Controlling the properties of two-dimensional materials and van der Waals heterostructures
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The overall aim of the project is improve the control one has over the behaviour of two-dimensional (2D) layered
materials. The materials that will be focussed on are the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), with a particular
interest in the rhenium chalcogenides (ReX2). The aim is that by manipulating these materials, in particular by
introducing magnetic dopants or by combining them with other 2D materials into van der Waals heterostructures, one
can gain more control over the opto-electronic and magneto-optical properties of the materials. Such control would
hopefully allow these materials to be integrated into devices, and an investigation into the functional applications of
the materials would hopefully feature towards the end of the research project.
Certain initial experiments will be conducted to manipulate the materials' properties. Firstly, magnetic dopants such
as chromium will be introduced into the materials to investigate their magneto-optical properties. This work will be
carried out in collaboration with Dr da Como's group at Bath who have the relevant expertise and facilities for such
crystal growth. Secondly, ReX2 layers will be sandwiched between layers of hexagonal-boron nitride with the aim of
enhancing opto-electronic properties, namely the low-temperature photoluminescence linewidths and the carrier
mobilities - such enhancements have recently been reported in other two-dimensional materials such as graphene
and molybdenum disulphide. This work will be carried out with close links to the groups of Dr da Como, Prof Bending,
Dr Dale and Dr Ilie, all of whom can share expertise and facilities for sample preparation (e.g. exfoliation and dry
transfer) and characterisation (e.g. atomic force microscopy and transport measurements). Finally, ReX2 will be
incorporated into waveguides in order to investigate the potential non-linear photonic properties and applications of
these materials. This work will be conducted with members of the Centre for Photonics and Photonic Materials, in
particular Dr Gorbach, Prof Wadsworth and Dr Rusimova, who can help to provide theoretical predictions of the
properties of such waveguides, as well as experience of the practicalities of their design.
materials. The materials that will be focussed on are the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), with a particular
interest in the rhenium chalcogenides (ReX2). The aim is that by manipulating these materials, in particular by
introducing magnetic dopants or by combining them with other 2D materials into van der Waals heterostructures, one
can gain more control over the opto-electronic and magneto-optical properties of the materials. Such control would
hopefully allow these materials to be integrated into devices, and an investigation into the functional applications of
the materials would hopefully feature towards the end of the research project.
Certain initial experiments will be conducted to manipulate the materials' properties. Firstly, magnetic dopants such
as chromium will be introduced into the materials to investigate their magneto-optical properties. This work will be
carried out in collaboration with Dr da Como's group at Bath who have the relevant expertise and facilities for such
crystal growth. Secondly, ReX2 layers will be sandwiched between layers of hexagonal-boron nitride with the aim of
enhancing opto-electronic properties, namely the low-temperature photoluminescence linewidths and the carrier
mobilities - such enhancements have recently been reported in other two-dimensional materials such as graphene
and molybdenum disulphide. This work will be carried out with close links to the groups of Dr da Como, Prof Bending,
Dr Dale and Dr Ilie, all of whom can share expertise and facilities for sample preparation (e.g. exfoliation and dry
transfer) and characterisation (e.g. atomic force microscopy and transport measurements). Finally, ReX2 will be
incorporated into waveguides in order to investigate the potential non-linear photonic properties and applications of
these materials. This work will be conducted with members of the Centre for Photonics and Photonic Materials, in
particular Dr Gorbach, Prof Wadsworth and Dr Rusimova, who can help to provide theoretical predictions of the
properties of such waveguides, as well as experience of the practicalities of their design.
Planned Impact
The Institute of Physics has estimated that physics-dependent businesses directly contribute 8.5% to the UK's economic output, employ more than a million people and generated exports amounting to more than £100bn in 2009. They go on to say: "It is important for businesses to have access to a range of highly skilled (and motivated) individuals capable of thinking 'outside of the box', particularly physics-trained postgraduates due to the highly numerate, analytical and problemsolving skills that are acquired during their training." If funded, the graduates of this CDT will have such skills and motivation. We would hope that this would significantly contribute towards satisfying the UK's need for trained scientists, particularly in the field of condensed matter physics. The impact would go further than this. By working more closely with industry and other partner organisations, we would reshape the conventional PhD programme to improve the experience for all.
In addition to the training aspect of the CDT there would be an important research impact. The Universities of Bristol and Bath have many world-leading researchers across the condensed matter field. By working with the high-quality students that we hope to recruit into the programme we will produce significant cutting edge research in condensed matter. The research would bear on some of the grand challenges facing condensed matter physics such as: understanding the emergence of new phenomena far from equilibrium; the nanoscale design of functional materials such as graphene; and harnessing quantum Physics for new technologies. Ultimately, this would contribute to improvements in many technologies, for example, energy or data storage technology.
In addition to the training aspect of the CDT there would be an important research impact. The Universities of Bristol and Bath have many world-leading researchers across the condensed matter field. By working with the high-quality students that we hope to recruit into the programme we will produce significant cutting edge research in condensed matter. The research would bear on some of the grand challenges facing condensed matter physics such as: understanding the emergence of new phenomena far from equilibrium; the nanoscale design of functional materials such as graphene; and harnessing quantum Physics for new technologies. Ultimately, this would contribute to improvements in many technologies, for example, energy or data storage technology.
