Towards the Next Generation of Electronic Devices with van der Waals Heterostructures
Moiré patterns and twistronics | Quantum Transport | Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
For a brief summary of my research, check out my presentation from the 2023 APS Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWip) Physics Slam! For more details, read below, explore the various sections linked above, or checkout my most recent publications.
Single atomic layers of graphene were realized experimentally for the first time in 2004, leading to a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for Profs. Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov. This discovery initiated a new field of research extremely quickly, given that it was the first demonstration of a truly two-dimensional (2D) crystal system. Since the discovery of graphene, several novel 2D materials have been identified with different atomic species, crystal structures, and electronic characteristics. While studies of isolated 2D systems are interesting in their own right, vertically assembling different layers of 2D materials produces an even more interesting set of composite materials for scientists and engineers to work with. These stacks of 2D materials are often called van der Waals heterostructures. From the viewpoint of a condensed matter physicist, van der Waals heterostructures are an incredible platform for studying a variety of interesting physics. Isolating individual layers of 2D materials offer incredibly pristine atomic systems for study. By stacking the layers together, unprecedented experimental control of the interactions in the system is achievable, e.g. by tuning the relative twist angle between two layers to form a moiré pattern.
My work focuses on studying various physical phenomena in van der Waals heterostructures. As are most physicists, I am interested in both understanding the world around us and imagining the application potential enabled through such an understanding. The 2D material revolution sparked by graphene has advanced both of these goals and in my work I hope to contribute a small portion to that advancement. Graphene has already started to deliver on its early promises, although there is still much to do. Further, the relatively new tools of moiré patterns and topological characteristics in van der Waals heterostructure have potential in superconducting circuits and quantum computation. My work is an attempt at helping to understand and utilize the physics of what will be the next generation of electronic devices.