{
  "id": 181251,
  "title": "Encapsulation epitaxy of air-stable 2D superconductors for quantum circuits",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/encapsulation-epitaxy-of-air-stable-2d-superconductors-for-quantum",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-05T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nature",
    "slug": "nature",
    "url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10865-1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two-dimensional (2D) materials have garnered significant attention in the realm of quantum information science due to their unique properties, such as reduced dimensionality and high crystallinity. However, synthesizing large-area monolayer 2D superconductors has proven to be a daunting task as they tend to oxidize rapidly in the presence of air6. In this study, a novel 'encapsulation epitaxy' technique is introduced, which enables the growth of large-area, air-stable monolayer niobium diselenide (NbSe2) films (1L-NbSe2) (1). This growth mechanism involves the pre-deposition of an encapsulation layer, such as graphene or hexagonal boron nitride, on a 3D substrate like SiO2 or Si3N4. The encapsulation layer simultaneously acts as a template for the epitaxial growth of 1L-NbSe2 underneath it and as a protective capping layer against ambient degradation4.\n\nThe resulting 1L-graphene/NbSe2 heterostructures demonstrate robust superconductivity, with a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of approximately 1 K1. Additionally, these heterostructures exhibit enhanced charge density waves (CDWs), with a CDW transition temperature (TCDW) of around 177 K1. The encapsulation epitaxy method also facilitates the integration of 1L-NbSe2 into superconducting circuits through oxidation-free transfer and superconducting edge-contact techniques4. The 1L-NbSe2 in these circuits exhibits a measured kinetic inductance (LK) of approximately 0.7 nH□−1, making it suitable for quantum circuits that require elements with high kinetic inductance4.\n\nThis encapsulation-epitaxy methodology holds great promise for the wafer-scale, monolithic fabrication of superconducting quantum circuitry, as it enables the production of air-stable 2D superconductors and van der Waals heterostructures.",
  "summary": "Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10865-1 An ‘encapsulation epitaxy’ mechanism is used to grow air-stable, two-dimensional superconducting films at the interface of a 2D–3D hybrid substrate, holding promise for use in fabrication of superconducting quantum circuitry.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}