The study investigates the evolution of electronic structure in atomically thin sheets of WS₂ and WSe₂, focusing on their optical properties. The researchers used differential reflectance and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to analyze the materials. They found that both WS₂ and WSe₂ exhibit an indirect to direct bandgap transition when thinned to a single monolayer, similar to molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). This transition results in a significant enhancement in PL quantum yield due to exciton recombination at the direct band edge. The monolayers of WS₂ and WSe₂ show strong indirect gap emission along with distinct direct gap hot electron emission, indicating high-quality synthetic crystals prepared by chemical vapor transport (CVT) methods. The fine absorption and emission features, along with their thickness dependence, suggest strong interlayer coupling in WSe₂ and the influence of Se p-orbitals on the d-electron band structure. The findings highlight the unique optical properties of 2D semiconducting crystals and their potential for optoelectronic applications.The study investigates the evolution of electronic structure in atomically thin sheets of WS₂ and WSe₂, focusing on their optical properties. The researchers used differential reflectance and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to analyze the materials. They found that both WS₂ and WSe₂ exhibit an indirect to direct bandgap transition when thinned to a single monolayer, similar to molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). This transition results in a significant enhancement in PL quantum yield due to exciton recombination at the direct band edge. The monolayers of WS₂ and WSe₂ show strong indirect gap emission along with distinct direct gap hot electron emission, indicating high-quality synthetic crystals prepared by chemical vapor transport (CVT) methods. The fine absorption and emission features, along with their thickness dependence, suggest strong interlayer coupling in WSe₂ and the influence of Se p-orbitals on the d-electron band structure. The findings highlight the unique optical properties of 2D semiconducting crystals and their potential for optoelectronic applications.