Theory of optically induced Förster Coupling in van der Waals coupled Heterostuctures

Abstract: We investigate the impact of optically induced F\"orster coupling in van der Waals heterostructures consisting of graphene and a monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD). In particular, we predict the corresponding dephasing rates and a fast energy transfer between the TMD layer and graphene being in the picosecond range. Exemplary we find a transition rate of thermalized excitons of about 4 ps$^{-1}$ in a MoSe$_2$-graphene stack at room temperature. This timescale is in good agreement with the recently measured exciton lifetime in this heterostructure.