Controlling and integrating 2D magnetism in epitaxial van der Waals heterostructures
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
This project seeks to realise the adventurous goal of "designer magnetism", based around the flexibility and functionality offered by 2D magnetic materials. Of fundamental importance in its own right, but also as a platform to create targeted spintronic functionality, interfacing different van der Waals materials and magnets together promises almost limitless possibilities for tuning magnetic interactions and ordering tendencies and for realising new quantum states and phases. We will realise 2D magnetic materials and heterostructures in thin film geometries. This is crucial not only to unlock their potential for device applications, but will also advance new possibilities for epitaxial engineering that are not achievable in other material systems or using exfoliated 2D materials. Our epitaxial and all-vacuum based synthesis and characterisation approach will open new routes to studying the 2D magnetic materials created using advanced spectroscopic tools. Through this, we will gain much-needed fundamental understanding of how the microscopic magnetic interactions and excitations at play in these layered systems become modified in the ultra-thin limit, where the application of traditional magnetic probes such as neutron scattering becomes impossible or impractical. This, in turn, promises to deliver a step change in our fundamental understanding of low-dimensional magnetism, and through this to pave the way for a host of new spintronic and quantum technologies.
Publications
Qiao L
(2024)
Electron doping as a handle to increase the Curie temperature in ferrimagnetic Mn 3 Si 2 X 6 (X = Se, Te)
in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Title | Hybrid fabrication approachs |
Description | Developing integrated fabrication tools to allow for the synthesis of 2D materials via a combined exfoliation and epitaxy approach |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2024 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Fabrication of novel epitaxial heterostructures of 2D materials with hBN |
Description | SP |
Organisation | Italian National Research Council |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Provision of high-quality spectroscopic data on 2D magnetic materials |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of state-of-the-art numerical electronic structure calculations and associated Monte Carlo calculations of spin ordering |
Impact | Several journal publications either published or submitted |
Start Year | 2023 |
Title | Instrumentation control for spin-ARPES |
Description | Collection of utility daemons and orchestration layers for control of ARPES equipment, interfacing with proprietary spectrometer control systems |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Ability for control of instrumentation leading to more automated experiments |