Novel two-dimensional van der Waals crystals and heterostructures

The development of van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures made by stacking two dimensional (2D) crystals
has led to the discovery of fundamental physical phenomena and to the realization of 2D functional devices
ranging from sensitive phototransistors to tunnel diodes. The electronic properties of these devices can be
modified not only by careful selection of the materials within the stack, but also by adjusting the built-in
strain and relative orientation of the component crystalline layers. Among the vdW crystals, the metal
chalcogenide InSe compound represents an exfoliable and stable semiconductor that expands the current
library of vdW crystals. In this talk I will review the research at Nottingham on this new class of 2D layered
compounds. From the growth and fabrication of vdW heterostructures to the demonstration of prototype
graphene/InSe devices, I will discuss how these layers can provide a platform for scientific investigations
and new routes to 2D electronics and optoelectronics.