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Investigation of Nanoscale properties of Topological Weyl semimetals

Project description

Innovative materials in microelectronics

Weyl semimetals constitute a newly discovered class of materials characterised by unique properties. Although the underlying physics have not been fully elucidated, Weyl semimetals are emerging as an ideal platform for testing new functionalities in information technology, energy conversion and sensing devices. The aim of the EU-funded InNaTo project is to investigate the properties of Weyl semimetals at the nanoscale and assess the possibility of incorporating them in microelectronic devices. After evaluating the impact of various parameters on their structural and electronic properties, scientists will develop prototypes of Weyl semimetal structures and test them on microelectronic schemes.

Objective

Weyl semimetals are a recently-discovered class of topological quantum materials predicting unexpected and extraordinary transport properties. Their electronic band structure features valence and conduction bands crossing in paired Weyl nodes with opposite chiralities. In such systems the conduction electrons behave as topologically-protected massless quasiparticles with an ultra-high carrier mobility and well-defined spin-momentum locking configurations. The unique combination of these properties has attracted the attention of the scientific community that is currently striving to unveil the complex physics underlying Weyl semimetals. Besides, from a technological perspective, Weyl semimetals are expected to provide an ideal platform to test novel device functionalities in the areas of information technology, energy conversion and sensing. Nonetheless, being a newborn field in science, so far the research activities have focused on Weyl semimetals in the form of bulk single crystalline materials.
The main objectives of this action are to comprehensively investigate the yet-unexplored properties of Weyl semimetals at the nanoscale and to define possible integration routes for new-generation microelectronic devices. For this purpose, epitaxial thin films of Weyl semimetals will be used as referent systems to probe the influence of different control parameters (e.g. by substrate-induced strain, film thickness, interfaces, external electric and/or magnetic fields) on their structural and electronic properties. Eventually, the potential impact of Weyl semimetals in current microelectronic schemes will be evaluated by designing prototypes based on field-effect and magnetic heterostructures. In this context, the state-of-the-art facilities and the well-established expertise in the fabrication and characterization of complex nanostructures present at IBM Research Zurich offer an ideal environment to tackle the challenge of studying Weyl semimetals at low-dimensionality.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

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Coordinator

IBM RESEARCH GMBH
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 191 149,44
Address
SAEUMERSTRASSE 4
8803 RUESCHLIKON
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Aargau
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

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.

€ 191 149,44
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