Artificial Graphene: Physicists Create Artificial Graphene-Like Structure

A new type of artificial graphene is on the way. A team of international physicists have created a new artificial material that has an almost identical structure to graphene. The study was led by the University of Arkansas.

"We've basically created the first artificial graphene-like structure with transition metal atoms in place of carbon atoms," Jak Chakhalian, coauthor of the study, said in a news release.

Chakhalian is a physics professor and is also the director of the Artificial Quantum Materials Laboratory at the University of Arkansas. Back in 2014, Chakhalian was selected as a quantum materials investigator for Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Chakhalian's selection was attached to a $1.8 million grant, fraction of which funded their study, "Mott Electrons in an Artificial Graphene-like Crystal of Rare Earth Nickelate."

Graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of graphite, which was discovered in 2001. Graphene transistors are said to be faster and are more heat tolerant compared to silicon transistors. In addition, graphene transistors can enable the development of more efficient computers and electronic devices in the future.

"This discovery gives us the ability to create graphene-like structures for many other elements," said Srimanta Middey, lead author of the study.

The findings of this study were published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

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