A Roadmap to 2D van der Waals Magnets

Since the first isolation of atomically thin magnetic crystals in 2016, two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials have rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting frontiers in quantum materials research. These ultrathin van der Waals systems are now at the forefront of efforts to enable next-generation low-power electronics, spintronic technologies, and quantum devices.

A newly published Roadmap offers a comprehensive overview of this rapidly evolving field, highlighting both its scientific challenges and technological promise. It outlines the current state of the field of 2D quantum magnetic materials and identifies key milestones along with four core challenges that must be addressed to transition these materials from the lab to real-world applications: limited fundamental understanding of 2D quantum magnetic properties, lack of scalable synthesis methods, need for advanced characterization techniques, and development of device integration strategies and novel architectures.

Authored by leading experts and inspired by a Lorentz Center workshop, this Roadmap serves as both a valuable guide for newcomers and a strategic reference for shaping future research in the field.

Reference: Roadmap on quantum magnetic materials; Antonija Grubišić-Čabo et al. 2025 2D Mater. 12 031501 DOI 10.1088/2053-1583/adbe89