Magnetic Semiconductor

 

Quantum technology operates at the tiny subatomic scale, where unique properties often vanish at larger scales. This makes it challenging to use these properties in optical systems and advanced computing. Scientists have found a new way to maintain quantum characteristics in 3D materials.

They studied excitons, quasiparticles that carry energy without an electrical charge. In semiconductors, excitons form when light excites an electron, creating an electron-hole pair. These excitons are crucial for advanced optical applications.

In 2D materials, excitons can carry energy and emit light when the electron and hole recombine. To preserve these properties, researchers focused on creating many layers without manually stacking them.

They turned to chromium sulfide bromide (CrSBr), a magnetic semiconductor. When cooled, CrSBr becomes an antiferromagnetic material, allowing researchers to create single layers while maintaining a sharp interface.

This approach combines magnetism, Van der Waals interactions, and excitons to enable quantum confinement, offering potential for optical and quantum technology advancements.