Aryana Bhattacharyya

Mary Gates Research Scholar, Autumn 2024

Research Project: Characterizing generalized anomalous Hall crystals in twisted bilayer-trilayer graphene

Project Description: Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, is a naturally abundant semiconductor that is turning heads for its electrical conductivity and tunable phase transitions at nano-scales. We are interested in studying different states of matter that arise in a specific graphene material: a bilayer sheet of graphene is stacked atop a trilayer sheet of graphene at some small relative angle. This particular geometric configuration gives rise to a pair of flat electronic bands near the Fermi energy level where we can observe electron-electron interactions displaying novel phases of matter. One such state, the anomalous Hall crystal, has been observed in this system once before; our research seeks to evaluate the reproducibility and relative angle dependence of this previously observed state and better characterize electron behavior in twisted bilayer-trilayer Bernal graphene. This work contributes to our rapidly evolving understanding of electron behavior in two-dimensional materials, which has future implications for electronic innovations.

What have you learned throughout your research project? Working on this project, I have learned extensive techniques in nanofabrication such as exfoliation, microscopy, and lithography. I have learned how much I enjoy working with my hands to learn new lab techniques and investigating small-scale systems to inform our foundational understanding of larger world systems. This project has given me confidence in my own abilities as a researcher, taught me about my likes and dislikes when it comes to research, and reminded me to set boundaries to maintain a work-life balance.

What piece of advice do you have for future applicants? Attend as many info sessions as possible prior to the application deadline and have as many people as possible read over your essay (especially those who are not in your field). Take their feedback with care and remember that conveying the overall impact of your work to ANY audience is just as important, if not more important, than the rigorous details of your work.