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Chestnut Hill, Mass. (10/31/2018) Two-dimensional magnetism has long intrigued and motivated researchers for its potential to unleash new states of matter and utility in nano-devices.
In part the excitement is driven by predictions that the magnetic moments of electrons – known as "spins" This enhancement in the strengths of the excitations could unleash new states of quantum computing.
A key challenge has been the successful manufacture of perfectly clean systems and their incorporation with other materials. However, for more than a decade, materials known as "van der Waals" crystals, held together by friction, have been used to isolate single-atom-thick layers.
Boston, University of Tennessee, University of Tennessee, Seoul, University of Tennessee, Boston, University of Tennessee, and Seoul National University , write in the latest edition of the journal Nature.
Two-dimensional magnetism, the subject of theoretical explorations and experimentation for the past 80 years, is enjoying a resurgence in a group of materials and compounds that are relatively plentiful and easy to manipulate, according to Boston College Associate Professor of Physics Kenneth Burch, a first author of the article "Magnetism in two-dimensional van der Waals materials."
The most oft-cited example of these materials is graphene, a crystal constructed in uniform, atom-thick layers. A simple procedure for applying a piece of tape to a single layer, providing a thin, uniform section to a platform to create a novel material.
"What's amazing about these 2-D materials is they're so flexible," said Burch. "Because they are so flexible, they give you this huge array of possibilities." "You can not make up this huge amount of time and money. to grow them. "" This is a new way of doing business.
At that single layer, researchers have focused on spin, what Burch refers to as the "magnetic moment" of an electron. While the charge of an electron can be used to send two signals – or "off" or "on", the results represent a multiplication of the potential to signal, store or transmit information in the tiniest of spaces.
"One of the big efforts is now," said Burch. "Since we have had a magnetic moment, we are able to provide you with more information. do not just get a one and a zero, you get all the values in between. "
Potential applications lie in the areas of new "quantum" computers, sensing technologies, semiconductors, or high-temperature superconductors.
"The point of our perspective is that it has been a huge emphasis on these two devices, which is extremely promising," said Burch. "But what we can do is a magnetic atomic crystal, which can also be the dream of engineering these new phases – superconducting, or magnetic or topological phases of matter, which is really the most exciting part. These new phases would have applications in various forms of computing, whether in spintronics, high temperature superconductors, magnetic and optical sensors, and in topological quantum computing. "
Burch and his colleagues – The University of Tennessee's David Mandrus and Seoul National University's I-Geun Park – outline four major directions for research into magnetic van der Waals materials:
Discovering new materials with specific functionality. New materials with isotropic gold complex magnetic interactions, could play significant roles in the development of new supercondcutors.
These new materials can also lead to a deeper understanding of fundamental issues in condensed matter physics, serving as unique platforms for experimentation.
The materials will be tested for the potential to become unique devices, capable of delivering novel applications. The two-dimensional structure of these materials makes them more receptive to external signals.
These materials possess quantum and topological phases that could potentially lead to exotic states, such as quantum spin liquids, "skyrmions," or new iterations of superconductivity.
Germano Iannacchione, a National Science Foundation (NSF) program officer who oversees grants to the Burch and other materials scientists, said the co-authors of the scientific community.
"Magnetism in 2D van der Waals materials has grown into a vibrant field of study," said Iannacchione. "The study captures the importance of a wide range of aspects of steady-state, focused, and sometimes risky research that opens up vast new frontiers, with tremendous potential for applications. in quantum computing and spintronics. "
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