Quantum technologies represent a dynamic frontier of modern science, at the intersection of physics, engineering, and materials science. Beyond the widely known example of quantum computing, a broad spectrum of research areas — including quantum cryptography, quantum sensing, quantum simulation, and quantum metrology — harness quantum phenomena to achieve unprecedented levels of performance. The realization of these technologies depends, however, on the availability of suitable material platforms capable of supporting and manipulating quantum states with high precision.
Among the promising candidates, two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, bilayer graphene, and transition metal dichalcogenides have attracted enormous attention. Their exceptional electronic, optical, and mechanical properties, combined with the ability to stack different 2D layers to form artificial solids — known as van der Waals heterostructures — open up unique possibilities for designing systems with tailored quantum-mechanical properties. These materials offer a versatile platform to explore and exploit new quantum effects, potentially enabling innovative device concepts.
The 2D4QT project set out to experimentally assess the potential of graphene-based van der Waals heterostructures for applications in quantum technologies. The project specifically aimed to implement and test theoretical proposals that utilize the spin and valley degrees of freedom in graphene and bilayer graphene for quantum information processing. By confronting theory with experiment, 2D4QT sought to determine whether these 2D material systems can fulfill their promise as quantum platforms or whether they still conceal unexplored phenomena awaiting discovery.
