Scientists twist crystal layers and reshape matter from within
Researchers have found a way to build much larger “twisted” oxide materials while precisely controlling how their atomic layers line up. Because these materials can be made over large areas and transferred onto different surfaces, the technique could help turn twistronics from a laboratory curiosity into a practical platform for next-generation electronics.
Scientists have devised a method to create twisted oxide materials over larger areas while maintaining precise control over the rotation of their layers. This breakthrough, known as twistronics, manipulates the electronic behavior of materials by rotating one layer of a two-dimensional (2D) material relative to another. Previously, researchers primarily worked with 2D materials bonded by weak van der Waals forces.
However, this new technique explores materials connected by strong chemical bonds while precisely controlling the twist angle between crystalline oxide membranes. Lead researcher Ruijuan Xu from North Carolina State University explains that the strong interlayer bonding suggests new interfacial phenomena to investigate. The team produced crystalline sodium niobate (NaNbO3) membranes, using photolithography to add visual markers around the edges.
By aligning these markers during assembly, they could set the rotation angle between the two layers. After reaching the desired orientation, they used an annealing process to form strong chemical bonds between the stacked membranes. This approach enables the fabrication of these crystalline membranes over large areas and transfer onto different supports, paving the way for practical twist-engineered oxide electronics.
Synchrotron X-ray diffraction revealed that the strong bonds not only hold the membranes together but also distort the atomic structure at the interface, creating a gradual rotation of the atomic lattice. These structural changes could potentially influence the material's electronic and physical properties, although further research is needed to determine their full effects.
The method demonstrated in the experiment could potentially work with other complex oxide materials as well.
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