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
A Reformulation of Quantum Game Theory
Summary Classical game theory – conducted at the interface between economics and computer science – has found applications in topics ranging from networking and security to online markets. Despite over 20 years of research into connections between game theory and quantum information, we have yet to see any significant implications of quantum information when applied […]
April 1, 2020
Reliably operating noisy quantum computers
Summary The overall goal of the project is to develop practical methods to be able to reliably run useful applications on near-term quantum computers. This requires identifying and overcoming the ubiquitous errors that currently limit quantum computing capabilities. Traditional methods of quantifying errors in quantum computers fail to predict how errors affect the output of […]
January 22, 2020
Line-Scanning optical coherence tomography system for in-vivo, non-invasive imaging of the cellular structure and blood perfusion of biological tissue
Summary Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging method that allows for in-vivo, non-invasive imaging of the structure and vasculature of biological tissue. Commercially available, clinical OCT systems utilize point-scanning method to acquire volumetric images over a large surface with typical frame rates of ~ 30 frames/ second. Since living biological tissue is constantly […]
August 27, 2019
Developing Tools for Quantum Characterization and Validation
Summary Coherence is essential for quantum computation; yet it introduces a unique sensitivity to any imperfections in hardware design, control systems, and the operating environment. Overcoming these sensitivities requires a hierarchy of strategies, ranging from optimization of the hardware architecture to software solutions including quantum error correction. Randomized Benchmarking Protocols are an important family of […]
October 3, 2017