Project description
Novel imaging technique could reveal hidden properties of topological insulators
Topological insulators hold great promise for energy-efficient computing and spintronics thanks to their unique ability to support spin-polarised transport along their edges. However, imperfections in their structure often make it difficult to study these properties in detail by transport-based techniques. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TipTop project aims to enhance nitrogen-vacancy magnetometry, a technique that uses diamond-based sensors to visualise magnetic fields with high spatial resolution. Researchers will optimise this method for low-temperature environments to investigate how current flows in these materials. Project work will enhance understanding of topological insulators and open new doors for their application in quantum computing and next-generation electronics.
Objective
Topological insulators have attracted attention over the past two decades due to their spin-momentum locked edge states hosting ballistic, spin-polarized, transport, useful for energy-efficient computing and spintronics. However, probing these states and confirming their origin
remains a challenge, as structural and electronic disorder often obscure transport signatures. To overcome these limitations, TipTop (Tip-based imaging of Topological materials) aims to establish scanning NV magnetometry at cryogenic temperatures as a probe for quantum transport in topological materials, thereby linking morphology and electronic behavior. NV magnetometry uses the spin-dependent fluorescence of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to image magnetic fields with high spatial resolution and sensitivity. The first objective is to reach sub-100 nm spatial resolution with sub-microampere current sensitivity via AC quantum sensing protocols, as already demonstrated at room temperature but not yet optimized for cryogenic operation. This will enable me to apply NV magnetometry to two distinct material platforms. Secondly, I will image the charge current distribution in ultrathin films of (Bi1-xSbx)2Te3, which, depending on thickness, hosts either trivial or topological edge states. However, disorder from dry etching and growth can lead to ambiguous transport signatures, highlighting the current need for spatially resolved probes. Finally, I will analyze superconductivity in WTe2 Josephson junctions. By imaging the supercurrent distribution, I will provide a direct method to search for higher-order topological hinge states and compare the result to reconstructed spatial distributions from transport-only methods. Conducted over a two-year period at ETH Zurich, TipTop will combine transport and NV sensing to advance our understanding of the electronic properties of TIs and establish scanning NV magnetometry as a powerful complement to electronic transport experiments.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences physical sciences condensed matter physics
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids amorphous semiconductors
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics spintronics
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
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.