Our demands for digital data storage and information processing increases rapidly, and comes along with challenges on our energy resources required to operate and cool our electronic devices. One promising direction for more sustainable technologies is to utilize quantum phases in novel types of two dimensional (2D) materials. These materials consist of a single layer, typically one to three atoms thick. The restriction to a few atoms in one dimension drastically changes the physical properties, in particular it often results into strong electron-electron interactions. These interactions favor the emergence of novel quantum phases, such as non-collinear magnetism or novel types of insulating material phases. Up to date, the understanding of the role of the interface and dimensionality on the emergence of different quantum phases and the electron-electron interactions is subject to large amount of research. In particular, the determination of the strong and sensitive relationship between atomic-scale structure, charges and spins is required to predict which material classes and combinations yield exotic quantum phases.
The objective of this program is to strive for more predictability of the emergence of quantum phases with strong electron-electron interactions in novel 2D materials. The program aims at understanding the fundamental mechanisms to tune the electron-electron interactions. One goal of the program is to create a new state-of-the-art characterization methodology required to quantify the interplay between the geometric structure, charges and spins at the single-atom level in various quantum phases. Fundamentally, this program would lead to a deeper understanding on the atomic-scale mechanisms relevant for the formation of novel quantum phases. From a societal standpoint, these fundamental findings are highly important for a targeted development of novel quantum phases for more sustainable technologies.
