Quantum materials research at University of Oldenburg secures ERC Grant

Quantum materials research at University of Oldenburg secures ERC Grant
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 10, 2024
Physicist Prof. Dr. Christian Schneider from the University of Oldenburg has received a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant for his work on two-dimensional (2D) materials and their optical properties. The grant, amounting to approximately two million euros over five years, will support Schneider's "Dual Twist" project, which aims to explore these materials' unique characteristics and their potential applications in emerging quantum technologies.

The ERC Consolidator Grant recognizes leading researchers across Europe and provides resources to establish their scientific independence. Out of 2313 applications, 328 projects were selected for funding, including 67 in Germany.

"Christian Schneider is an outstanding researcher who has already been awarded a Starting Grant by the European Research Council," said Prof. Dr. Ralph Bruder, President of the University of Oldenburg. "This new funding is a major recognition of his achievements and a testament to the Oldenburg Institute of Physics' capacity to investigate complex quantum phenomena."

Two-Dimensional Materials and Quantum Phenomena

Schneider's research focuses on 2D materials, which are ultra-thin solids just a few atomic layers thick. These materials exhibit unique quantum properties, including altered electrical conductivity compared to bulk solids. In 2021, Schneider's team demonstrated that 2D materials could emit coherent laser light at both low and room temperatures, a discovery that could inform the development of next-generation nano-lasers.

The Dual Twist project will delve into bilayer 2D materials, which hold greater potential than single-layer crystals. By twisting the crystal lattices of two layers, researchers can profoundly modify the materials' optical, mechanical, and electronic properties. This approach, known as "twistronics," has been demonstrated in graphene, where twisted layers can transform it into an insulator or superconductor.

Exploring Twisted Bilayers and Quantum States

Schneider's team will examine the optical properties of bilayer semiconductor materials using structures called microcavities. These are systems in which light particles are trapped, creating conditions to observe and manipulate novel quantum states. "This structure is basically like a cage for light," Schneider explained, referring to the microcavities that will enable the team to simulate and analyze these materials in unprecedented ways.

In addition to experimental methods, the researchers will use quantum simulation techniques to study these complex materials. By constructing a quantum simulator that mimics 2D materials using photons in microcavities, the team can directly observe quantum interactions and behaviors under controlled conditions. This approach aims to identify and control quantum states for practical applications in quantum technology.

Schneider, who joined the University of Oldenburg in 2020, previously led a research group at the University of Wurzburg, where he received an ERC Starting Grant in 2016 for his "unlimit2D" project. His continued achievements underscore his position as a leading figure in the field of quantum materials.