Towards 2D superconducting spintronics

Principal investigators

  1. Angelo Di Bernardo, University of Konstanz, Department of Physics, angelo.dibernardo (at) uni-konstanz.de [website]
  2. Hadar Steinberg, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Racah Institute of Physics, hadar (at) phys.huji.ac.il [website]
  3. Wolfgang Belzig, University of Konstanz, Department of Physics, wolfgang.belzig (at) uni-konstanz.de [website]
  4. Elke Scheer, University of Konstanz, Department of Physics, elke.scheer (at) uni-konstanz.de [website]

teaser picture

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) materials offer the unique possibility of exploring superconductivity and magnetism as well as their interplay down to the 2D limit. In this project, we will fabricate novel devices based on the combination of 2D superconductor (2DS) and 2D ferromagnet (2DF) vdW materials, and we will characterize their properties through a wide range of experimental and theoretical techniques. Supported by theory models, we will investigate the spectroscopic properties of 2DS/2DF heterostructures both globally and locally through the fabrication of tunnelling devices and low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy, respectively. In addition, we will simulate and measure the transport properties of unconventional Josephson junctions based on novel 2D materials, also in combination with well-established 2D materials like graphene. Last, we will explore devices with new functionalities realised through electrical tuning of their properties via the application of gate voltages. By the end of the research programme, our goal is to deliver functional devices to use as building blocks for 2D superconducting spintronics.

To achieve the proposed research objectives, we will adopt experimental and theoretical methods including magnetotransport measurements at low temperature and in high magnetic fields, low-temperature high-resolution scanning tunnelling spectroscopy, quasiclassical theory, quantum field theoretical methods.