Exploring emergent properties in two-dimensional metal-organic quantum materials

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Johannes V. Barth; Dr. Ignacio Piquero-Zulaica, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics ; Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 531278475

The emergent field of 2D quantum materials was stimulated by the discovery of long-range magnetic order, strong correlations, superconductivity and flat band engineering in single or combined sheet structures. The scientific goal of the present proposal is to systematically explore these intriguing physical phenomena with 2D metal-organic frameworks (2D-MOFs), either fabricated on atomically well-defined noble metal crystals, graphene or combined with 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as superconducting NbSe2 so as to realize novel 2D-MOF/TMD layered heterostructures. By means of a multi-technique methodological approach (including notably scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, low-energy electron diffraction and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism) in combination with density functional theory calculations, we shall explore new avenues in 2D-MOFs providing prospects for cooperative magnetism, topological states and superconductivity. Our research strategy requires atomically precise design and fabrication of the proposed novel 2D quantum materials in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions. The carefully designed molecular precursors will be provided in high-purity by synthetic chemists and protocols will be developed to integrate metal atoms and afford high-quality metal-organic layers in UHV. Suitable TMD samples will be prepared by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). This rich scientific activity relies on the sophisticated experimental infrastructure of our chair. This proposal is timely, pertinent and we expect that the envisioned progress will impact the field of quantum science and technology by establishing a new designer approach towards functional layered heterostructures with novel properties.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Spain
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Christian Back; Professor Dr. Frank Ortmann
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Fernando Bartolomé; Dr. Jorge Lobo-Checa