arXiv subjects

Albert F. Rigosi

Publications and source records attributed to Albert F. Rigosi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Historical Context and Outlook of Quantum Hall Research for the Redefined SI

To fully appreciate the impacts that the discovery of the quantum Hall effect had on electrical metrology, it may benefit the reader to cultivate a general understanding of the phenomenon. Two-dimensional electron systems can exhibit many interesting quantum phenomena. The QHE may be exhibited by a 2D electron system when placed under a strong magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the system. These conditions allow for Landau quantization, or the discretization of available energies of the electrons affected by the magnetic field. These energy values, determined by solving the Schrödinger equation, are known as Landau levels. During the course of a QHE measurement, one defines the Hall resistance Rxy as the measured voltage, perpendicular to the direction of the applied current, divided by that same current. The characteristic longitudinal resistivity \r{ho}xx goes to zero as Rxy approaches a quantized value (nominally called a plateau).

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Marking the Graphene Era in Disseminating the Redefined SI

The history of quantum Hall standards stretches several decades and mostly begins with the use of GaAs given that 2D electron systems exhibit interesting quantum phenomena. At the end 2000s, research in 2D materials like graphene became prevalent. The QHE was observed and quickly became accessible to metrologists. QHR devices were becoming graphene-based, with fabrications performed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), epitaxial growth, and the exfoliation of graphite. Given the many methods of available graphene synthesis, efforts to find an optimal synthesis method for metrological purposes were underway. Exfoliated graphene was widely known to exhibit the highest mobilities due to its pristine crystallinity. It was a primary initial candidate as far as metrological testing was concerned.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Expansion of Graphene-Based Device Technology for Resistance Metrology

The field of Quantum Hall metrology had a strong start with the implemntation of GaAs-based devices, given that 2D materials systems provided access to interesting quantum phenomena, including the infrastructure associated with making relevant measurements. With the technology laid out, further improvements in both infrastructure and standards were achieved in the previous two decades as EG-based quantized Hall resistance (QHR) devices became established as national standards. Since the metrology community has reached some understanding that a comparison against GaAs-based QHR devices had been accomplished, the next steps became clearer as far as how the EG-based QHR with a single Hall bar could be further developed. Since the early 90s, it has been of modest interest that QHR devices have a means of interconnecting several single Hall bar elements and has since been a subject of research. NMIs are now presently at a juncture where consideration must be granted beyond just simplicity of operation. A natural direction for resistance standards would be to increase the total accessible parameter space. This means using EG-based QHR devices to output more than the single value at the $ν= 2$ plateau (about 12.9 k$Ω$). A first natural question is whether one may use the $ν= 6$ plateau or $ν= 10$ plateau, and though some work has been done with these Landau levels in graphene, they simply do not offer the same level of precision as the $ν= 2$ plateau.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Nonconventional Quantized Hall Resistances Obtained with $ν= 2$ Equilibration in Epitaxial Graphene $p-n$ Junctions

We have demonstrated the millimeter-scale fabrication of monolayer epitaxial graphene $p-n$ junction devices using simple ultraviolet photolithography, thereby significantly reducing device processing time compared to that of electron beam lithography typically used for obtaining sharp junctions. This work presents measurements yielding nonconventional, fractional multiples of the typical quantized Hall resistance at $ν=2$ ($R_H\approx 12906 Ω$) that take the form: $\frac{a}{b}R_H$. Here, $a$ and $b$ have been observed to take on values such 1, 2, 3, and 5 to form various coefficients of $R_H$. Additionally, we provide a framework for exploring future device configurations using the LTspice circuit simulator as a guide to understand the abundance of available fractions one may be able to measure. These results support the potential for drastically simplifying device processing time and may be used for many other two-dimensional materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Quantum Hall $p-n$ Junction Dartboards Using Graphene Annuli

The use of multiple current terminals on millimeter-scale graphene $p-n$ junction devices fabricated with Corbino geometries, or quantum Hall resistance dartboards, have enabled the measurement of several fractional multiples of the quantized Hall resistance at the $ν=2$ plateau ($R_H\approx 12906 Ω$). Experimentally obtained values agreed with corresponding numerical simulations performed with the LTspice circuit simulator. More complicated designs of the quantum Hall resistance dartboard were simulated to establish the potential parameter space within which these Corbino-type devices could output resistance. Most importantly, these measurements support simpler processes of ultraviolet lithography as a more efficient means of scaling up graphene-based device sizes while maintaining sufficiently narrow junctions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Algorithm for constructing customized quantized resistances in graphene $p-n$ junctions

An algorithm is introduced for predicting quantized resistances in graphene p-n junction devices that utilize more than a single entry and exit point for electron flow. Depending on the configuration of an arbitrary number of terminals, electrical measurements yield fractional multiples of the typical quantized Hall resistance at the $ν=2$ plateau $R_H \approx 12906 Ω$ and take the form: $\frac{a}{b}R_H$. This theoretical formulation is independent of material, and applications to other material systems that exhibit quantum Hall behaviors are to be expected. Furthermore, this formulation is supported with experimental data from graphene-based devices with multiple source and drain terminals.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Simulation of Graphene Nanoplatelets for NO$_{2}$ and CO Gas Sensing at Room Temperature

This work reports the modeling and simulation of gas sensors made from pristine graphene nanoplatelets (P-GnPs) using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The mass balance equation was solved while including contributions of electromigration flux. An example GnP-based gas sensor was simulated to undergo exposure to NO2 and CO gases at different concentrations to understand the effects of adsorption. Various electrical properties and the overall sensor responses were also studied as a function of gas concentration in order to determine how viable such sensors could be for target gases. The results herein show that the resistance of the P-GnP-based gas sensor decreases when exposed to NO2 gas whereas an opposite trend is seen when CO gas is used for exposures, ultimately suggesting that the P-GnPs exhibit p-type behavior. Sensitivities of 23 % and 60 % were achieved when the P-GnP-based gas sensor was exposed to 10 mol/m3 concentration of NO2 and CO at room temperature, respectively. The data heavily suggest that a higher sensitivity towards CO may be observed in future sensors. These simulations will benefit research efforts by providing a method for predicting the behavior of GnP-based gas sensors.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

A Comprehensive Study on the Spectroscopic Characterization and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Pristine and Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelets for Gas Sensing Applications

Graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) are promising candidates for gas sensing applications because they have a high surface area to volume ratio, high conductivity, and a high temperature stability. Also, they cost less to synthesize, and they are lightweight, making them even more attractive than other 2D carbon-based materials. In this paper, the surface and structural properties of pristine and functionalized GnPs, specifically with carboxyl, ammonia, carboxyl, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorocarbon, and argon, were examined with Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the functional groups present and effects of those groups on the structural and vibrational properties. We attribute certain features in the observed Raman spectra to the variations in concentration of the functionalized GnPs. XRD results show smaller crystallite sizes for functionalized GnPs samples that agree with images acquired with scanning electron microscopy. Lastly, a molecular dynamics simulation is employed to gain a better understanding of the Raman and adsorption properties of pristine GnPs.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2022

Review of Theoretical and Computational Methods for 2D Materials Exhibiting Charge Density Waves

Two-dimensional (2D) materials that exhibit charge density waves (CDWs) have generated many research endeavors in the hopes of employing their exotic properties for various quantum-based technologies. Early investigations surrounding CDWs were mostly focused on bulk materials. However, applications for quantum devices have since required devices to be constructed from few-layer material to fully utilize the material's properties. This field has greatly expanded over the decades, warranting a focus on the computational efforts surrounding CDWs in 2D materials. In this review, we will cover ground in the following relevant, theory-driven subtopics for TaS2 and TaSe2: summary of general computational techniques and methods, atomic structures, Raman modes, and effects of confinement and dimensionality. Through understanding how the computational methods have enabled incredible advancements in quantum materials, one may anticipate the ever-expanding directions available for continued pursuit as the field brings us through the 21st century.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Designs for programmable quantum resistance standards based on epitaxial graphene p-n junctions

We report the fabrication and measurement of top gated epitaxial graphene p-n junctions where exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is used as the gate dielectric. The four-terminal longitudinal resistance across a single junction is well quantized at the von Klitzing constant R_K with a relative uncertainty of 10-7. After the exploration of numerous parameter spaces, we summarize the conditions upon which these devices could function as potential resistance standards. Furthermore, we offer designs of programmable electrical resistance standards over six orders of magnitude by using external gating.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Geometric interference in a high-mobility graphene annulus p-n junction device

The emergence of interference is observed in the resistance of a graphene annulus pn junction device as a result of applying two separate gate voltages. The observed resistance patterns are carefully inspected, and it is determined that the position of the peaks resulting from those patterns are independent of temperature and magnetic field. Furthermore, these patterns are not attributable to Aharonov-Bohm oscillations, Fabry Perot interference at the junction, or moiré potentials. The device data are compared with those of another device fabricated with a traditional Hall bar geometry, as well as with quantum transport simulation data. Since the two devices are of different topological classes, the subtle differences observed in the corresponding measured data indicate that the most likely source of the observed geometric interference patterns is quantum scarring.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Analysis of Raman and Ellipsometric Responses of Nb$_{x}$W$_{1-x}$Se$_{2}$ alloys

The growth of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) alloys provides an opportunity to experimentally access information elucidating how optical properties change with gradual substitutions in the lattice compared with their pure compositions. In this work, we performed growths of alloyed crystals with stoichiometric compositions between pure forms of NbSe2 and WSe2, followed by an optical analysis of those alloys by utilizing Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Bonding characteristics of the interfacial buffer layer in epitaxial graphene via density functional theory

Monolayer epitaxial graphene is an appropriate candidate for a wide variety of electronic and optical applications. One advantage of growing graphene on the Si face of SiC is that it develops as a single crystal, as does the layer underneath, commonly referred to as the interfacial buffer layer. The properties of this supporting layer include a band gap, making it of interest to groups seeking to build devices with on-off capabilities. In this work, using density functional theory, we have calculated the bonding characteristics of the buffer layer to the SiC substrate beneath. These calculations were used to determine a periodic length between the covalent bonds acting as anchor points in this interface. Additionally, it is evident that the formation of these anchor points depends on the lattice mismatch between the graphene layer and SiC.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Crystalline Formations of NbN/4H-SiC Heterostructure Interfaces

Given the importance of incorporating various superconducting materials to device fabrication or substrate development, studying the interface for possible interactions is warranted. In this work, NbN films sputter-deposited on 4H-SiC were heat-treated at 1400 C and 1870 C and were examined with transmission electron microscopy to assess whether the interfacial interactions undergo temperature-dependent behavior. We report the diffusion of NbN into the SiC substrate and the formation of NbN nanocrystallites therein during the 1400 C treatment. After the 1870 C treatment, tiered porosity and the formation of voids are observed, likely due to catalytic reactions between the two materials and accelerated by the stresses induced by the differences in the materials' coefficients of thermal expansion. Lastly, Raman spectroscopy is employed to gain an understanding of the interface lattices' optical responses.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2021

Quantum Simulation of an Extended Fermi-Hubbard Model Using a 2D Lattice of Dopant-based Quantum Dots

The Hubbard model is one of the primary models for understanding the essential many-body physics in condensed matter systems such as Mott insulators and cuprate high-Tc superconductors. Recent advances in atomically precise fabrication in silicon using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) have made possible atom-by-atom fabrication of single and few-dopant quantum dots and atomic-scale control of tunneling in dopant-based devices. However, the complex fabrication requirements of multi-component devices have meant that emulating two-dimensional (2D) Fermi-Hubbard physics using these systems has not been demonstrated. Here, we overcome these challenges by integrating the latest developments in atomic fabrication and demonstrate the analog quantum simulation of a 2D extended Fermi-Hubbard Hamiltonian using STM-fabricated 3x3 arrays of single/few-dopant quantum dots. We demonstrate low-temperature quantum transport and tuning of the electron ensemble using in-plane gates as efficient probes to characterize the many-body properties, such as charge addition, tunnel coupling, and the impact of disorder within the array. By controlling the array lattice constants with sub-nm precision, we demonstrate tuning of the hopping amplitude and long-range interactions and observe the finite-size analogue of a transition from Mott insulating to metallic behavior in the array. By increasing the measurement temperature, we simulate the effect of thermally activated hopping and Hubbard band formation in transport spectroscopy. We compare the analog quantum simulations with numerically simulated results to help understand the energy spectrum and resonant tunneling within the array. The results demonstrated in this study serve as a launching point for a new class of engineered artificial lattices to simulate the extended Fermi-Hubbard model of strongly correlated materials.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Influence of Dimensionality on the Charge Density Wave Phase of 2H-TaSe$_{2}$

Metallic transition metal dichalcogenides like tantalum diselenide (TaSe$_{2}$) exhibit exciting behaviors at low temperatures, including the emergence of charge density wave (CDW) states. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) is used to investigate how structural, electronic, and Raman spectral properties of the CDW configuration change as a function of thickness. Such findings highlight the influence of dimensionality change (from 2D to 3D) and van der Waals (vdW) interactions on the system properties. The vdW effect is most strongly present in bulk TaSe$_{2}$ in the spectral range 165 cm$^{-1}$ to 215 cm$^{-1}$. The phonons seen in the experimental Raman spectra are compared with the results calculated from the DFT models as a function of temperature and layer number. The matching of data and calculations substantiates the model's description of the CDW structural formation as a function of thickness, which is shown in depth for 1L through 6L systems. These results highlight the importance of understanding interlayer interactions, which are pervasive in many quantum phenomena involving two-dimensional confinement.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

A Non-Topological Approach to Understanding Weyl Semimetals

In this work, chiral anomalies and Drude enhancement in Weyl semimetals are separately discussed from a semi-classical and quantum perspective, clarifying the physics behind Weyl semimetals while avoiding explicit use of topological concepts. The intent is to provide a bridge to these modern ideas for educators, students, and scientists not in the field using the familiar language of traditional solid-state physics at the graduate or advanced undergraduate physics level.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2020

Examining Experimental Raman Mode Behavior in Mono- and Bi-layer 2H-TaSe$_{2}$ via Density Functional Theory

Tantalum diselenide (TaSe$_{2}$) is a metallic transition metal dichalcogenide whose equilibrium structure and vibrational behavior strongly depends on temperature and thickness, including the emergence of charge density wave (CDW) states at very low T. In this work, observed modes for mono- and bi-layer are described across several spectral regions and com-pared to the bulk ones. Such modes, including an experimentally observed forbidden Raman mode and low frequency CDW modes, are then matched to corresponding density functional theory (DFT) predicted vibrations, to unveil their inner working. The excellent match between experimental and computational results justifies the presented vibrational visualizations of these modes. Additional support is provided by experimental phonons seen in Raman spectra as a function of temperature and thickness. These results highlight the importance of understanding interlayer interactions and their effects on mode behaviors.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗