by Sharon Lee, City University of Hong Kong
The quasicrystal by 30 degree twist of bilayer MoS2 and the atomic scheme of twist bilayers MoS2, which led to the generation of the electric vortex field and the creation of the 2D quasicrystal. Credit: City University of Hong Kong
A new vortex electric field with the potential to enhance future electronic, magnetic and optical devices has been observed by researchers from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and local partners.
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The research, "Polar and quasicrystal vortex observed in twisted-bilayer molybdenum disulfide" published in Science, is highly valuable as it can upgrade the operation of many devices, including strengthening memory stability and computing speed.
With further research, the discovery of the vortex electric field can also impact the fields of quantum computing, spintronics, and nanotechnology.
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Versatile applications
The discovery of the new vortex electric field in the twisted bilayer has also created a 2D quasicrystal, potentially enhancing future electronic, magnetic and optical devices. Quasicrystals are desirable irregularly ordered structures due to their low heat and electric conductivity, making them ideal for high-strength surface coatings such as in frying pans.
They then had to overcome the challenge of analyzing the material. They finally made the discovery through the use of four-dimensional transmission electron microscopy (4D-TEM) and collaboration with other researchers. In one of their many stages of testing, the twisted bilayer 2D structure was created, and the new vortex electric field was observed.
Looking to the future
"This study had the potential to ignite a new field focused on twisting vortex fields in nanotechnology and quantum technology," Professor Ly concluded, emphasizing that the discovery, though still in the early stages in terms of application, could be a major game-changer in device applications such as memory, quantum computing, spintronics and sensing devices.