Researchers at Brown University have developed a new experimental technique to study electron spin in two-dimensional (2D) quantum materials, addressing a significant challenge in 2D electronics. For the past two decades, manipulating electron spin in materials like graphene has proven difficult due to limitations of standard measurement techniques, which often do not work in 2D contexts. The Brown University team, along with collaborators, demonstrated the first direct interaction between the electron spins in a 2D material called "magic-angle" twisted bilayer graphene and microwave radiation, reported in Nature Physics. This new approach measures the electronic resistance changes resultant from microwave interactions, allowing a clearer understanding of electron spin properties.
The study finds that photon interactions can induce behaviors in electrons that mimic anti-ferromagnetic systems, where magnetism is effectively canceled. Although practical technological applications are not immediate, the research offers promising pathways for advancements in computational and communication technologies using 2D materials. The team plans to extend their method to explore other 2D materials, enhancing tools to investigate electronic order in complex systems. This breakthrough could help demystify many unanswered questions in 2D electronic research.
