Two-dimensional materials and van der Waals heterostructures for next generation spintronic applications

Recent experimental observations revealed robust ferromagnetism in 2D materials like CrI3 and Cr2Ge2Te6, and such observations have paved the way to the experimental or theoretical discovery of other 2D ferromagnets with similar or even better characteristics. The proposed project focuses on the theoretical discovery of novel 2D ferromagnets and the understanding of their fundamental properties. The magnetic proximity effect will be investigated by pairing promising 2D materials with 2D ferromagnets, and the possibility of tailoring the properties of such heterostructures by twisting the one material with respect to the other will be studied. Spin FETs based on 2D ferromagnets / 2D ferromagnetic heterostructures will be examined, and the impact of intrinsic/extrinsic defects on their performance will be evaluated. Another goal of the proposed project is to study 2D materials which are intrinsically non-magnetic but present a Stoner-type ferromagnetic order upon hole doping. The possible polaron formation upon hole doping will be additionally investigated. Overall, the proposed project aims to provide fundamental insights into the magnetic properties of 2D materials and heterostructures, in order to establish guidelines for the development of next generation spintronic nanodevices.

Keywords:2D materials and heterostructures, Ferromagnetism, First principles calculations

Disciplines:Magnetism and superconductivity, Semiconductors and semimetals, Surfaces, interfaces, 2D materials, Computational materials science