arXiv subjects

Felix R. Fischer

Publications and source records attributed to Felix R. Fischer.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Ferromagnetic Insulator to Metal Transition in Non-Centrosymmetric Graphene Nanoribbons

Engineering sublattice imbalance within the unit cell of bottom-up synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) represents a versatile tool for realizing custom-tailored quantum nanomaterials. The interaction between low-energy zero-modes (ZMs) not only contributes to frontier bands but can form the basis for magnetically ordered phases. Here, we present the bottom-up synthesis of a non-centrosymmetric GNR that places all ZMs on the majority sublattice sites. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy reveal that strong electron-electron correlations, leading to the Stoner magnetic instability, drive the system into a ferromagnetically ordered insulat-ing ground state featuring a sizeable band gap of Eg ~ 1.2 eV. At higher temperatures, a chemical transformation induces an insulator-to-metal transition that quenches the ferromagnetic order. Tight-binding (TB), density functional theory, and GW calculations corroborate our experimental observations. This work showcases how control over molecular symmetry, sublattice polarization, and ZM hybridiza-tion in bottom-up synthesized nanographenes can open a path to the exploration of many-body physics in rationally designed quantum materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Engineering phase-frustration induced flat bands in an aza-triangulene covalent Kagome lattice

Pi-conjugated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) provide a versatile platform for the realization of designer quantum nanomaterials. Strong electron-electron correlation within these artificial lattices can give rise to exotic phases of matter. Their experimental realization however requires precise control over orbital symmetry, charge localization, and band dispersion all arising from the effective hybridization between molecular linkers and nodes. Here, we present a modular strategy for constructing diatomic Kagome lattices from aza-[3]triangulene (A[3]T) nodes, in which a D3h symmetric ground state is stabilized through resonance contributions from a cumulenenic linker. First-principles density-functional theory and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy reveal that the hybridization of a sixfold degenerate set of edge-localized Wannier functions in the unit cell gives rise to orbital-phase frustration-induced non-trivial flat bands. These results establish a general design principle for engineering orbital interactions in organic lattices and open a pathway toward programmable COF-based quantum materials with correlated electronic ground states.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Jahn-Teller-like Distortion in a One-dimensional π-Conjugated Polymer

Structurally distorting low-dimensional π-conjugated systems can profoundly influence their electronic properties, but controlling such behavior in extended-width systems remains challenging. Here we demonstrate that a one-dimensional conjugated polymer, poly-(difluorenoheptalene-ethynylene) (PDFHE), undergoes a pronounced out-of-plane backbone distortion, equivalent to a spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) of its mirror symmetry. We synthesized PDFHE on noble metal surfaces and characterized its structure and electronic states using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. Rather than adopting a planar, high-symmetry conformation, PDFHE relaxes into non-planar isomers stabilized by a Jahn-Teller-like mechanism that relieves an electronic instability relative to the gapped planar structure. Density functional theory calculations corroborate these findings, revealing that distortion lowers the total polymer energy and enlarges the bandgap, providing a microscopic explanation for the SSB. Our results show that even in mechanically robust extended π-systems, subtle electron-lattice coupling can spontaneously drive significant structural rearrangements.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Room Temperature Optically and Magnetically Active Edges in Phosphorene Nanoribbons

Nanoribbons - nanometer wide strips of a two-dimensional material - are a unique system in condensed matter physics. They combine the exotic electronic structures of low-dimensional materials with an enhanced number of exposed edges, where phenomena including ultralong spin coherence times, quantum confinement and topologically protected states can emerge. An exciting prospect for this new material concept is the potential for both a tunable semiconducting electronic structure and magnetism along the nanoribbon edge. This combination of magnetism and semiconducting properties is the first step in unlocking spin-based electronics such as non-volatile transistors, a route to low-energy computing, and has thus far typically only been observed in doped semiconductor systems and/or at low temperatures. Here, we report the magnetic and semiconducting properties of phosphorene nanoribbons (PNRs). Static (SQUID) and dynamic (EPR) magnetization probes demonstrate that at room temperature, films of PNRs exhibit macroscopic magnetic properties, arising from their edge, with internal fields of ~ 250 to 800 mT. In solution, a giant magnetic anisotropy enables the alignment of PNRs at modest sub-1T fields. By leveraging this alignment effect, we discover that upon photoexcitation, energy is rapidly funneled to a dark-exciton state that is localized to the magnetic edge and coupled to a symmetry-forbidden edge phonon mode. Our results establish PNRs as a unique candidate system for studying the interplay of magnetism and semiconducting ground states at room temperature and provide a stepping-stone towards using low-dimensional nanomaterials in quantum electronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Regioselective On-Surface Synthesis of [3]Triangulene Graphene Nanoribbons

The integration of low-energy states into bottom-up engineered graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) is a robust strategy for realizing materials with tailored electronic band structure for nanoelectronics. Low-energy zero-modes (ZMs) can be introduced into nanographenes (NGs) by creating an imbalance between the two sublattices of graphene. This phenomenon is exemplified by the family of [n]triangulenes. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of [3]triangulene-GNRs, a regioregular one-dimensional (1D) chain of [3]triangulenes linked by five-membered rings. Hybridization between ZMs on adjacent [3]triangulenes leads to the emergence of a narrow band gap, Eg = 0.7 eV, and topological end states that are experimentally verified using scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). Tight-binding and first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations within the local spin density approximation (LSDA) corroborate our experimental observations. Our synthetic design takes advantage of a selective on-surface head-to-tail coupling of monomer building blocks enabling the regioselective synthesis of [3]triangulene-GNRs. Detailed ab initio theory provides insight into the mechanism of on-surface radical polymerization, revealing the pivotal role of Au-C bond formation/breakage in driving selectivity.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Tunable chiral anomalies and coherent transport on a honeycomb lattice

The search for energy efficient materials is urged not only by the needs of modern electronics but also by emerging applications in neuromorphic computing and artificial intelligence. Currently, there exist two mechanisms for achieving dissipationless transport: superconductivity and the quantum Hall effect. Here we reveal that dissipationless transport is theoretically achievable on a honeycomb lattice by rational design of chiral anomalies tunable without any magnetic fields. Breaking the usual assumption of commensurability and applying an external electric field lead to electronic modes exhibiting chiral anomalies capable of dissipationless transport in the material bulk, rather than on the edge. As the electric field increases, the system reaches a cubic-like dispersion material phase. While providing performance comparable to other known honeycomb lattice-based ballistic conductors such as an armchair nanotube, zigzag nanoribbon and hypothetical cumulenic carbyne, this scheme provides routes to a strongly correlated localization due to flat band dispersion and to exotic cubic dispersion material featuring a pitchfork bifurcation and a critical slowing down phenomena. These results open a new research avenue for the design of energy efficient information processing and higher-order dispersion materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Controlled catalyst transfer polymerization in graphene nanoribbon synthesis

Exercising direct control over the unusual electronic structures arising from quantum confinement effects in graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) - atomically defined quasi one-dimensional (1D) strips of graphene - is intimately linked to geometric boundary conditions imposed by the bonding within the ribbon. Besides composition and position of substitutional dopant atoms, the symmetry of the unit cell, the width, length, and termination of a GNR are integral factors that collectively can give rise to highly tuneable semiconductors, innate metallicity arising from topological zero-mode engineering, or magnetic ordering in spin-polarized lattices. Here we present a rational design that integrates each of these interdependent variables within a modular bottom-up synthesis. Our hybrid chemical approach relies on a catalyst transfer polymerization (CTP) that establishes uniform control over length, width, and end-groups. Complemented by a surface-assisted cyclodehydrogenation step, uniquely enabled by matrix-assisted direct (MAD) transfer protocols, geometry and functional handles encoded in a polymer template are faithfully mapped onto the structure of the corresponding GNR. Bond-resolved scanning tunnelling microscopy (BRSTM) and spectroscopy (STS) validate the robust correlation between polymer template design and GNR electronic structure and provide a universal and modular platform for the systematic exploration and seamless integration of functional GNRs with integrated circuit architectures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Engineering Robust Metallic Zero-Mode States in Olympicene Graphene Nanoribbons

Metallic graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) represent a critical component in the toolbox of low-dimensional functional materials technolo-gy serving as 1D interconnects capable of both electronic and quantum information transport. The structural constraints imposed by on-surface bottom-up GNR synthesis protocols along with the limited control over orientation and sequence of asymmetric monomer building blocks during the radical step-growth polymerization has plagued the design and assembly of metallic GNRs. Here we report the regioregular synthesis of GNRs hosting robust metallic states by embedding a symmetric zero-mode superlattice along the backbone of a GNR. Tight-binding electronic structure models predict a strong nearest-neighbor electron hopping interaction between adjacent zero-mode states resulting in a dispersive metallic band. First principles DFT-LDA calculations confirm this prediction and the robust, metallic zero-mode band of olympicene GNRs (oGNRs) is experimentally corroborated by scanning tunneling spectroscopy.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Low Energy Excitations in a [4]Triangulene Honeycomb Antiferromagnet

Carbon-based synthetic lattices offer a versatile platform for the realization and control of correlated quantum effects at the nanoscale. Advances in on-surface synthesis have facilitated the fabrication of increasingly complex molecular frameworks, opening new avenues for the exploration and engineering of custom tailored electronic and magnetic phases. Here, we report the design, on-surface synthesis, and characterization of a two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic framework (COF) assembled from D3h symmetric S = 3/2 [4]triangulene building blocks arranged in a honeycomb structure. Combined scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy, corroborated by first-principles density functional theory (DFT) and GW calculations, establish an antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulating ground state. Low energy spectroscopy resolves spin excitations in both one-dimensional (1D) chains and extended 2D networks, providing direct insight into the emergent spin dynamics and establishing a modular platform to explore quantum magnetism in a pi-conjugated organic system.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Spin Splitting of Dopant Edge States in Magnetic Zigzag Graphene Nanoribbons

Spin-ordered electronic states in hydrogen-terminated zigzag nanographene give rise to magnetic quantum phenomena that have sparked renewed interest in carbon-based spintronics. Zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs), quasi one-dimensional semiconducting strips of graphene featuring two parallel zigzag edges along the main axis of the ribbon, are predicted to host intrinsic electronic edge states that are ferromagnetically ordered along the edges of the ribbon and antiferromagnetically coupled across its width. Despite recent advances in the bottom-up synthesis of atomically-precise ZGNRs, their unique electronic structure has thus far been obscured from direct observations by the innate chemical reactivity of spin-ordered edge states. Here we present a general technique for passivating the chemically highly reactive spin-polarized edge states by introducing a superlattice of substitutional nitrogen-dopants along the edges of a ZGNR. First-principles GW calculations and scanning tunneling spectroscopy reveal a giant spin splitting of the low-lying nitrogen lone-pair flat bands by a large exchange field (~850 Tesla) induced by the spin-polarized ferromagnetically ordered edges of ZGNRs. Our findings directly corroborate the nature of the predicted emergent magnetic order in ZGNRs and provide a robust platform for their exploration and functional integration into nanoscale sensing and logic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Non-Covalent Dimerization after Enediyne Cyclization on Au(111)

We investigate the thermally-induced cyclization of 1,2 - bis(2 - phenylethynyl)benzene on Au(111) using scanning tunneling microscopy and computer simulations. Cyclization of sterically hindered enediynes is known to proceed via two competing mechanisms in solution: a classic C1 - C6 or a C1 - C5 cyclization pathway. On Au(111) we find that the C1 - C5 cyclization is suppressed and that the C1 - C6 cyclization yields a highly strained bicyclic olefin whose surface chemistry was hitherto unknown. The C1 - C6 product self-assembles into discrete non-covalently bound dimers on the surface. The reaction mechanism and driving forces behind non-covalent association are discussed in light of density functional theory calculations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Inducing Metallicity in Graphene Nanoribbons via Zero-Mode Superlattices

The design and fabrication of robust metallic states in graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) is a significant challenge since lateral quantum confinement and many-electron interactions tend to induce electronic band gaps when graphene is patterned at nanometer length scales. Recent developments in bottom-up synthesis have enabled the design and characterization of atomically-precise GNRs, but strategies for realizing GNR metallicity have been elusive. Here we demonstrate a general technique for inducing metallicity in GNRs by inserting a symmetric superlattice of zero-energy modes into otherwise semiconducting GNRs. We verify the resulting metallicity using scanning tunneling spectroscopy as well as first-principles density-functional theory and tight binding calculations. Our results reveal that the metallic bandwidth in GNRs can be tuned over a wide range by controlling the overlap of zero-mode wavefunctions through intentional sublattice symmetry-breaking.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Topological Band Engineering of Graphene Nanoribbons

Topological insulators (TIs) are an emerging class of materials that host highly robust in-gap surface/interface states while maintaining an insulating bulk. While most notable scientific advancements in this field have been focused on TIs and related topological crystalline insulators in 2D and 3D, more recent theoretical work has predicted the existence of 1D symmetry-protected topological phases in graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). The topological phase of these laterally-confined, semiconducting strips of graphene is determined by their width, edge shape, and the terminating unit cell, and is characterized by a Z2 invariant (similar to 1D solitonic systems). Interfaces between topologically distinct GNRs characterized by different Z2 are predicted to support half-filled in-gap localized electronic states which can, in principle, be utilized as a tool for material engineering. Here we present the rational design and experimental realization of a topologically-engineered GNR superlattice that hosts a 1D array of such states, thus generating otherwise inaccessible electronic structure. This strategy also enables new end states to be engineered directly into the termini of the 1D GNR superlattice. Atomically-precise topological GNR superlattices were synthesized from molecular precursors on a Au(111) surface under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions and characterized by low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS). Our experimental results and first-principles calculations reveal that the frontier band structure of these GNR superlattices is defined purely by the coupling between adjacent topological interface states. This novel manifestation of 1D topological phases presents an entirely new route to band engineering in 1D materials based on precise control of their electronic topology, and is a promising platform for future studies of 1D quantum spin physics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Field Effect Transistors based on Networks of Highly Aligned, Chemically Synthesized N=7 Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons

We report on the experimental demonstration and electrical characterization of N = 7 armchair graphene nanoribbon (7-AGNR) field effect transistors. The back-gated transistors are fabricated from atomically precise and highly aligned 7-AGNRs, synthesized with a bottom-up approach. The large area transfer process holds the promise of scalable device fabrication with atomically precise nanoribbons. The channels of the FETs are approximately 30 times longer than the average nanoribbon length of 30 nm to 40 nm. The density of the GNRs is high, so that transport can be assumed well-above the percolation threshold. The long channel transistors exhibit a maximum I$_{ON}$/I$_{OFF}$ current ratio of 87.5.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Hierarchical On-Surface Synthesis of Deterministic Graphene Nanoribbon Heterojunctions

Bottom-up graphene nanoribbon (GNR) heterojunctions are nanoscale strips of graphene whose electronic structure abruptly changes across a covalently bonded interface. Their rational design offers opportunities for profound technological advancements enabled by their extraordinary structural and electronic properties. Thus far the most critical aspect of their synthesis, the control over sequence and position of heterojunctions along the length of a ribbon, has been plagued by randomness in monomer sequences emerging from step-growth copolymerization of distinct monomers. All bottom-up GNR heterojunction structures created so far have exhibited random sequences of heterojunctions and, while useful for fundamental scientific studies, are difficult to incorporate into functional nanodevices as a result. Here we describe a new hierarchical fabrication strategy that allows deterministic growth of bottom-up GNRs that preferentially exhibit a single heterojunction interface rather than a random statistical sequence of junctions along the ribbon. Such heterojunctions provide a viable new platform that could be directly used in functional GNR-based device applications at the molecular scale. Our hierarchical GNR fabrication strategy is based on differences in the dissociation energies of C-Br and C-I bonds that allow control over the growth sequence of the block-copolymers from which GNRs are formed, and consequently yields a significantly higher proportion of single-junction GNR heterostructures. Scanning tunnelling spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations confirm that hierarchically-grown heterojunctions between chevron GNR (cGNR) and binaphthyl-cGNR segments exhibit straddling Type I band alignment in structures that are only one atomic layer thick and 3 nm in width.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Iodine versus Bromine Functionalization for Bottom-Up Graphene Nanoribbon Growth: Role of Diffusion

Deterministic bottom-up approaches for synthesizing atomically well-defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) largely rely on the surface-catalyzed activation of selected labile bonds in a molecular precursor followed by step growth polymerization and cyclodehydrogenation. While the majority of successful GNR precursors rely on the homolytic cleavage of thermally labile C-Br bonds, the introduction of weaker C-I bonds provides access to monomers that can be polymerized at significantly lower temperatures, thus helping to increase the flexibility of the GNR synthesis process. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) imaging of molecular precursors, activated intermediates, and polymers resulting from stepwise thermal annealing of both Br and I substituted precursors for chevron GNRs reveals that the polymerization of both precursors proceeds at similar temperatures on Au(111). This observation is consistent with diffusion-limited polymerization of the surface-stabilized radical intermediates that emerge from homolytic cleavage of either the C-Br or the C-I bonds.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Bottom-up Graphene Nanoribbon Field-Effect Transistors

Recently developed processes have enabled bottom-up chemical synthesis of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with precise atomic structure. These GNRs are ideal candidates for electronic devices because of their uniformity, extremely narrow width below 1 nm, atomically perfect edge structure, and desirable electronic properties. Here, we demonstrate nanoscale chemically synthesized GNR field-effect transistors, made possible by development of a new layer transfer process. We observe strong environmental sensitivity and unique transport behavior characteristic of sub-1nm width GNRs.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗