Observation of new electric field signals strong potential for assorted devices

The study was published in scienceis extremely valuable as it can upgrade the operation of many devices, including enhancing memory stability and computing speed. With further research, the discovery of vortex electric fields could even impact the fields of quantum computing, spintronics and nanotechnology.

“Previously, generating a vortex electric field required expensive thin film deposition techniques and complex procedures. However, our study shows that such a vortex electric field can be easily induced by a simple twisting of a double layer of two-dimensional material,” he said. Professor Li Benxi PhD in Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, core member of the Super Diamond and Advanced Thin Film Center.

To achieve a clean interface, researchers often synthesize bilayers directly. However, maintaining freedom in twist angles is challenging, especially for low angle twists. Professor Ly’s team invented the innovative ice-assisted transfer technology, which she explained was crucial to achieving a clean interface between the bilayers, allowing them to freely manipulate and create twisted bilayers.

Unlike previous research that focused on twist angles less than 3 degrees, the team’s technology allowed them to create a wide range of twist angles ranging from 0 to 60 degrees using synthetic and artificial stacking through ice-assisted transfer.

Various applications

The groundbreaking discovery of new vortex electric fields in twisted double layers also creates two-dimensional quasicrystals with the potential to enhance future electronic, magnetic and optical components. Due to their low thermal conductivity and low electrical conductivity, quasicrystals are ideal irregularly ordered structures, making them ideal for high-strength surface coatings such as frying pans.

Professor Ly said these structures have a wide range of applications because the eddy current electric field generated differs depending on the twist angle. Quasicrystals could bring more stable memory effects, ultrafast mobility and computing speeds, dissipative polarization switching, novel polarizable optical effects, and advances in spintronics to electronic devices.

discovery of new technology

The team overcame many difficulties in making the new observations. First, they had to find a way to create a clean interface between the two layers. This led them to discover a new technique using ice as a transfer material, a first in the field. By using thin ice to synthesize and transfer 2D materials, the team achieved a clean interface that is easy to operate. This ice-assisted transfer technique is more efficient, time-saving and cost-effective compared to other techniques.

Then they must overcome the challenge of analyzing the material. They ultimately made the discovery using four-dimensional transmission electron microscopy (4D-TEM) and in collaboration with other researchers. In one of their multiple testing phases, a twisted double-layer 2D structure was created and new vortex electric fields were observed.

Looking to the future

Given the wide range of applications of torsion angle, the team looks forward to continuing to develop their research based on new observations and exploring its full potential.

The next steps in their research will focus on further manipulating the material, such as testing whether more layers can be stacked or seeing if other materials can produce the same effect. Having patented the ice-assisted transfer technology, the team is looking forward to seeing if other discoveries can be made around the world with the help of their technology, as clean transfer can now be achieved without extensive and expensive procedures. Two-layer interface.

Professor Li concluded: “This research has the potential to trigger a new field focusing on torsional vortex fields in nanotechnology and quantum technology.” He emphasized that although this discovery is still in its early stages in terms of applications, it may become a major Game changers in device applications such as memory, quantum computing, spintronics and sensing devices.

A paper titled “Polar and quasicrystal vortex Observed intwisted-bilayer molybdenum disulfide” was recently published in science.

The corresponding authors of the paper are Professor Li, Professor Zhao Jiong and Professor Yang Ming from the Department of Applied Physics of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Other collaborators include Professor Li Zhensheng from the Department of Chemistry at City University of Hong Kong and Professor Liu Shuping from the Department of Applied Physics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.