Graphene stacking discovery might herald new period for quantum functions

Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms organized in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice, is understood for its distinctive properties: unimaginable energy (about 200 instances stronger than metal), gentle weight, flexibility, and glorious conduction of electrical energy and warmth. These properties have made graphene more and more vital in functions throughout numerous fields, together with electronics, vitality storage, medical expertise, and, most not too long ago, quantum computing.

Graphene’s quantum properties, resembling superconductivity and different distinctive quantum behaviors, are identified to come up when graphene atomic layers are stacked and twisted with precision to supply “ABC stacking domains.” Traditionally, reaching ABC stacking domains required exfoliating graphene and manually twisting and aligning layers with precise orientations—a extremely intricate course of that’s troublesome to scale for industrial functions.

Now, researchers at NYU Tandon College of Engineering led by Elisa Riedo, Herman F. Mark Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, have uncovered a brand new phenomenon in graphene analysis, observing growth-induced self-organized ABA and ABC stacking domains that would kick-start the event of superior quantum applied sciences.

The findings, printed in a latest examine within the Proceedings of the Nationwide Academy Of Sciences , display how particular stacking preparations in three-layer epitaxial graphene programs emerge naturally—eliminating the necessity for advanced, non-scalable methods historically utilized in graphene twisting fabrication.

These researchers, together with Martin Rejhon, beforehand a post-doctoral fellow at NYU, have now noticed the self-assembly of ABA and ABC domains inside a three-layer epitaxial graphene system grown on silicon carbide (SiC). Utilizing superior conductive atomic pressure microscopy (AFM), the workforce discovered that these domains kind naturally with out the necessity for guide twisting or alignment. This spontaneous group represents a big step ahead in graphene stacking domains fabrication.

The dimensions and form of those stacking domains are influenced by the interaction of pressure and the geometry of the three-layer graphene areas. Some domains kind as stripe-like constructions, tens of nanometers extensive and lengthening over microns, providing promising potential for future functions.

“Sooner or later we might management the dimensions and site of those stacking patterns by means of pregrowth patterning of the SiC substrate,” Riedo mentioned.

These self-assembled ABA/ABC stacking domains might result in transformative functions in quantum units. Their stripe-shaped configurations, for instance, are well-suited for enabling unconventional quantum Corridor results, superconductivity, and cost density waves. Such breakthroughs pave the way in which for scalable digital units leveraging graphene’s quantum properties.

This discovery marks a serious leap in graphene analysis, bringing scientists nearer to realizing the complete potential of this outstanding materials in next-generation electronics and quantum applied sciences.