Strong Photoluminescence Fluctuations in Laser-Thinned Few-Layer WS₂

We present results of μ-Raman and μ-photoluminescence study of few-layer WS₂ flakes that have been locally thinned down by a focused laser beam. The Raman spectroscopy measurements prove that the investigated flake was locally thinned down to a monolayer. Interestingly, μ-photoluminescence experiments allowed us to observe huge intensity fluctuations at the boundary of laser-thinned region. Similar effects were found at the edges of a WS₂ bilayer flake, which has not been subjected to laser-thinning. The origin of the observed time evolution of the photoluminescence response is discussed in terms of potential fluctuations resulting from light-induced changes of the charge state of defects.