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Project

Graphene as a sensor for cluster-surface interactions: charge transfer, spin scattering, and proximity induced superconductivity

Quantum size effects dominate the electric and magnetic properties of few-atom clusters, resulting in strong size dependences and new phenomena, different from bulk behaviour. To exploit the full potential of these atomic size building blocks in functional nanostructured materials one needs to establish a connection between the clusters and the macroscopic world. We propose an innovative approach to interact with the clusters without destroying their intrinsic properties by i) size selecting clusters in a molecular beam with atomic precision; ii) soft-land and immobilize them on a single layer graphene surface; and iii) subsequently perform charge and spin transport measurements.

The novel aspect of this approach is exploitation of the synergy of controlled cluster deposition with the high susceptibility of graphene to adsorbates. The optimal conditions to create a variety of these new hybrid devices will be searched and we will study how the charge transport, spin transport, and superconducting properties of graphene with adsorbed few-atom clusters correlate with the properties of the unsupported clusters.

The acquired knowledge will pave the way for the development of nanocluster-based structures and will contribute to the vastly developing area of graphene functionalization where, in particular for nanoparticle adsorbates, a lack of controlled conditions so far limits the scientific progress.

Date:1 Jan 2019 →  31 Dec 2022
Keywords:Chemistry of clusters, colloids and nanomaterials
Disciplines:Sensors, biosensors and smart sensors not elsewhere classified, Magnetism and superconductivity