Tuning superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene

Tuning superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene

August 27, 2018 | Matthew Yankowitz*, Shaowen Chen1,2*, Hryhoriy Polshyn3*, K. Watanabe4, T. Taniguchi4, David Graf5, Andrea F. Young3†, and Cory R. Dean1†
This study explores the tunable electronic properties of twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) by manipulating twist angle and interlayer coupling. Researchers demonstrate that superconductivity and correlated insulating phases can be tuned by adjusting the twist angle and interlayer spacing. By applying hydrostatic pressure, they induce superconductivity at twist angles larger than 1.1°, where correlated phases are typically absent. The study reveals new details about the superconducting phase diagram and its relationship to the nearby insulator. The electronic properties of tBLG are influenced by strong electron-electron interactions, leading to the emergence of correlated phases. The flat band structure of tBLG, formed by twisting the layers to a "magic angle" of ~1.1°, enables the observation of correlated insulating and superconducting phases. The study shows that superconductivity can occur in both electron- and hole-doped regions, with the superconducting critical temperature (Tc) increasing with pressure. The researchers fabricate three devices with different twist angles and study their electronic properties. They observe superconducting pockets near half-filling and resistive states at quarter-filling, as well as the competition between superconductivity and correlated insulator phases. The study also reveals the presence of a π-junction, indicating a possible connection between the superconducting and insulating phases. The results highlight the potential of tBLG as a tunable platform for exploring novel correlated states. The study demonstrates that pressure can be used to tune the interlayer spacing and bandwidth, leading to enhanced superconductivity and correlated insulating phases. The researchers also observe quantum oscillations and new Fermi surfaces, providing insights into the electronic structure of tBLG. The study concludes that tBLG is a promising material for investigating correlated electron systems, with the ability to tune electronic properties through twist angle, interlayer coupling, and pressure. The findings suggest that tBLG could be used to explore unconventional superconductivity and correlated insulating phases, with potential applications in quantum computing and other advanced technologies.This study explores the tunable electronic properties of twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) by manipulating twist angle and interlayer coupling. Researchers demonstrate that superconductivity and correlated insulating phases can be tuned by adjusting the twist angle and interlayer spacing. By applying hydrostatic pressure, they induce superconductivity at twist angles larger than 1.1°, where correlated phases are typically absent. The study reveals new details about the superconducting phase diagram and its relationship to the nearby insulator. The electronic properties of tBLG are influenced by strong electron-electron interactions, leading to the emergence of correlated phases. The flat band structure of tBLG, formed by twisting the layers to a "magic angle" of ~1.1°, enables the observation of correlated insulating and superconducting phases. The study shows that superconductivity can occur in both electron- and hole-doped regions, with the superconducting critical temperature (Tc) increasing with pressure. The researchers fabricate three devices with different twist angles and study their electronic properties. They observe superconducting pockets near half-filling and resistive states at quarter-filling, as well as the competition between superconductivity and correlated insulator phases. The study also reveals the presence of a π-junction, indicating a possible connection between the superconducting and insulating phases. The results highlight the potential of tBLG as a tunable platform for exploring novel correlated states. The study demonstrates that pressure can be used to tune the interlayer spacing and bandwidth, leading to enhanced superconductivity and correlated insulating phases. The researchers also observe quantum oscillations and new Fermi surfaces, providing insights into the electronic structure of tBLG. The study concludes that tBLG is a promising material for investigating correlated electron systems, with the ability to tune electronic properties through twist angle, interlayer coupling, and pressure. The findings suggest that tBLG could be used to explore unconventional superconductivity and correlated insulating phases, with potential applications in quantum computing and other advanced technologies.
Reach us at info@study.space
[slides and audio] Tuning superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene