Atomic Precision Engineering of Graphene-Based Quantum Circuits.

Researchers have developed a new technique to engineer atomic-thin materials, called "2D materials," with tunable properties. By connecting ultra-narrow graphene strips with flexible bridges made of phenylene moieties, the scientists can control the quantum connectivity between the nanoribbon channels and fine-tune the electronic properties of the graphene nanoarchitecture. The proposed molecular bridge strategy can have a great impact on the synthesis of new materials with tailored properties and is a powerful tool for the realization of quantum circuits, which could have applications in advanced electronics, quantum computers, and renewable energy generation.