Optoelectronics of low-dimensional quantum materials via direct lamination

In his thesis, Sardar Hameed presents an exciting avenue for nanoscience, particularly in creating tiny, high-performance materials for electronic and superconducting devices. Hameed explores various cost-effective techniques to handle sensitive materials and fabricate unique structures. A key achievement is a new, universal patterning method, essentially, a way to "draw" patterns on materials at an incredibly small scale that makes device creation faster, cheaper, and simpler. This technique can be applied across a broad range of materials and devices, making it versatile for the research.

One major focus of the thesis is on gallium nanowires, which are hair-thin wires of the element gallium that have unique properties useful in superconducting applications. Using a new method called cast and press (C&P), Hameed produced nanowires with associated ultra-thin films of various sizes and shapes. This technique has a universal scope for materials. 

Hameed also examined thin layers of MoS₂ placed on gold, a new substrate, which makes a junction of normal metal and superconductor. Apart from showing a clear transistor behaviour, this staking is accounted for observing the destructive effect of the gold substrate on the associated superconductivity of the staking. These thin layers are highly effective in small, transistor-like devices and have shown promise for switching applications and even superconductivity, a state where electrical resistance drops to zero.

Furthermore, Hameed explored ways to enhance the light-emitting properties of MoS₂ by filling in atomic gaps, which makes the material more stable and improves performance under various conditions. Overall, this work opens up possibilities for creating a range of tiny, efficient, and cost-effective devices in the fields of electronics and superconductivity.

Dissertation: https://hdl.handle.net/11370/2495eecf-2802-4905-be79-215c7e31cd58