GIUV2025-669
The main focus of the research activity is directed, on the one hand, to the understanding of the physics of material growth, arranged atom-by-atom and layer-by-layer on surfaces in an ultra-clean environment (ultra-high vacuum, UHV); and on the other hand, to the investigation of the resulting physical properties (structural, magnetic, electronic, thermal) of atomic layers and atomically defined heterostructures. This ultra-high vacuum environment ensures optimal conditions for observing not only the properties of materials at the ultra-clean limit, but also to detect emergent phenomena at interfaces of structurallly or chemically dissimilar materials. To do this, we use a cutting-edge technique ¿ established for the first time in the Valencian community ¿ called molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) equipped with an in-situ electron diffraction (RHEED) method to control the structural ordering of atoms and layers of materials in real time. It is proposed to establish an "ultra-high vacuum lab", which means carrying out all the necessary physical and chemical characterization in ultra-high vacuum chambers. This grants the ability to explore certain quantum materials that...The main focus of the research activity is directed, on the one hand, to the understanding of the physics of material growth, arranged atom-by-atom and layer-by-layer on surfaces in an ultra-clean environment (ultra-high vacuum, UHV); and on the other hand, to the investigation of the resulting physical properties (structural, magnetic, electronic, thermal) of atomic layers and atomically defined heterostructures. This ultra-high vacuum environment ensures optimal conditions for observing not only the properties of materials at the ultra-clean limit, but also to detect emergent phenomena at interfaces of structurallly or chemically dissimilar materials. To do this, we use a cutting-edge technique ¿ established for the first time in the Valencian community ¿ called molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) equipped with an in-situ electron diffraction (RHEED) method to control the structural ordering of atoms and layers of materials in real time. It is proposed to establish an "ultra-high vacuum lab", which means carrying out all the necessary physical and chemical characterization in ultra-high vacuum chambers. This grants the ability to explore certain quantum materials that degrade or oxidize easily when exposed to air and to preserve a system well-defined from its creation to the end of the characterization chain. In addition, this approach brings an experiment as close as possible to atomistic theoretical models. After having studied and understood the resulting physical properties, the materials that have been once optimised, will be covered with a protective material (capping layer) to be able to take them into the air and allow a subsequent processing, such as the manufacture of devices. In this sense, the objective of developing advanced materials and heterostructures of thin films with scalable epitaxial techniques (such as MBE) opens up many opportunities for the conception and development of devices and their applications. Consequently, part of our activity will be oriented towards technology transfer, seeking to use the unique physical properties of quantum materials ¿ such as topological semimetals or low- dimensional magnetic systems- in functional devices. The leitmotif of our research lies in the understanding of fundamental physical phenomena and their application through materials engineering; thus touching multiple disciplines such as condensed-matter physics, nanotechnology, chemistry and material science.
[Read more][Hide]
[Read more][Hide]
- Desarollo del crecimiento epitaxial de materiales bidimensionales, topologicos y sus heteroestructuras
- Entendimiento de las propiedades fisicas de los materiales y su control mediante las condiciones de crecimiento
- Desarollo de dispositivos con aplicaciones electronicas, espintronicas y de conversion de energia a partir de materiales crecidos epitaxialmente
- Two-dimensional ferroic materials.The recent discovery of robust ferroicity in two-dimensional (2D) materials of atomic thickness has become a milestone in condensed matter science. Our goal is to investigate the joint properties of 2D ferroic heterostructures in order to understand and control the coupling between them.
- Topological materials.Our goal is to understand how topology and electronic structure are related to epitaxy-dependent parameters such as stress, doping, and surface termination. Following the preparation of heterostructures, these topological properties can be exploited for applications in spintronics and thermoelectricity.
| Name | Nature of participation | Entity | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMILCAR BEDOYA PINTO | Director | Universitat de València |
- -
- Institute of Molecular Science (ICMOL)
