Graphene nanoribbons for quantum electronics

TL;DR

Graphene nanoribbons are promising 1D materials with tunable electronic properties, and recent advances in their synthesis and integration are paving the way for future quantum electronic applications.

Contribution

This paper reviews recent progress in the synthesis, properties, and potential applications of graphene nanoribbons in quantum electronics.

Findings

Atomically precise GNR synthesis achieved

Successful production of GNR arrays on insulating substrates

Potential of GNRs for quantum information processing

Abstract

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are a family of one-dimensional (1D) materials carved from graphene lattice. GNRs possess high mobility and current carrying capability, sizable bandgap, and versatile electronic properties tailored by the orientations and open edge structures. These unique properties make GNRs promising candidates for prospective electronics applications including nano-sized field-effect transistors (FETs), spintronic devices, and quantum information processing. To fully exploit the potential of GNRs, fundamental understanding of structure-property relationship, precise control of atomic structures and scalable production are the main challenges. In the last several years, significant progress has been made toward atomically precise bottom-up synthesis of GNRs and heterojunctions that provide an ideal platform for functional molecular devices, as well as successful production of semiconducting GNR arrays on insulating substrates potentially useful for large-scale digital circuits. With further development, GNRs can be envisioned as a competitive candidate material in future quantum information sciences (QIS). In this Perspective, we review recent progress in GNR research and identify key challenges and new directions likely to develop in the near future.