Correlated Electronic Phenomena in Ultra-Clean Carbon Nanotubes and Bilayer Graphene Devices

*技术摘要*这项建议旨在使用低温输运测量来研究石墨烯和纳米管中的相关电子物理，这两个系统已经成为近乎理想的一维或二维电子系统。第一个项目的重点是研究电子液体和固体，如纳米管和双层石墨烯中的Wigner晶态，以及后者中的分数量子霍尔态。第二个焦点是新的相互作用驱动的绝缘态，如碳纳米管中的Mott绝缘态，具有中性低能激发和非常规带电激发，以及预测的双层石墨烯丰富的绝缘相光谱，有望表现出磁性有序或自发层极化。除了更深入地了解纳米结构中的相关现象外，该项目的更广泛影响包括研究生指导、将本科生教育与物理研究相结合，例如通过向《UCR本科生研究杂志》投稿，以及指导来自代表性不足群体的学生。通过参与UCR的纳米技术推广计划，以及指导当地的高中实习生，该计划有望对当地社区的科学和工程教育产生积极的影响。*非技术摘要*与块状材料相比，纳米结构材料经常显示出新的特性。例如，在块状材料中，电子相互作用几乎可以忽略不计，但在一维或二维(1D或2D)系统中，电子相互作用往往占主导地位，在这些系统中，电子的运动变得相互关联，以至于电子本身可以凝固形成晶体。了解这些新现象不仅对电子产品的继续小型化至关重要，而且还可能实现新的功能和设备。本项目研究了两种典型的纳米结构系统中电子的新型液态和固态以及相互作用驱动的绝缘态：石墨烯是一原子厚的2D碳层，而碳纳米管本质上是一维卷起的石墨烯管。除了更深入地了解纳米结构中的电子行为和开发具有新功能的电子产品的潜力外，该项目的更广泛影响还包括研究生指导、整合本科生教育和研究，以及吸引来自代表性不足群体的学生。通过参与UCR的纳米技术推广计划，即每年一次的高中教师“夏季物理学院”，并指导当地的高中实习生，该计划有望对当地社区的科学和工程教育产生积极影响。

****Technical abstract****This proposal aims at using low temperature transport measurements to study correlated electron physics in graphene and nanotubes, which have emerged as nearly ideal one- or two-dimensional electron systems. The first program focus is the study of electron liquids and solids, such as Wigner crystal states in nanotubes and bilayer graphene, and fractional quantum Hall states in the latter. The second focus is novel interaction-driven insulating states, such as the Mott insulating state in carbon nanotubes, with neutral low-energy excitations and unconventionally charged excitations, and the rich spectrum of insulating phases predicted for bilayer graphene, which are expected to exhibit magnetic ordering or spontaneous layer polarization. In addition to deeper understanding of correlated phenomena in nanostructures, the broader impact of this project includes graduate students mentoring, integrating undergraduate education with physics research, e.g. by contributing to the "UCR Undergraduate Research Journal", and mentoring students from under-represented groups. Via participation in UCR's Nanotechnology Outreach Program, the yearly "Summer Physics Academy" at UCR for high school teachers, and supervising local high school interns, this program is expected to positively impact the science and engineering education in local communities.****Non-technical abstract****Compared to bulk materials, nanostructured materials often exhibit emergent new properties. For instance, electronic interactions are mostly negligible in bulk materials, but often dominate in one- or two-dimensional (1D or 2D) systems, where electrons' movements become correlated, so much so that the electrons themselves can solidify to form a crystal. Understanding these novel phenomena is not only crucial to the continued miniaturization of electronics, but may also enable new functionalities and devices. This project investigates such novel liquid and solid phases of electrons and interaction-driven insulating states in two archetypal nanostructured systems: graphene, which is a one-atom thick 2D layer of carbon, and carbon nanotubes, which are essentially 1D rolled up tubes of graphene. In addition to deeper understanding of electron behavior in nanostructures and the potential for the development of electronics with novel functionalities, this project's broader impact includes graduate student mentoring, integrating undergraduate education and research, and engaging students from under-represented groups. Via participation in UCR's Nanotechnology Outreach Program, the yearly "Summer Physics Academy" for high school teachers, and supervising local high school interns, this program is expected to positively impact the science and engineering education in local communities.