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Strain-engineered diffusive atomic switching in two-dimensional crystals

Author

Listed:
  • Janne Kalikka

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
    Present address: Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland)

  • Xilin Zhou

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD))

  • Eric Dilcher

    (Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques (ICFO), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels)

  • Simon Wall

    (Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques (ICFO), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels)

  • Ju Li

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT))

  • Robert E. Simpson

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD))

Abstract

Strain engineering is an emerging route for tuning the bandgap, carrier mobility, chemical reactivity and diffusivity of materials. Here we show how strain can be used to control atomic diffusion in van der Waals heterostructures of two-dimensional (2D) crystals. We use strain to increase the diffusivity of Ge and Te atoms that are confined to 5 Å thick 2D planes within an Sb2Te3–GeTe van der Waals superlattice. The number of quintuple Sb2Te3 2D crystal layers dictates the strain in the GeTe layers and consequently its diffusive atomic disordering. By identifying four critical rules for the superlattice configuration we lay the foundation for a generalizable approach to the design of switchable van der Waals heterostructures. As Sb2Te3–GeTe is a topological insulator, we envision these rules enabling methods to control spin and topological properties of materials in reversible and energy efficient ways.

Suggested Citation

  • Janne Kalikka & Xilin Zhou & Eric Dilcher & Simon Wall & Ju Li & Robert E. Simpson, 2016. "Strain-engineered diffusive atomic switching in two-dimensional crystals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11983
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11983
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    Cited by:

    1. Wenjun Cui & Weixiao Lin & Weichao Lu & Chengshan Liu & Zhixiao Gao & Hao Ma & Wen Zhao & Gustaaf Tendeloo & Wenyu Zhao & Qingjie Zhang & Xiahan Sang, 2023. "Direct observation of cation diffusion driven surface reconstruction at van der Waals gaps," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.

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