Controlling structural phase transitions and properties of two-dimensional materials by integrating with multiferroic layers

US10403753B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy · US

Inventors

• Berend T. Jonker · Waldorf, US
• Connie H. Li · Alexandria, US
• Kathleen M. McCreary · Washington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 21, 2017
• Grant date: Sep 3, 2019
• Expiry date: Nov 21, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/541
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to heterostructures including a layer of a two-dimensional material placed on a multiferroic layer. An ordered array of differing polarization domains and surface charges in the multiferroic layer produces corresponding domains having differing properties in the two-dimensional material. When the multiferroic layer is ferroelectric, the ferroelectric polarization domains in the layer produce local electric fields that penetrate the two-dimensional material. The local electric fields and surface charges can control the structural phase of the two-dimensional material, which in turn determines whether the two-dimensional material layer is insulating or metallic, has a band gap or no band gap, and whether it is magnetic or non-magnetic. Methods for producing the heterostructures are provided. Devices incorporating the heterostructures are also provided.