Summary
Atomically thin 2D materials constitute promising building blocks for quantum devices due to their exotic, layer-dependent electronic properties. The ability to stack these materials in alternating layers enables heterostructures to be built in almost limitless combinations and over small enough length scales to observe quantum phenomena. So far though, practical implementation of devices based on layered 2D materials has been limited by the challenges of depositing or transferring single atomically thin layers over large areas and of building multi-layers from different materials. In this project, we expand on our previously demonstrated scalable deposition techniques of films for electrochemical applications and control of defects in exfoliated 2D material flakes to build electronic and optoelectronic-based quantum devices in collaboration with Prof. Na Young Kim’s group. Our central goal is to create large area heterostructures of 2D materials built by sequential Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition. We will use these heterostructures to construct simple proof-of-principle quantum devices such as resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs). The work will include finding optimized film parameters for dense, ultrathin tunneling barriers, development of patterning approaches compatible with sequential LB deposition, and ultimately demonstrating a working single, double, and multi-junction RTDs on flexible substrates. While the RTD is one of the simplest quantum devices that can be fabricated from heterostructures of 2D materials, the methodologies we establish in this project will pave the way for improved THz emitters and detectors, faster transistors and memories, and other devices that rely on similar heterostructures and design.
Related Content

Quantum Computational Resources in the Presence of Symmetry
Summary Fault-tolerance is essential to the performance of quantum technologies, but known schemes are extremely resource intensive. Thus, improving existing schemes or inventing new schemes is of central importance. This joint project is based on the realization that fault-tolerance schemes make use of symmetries in fundamental ways, and that studying the problem of fault tolerance […]
March 13, 2019
Using Interactive Digital Storytelling to Represent Transformative Quantum Technologies in Augmented/Extended Reality Environments
Summary A major roadblock to the broader adoption of quantum technologies is the long learning curve associated with their seemingly abstract concepts. This often renders quantum technologies inaccessible to most audiences, especially through explanations using conventional scientific language. In this project, we develop novel methods of interactive digital storytelling – augmented and extended reality (AR/XR) […]
February 24, 2021

Rydberg Atom Array Quantum Simulator
Summary Quantum simulators enable probing the static and dynamic properties of correlated quantum many-body systems that would otherwise be numerically inaccessible using classical simulators. We are developing quantum simulators based on arrays of neutral atoms excited to Rydberg states. Such Rydberg atom arrays are advantageous for simulating the dynamics of interacting spin systems (Ising spin […]
February 27, 2020

Mesoscopic systems as coherent control elements
Summary Mesoscopic systems provide a new tool for quantum systems design. In particular, they are enabling of robust quantum control. Here “mesoscopic system” refers to a connected network where each element, if studied alone, would be a quantum bit. The network is too big to be treated fully quantum mechanically. We do not have individual […]
September 1, 2016