Janus graphene nanoribbons with localized states on a single zigzag edge

Shaotang Song, Yu Teng, Weichen Tang, Zhen Xu, Yuanyuan He, Jiawei Ruan, Takahiro Kojima, Wenping Hu, Franz J. Giessibl, Hiroshi Sakaguchi (), Steven G. Louie () and Jiong Lu ()
Additional contact information
Shaotang Song: National University of Singapore
Yu Teng: National University of Singapore
Weichen Tang: University of California, Berkeley
Zhen Xu: Kyoto University
Yuanyuan He: National University of Singapore
Jiawei Ruan: University of California, Berkeley
Takahiro Kojima: Kyoto University
Wenping Hu: International Campus of Tianjin University
Franz J. Giessibl: University of Regensburg
Hiroshi Sakaguchi: Kyoto University
Steven G. Louie: University of California, Berkeley
Jiong Lu: National University of Singapore

Nature, 2025, vol. 637, issue 8046, 580-586

Abstract: Abstract Topological design of π electrons in zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) leads to a wealth of magnetic quantum phenomena and exotic quantum phases1–10. Symmetric ZGNRs typically show antiferromagnetically coupled spin-ordered edge states1,2. Eliminating cross-edge magnetic coupling in ZGNRs not only enables the realization of a class of ferromagnetic quantum spin chains11, enabling the exploration of quantum spin physics and entanglement of multiple qubits in the one-dimensional limit3,12, but also establishes a long-sought-after carbon-based ferromagnetic transport channel, pivotal for ultimate scaling of GNR-based quantum electronics1–3,9,13. Here we report a general approach for designing and fabricating such ferromagnetic GNRs in the form of Janus GNRs (JGNRs) with two distinct edge configurations. Guided by Lieb’s theorem and topological classification theory14–16, we devised two JGNRs by asymmetrically introducing a topological defect array of benzene motifs to one zigzag edge, while keeping the opposing zigzag edge unchanged. This breaks the structural symmetry and creates a sublattice imbalance within each unit cell, initiating a spin-symmetry breaking. Three Z-shaped precursors are designed to fabricate one parent ZGNR and two JGNRs with an optimal lattice spacing of the defect array for a complete quench of the magnetic edge states at the ‘defective’ edge. Characterization by scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy and first-principles density functional theory confirms the successful fabrication of JGNRs with a ferromagnetic ground-state localized along the pristine zigzag edge.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08296-x

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