Developing a cryogenic apparatus enabling dynamic twist angle and pressure control of van der Waals quantum materials
Abstract
This project aims to develop a new experimental apparatus enabling the controlled nanomanipulation of interfaces between two van der Waals (vdW) crystals under cryogenic conditions. The proposed apparatus will use piezoelectric nanopositioners and rotators to control the twist angle and separation between the two vdW sheets. The nanomanipulation apparatus will be cooled in a cryostat to temperatures as low as 300 mK and exposed to magnetic fields as large as 12 T. These new capabilities will enable the controlled formation of synthetic vdW quantum materials with inoperando control of their structural properties, and will be compatible with simultaneous electrical transport device characterization. The development of this system will enhance a handful of ongoing DoD-funded efforts at the University of Washington aiming to create and investigate novel electronic states in vdW heterostructures. This includes the study of strongly correlated states and superconductivity as a function of twist angle and pressure in twisted graphene structures, the creation of Chern insulator networks and strongly interacting Chern bands arising at rotated interfaces between intrinsic magnetic topological insulators, and the investigation of nematic superconductivity enabled by the formation of Josephson junctions at rotated interfaces between doped topological insulators. We anticipate that the proposed equipment will allow us to make fundamental advances in the study of these novel quantum electronic systems, driven by the creation of new vdW device architectures with exquisite nanomechanical control. Insights generated by this system may lead to the development of novel quantum electronic devices of interest to the DoD. Furthermore, student training opportunities provided by this project will help to advance United States leadership in the development of the quantum workforce.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 09, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310091
Entities
People
- Matthew Yankowitz
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Washington