- University of Seoul-University of Ulsan-Pusan National University-Ulsan College joint research team succeeds in developing a new material

- New Dirac Semimetal Metal Quantum Materials Demonstrate Anisotropy and Potential for Quantum Device Development

A research team led by Professor Young Jun Chang of the Department of Physics at the University of Seoul (President Yongkul Won), in collaboration with the research team of Professor Jungdae Kim of the Department of Semiconductors at the University of Ulsan, Professor Jaekwang Lee of the Department of Physics at Pusan National University, and Professor Younghun Hwang of Ulsan College, has developed a new electronic structure control technology for Dirac Semimetal Metal Quantum Materials. By applying the topological properties of quantum materials, the researchers demonstrated an innovative way to effectively control the anisotropic electronic structure of Dirac Semimetal and succeeded in developing a new material with high potential for use as a quantum computing material.

The team used scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES), and first-principles calculations to analyze the electronic structure of NiTe2 and NiTeSe in detail. In particular, in-plane anisotropy with a linear charge distribution was observed in NiTeSe, which contrasted with the symmetrical triangular structure exhibited by conventional NiTe2. The agreement between experiments and theoretical calculations confirms that the Dirac band in NiTeSe exhibits directionally dependent in-plane charge transfer rates.

▶ Link to study results published online: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202410549

“We have provided a new direction for controlling the anisotropy of the Dirac electronic structure of Dirac Semimetal Metal Quantum Materials, which may play a key role in the development of quantum computing materials,” said co-senior author Prof. Young Jun Chang.  

This research is considered basic scientific research with great potential for application, as it provides new technologies to control the electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of materials. The results of the study were published online in Advanced Science, a top-tier international journal in nano and materials science (impact factor: 14.3), on January 14 with the title “In-plane anisotropy in van der Waals NiTeSe ternary alloy.”

The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea through the Mid-Career Researchers Support Program; Group Research Support Program; Research Support Program for Utilization of Overseas Large Research Facilities, and Support for the Next Generation of Academics; and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

▶ (From left to right) Prof. Younghun Hwang, Ulsan College (co-first author); Prof. Jaekwang Lee, Pusan National University (co-first author); Prof. Young Jun Chang, University of Seoul (co-first author); Prof. Jungdae Kim, University of Ulsan (co-first author)