can be achieved over an ultrabroad bandwidth, paving the way for electrically tunable broadband frequency converters for applications in optical communications and signal processing.

152 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2015-Small
TL;DR: Differences in the photocatalytic efficiencies are correlated with ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy measurements, which show a faster bleach recovery for the PEI-coated hybrid nanoparticles, consistent with faster and more efficient charge separation.
Abstract: Hybrid semiconductor-metal nanoparticles are interesting materials for use as photocatalysts due to their tunable properties and chemical processibility. Their function in the evolution of hydrogen in photocatalytic water splitting is the subject of intense current investigation. Here, the effects of the surface coatings on the photocatalytic function are studied, with Au-tipped CdS nanorods as a model hybrid nanoparticle system. Kinetic measurements of the hydrogen evolution rate following photocatalytic water reduction are performed on similar nanoparticles but with different surface coatings, including various types of thiolated alkyl ligands and different polymer coatings. The apparent hydrogen evolution quantum yields are found to strongly depend on the surface coating. The lowest yields are observed for thiolated alkyl ligands. Intermediate values are obtained with L-glutathione and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) polymer coatings. The highest efficiency is obtained for polyethylenimine (PEI) polymer coating. These pronounced differences in the photocatalytic efficiencies are correlated with ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy measurements, which show a faster bleach recovery for the PEI-coated hybrid nanoparticles, consistent with faster and more efficient charge separation. These differences are primarily attributed to the effects of surface passivation by the different coatings affecting the surface trapping of charge carriers that compete with effective charge separation required for the photocatalysis. Further support of this assignment is provided from steady-state emission and time-resolved spectral measurements, performed on related strongly fluorescing CdSe/CdS nanorods. The control and understanding of the effect of the surface coating of the hybrid nanosystems on the photocatalytic processes is of importance for the potential application of hybrid nanoparticles as photocatalysts.

127 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The interplay between the many-body high-energy CuO2 excitations at 1.5 and 2 eV, and the onset of HTSC is reported, revealing an unconventional mechanism both below and above the optimal hole concentration required to attain the maximum critical temperature (Tc).
Abstract: In strongly correlated systems the electronic properties at the Fermi energy (EF) are intertwined with those at high-energy scales. One of the pivotal challenges in the field of high-temperature superconductivity (HTSC) is to understand whether and how the high-energy scale physics associated with Mott-like excitations (|E−EF|>1 eV) is involved in the condensate formation. Here, we report the interplay between the many-body high-energy CuO2 excitations at 1.5 and 2 eV, and the onset of HTSC. This is revealed by a novel optical pump-supercontinuum-probe technique that provides access to the dynamics of the dielectric function in Bi2Sr2Ca0.92Y0.08Cu2O8+δ over an extended energy range, after the photoinduced suppression of the superconducting pairing. These results unveil an unconventional mechanism at the base of HTSC both below and above the optimal hole concentration required to attain the maximum critical temperature (Tc).

106 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The general overview of the field and the background for appropriate modelling of the physical phenomena are provided and the current state of the art and most recent applications of plasmon resonance in Au NPs are reported.
Abstract: In the last two decades, plasmon resonance in gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) has been the subject of intense research efforts. Plasmon physics is intriguing and its precise modelling proved to be challenging. In fact, plasmons are highly responsive to a multitude of factors, either intrinsic to the Au NPs or from the environment, and recently the need emerged for the correction of standard electromagnetic approaches with quantum effects. Applications related to plasmon absorption and scattering in Au NPs are impressively numerous, ranging from sensing to photothermal effects to cell imaging. Also, plasmon-enhanced phenomena are highly interesting for multiple purposes, including, for instance, Raman spectroscopy of nearby analytes, catalysis, or sunlight energy conversion. In addition, plasmon excitation is involved in a series of advanced physical processes such as non-linear optics, optical trapping, magneto-plasmonics, and optical activity. Here, we provide the general overview of the field and the background for appropriate modelling of the physical phenomena. Then, we report on the current state of the art and most recent applications of plasmon resonance in Au NPs.

1,205 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the role of materials synthesis in influencing functional properties and discuss future research directions that may be worth consideration, concluding with a brief discussion on future directions that are worth consideration.
Abstract: Although phase transitions have long been a centerpiece of condensed matter materials science studies, a number of recent efforts focus on potentially exploiting the resulting functional property changes in novel electronics and photonics as well as understanding emergent phenomena. This is quite timely, given a grand challenge in twenty-first-century physical sciences is related to enabling continued advances in information processing and storage beyond conventional CMOS scaling. In this brief review, we discuss synthesis of strongly correlated oxides, mechanisms of metal-insulator transitions, and exploratory electron devices that are being studied. Particular emphasis is placed on vanadium dioxide, which undergoes a sharp metal-insulator transition near room temperature at ultrafast timescales. The article begins with an introduction to metal-insulator transition in oxides, followed by a brief discussion on the mechanisms leading to the phase transition. The role of materials synthesis in influencing functional properties is discussed briefly. Recent efforts on realizing novel devices such as field effect switches, optical detectors, nonlinear circuit components, and solid-state sensors are reviewed. The article concludes with a brief discussion on future research directions that may be worth consideration.

859 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
02 Nov 2016-Small
TL;DR: Through reviewing the significant advances on this topic, it may provide new opportunities for designing highly efficient 2D graphene-based photocatalysts for various applications in photocatalysis and other fields, such as solar cells, thermal catalysis, separation, and purification.
Abstract: In recent years, heterogeneous photocatalysis has received much research interest because of its powerful potential applications in tackling many important energy and environmental challenges at a global level in an economically sustainable manner. Due to their unique optical, electrical, and physicochemical properties, various 2D graphene nanosheets-supported semiconductor composite photocatalysts have been widely constructed and applied in different photocatalytic fields. In this review, fundamental mechanisms of heterogeneous photocatalysis, including thermodynamic and kinetics requirements, are first systematically summarized. Then, the photocatalysis-related properties of graphene and its derivatives, and design rules and synthesis methods of graphene-based composites are highlighted. Importantly, different design strategies, including doping and sensitization of semiconductors by graphene, improving electrical conductivity of graphene, increasing eloectrocatalytic active sites on graphene, strengthening interface coupling between semiconductors and graphene, fabricating micro/nano architectures, constructing multi-junction nanocomposites, enhancing photostability of semiconductors, and utilizing the synergistic effect of various modification strategies, are thoroughly summarized. The important applications including photocatalytic pollutant degradation, H2 production, and CO2 reduction are also addressed. Through reviewing the significant advances on this topic, it may provide new opportunities for designing highly efficient 2D graphene-based photocatalysts for various applications in photocatalysis and other fields, such as solar cells, thermal catalysis, separation, and purification.

766 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive review of all the important theoretical and experimental advances on silicene to date, from the basic theory of intrinsic properties, experimental synthesis and characterization, modulation of physical properties by modifications, and finally to device explorations is presented.

676 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This topic, known as quantitative photoacoustic imaging, is reviewed here and the inverse problems involved are described, their nature is discussed, proposed solution techniques and their limitations are explained, and the remaining unsolved challenges are introduced.
Abstract: Obtaining absolute chromophore concentrations from photoacoustic images obtained at multiple wavelengths is a nontrivial aspect of photoacoustic imaging but is essential for accurate functional and molecular imaging. This topic, known as quantitative photoacoustic imaging, is reviewed here. The inverse problems involved are described, their nature (nonlinear and ill-posed) is discussed, proposed solution techniques and their limitations are explained, and the remaining unsolved challenges are introduced.

602 citations