Different two-dimensional materials (2DMs) display an exciting range of properties: from insulators to metals as well as topological insulators, superconductors and ferromagnets, for instance. These materials hold great promise in novel electronic and opto-electronic applications. However, the full potential of this materials portfolio can only be harnessed if 2DMs can effectively be interfaced with common 3DMs in a well-controlled and reliable fashion, to minimize e.g. interfacial defects. In this project, I will investigate conditions that lead to epitaxial deposition of metals (e.g. Au, Ag, Co, Nb, Ta) on a range of 2D materials (graphene, hBN, MoS2, Bi2Se3) and several further aspects, studied in an ultra-clean environmental transmission electron microscope with an in situ metal evaporator. Furthermore, I will investigate the Nb-Bi2Se3 interface for proximity induced superconductivity, a hall-mark indicator of a high quality interface.
