Editorial: innovative quantum materials

Abstract

Quantum Materials are materials where the manifestation of the quantum mechanical nature of matter constituents, which comes into evidence at the macroscopic scale, is used to obtain new functionalities. The study of quantum materials is relevant both on the fundamental and on the applied side. Indeed, this class of materials provides a common thread between physics, materials science and engineering. The focus is on emergent excitations, such as Dirac and Majorana fermions. In particular, it analyzes their sensitivity to external perturbations, such as electric and magnetic fields, and boundary conditions that can be controlled by surface/edge terminations, defect states and nanostructuring. The topical issue provides a broad description of innovative quantum materials discussing a variety of different phenomena: (1) interference phenomena in quantum devices made up of a topological insulator, (2) bound states in finite length nanowires with an inhomogeneous spin–orbit coupling profile relevant for Majorana physics, (3) sensitivity of graphene transport properties to defect states and edge functionalization, (4) role of Moiré phonons on the energy properties of twisted bilayer graphene at the magic angle important for van der Waals materials, (5) emergent spin excitations and anisotropic magnetotransport properties in iridates, (6) magnetoelectric couplings and improper magnetoelectric behavior in manganites significant for the realization of novel spintronic devices.