CAREER: Proximity Effects in van der Waals Heterostructures

非技术描述：量子现象有望在未来几十年重塑技术版图。当量子计算机成为现实时，计算能力有望大幅提高，但这也可能带来新的安全风险，因为量子计算机可以轻松打破传统的加密方案。量子密码学通过利用纠缠光子对提供牢不可破的加密，从而提供了一种解决方案。然而，缺乏产生纠缠光子的有效方法，以及对熟练掌握量子科学的劳动力的强烈需求，都是巨大的挑战。NSF这项职业研究的主要目标是开发一种基于二维材料的纠缠光子产生的新方法。通过探索二维超导体-半导体界面的新物理，主要研究者为库珀对注入产生纠缠光子奠定了基础。这份职业提案的教育目标是改善乔治梅森大学的课程，为学生进入日益增长的量子劳动力做好准备。首席研究员与当地社区合作，创建一个专注于量子材料的跨学科团队，通过公共参与建立一个活跃而充满活力的材料科学家社区，并通过外联活动激励代表不足的K-12青年从事量子科学事业。这些努力利用了乔治梅森大学现有的外展项目以及首席研究员新成立的量子材料中心。技术描述：首席研究员努力在乔治梅森大学建立一个强大的研究项目，专注于理解二维材料中的量子现象。这个NSF职业项目的研究目标是探索二维材料中的邻近效应，重点是超导体-半导体界面。这项研究的最终目标是为量子信息技术开发高纯度、按需纠缠光子源的新途径。研究方法依赖于范德华异质结构的组装和表征。主要研究人员使用光学、磁学和电子表征技术来研究这些异质结构的性质，这些异质结构在二硒化钨和二硒化铌之间具有各种不同的堆积排列。这一研究项目的预期成果是：1)利用磁光光谱学对库珀对和激子之间的相互作用有了新的理解，2)基于范德华异质结构的超导发光二极管的制备和探索，以及3)用原子薄的超导发光二极管产生纠缠光子。首席研究员的研究利用了其实验室开发的独特设施以及与附近国家实验室研究人员的密切关系。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-technical description: Quantum phenomena promise to reshape the technological landscape over the coming decades. A drastic improvement in computing power is expected when quantum computers become reality, but this may also present new security risks as quantum computers can break conventional encryption schemes with ease. Quantum cryptography offers a solution by providing unbreakable encryption through the utilization of entangled photon pairs. However, the lack of efficient methods to produce entangled photons, along with a strong demand for workforce fluent in quantum science, are significant challenges. The main objective of this NSF CAREER research is to develop a new method for entangled photon production based on two-dimensional materials. By exploring the new physics present at the two-dimensional superconductor-semiconductor interfaces, the principal investigator lays the foundation for entangled photon production by Cooper pair injection. The educational objective of this CAREER proposal is to improve the curricula at George Mason University to prepare students for entering the growing quantum workforce. The principal investigator works with local communities to create a transdisciplinary team focusing on quantum materials, to build an active and vibrant community of materials scientists through public engagements, and to inspire underrepresented K-12 youth to pursue a career in the quantum sciences through outreach activities. These efforts take advantage of existing outreach programs at George Mason University as well as the principal investigator's newly founded Quantum Materials Center.Technical description: The principal investigator endeavors to build a strong research program at George Mason University focused on understanding quantum phenomena in two-dimensional materials. The research objective of this NSF CAREER project is to explore proximity effects in two-dimensional materials with a focus on the superconductor-semiconductor interface. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop new pathways for a high-purity, on-demand entangled photon source for quantum information technology. The research approach relies on the assembly and characterization of van der Waals heterostructures. The principal investigator uses optical, magnetic, and electronic characterization techniques to study the properties of these heterostructures with a variety of different stacking arrangements between tungsten diselenide and niobium diselenide. The envisioned outcomes of this research project are: 1) a new understanding of the interaction between Cooper-pairs and excitons using magneto-optical spectroscopy, 2) fabrication and exploration of superconducting light-emitting diodes based on van der Waals heterostructures, and 3) production of entangled photons from an atomically-thin superconducting light-emitting diode. The principal investigator's studies take advantage of the unique facilities developed in his laboratory and the strong relationships with researchers at nearby national laboratories.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.