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Layered hybrid superlattices as designable quantum solids

Nature volume 635, pages 49–60 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Crystalline solids typically show robust long-range structural ordering, vital for their remarkable electronic properties and use in functional electronics, albeit with limited customization space. By contrast, synthetic molecular systems provide highly tunable structural topologies and versatile functionalities but are often too delicate for scalable electronic integration. Combining these two systems could harness the strengths of both, yet realizing this integration is challenging owing to distinct chemical bonding structures and processing conditions. Two-dimensional atomic crystals comprise crystalline atomic layers separated by non-bonding van der Waals gaps, allowing diverse atomic or molecular intercalants to be inserted without disrupting existing covalent bonds. This enables the creation of a diverse set of layered hybrid superlattices (LHSLs) composed of alternating crystalline atomic layers of variable electronic properties and self-assembled atomic or molecular interlayers featuring customizable chemical compositions and structural motifs. Here we outline strategies to prepare LHSLs and discuss emergent properties. With the versatile molecular design strategies and modular assembly processes, LHSLs offer vast flexibility for weaving distinct chemical constituents and quantum properties into monolithic artificial solids with a designable three-dimensional potential landscape. This opens unprecedented opportunities to tailor charge correlations, quantum properties and topological phases, thereby defining a rich material platform for advancing quantum information science.

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Fig. 1: Methods for preparing superlattice structures.
Fig. 2: The versatile LHSL.
Fig. 3: Designable physical properties in LHSLs.
Fig. 4: Emerging physical properties in LHSLs.
Fig. 5: 3D artificial potential landscape in LHSLs.

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Data availability

All data supporting the findings of this study are available on request.

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Acknowledgements

X.D. acknowledges support from the Office of Naval Research through grant no. N00014-22-1-2631. Q.Q. is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC; grant 12404096), the University Development Fund (UDF010003467) from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Aggregate Science.

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Zhong Wan, Qi Qian

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Zhong Wan & Xiangfeng Duan

  2. School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

    Qi Qian

  3. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Yu Huang

  4. California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Yu Huang & Xiangfeng Duan

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  1. Zhong Wan
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  2. Qi Qian
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  3. Yu Huang
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X.D. conceived the Perspective. All authors contributed to writing and editing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Xiangfeng Duan.

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Wan, Z., Qian, Q., Huang, Y. et al. Layered hybrid superlattices as designable quantum solids. Nature 635, 49–60 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07858-3

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