Antimonene: a monolayer material for ultraviolet optical nanodevices

Abstract

Two-dimensional materials draw further attention because of their superior properties applicable in novel technologies. We have calculated the optical properties of α and β allotropes of antimonene monolayers. Their dielectric matrices have been calculated within the random phase approximation (RPA) using density functional theory. We have calculated dielectric functions, absorption coefficients, refractive indices, electron energy loss spectra and optical reflectivities in the energy range between 0 and 21 eV. Our simulations predict that absorption process starts in the infrared, but peaks in the ultraviolet region. The values of refractive index are 2.3 (α-Sb) and 1.5 (β-Sb) at the zero energy limit and scale up to 3.6 in the ultraviolet region. Reflection rises up to 86% at the UV energies, where antimonene behaves like a metal regarding the incident electromagnetic radiation. Our calculations show that antimonene is suitable as a material for the microelectronic and optoelectronic nanodevices and solar cell applications, as well as for new optical applications using various light emission, detection, modulation and manipulation functions.