2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Honeycomb nitrides layers as playground for Xenes formation
| Project/Area Number |
21K04883
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| Research Institution | Kyushu University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | 2D material / honeycomb lattice / nitride / silicon carbide / spin-orbit interaction |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
In accordance with research plan from 2021 we have tried to prepare equipment and setting up experimental environment for growth of epitaxial silicon nitride on SiC(0001) and perform computational study of Xenes growth on that surface. The following results have been achieved:
1. One of the vacuum chamber equipped by LEED/RHEED analysis system is fully prepared for operation and silicon nitride growth.
2. XPS equipped chamber is brought to partial operational conditions after being transferred from another laboratory.
3. We have performed extensive computational study of Xenes formation on silicon nitride substrate using density functional theory (DTF) calculations. The stability of the structures has been investigated and showing promising results for future experiments. The electronic band structure of the Xenes also show interesting features related to topological properties and magnetic ordering.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
The experimental part of the project has been set back slightly due to technical issues. For example, the LEED/RHEED chamber sample holder has been broken and had to be repaired. LEED/RHEED chamber sample introduction system required redesign as previously used one had a major flaws associated with vacuum level degradation.
Current SiC sample preparation system experienced series of modifications.
Also the COVID pandemic situation prevented full extend of experimental work to be carried out.
The computational study on the other hand was proceeded as expected.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The sample preparation optimization and direct experiment with growth of Xenes on nitride layer will be shifted to the next year. Other research activities are expected to be carried out in accordance with original research plan.
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| Causes of Carryover |
As the research implementation, especially in experimental department, was slightly delayed due to technical and global pandemic reasons, only small amount of funds has been used. This is mainly in terms of direct commodity costs and also travel to collaborator's sites and discussing results in meetings. Next year we are planning to extend out research to full scale, plus additional work postponed from this fiscal year, therefore more supporting and operational funding will be required.
Particular plans include: (1) Further modification of experimental environment, (2) repairing malfunction commodities (some troubles with RHEED system and vacuum pumps), (3) Travel to collaborators site for STM/STS and ARPES measurements.
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