Nanowerk May 16, 2023
The scattering of electrons at defects in 2D topological insulators is forbidden due to the unique topological protection mechanism which makes them more energy-efficient than current electronic materials. An international team of researchers (the Netherlands, Japan) made germanene was made from a single element. They melted germanium together with platinum. When the mixture cooled down, a tiny layer of germanium atoms arranged into a honeycomb lattice on top of the germanium-platinum alloy forming germanene. The conducting properties of the material could be switched ‘off’ by applying an electric field. This property is unique for a topological insulator. According to the researchers the possibility to switch between ‘on’ and ‘off’ states add an exciting application case for germanene and paves the way for designing topological field-effect transistors. These transistors could replace traditional transistors in electronic devices… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
(a) Schematic of the QSH effect in the buckled honeycomb of germanene… Credit: Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 196401, 12 May 2023Â