Spin-dependent quantum transport at topological-molecular interfaces

Emergent quantum materials such as topological insulators, 2-dimensional materials or spin Kondo lattices have opened new areas of research for computing, quantum transport and low-dissipation electronics and energy recovery amongst others.

These materials have unique electronic and thermal quantum transport properties arising from nanoscale physics, topology and spin orbit coupling.

In order to explore the science and develop new applications, the student working in this project will design, fabricate and measure devices that combine these materials with molecular diodes.

The emergent properties at the interface between both systems can give rise to functionalities not present in each layer separately, such as spin-dependent photovoltaic effects, enhanced thermos-electric conversion and magnetic ordering.

The project is part of the CAMIE program grant, itself possible thanks to the installation in Leeds of a new multi-million thin film growth equipment and in collaboration with large-scale facilities such as the ALBA synchrotron (Spain), the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories (Oxfordshire) and the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland).