Topological insulators are a novel class of materials with non-trivial electronic properties. Electrons at the boundaries of these materials can propagate without dissipating energy [1]. So far, topological phases have only been demonstrated in inorganic materials. The goal of this project is to synthesise and characterise low-dimensional organic nanostructures, in which the atomic-scale morphology and electronic structure give rise to non-trivial topological electronic states[2]. The project will exploit metal atoms and organic molecules as building units in approaches of supramolecular chemistry applied on surfaces, to achieve ultimate structural and electronic control at the single atom level [3]. The motivation of stems from the bottom-up design of advanced materials, where novel electronic signatures will be applicable for the development of dissipation-less electronics, spintronics and solid-state-based quantum information processing.
Systems of interest will be prepared in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) and characterised in situ by means of low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS), as well as non-contact atomic force microscopy (ncAFM). X-ray-based measurements performed at the Australian Synchrotron will provide complementary chemical characterisation. Optical techniques will allow for optical probing of topological electronic phases.
References
[1] M. Z. Hasan and C. L. Kane, “Colloquium: Topological insulators”, Reviews of Modern Physics, volume 82, 3045 (2010). [2] Z. F. Wang et al, Nature Communications volume 4 (2013). [3] Johannes V. Barth, “Molecular Architectonic on Metal Surfaces”, Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, volume 58, 375-407 (2007).Supervisor: Dr Agustin Schiffrin
See https://www.monash.edu/science/schools/physics/honours/honours-project to apply.