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Title: Microwave impedance microscopy and its application to quantum materials

Journal Article · · Nature Reviews Physics

We report materials in which quantum mechanical effects lead to novel properties on the macroscopic scale are of interest both fundamentally and for applications. For such quantum materials, the ability to measure local conductivity and permittivity with nanoscale spatial resolution, minimal sample preparation, in a contact-free fashion and under a wide range of external conditions (such as temperature and magnetic field) is highly desirable. To this end, microwave impedance microscopy, a scanning probe technique that measures tip–sample admittance (inverse of impedance) in a non-contact geometry at microwave frequencies, has matured over the past decade to become a tool that can do just that. This Technical Review describes its fundamental working principles and practical implementations, discusses its application to a wide range of quantum materials, including correlated, topological and 2D van der Waals materials, and outlines future opportunities in expanding the capabilities of microwave impedance microscopy.

Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Stanford University
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515; SC0021238; GBMF4546
OSTI ID:
1872759
Journal Information:
Nature Reviews Physics, Vol. 4, Issue 1; ISSN 2522-5820
Publisher:
Springer NatureCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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