Two-dimensional (layered) materials are being very extensively researched in the condensed matter and materials physics community, as they display very interesting novel physical phenomena, and are very promising for applications in different areas of (nano) technology. In particular, the stacking of layers of different materials and in different relative orientations offers enormous possibilities of discovery and application, as seen in the last meeting of the American Physical Society, with a very large proportion of talks in this topic among the talks in the whole of condensed matter physics. The commensuration or otherwise of stacked layers, that is, how two periodic layered atomic structures arrange when on top of each other,  has proven to be extremely important. Quite a lot of the physics arising is addressed in terms of the Moiree patterns defined by the two superimposed periodicities. However, when two periodicities are not only superimposed but also interact, discommensuration effects arise, defining discommensuration lines as domain boundaries that help the two interacting structures to adapt to each other. In this project we will investigate by means of simulation the tendency for such stackings to discommensurate and its effects on the properties of the combined material. The simulations will be performed on supercomputing facilities adequate for massively parallel computing. 

Application:

If you are a master student and you are interested in this project, please get in touch with the scientist in charge: Emilio Artacho (e.artacho@nanogune.eu)

To apply for a master scholarship fill in the form below and follow the instructions and recommendations of the general call open until 30 June 2020.