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Time-resolved Kerr rotation spectroscopy of valley dynamics in single-layer MoS2

Single-layer MoS$_2$ and similar dichalcogenides are direct-gap semiconductors with a peculiar band structure: the direct gap is situated at the K$^+$ and K$^-$ points in the Brillouin zone, with a large valence-band spin splitting. Optical selection rules allow for valley-selective interband excitation using near-resonant, circularly polarized excitation. Here, we present time-resolved pump-probe experiments in which we study the carrier and valley dynamics in a mechanically exfoliated single-layer MoS$_2$ flake at low temperatures. Under resonant excitation conditions, we find that the valley lifetime exceeds the photocarrier lifetime, indicating the creation of a resident valley polarization. For highly nonresonant excitation, the valley polarization decays within the photocarrier lifetime.