Confining electrons in twisted and proximity-coupled bilayer graphene

Principal investigator

Christoph Stampfer, 2nd Institute of Physics A, RWTH Aachen University [webpage]

teaser picture

Abstract

The aim of this project is to achieve an in-depth understanding of gate-defined charge carrier confinement in van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures with tailored properties. Specifically, we will extend the technology of making gate-defined quantum dots in Bernal-stacked bilayer graphene (BLG) to more complex vdW heterostructures; in particular, heterostructures composed of BLG proximity-coupled to transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) near magic angle. This is interesting for quantum technological applications, including e.g. spin-qubit control techniques and light-matter coupling schemes in BLG/TMD heterostructures, as well as from a fundamental point of view, as it allows studying proximity-induced spin-orbit gaps and short-range electron-electron interactions.

From a methodological point of view, we will perform low-temperature quantum transport measurement through this type of vdW heterostructures with complex electrostatic gating architectures (see image). We will make use of automated flake search and advanced stacking as well as extensive clean-room work at the Helmholtz Nano Facility (HNF) in Jülich.