Two-Dimensional Moiré Polaronic Electron Crystals

Two-dimensional moire ' materials have emerged as the most versatile platform for realizing quantum phases of electrons. Here, we explore the stability origins of correlated states in WSe2/WS2 moire ' superlattices. We find that ultrafast electronic excitation leads to partial melting of the Mott states on timescales 5 times longer than predictions from the charge hopping integrals and that the melting rates are thermally activated, with activation energies of 18 +/- 3 and 13 +/- 2 meV for the one- and two-hole Mott states, respectively, suggesting significant electron-phonon coupling. A density functional theory calculation of the one-hole Mott state confirms polaron formation and yields a hole-polaron binding energy of 16 meV. These findings reveal a close interplay of electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions in stabilizing the polaronic Mott insulators at transition metal dichalcogenide moire ' interfaces.