Covalent Nitrogen Doping in Molecular Beam Epitaxy-Grown and Bulk WSe₂

Covalent p-type doping of WSe₂ thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy and WSe₂ exfoliated from bulk crystals is achieved via remote nitrogen plasma exposure. X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopies indicate covalently bonded nitrogen in the WSe₂ lattice as well as tunable nitrogen concentration with N₂ plasma exposure time. Furthermore, nitrogen incorporation induces compressive strain on the WSe₂ lattice after N₂ plasma exposure. Finally, atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy reveal that N₂ plasma treatment needs to be carefully tuned to avoid any unwanted strain or surface damage.