Engineering One-Dimensional Quantum Stripes from Superlattices of Two-Dimensional Layered Materials

TL;DR

This paper introduces a superlattice technique to create tunable one-dimensional quantum stripes from layered two-dimensional materials, enabling experimental exploration of 1D quantum states.

Contribution

It demonstrates a novel superlattice method to fabricate 1D quantum stripes and observes quantum-confined states in iridium-based superlattices.

Findings

Successful fabrication of 1D Ir stripes from layered superlattices

Observation of 1D quantum-confined electronic states

Method applicable to various layered materials

Abstract

One-dimensional (1D) quantum systems, which are predicted to exhibit novel states of matter in theory, have been elusive in experiment. Here we report a superlattice method of creating artificial 1D quantum stripes, which offers dimensional tunability from two- to one-dimensions. As a model system, we have fabricated 1D iridium (Ir) stripes using a-axis oriented superlattices of a relativistic Mott insulator Sr2IrO4 and a wide bandgap insulator LaSrGaO4, both of which are crystals with layered structure. In addition to the successful formation of 1D Ir-stripe structure, we have observed 1D quantum-confined electronic states from optical spectroscopy and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering. Since this 1D superlattice approach can be applied to a wide range of layered materials, it opens a new era of 1D science.