Optical constants and dynamic conductivities of single layer MoS2, MoSe2, and WSe2

Abstract

The complex optical constants of single layer MoS2, MoSe2, and WSe2 transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have been measured using concerted frequency-dependent transmittance and reflectance measurements. Absolute absorptivities as well as complex refractive indices and dielectric permittivities have been extracted. Comparisons to associated bulk responses reveal differences due to increased electron-hole interactions in single layer TMDCs. In parallel, corresponding complex optical conductivities (σ) have been determined. For MoS2, extracted σ-values qualitatively agree with recent theoretical estimates. Significant differences exist, though, between experiment and theory regarding the imaginary part of σ. In all cases, the current approach distinguishes itself to other measurements of single layer TMDC optical constants in which it does not rely on Kramers-Kronig transformations of reflectance data.