Unlocking ultrafast hot hole transport in transition metal oxides governed by the nature of optical transitions.

ABSTRACT: The intrinsically low carrier mobility of transition metal oxides within the polaron transport framework fundamentally limits their optoelectronic performance. Although optical transitions profoundly impact carrier generation and transport dynamics in oxide systems, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we demonstrate that the nature of optical transitions decisively regulates hot-hole transport in representative oxides, Co₃O₄ and α-Fe₂O₃. Combining ultrafast optical nanoscopy with terahertz spectroscopy, we identify two distinct regimes: rapid band-like transport of energetic holes within a few picoseconds (~100 cm²s^-1) and slower polaron-dominated hopping transport (~10^-3cm²s^-1)

SUBMITTER: Li K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12618571 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature