Unexpected ultraviolet plasmonic properties of Ge2Sb2Te5: Exploration through double Tauc–Lorentz model

H Haodong Zhong (The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,) X Xiaofeng Zhao X Xiaotian Xue (The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,) Y Yunhan Hu (The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,) Y Yuxue Yang F Fei Yang B Bohan Shan (The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,) Y Yuanhao Zheng (The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,) T Tongzhou Xu (The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,) Z Zhengyuan Zhao (The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,) K Kang Sun (Key Lab of Biomass Energy and Material, Jiangsu Province; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products) W Wei Luo R Rong Yu W Weipeng Wang (School of Life Science and Technology) Z Zhengjun Zhang (The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,)

Abstract

Plasmonic materials have driven nanophotonic advancements, with ultraviolet (UV) functionality and dynamic reconfigurability emerging as critical needs. This work addresses these needs by investigating the UV optical properties of Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST-225), a prototypical phase-change material. Spectroscopic ellipsometric analysis reveals that precise descriptions of UV dielectric functions of GST-225 require a double Tauc–Lorentz (DTL) model, uncovering an additional resonance at 6–8 eV. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations trace the dual oscillators in the DTL model to two distinct interband transitions. The two oscillators associated with resonant bonding give rise to broadband plasmonic properties spanning visible to extreme-ultraviolet wavelengths for GST-225, which is an unusual trait among UV plasmonic materials. The plasmonic performances are further substantiated by finite element simulations and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) measurements. This study establishes GST-225 as a promising candidate for dynamically tunable UV photonic devices while broadening the scope of phase-change material applications to UV adaptive optics, sensing, and nanoscale light manipulation.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 138, Issue 15
Published October 21, 2025
ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Journal of Applied Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-8979 Physical Sciences

Authors (15)

H

Haodong Zhong

The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,

X

Xiaofeng Zhao

X

Xiaotian Xue

The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,

Y

Yunhan Hu

The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,

Y

Yuxue Yang

F

Fei Yang

B

Bohan Shan

The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,

Y

Yuanhao Zheng

The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,

T

Tongzhou Xu

The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,

Z

Zhengyuan Zhao

The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,

K

Kang Sun

Key Lab of Biomass Energy and Material, Jiangsu Province; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products

W

Wei Luo

R

Rong Yu

W

Weipeng Wang

School of Life Science and Technology

Z

Zhengjun Zhang

The Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University 1 , Beijing 100084,