Project description
Interdisciplinary research programme in 2DS and optoelectronics
Atomically flat, two-dimensional semiconductors (2DS) offer exceptional ways to control their optical and electronic properties and enable multiple new applications for electronics, energy storage, sensors and catalysis. However, the outstanding developments in European optoelectronics could be threatened by a lack of experienced and highly qualified researchers and developers in the field. The EU-funded 2Exciting project aims to train 15 early-stage researchers through a network comprising eight academic groups and eight different companies involved in 2DS. Researchers will study the fundamental physics of light–matter interaction in 2DS. Moreover, they will develop innovative optoelectronic devices such as strain-actuated optical modulators and valleytronic switches, and create strategies to artificially tailor the optoelectronic properties of 2DS.
Objective
Atomically thin, two-dimensional semiconductors (2DS) show exceptionally strong light-matter interaction and opened the
door to new ways of controlling electrical and optical properties through the valley degree of freedom, strain, or by creating
artificial stacks of 2D materials. Optoelectronics has a clear roadmap towards not only broader band, faster and higher
sensitivity or brighter devices, but also devices with new functionalities. The fast growth of industrial applications of 2DS in
the imminent future, where Europe is in an excellent starting position, risks being throttled by a lack of highly qualified
researchers and developers with specific experience in the field. The 2EXCITING network blends together eight academic
groups that are amongst the key players in the 2DS field and eight companies with very diverse profiles, to train 15 Early
Stage Researchers in an unmatched combination of scientific and complementary skills. Together, they will study the
fundamental physics of the light-matter interaction in 2DSs, develop innovative optoelectronic devices such as excitonic
switches, strain-actuated optical modulators, or valleytronic switches, and develop strategies to artificially tailor the
optoelectronic properties of 2DS through electrostatic or chemical doping, strain engineering or the twisting angle of stacked
layers. The network training programme, which comprises three winter schools and three satellite events to the “Flatlands
beyond Graphene” conference series, provides scientific and industrial training to all researchers of the ETN, with active
participation of trainers from the involved non-academic partners, both on specific technology issues and on complementary
skills such as technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and public outreach. All ESRs will spend intersectoral and international
secondments (be seconded from academia to industry or vice versa), most of them for six months duration.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Coordinator
01069 Dresden
Germany