One-Dimensional van der Waals Quantum Materials -- State of the Art and Perspectives

TL;DR

This paper reviews the emerging field of one-dimensional van der Waals quantum materials, highlighting their unique quantum phenomena, potential for property engineering, and future research directions in the context of ultra-thin material limits.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the art and future perspectives in one-dimensional van der Waals quantum materials, emphasizing their quantum effects and engineering possibilities.

Findings

Discussion of quantum effects like charge-density waves and topological phases.

Analysis of property engineering via compositional changes and defects.

Prospects for applications in composites and nanoelectronics.

Abstract

The advent of graphene and other two-dimensional van der Waals materials, with their unique electrical, optical, and thermal properties, has resulted in tremendous progress for fundamental science. Recent developments suggest that taking one more step down in dimensionality - from monolayer, atomic sheets to individual atomic chains - can bring exciting prospects as the ultimate limit in material downscaling is reached while establishing an entirely new field of one-dimensional quantum materials. Here we review this emerging area of one-dimensional van der Waals quantum materials and anticipate its future directions. We focus on quantum effects associated with the charge-density-wave condensate, strongly-correlated phenomena, topological phases, and other unique physical characteristics, which are attainable specifically in van der Waals materials of lower dimensionality. Possibilities for engineering the properties of quasi-one-dimensional materials via compositional changes, vacancies, and defects, as well as the prospects of their applications in composites are also discussed.