Visualization of Photo-induced Doping patterns in Graphene/Boron Nitride Heterostructures via Scanning Tunneling Microscopy*

Photo-induced doping in graphene-boron nitride (G/BN) heterostructures enables flexible and repeatable writing and erasing of charge doping in graphene using optical irradiation. So far, however, this phenomenon has been explored using spatially averaging probes such as electron transport, and there have been no local studies into the underlying microscopic behavior. Here we report a combined scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and optoelectronic measurement scheme that has been utilized to investigate the microscopic mechanisms at work in this process. We will discuss the latest experimental progress towards the visualization of light-induced charge doping patterns on G/BN heterostructures via STM.