Tuning metal/superconductor to insulator/superconductor coupling via control of proximity enhancement between NbSemonolayers.

The interplay between charge transfer and electronic disorder in transition-metal dichalcogenide multilayers gives rise to superconductive coupling driven by proximity enhancement, tunneling and superconducting fluctuations, of a yet unwieldy variety. Artificial spacer layers introduced with atomic precision change the density of states by charge transfer. Here, we tune the superconductive coupling betweenNbSe2monolayers from proximity-enhanced to tunneling-dominated.

Charge transfer in (PbSe) (NbSe) and (SnSe) (NbSe) ferecrystals investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy.

Rotationally disordered, layered (PbSe)[Formula: see text](NbSe) and (SnSe)[Formula: see text](NbSe) ferecrystal heterostructures, consisting of stacked two-dimensional bilayers of either PbSe or SnSe alternating with two planes of NbSe, were synthesized from modulated elemental reactants. The electronic structure of these ternary systems was investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and compared to the binary bulk compounds PbSe, SnSe and NbSe. The Pb and Sn core level spectra show a significant shift towards lower binding energies and the peak shape becomes asymmetric in the ferecrystals, while the electronic structure of the NbSe layers does not change compared to the bulk.

Superconducting ferecrystals: turbostratically disordered atomic-scale layered (PbSe)1.14(NbSe2)n thin films.

Hybrid electronic heterostructure films of semi- and superconducting layers possess very different properties from their bulk counterparts. Here, we demonstrate superconductivity in ferecrystals: turbostratically disordered atomic-scale layered structures of single-, bi- and trilayers of NbSe2 separated by PbSe layers. The turbostratic (orientation) disorder between individual layers does not destroy superconductivity.

Designed Synthesis of van der Waals Heterostructures: The Power of Kinetic Control.

Selecting specific 2D building blocks and specific layering sequences of van der Waals heterostructures should allow the formation of new materials with designed properties for specific applications. Unfortunately, the synthetic ability to prepare such structures at will, especially in a manner that can be manufactured, does not exist. Herein, we report the targeted synthesis of new metal-semiconductor heterostructures using the modulated elemental-reactant technique to nucleate specific 2D building blocks, control their thickness, and avoid epitaxial structures with long-range order.

The Influence of Interfaces on Properties of Thin-Film Inorganic Structural Isomers Containing SnSe-NbSe2 Subunits.

Inorganic isomers ([SnSe]1+δ)m(NbSe2)n([SnSe]1+δ)p(NbSe2)q([SnSe]1+δ)r(NbSe2)s where m, n, p, q, r, and s are integers and m + p + r = n + q + s = 4 were prepared using the modulated elemental reactant technique. This series of all six possible isomers provides an opportunity to study the influence of interface density on properties while maintaining the same unit cell size and composition. As expected, all six compounds were observed to have the same atomic compositions and an almost constant c-axis lattice parameter of ≈4.

Charge transfer vs. dimensionality: what affects the transport properties of ferecrystals?

A series of ([SnSe]1+δ)m(NbSe2)2 compounds with two layers of NbSe2 separated by m bilayers of SnSe, where 1 ≤ m ≤ 20, were prepared from modulated precursors by systematically changing the number of SnSe layers in the repeating unit. A change in the c-lattice parameter of 0.579(3) nm per SnSe bilayer was observed.

Structure, stability, and properties of the intergrowth compounds ([SnSe]1+δ)m(NbSe2)n, where m = n = 1-20.

Intergrowth compounds of ([SnSe]1+δ)m(NbSe2)n, where 1 ≤ m = n ≤ 20, with the same atomic composition but different c-axis lattice parameters and number of interfaces per volume were synthesized using the modulated elemental reactant technique. A c-axis lattice parameter change of 1.217(6) nm as a function of one unit of m = n was observed.

Synthesis of inorganic structural isomers by diffusion-constrained self-assembly of designed precursors: a novel type of isomerism.

The structure of precursors is used to control the formation of six possible structural isomers that contain four structural units of PbSe and four structural units of NbSe2: [(PbSe)1.14]4[NbSe2]4, [(PbSe)1.14]3[NbSe2]3[(PbSe)1.