Light-Induced Forces Reshape Atom-Thin Semiconductors for the Next Generation of Optical Devices

Light reshaping atom-thin semiconductors in Janus TMDs

Quantum Server Networks – Materials Science News Review

In a groundbreaking discovery that could transform the future of photonic technology, a team of researchers at Rice University has shown that light can physically reshape the atomic structure of materials that are only a few atoms thick. Their study reveals how laser illumination can exert measurable mechanical forces on atom-thin semiconductors, offering a new way to dynamically tune optical properties for ultrafast computing, optical chips, sensors, and quantum devices.

The findings, published in ACS Nano under the title “Optomechanical Tuning of Second Harmonic Generation Anisotropy in Janus MoSSe/MoS₂ Heterostructures” (DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c10861), were led by Kunyan Zhang and Shengxi Huang from Rice University. The work was featured in Phys.org (November 2025).

Light as a Sculptor of Matter

The researchers focused on a special class of two-dimensional materials known as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) — atomically thin crystals composed of a transition metal (such as molybdenum) sandwiched between two layers of chalcogen elements (such as sulfur or selenium). These materials are celebrated for their unique blend of electronic conductivity, optical sensitivity, and mechanical flexibility, making them ideal for applications in next-generation electronics and photonics.

Within this family lies a particularly fascinating subgroup known as Janus materials, named after the two-faced Roman god of transitions. In these compounds, the top and bottom layers of atoms are made of different elements (for example, sulfur on one side and selenium on the other), giving the crystal a built-in asymmetry. This broken symmetry introduces a permanent internal electric field that makes the material highly responsive to light and external stimuli.

“Our work explores how the structure of Janus materials affects their optical behavior and how light itself can generate a force in these materials,” explains Zhang, a Rice doctoral alumna and first author of the paper.

The Discovery: When Light Pushes Atoms

Using a sophisticated optical setup, the team studied a two-layer Janus TMD heterostructure made by stacking molybdenum sulfur selenide (MoSSe) on molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). When illuminated by laser light, this atomically thin sample exhibited a remarkable effect known as second harmonic generation (SHG) — a nonlinear optical process in which incoming light waves combine to emit light at twice their original frequency.

Typically, SHG signals from TMDs form a symmetric six-pointed “flower” pattern, reflecting the underlying crystal symmetry. However, the Rice team observed that at specific wavelengths, this pattern became distorted — the petals shrank unevenly, signaling that the crystal’s atoms were being physically displaced by the light itself.

“We discovered that shining light on Janus MoSSe/MoS₂ creates tiny, directional forces inside the material,” said Zhang. “These show up as distortions in the SHG pattern — a clear signature of optostriction, where the electromagnetic field of light mechanically pushes the atoms.”

Optostriction: The Invisible Hand of Light

The observed distortions stem from optostriction — a subtle yet powerful phenomenon where the electric field of light generates minute mechanical stresses in a material. Although these forces are incredibly small, on the order of piconewtons, the asymmetric structure of Janus materials amplifies their effects, allowing even gentle laser illumination to produce measurable strain.

In the Janus TMDs, the built-in polarity and strong interlayer coupling act as a magnifier for optostrictive effects. This means that light doesn’t merely pass through the material — it reshapes it from within, dynamically altering its symmetry and optical response.

“Janus materials are ideal for observing optostriction,” explains co-author Prof. Shengxi Huang, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and materials science at Rice University. “Their uneven atomic composition makes them far more sensitive to light’s tiny forces than symmetric 2D materials.”

From Optical Switches to Quantum Photonics

This discovery opens a new frontier in light–matter interaction at the nanoscale. The ability to use light to manipulate atomic positions could enable a new class of **reconfigurable optical devices** that can be tuned in real time — something traditional electronic systems cannot achieve.

For instance, optical circuits based on such materials could route and process data using photons instead of electrons, drastically reducing heat generation and energy loss. Potential applications include:

According to Huang, “Such active control could help design next-generation photonic chips, ultrasensitive detectors, or quantum light sources — technologies that use light to carry and process information instead of relying on electricity.”

The Bigger Picture: Controlling Matter with Light

This study is part of a growing movement in materials science known as optomechanical engineering, which explores how light-induced mechanical effects can be used to control materials and devices. The results at Rice University suggest that by combining nonlinear optics, 2D materials, and symmetry engineering, scientists can unlock a new level of precision in designing nanodevices that actively respond to their environment.

The ability to reshape atom-thin semiconductors using light alone blurs the boundary between electronics, photonics, and mechanics — a key step toward the creation of fully integrated optoelectronic systems.

Conclusion: A Brighter Future for 2D Optoelectronics

By revealing how light can exert measurable mechanical forces within atomically thin materials, this study adds a crucial new dimension to our understanding of light–matter interaction. Janus TMDs, with their built-in asymmetry, emerge as promising candidates for the next generation of adaptive, energy-efficient photonic technologies.

As the field moves forward, researchers envision devices that do not just guide light — but respond, reshape, and evolve under its touch. In the words of Zhang, “Light doesn’t just illuminate; it transforms.”

Original article source: Phys.org – “Light can reshape atom-thin semiconductors for next-generation optical devices” (November 2025).

This blog article was prepared with the help of AI technologies to enhance accessibility and public understanding of scientific research.

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#MaterialsScience #2DMaterials #JanusTMDs #NonlinearOptics #Optomechanics #Photonics #Semiconductors #Nanotechnology #LightMatterInteraction #QuantumServerNetworks

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