(Invited) 2D-Metals: From Synthesis to Quantum Phenomena

Abstract

Quantum materials (QMats) are prime candidates for next-generation energy-efficient technologies, such as topological quantum computing, quantum sensing, and neuromorphic computing. While van der Waals 2D materials exhibit a compellingly wide range of exotic and potentially useful properties such as charge density waves, topological insulator edges, and superconductivity, one can also realize these properties by stabilizing new 2D allotropes of traditionally 3D superconductors and magnets. In this talk I will discuss our pioneering work in confinement heteroepitaxy (CHet) that enables the creation of 2D forms of 3D materials (e.g. 2D-Ga, In, Sn) and decouples the growth of the metals from other 2D layers, thereby enabling a new platform for creating artificial quantum lattices (AQLs) with atomically sharp interfaces and designed properties. As a specfic example, we synthesize plasmonic layers that exhibit >2000x improvement in nonlinear optical properties, and 2D-superconductors combined with topological insulators as the building block of next generation “2D” topological superconductors. Confinement heteroepitaxy opens up avenues for enabling a virtual “legoland” of hybrid quantum materials.