Charge-Neutral Quantum Excitations and Devices Based on 2D Topological Crystals
Abstract
Topological quantum electronic system can produce robust quantum states immune to local perturbations, a property that is highly des ired for constructing future quantum information devices, including topological quantum computers. However, to realize the promises, one needs to in addition make use of electron correlations to produce new quantum particles in the electronic system that are funda mentally different from the underlying electrons. A class of these intriguing quantum particles hosted by strongly correlated insula tors and superconductors are charge-neutral, such as Majorana zero modes, spinions, and ground-state excitons, which are all very ch allenging to study using conventional approaches. Experimental challenges lie in both the lack of ideal candidate material systems a nd the lack of proper measurement schemes. Nevertheless, realizing and understanding these esoteric neutral quantum particles and th eir emergent phases, especially when they are topologically protected, are important not only in the fundamental research but also f or developing future quantum technologies. In this proposal, we identify and propose to study a class of excellent candidate materia ls, i.e., the two-dimensional (2D) tungsten ditelluride (WTe2) flakes in both the monolayer and twisted bilayer forms. These electr onic materials are a novel type of quantum systems where topology and strong correlations are important simultaneously. A range of h ighly interesting quantum properties in these systems has been discovered recently, some of them are surprising. Based on existing e xperimental infrastructure in the PIs lab, including a high-quality van der Waals heterostructure nano-fabrication platform and low temperature electronic transport measurement systems, we will explore several critical experimental directions, aiming at promoting essential concepts, including ground-state excitons, charge-neutral fermions and non-abelian Majorana modes, which are all charge-n eutral quantum excitations. In addition to employing novel quantum transport techniques, we also aim at innovating a powerful new me asurement platform that combines optics and electronics at ultralow temperatures, uniquely tailored for detecting charge-neutral par ticles and phases in 2D quantum crystals and devices. The outcome of the proposed research is expected to enable new discoveries in 2D quantum materials, establish new model systems for strongly correlated quantum physics, fuel the development of new experimental fields of charge-neutral quantum electronic matter and enable new ideas and technologies that harness energy and information at the quantum level.This abstract is Approved for Public Release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112804
Entities
People
- Sanfeng Wu
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Trustees of Princeton University
- United States Navy