Squeeze-Grown 2D Topological Insulators for Room Temperature Quantum Devices
Abstract
2-Dimensional Topological Insulators (2D TIs) offer the potential for dissipation-less electronic wires, a means to pump and transport spin, and a route towards hardware-protected quantum computing. Despite 15+ years of research, 2D TI effects have been limited to cryogenic temperatures and short micron-scale distances. This proposal aims to realize a 2D TI that can operate under a wide range of conditions, including room temperature, and can be coupled with other quantum materials and spin systems. We will achieve this goal by growing 2D monolayers of bismuth, a large band gap 2D TI. Our unique approach is to produce 2D bismuth by a squeeze growth technique, where pressure and heat are used to reduce the dimensions of a 3D bulk crystal to a 2D form. We will undertake an iterative feedback process of growth and materials characterization, which will be guided by computational studies of the growth process. Once we have achieved monolayer 2D bismuth, we will measure its transport properties and test for the presence of helical edge modes – the hallmark of a 2D TI state. We will also study the interaction of the helical edge modes with proximal quantum spins by performing resistively-detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The success of this research will enable a fundamental understanding of transport in the helical edge state of a 2D TI and will establish a platform for coupling helical modes with quantum spins and other quantum materials. A robust 2D TI will also enable technological applications towards quantum computing and low-power electronic and spintronic devices. The successful development of our 2D squeeze growth technique will also provide a new general approach to creating low-dimensional crystals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 2022
- Source ID
- FA95502110165XX0
Entities
People
- Javier Sánchez
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of California, Irvine