Mesoscopic origami from van der Waals heterostructures

Czech Science Foundation, No. 22-17517S

Czech Science Foundation, No. 22-17517S; 2022 – 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) crystals are extremely thin building blocks known as active components of van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures. The current strategies for tuning the functional properties of vdW materials are based on the controlled alternation and mutual rotation of partial monolayers. The project aims to deliberate the vdW materials from planarity through their controlled folding into three-dimensional (3D) mesoscopic origami. The research strategy includes the preparation of lateral and vertical vdW structures and their “origamisation” using a liquid-assisted delamination. The obtained vdW origami will be studied by relevant techniques, e.g., cryomagnetic Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy, magnetic force microscopy and micro-Hall magnetometry in order to evaluate and optimize the exploitable physical properties (diodes, weak links). The motivation of the project is to stimulate development of non-lithographic technologies yielding nanoscale components and devices based on vdW materials on scales 100 – 1000 times larger than their own dimensions.