Artem Mishchenko

2021 United Kingdom Award Finalist — Faculty

Current Position:
Professor of Condensed Matter Physics

Institution:
The University of Manchester

Discipline:
Condensed Matter Physics

Recognized for: Revealing unusual quantum phenomena in vertical, multilayer stacks of two-dimensional materials, in particular those that hold great potential in the development of novel electronic transistors for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), high-speed electronics, and information storage.

Areas of Research Interest and Expertise:

Nano-electronics, 2D Materials, Quantum Phases of Matter, Quantum Tunneling, Transistors

Previous Positions:

Diploma, Kazan State University, Russia
PhD, University of Bern, Switzerland
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bern, Switzerland
Research Associate, The University of Manchester, UK

Research Summary:

Artem Mishchenko, PhD, is a pioneer in studying multilayer structures of 2-dimensional (2D) materials—materials consisting of one or few atomic layers. The first 2D material to be discovered was graphene, a single sheet of carbon that is one-atom thick. Mishchenko’s work has been centered on stacking multiple films of graphene and other 2D materials on top of each other, and revealing intriguing physical phenomena that are not present in any individual component 2D sheets. One focus of his work is to study how electrons hop from one 2D film to another in these multilayer stacks, eventually resulting in electrical conduction. This phenomenon, known as quantum tunneling, is prevented in classical physics theory, but made possible by quantum physics. Mishchenko has demonstrated unique, precise ways of controlling quantum tunneling in these structures, turning them into novel transistors that surpass the performance of many state-of-the-art silicon-based transistors. This work has trigged an emerging field of intensive research worldwide, and is very promising for use in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), high-speed electronics, and photovoltaic sensors.

He has also demonstrated a number of unusual quantum physics phenomena that arises in these 2D multilayer stacks. For example, he observed a phenomenon called Quantum Hall effect (QHE) in very thick graphene stacks with more than 100 layers. This discovery was quite surprising as QHE was thought to be forbidden in such thick films. Very recently, he successfully realized a hard-to-make stacking sequence in graphene multilayers, obtaining a new material called rhombohedral graphite, from which he observed some exotic phenomena that typically pertain to materials with heavy metal elements. He has thus turned these multilayers of very light carbon atoms into a new platform that is poised to advance our understanding of quantum states of matter.

“Two-dimensional crystals can be assembled in a very precise way into van der Waals heterostructures. This recent van der Waals technology allows creating designer materials with endless possibilities for discovery of novel physics with a promise of numerous potential applications. I am proud that I contribute to this exciting research direction and want to thank all the collaborators and colleagues for their help and support.”

Key Publications:

1. Y. Shi, S. Xu, Y. Yang, et al., A. Mishchenko. Electronic Phase Separation in Multilayer Rhombohedral Graphite. Nature, 2020.

2. J. Yin, S. Slizovskiy, Y. Cao, et al., A. Mishchenko. Quantum Hall Effect and Layer Parity in Graphite Films. Nature Physics, 2019.

3. J.R. Wallbank, D. Ghazaryan, A. Misra, et al., A. Mishchenko. Tuning the Valley and Chiral Quantum State of Dirac Electrons in van der Waals Heterostructures. Science, 2016.

4. G.L. Yu, R.V. Gorbachev, J.S. Tu, et al., A. Mishchenko. Hierarchy of Hofstadter States and Replica Quantum Hall Ferromagnetism in Graphene Superlattices. Nature Physics, 2014.

Other Honors:

In the Media:

Science Daily – New Advance in Superconductors with 'Twist' in Rhombohedral Graphite

Science Daily – Graphite Offers up New Quantum Surprise

MIT News – Physicists Find a New Way to Push Electrons Around

Phys.org – Graphene's Multi-Colored Butterflies

Website