Theory of Correlated Insulator(s) and Superconductor at ν=1 in Twisted WSe₂

The observation of a superconducting phase, an intertwined insulating phase, and a continuous transition between the two at a commensurate filling of ν=1 in bilayers of twisted WSe₂ (tWSe₂) at θ=3.65^○ raises a number of intriguing questions about the origin of this phenomenology. Starting with a simplified three-orbital model of tWSe₂, including an on-site and nearest-neighbor density-density interactions, as well as a chiral-exchange interaction, we discuss the possibility of a displacement-field induced direct superconductor to quantum spin-liquid Mott insulator transition at ν=1 using parton mean-field theory. We discuss the nature of these correlated insulators, their expected evolution with the displacement-field, and their phenomenological properties. Further experiments will likely help unravel the mysteries tied to this fascinating experimental platform.

S.K., J.F.M.-V. and X.W. contributed equally to this work.