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Dong, Chengye

Publications and source records attributed to Dong, Chengye.

Tunable phononic quantum interference induced by two-dimensional metals

Harnessing quantum interference among bosons provides opportunities due to their longer coherence time than fermions. Fano resonance, an example of quantum interference between discrete and continuous states, is marked by an asymmetric lineshape. While photon-based Fano resonance has enabled high-sensitivity molecule sensing, phonon-based Fano resonance remains underexplored because of ineffective interference between discrete phonons and electronic continuum. In this work, we report phonon-based Fano resonance in a graphene/2D Ag/SiC heterostructure, arising from frequency and lifetime matching between discrete and continuous phonons of SiC. The observed Fano asymmetry is tunable over two orders of magnitude, surpassing previously reported phonon-based systems. The 2D Ag layer restructures the interfacial SiC and facilitates resonant scattering to enhance Fano asymmetry, which is unattainable in conventional Ag. We further demonstrated that this Fano resonance allows ultrasensitive molecule detection at the single-molecule level. Our work highlights phonon-based Fano resonance, opening avenues for engineering quantum interference with phonons.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Nanoscale Control of Intrinsic Magnetic Topological Insulator MnBi 2 Te 4 Using Molecular Beam Epitaxy: Implications for Defect Control

Intrinsic magnetic topological insulators have emerged as a promising platform to study the interplay between the topological surface states and ferromagnetism. This unique interplay can give rise to a variety of exotic quantum phenomena, including the quantum anomalous Hall effect and axion insulating states. Here, in this study, utilizing molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), we present a comprehensive study of the growth of MnBi 2 Te 4 thin films on Si (111), epitaxial graphene, and highly ordered pyrolytic graphite substrates. By combining a suite of in situ characterization techniques, we obtain critical insights into the nanoscale control of MnBi 2 Te 4 epitaxial growth. First, we extract the free energy landscape for the epitaxial relationship as a function of the in-plane angular distribution. Then, by employing an optimized layer-by-layer growth, we determine the chemical potential and Dirac point of the thin film at different thicknesses and how this quantity is manifested by the dopant compensation from different antisite defects. Overall, these results establish a foundation for understanding the growth kinetics of MnBi 2 Te 4 and pave the way for future applications of MBE-grown thin films in emerging topological quantum materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Charge state-dependent symmetry breaking of atomic defects in transition metal dichalcogenides

Abstract The functionality of atomic quantum emitters is intrinsically linked to their host lattice coordination. Structural distortions that spontaneously break the lattice symmetry strongly impact their optical emission properties and spin-photon interface. Here we report on the direct imaging of charge state-dependent symmetry breaking of two prototypical atomic quantum emitters in mono- and bilayer MoS 2 by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM). By changing the built-in substrate chemical potential, different charge states of sulfur vacancies (Vac S ) and substitutional rhenium dopants (Re Mo ) can be stabilized. $${\mathrm{Vac}}_{{{{{{{{\rm{S}}}}}}}}}^{-1}$$ Vac S − 1 as well as $${{\mathrm{Re}}}_{{{{{{{{\rm{Mo}}}}}}}}}^{0}$$ Re Mo 0 and $${\mathrm{Re}}_{{\rm{Mo}}}^{-1}$$ Re Mo − 1 exhibit local lattice distortions and symmetry-broken defect orbitals attributed to a Jahn-Teller effect (JTE) and pseudo-JTE, respectively. By mapping the electronic and geometric structure of single point defects, we disentangle the effects of spatial averaging, charge multistability, configurational dynamics, and external perturbations that often mask the presence of local symmetry breaking.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Tuning commensurability in twisted van der Waals bilayers

Moiré superlattices based on van der Waals bilayers created at small twist angles lead to a long wavelength pattern with approximate translational symmetry. At large twist angles ( θ t ), moiré patterns are, in general, incommensurate except for a few discrete angles. Here we show that large-angle twisted bilayers offer distinctly different platforms. More specifically, by using twisted tungsten diselenide bilayers, we create the incommensurate dodecagon quasicrystals at θ t = 30° and the commensurate moiré crystals at θ t = 21.8° and 38.2°. Further, valley-resolved scanning tunnelling spectroscopy shows disparate behaviours between moiré crystals (with translational symmetry) and quasicrystals (with broken translational symmetry). In particular, the K valley shows rich electronic structures exemplified by the formation of mini-gaps near the valence band maximum. These discoveries demonstrate that bilayers with large twist angles offer a design platform to explore moiré physics beyond those formed with small twist angles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

2D Oxides Realized via Confinement Heteroepitaxy

Novel confinement techniques facilitate the formation of non-layered 2D materials. Here it is demonstrated that the formation and properties of 2D oxides (GaO x , InO x , SnO x ) at the epitaxial graphene (EG)/silicon carbide (SiC) interface is dependent on the EG buffer layer properties prior to element intercalation. Using 2D Ga, it is demonstrated that defects in the EG buffer layer lead to Ga transforming to GaO x with non-periodic oxygen in a crystalline Ga matrix via air oxidation at room temperature. However, crystalline monolayer GaO 2 and bilayer Ga 2 O 3 with ferroelectric wurtzite structure(FE-WZ') can then be formed via subsequent high-temperature O 2 annealing. Furthermore, the graphene/X/SiC (X = 2D Ga or Ga 2 O 3 ) junction is tunable from Ohmic to a Schottky or tunnel barrier depending on the interface species. Finally, using vertical transport measurements and electron energy loss spectroscopy analysis, the bandgap of 2D gallium oxide is identified as 6.6 ± 0.6 eV, significantly larger than that of bulk β-Ga 2 O 3 (≈4.8 eV), suggesting strong quantum confinement effects at the 2D limit. Furthermore, the study presented here is foundational for development of atomic-scale, vertical 2D/3D heterostructure for applications requiring short transit times, such as GHz and THz devices.

2D gallium oxides↗

Impact of 2D–3D Heterointerface on Remote Epitaxial Interaction through Graphene

Remote epitaxy has drawn attention as it offers epitaxy of functional materials that can be released from the substrates with atomic precision, thus enabling production and heterointegration of flexible, transferrable, and stackable freestanding single-crystalline membranes. In addition, the remote interaction of atoms and adatoms through two-dimensional (2D) materials in remote epitaxy allows investigating and utilizing electrical/chemical/physical coupling of bulk (3D) materials via 2D materials (3D-2D-3D coupling). Here, we unveil the respective roles and impacts of the substrate material, graphene, substrate-graphene interface, and epitaxial material for electrostatic coupling of these materials, which governs cohesive ordering and can lead to single-crystal epitaxy in the overlying film. Further, we show that simply coating a graphene layer on wafers does not guarantee successful implementation of remote epitaxy, since atomically precise control of the graphene-coated interface is required, and provide key considerations for maximizing the remote electrostatic interaction between the substrate and adatoms. This was enabled by exploring various material systems and processing conditions, and we demonstrate that the rules of remote epitaxy vary significantly depending on the ionicity of material systems as well as the graphene-substrate interface and the epitaxy environment. The general rule of thumb discovered here enables expanding 3D material libraries that can be stacked in freestanding form.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Atomically thin half-van der Waals metals enabled by confinement heteroepitaxy

Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) metals may be key ingredients in next-generation quantum and optoelectronic devices. However, 2D metals must be stabilized against environmental degradation and integrated into heterostructure devices at the wafer scale. The high-energy interface between silicon carbide and epitaxial graphene provides an intriguing framework for stabilizing a diverse range of 2D metals. In this paper we demonstrate large-area, environmentally stable, single-crystal 2D gallium, indium and tin that are stabilized at the interface of epitaxial graphene and silicon carbide. The 2D metals are covalently bonded to SiC below but present a non-bonded interface to the graphene overlayer; that is, they are ‘half van der Waals’ metals with strong internal gradients in bonding character. These non-centrosymmetric 2D metals offer compelling opportunities for superconducting devices, topological phenomena and advanced optoelectronic properties. For example, the reported 2D Ga is a superconductor that combines six strongly coupled Ga-derived electron pockets with a large nearly free-electron Fermi surface that closely approaches the Dirac points of the graphene overlayer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗