Our group is interested in the study of the surface of quantum materials by means of low temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy (LT-STM/STS). Our main research lines are:

   Epitaxial growth

We have been working on the growth of graphene and monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) on different substrates and their resulting crystallographic and electronic properties. The intercalation of foreign atoms between the 2D layers and the substrate opens the way for further tuning of the properties of the overlayer.

• ACS applied materials & interfaces 12, 4088 (2019).
• 2D Materials 5, 035029 (2018).

   Chemistry on graphene

We have been exploring the covalent bonding of chemical species to epitaxial graphene in ultra-high vacuum conditions, obtaining functionalized graphene surfaces. We have also studied the interaction and chemical reactions between individual molecules on these functionalized surfaces.

• Science Advances 4, eaau9366 (2018).

   Integration of 2D materials in devices

Taking advantage of the clean room facilities of the Campus of Excellence UAM-CSIC located in the building of IMDEA Nanoscience, we have investigated the manufacture of electronic devices with graphene and other 2D materials.

• Nanoscale 11, 11152 (2019).
• ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 10, 8190 (2018).
• ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 10, 6805 (2018).

   Topological materials

We are interested in the investigation of topological surface states accessible by STM and the characterization of their interaction with carefully chosen substrates. The spectroscopic mapping with a STM allow us to visualize quasiparticle scattering and interference at the surface of the topological materials.

• 2D Materials 7, 025007 (2020).

   Superconductivity

We have been exploring the superconductivity on novel materials, thin films and the interaction with electron acceptor molecules and the STM tip.

• npj 2D Materials and Applications 5, 1 (2021).
• Applied Physics Letters 115, 073108 (2019).