Division of Materials Physics

Date:09-06-2017   |   【Print】 【close

Based on materials science and condensed-matter physics, the mission of the Materials Physics is to carry out frontier research on the synthesis/fabrication, structure, and physical properties of materials as well as their complex interrelationships. The subject covers novel functional materials such as conventional and unconventional superconductors, two-dimensional atomic crystals, topological quantum materials, and heterostructures based on them. By studying their atomic/electronic structures, transport and regulating properties, we aim to clarify the physics mechanism and the correlation between material parameters and device performance so as to discover new materials with superior properties for device applications. Our goal is to provide a scientific ground for the development of new materials, new devices and new techniques, ultimately achieving the collaborative innovation in material, physics, devices and application research.

The research methods involve material preparation and characterization. The Division is equipped with various bulk (single crystal and polycrystal) material growth facilities (all sorts of furnaces and high-temperature, high-pressure reactors) and thin film growth facilities (molecular beam epitaxy, pulsed laser deposition, atomic layer deposition, and chemical vapor deposition). The material characterizations include the physical property measurement system, magnetic property measurement system, scanning probe microscopy, probe station, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, etc. The advanced spectroscopy methods and equipment (In-situ Electronic Structures Division) and the micro-nano processing and characterization facilities (Superconducting Electronics Platform) extend the scope and depth our material research to a large extent as well. The research level ranges from macroscopic to mesoscopic to microscopic. The material dimension varies from three- to two- to quasi-one-dimension. The experimental environment covers normal and extreme conditions, even a variety of cross extreme conditions. In combination with the theoretic simulation, the Materials Physics form a complete innovation chain with the Superconducting Devices and Circuits Division and the Applications of Superconducting Electronics Devices Division.

The Division is organized into directorates as following: Superconducting Materials and Physics, Interfacial Superconductivity, 2D Materials, Scanning Probe Microscopy, and Mesoscopic Electronics.

Superconducting Materials and Physics is committed to the exploration and development of novel superconductor materials with academic and applied prospects. One branch is engaged in synthesis of high-quality single crystals and conducting fundamental research on electronic, magnetic, and thermodynamic properties. Another branch pursues the nature of new quantum phase in strongly correlated electronic system and low-dimensional materials under extreme conditions (high pressure, high magnetic field, low temperature etc.) through magnetic, thermal and electronic transport measurements.

Superconducting fluctuation phase diagram of cuprate high-temperature superconductor Bi2201 by magnetic torque measurement

 

Interfacial Superconductivity studies the growth, novel properties and control of low-dimension quantum material/complex oxide heterostructure is intimately linked to the thin film deposition techniques. In combination with. Current research themes include the fabrication and tuning of low-dimensional iron-based superconductors and oxide heterostructure interfacial superconductivity.

2D Materials research focuses on the two-dimensional atomic crystals represented by graphene and related heterostructures. It is further organized into three sub-divisions: (1) novel chemical vapor deposition methodology for 2D material, (2) graphene powder materials and applications, and (3) fabrication and fundamental research on 2D crystals and heterostructures.

 

Fast growth of wafer-size single-crystalline graphene on Ni-Cu alloy (left) and the growth mechanism analysis using isotopic technique (right)

Scanning Probe Microscopy explores the exotic quantum phenomena in emergent materials such as superconductors, two-dimensional atomic crystals, topological materials and so on and their heterostructures. The ultrahigh spatial and energy resolutions enable our material research to reach the atomic and sub-milli-electron-volt level.

 

The atom-resolved topographies of graphene intercalated with transition metals

 

Facing the grant challenge of graphene applications in microelectronics, the Mesoscopic Electronics chooses graphene nanostructure and nanodevice as the groundbreaking target. The recent breakthrough in edge chirality control of the graphene nanoribbon offers the field effect transistors matching the basic requirement for digital circuit.

Oriented graphene nanoribbons embedded in hexagonal boron nitride trenches