Project description
Quantum Spin Hall insulators for electronics energy-efficiency
The increasing use of digital technologies and quantum computing has led to significant energy consumption. To achieve environmental goals, efforts are focused on optimising energy efficiency and reducing this rising consumption. The ERC-funded Q-EDGE project aims to transform energy-efficient electronics and quantum computing by investigating Quantum Spin Hall (QSH) insulators. These theoretical materials could enable charge transport without energy loss at room temperature. To address the challenges preventing their implementation, the project will leverage the discovery of germanene, study the principles of charge and spin transport in QSH insulators, realize topological superconductivity, and identify the quantum mechanisms causing deviations from ideal behavior to settle key debates in condensed matter physics.
Objective
Q-EDGE aims to transform the landscape of energy-efficient electronics and quantum computing in response to pressing global energy and computational challenges. Central to this endeavor is the exploration of electron correlations and topological transport in Quantum Spin Hall (QSH) insulators. These are two-dimensional materials characterized by a bulk bandgap and topologically protected metallic edge states. Theoretical models hint at the potential of QSH edge states to facilitate charge transport without energy loss at room temperature and introduce unique quantum excitations in the form of Majorana fermions. Despite their potential, knowledge gaps and experimental challenges hinder harnessing their properties. These include material constraints, such as small bandgaps limiting investigations to extremely low temperatures, and technique limitations obstructing precise edge state measurements.
My discovery that germanene, the germanium analog of graphene, is a QSH insulator with a sizable bandgap, combined with my advancements in scanning probe microscopies, equips me to solve these challenges and fulfill my objectives:
(1) To uncover the principles underpinning charge and spin transport in QSH insulators.
(2) To identify the quantum mechanisms causing deviations from ideal, dissipationless transport.
(3) To engineer the QSH edge states to manifest elusive Majorana fermions.
Q-EDGE aspires to set new standards in topological research, promoting germanene as a benchmark material and developing methodologies applicable to diverse quantum systems. This initiative will significantly inform and refine contemporary theories of complex quantum phases of matter. The urgency is high since the exploration of this realm has just begun, its promises have not yet been materialized, and the extent of its potential for new physics remains largely untapped. As we stand on the cusp of quantum innovations, Q-EDGE will turn theoretical potentials into tangible breakthroughs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials two-dimensional nanostructures graphene
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics fermions
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
7522 NB Enschede
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.