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The emergence of quantization at the nanoscale, the quantum size effect (QSE), allows flexible control of matter and is a rich source of advanced functionalities. A QSE-induced transition into an insulating phase in semimetallic nanofilms was predicted for bismuth a half-century ago and has regained new interest with regard to its surface states exhibiting nontrivial electronic topology. Here, we reveal an unexpected mechanism of the transition by high-resolution angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy combined with theoretical calculations. Anomalous evolution and degeneracy of quantized energy levels indicate that increased Coulomb repulsion from the surface states deforms a quantum confinement potential with decreasing thickness. The potential deformation drastically modulates spatial distributions of quantized wave functions, which leads to acceleration of the transition even beyond the original QSE picture. This discovery establishes a complete picture of the long-discussed problem in bismuth and highlights the new class of size effects dominating nanoscale transport in systems with metallic surface states., Comment: 22 pages, 10 figures (Supplementary Information included), accepted for publication in Science Advances

Identifying the two-dimensional (2D) topological insulating (TI) state in new materials and its control are crucial aspects towards the development of voltage-controlled spintronic devices with low power dissipation. Members of the 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have been recently predicted and experimentally reported as a new class of 2D TI materials, but in most cases edge conduction seems fragile and limited to the monolayer phase fabricated on specified substrates. Here, we realize the controlled patterning of the 1T'-phase embedded into the 2H-phase of thin semiconducting molybdenum-disulfide (MoS2) by laser beam irradiation. Integer fractions of the quantum of resistance, the dependence on laser-irradiation conditions, magnetic field, and temperature, as well as the bulk gap observation by scanning tunneling spectroscopy and theoretical calculations indicate the presence of the quantum spin Hall phase in our patterned 1T' phases.

The introduction of spin-orbit interactions (SOIs) and the subsequent appearance of a two-dimensional (2D) topological phase are crucial for voltage-controlled and zero-emission energy spintronic devices. In contrast, graphene basically lacks SOIs due to the small mass of the carbon atom, and appropriate experimental reports for SOIs are rare. Here, we control small-amount (cover ratios < 8%) random decoration of heavy nanoparticles [platinum (Pt) or bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3)] onto mono-layer graphene by developing an original nanoneedle method. X-ray photoelectron spectra support low-damage and low-contamination decoration of the nanoparticles, suggesting the presence of Bi-C and Te-C coupling orbitals. In the samples, we find particle-density-dependent non-local resistance (RNL) peaks, which are attributed to the (inverse) spin Hall effect (SHE) arising from SOI with energies as large as about 30 meV. This is a larger value than in previous reports and supported by scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The present observation should lead to topological phases of graphene, which can be introduced by random decoration with controlled small amounts of heavy nanoparticles, and their applications.

Realization of the quantum-spin-Hall effect in graphene devices has remained an outstanding challenge dating back to the inception of the field of topological insulators. Graphene's exceptionally weak spin-orbit coupling -stemming from carbon's low mass- poses the primary obstacle. We experimentally and theoretically study artificially enhanced spin-orbit coupling in graphene via random decoration with dilute Bi2Te3 nanoparticles. Remarkably, multi-terminal resistance measurements suggest the presence of helical edge states characteristic of a quantum-spin-Hall phase; the magnetic-field and temperature dependence of the resistance peaks, X-ray photoelectron spectra, scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations further support this scenario. These observations highlight a pathway to spintronics and quantum-information applications in graphene-based quantum-spin-Hall platforms.

We report influence of encapsulated C60 molecules on electron transport in carbon-nanotube peapod quantum dots. We find atomic-like behaviors with doubly degenerate electronic levels, which exist only around ground states, by single electron spectroscopy measured at low back-gate voltages (Vbg). Correlation with presence of nearly free electrons (NFEs) unique to the peapods is discussed. Moreover, we find anomalously high values of power a observed in power laws in conductance versus energy relationships, which are strongly associated with the doubly degenerate levels. It is revealed that the powers originate from Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid via the occupied doubly degenerate levels. Our observations clarify that the encapsulated C60 molecules form doubly degenerate levels only at ground state in peapod quantum dots and do not eliminate a ballistic charge transport., Comment: Submitted on behalf of TIMA Editions (http://irevues.inist.fr/tima-editions)

We report Meissner effect for type-II superconductors with a maximum Tc of 19 K, which is the highest value among those in new-carbon related superconductors, found in the honeycomb arrays of multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs). Drastic reduction of ferromagnetic catalyst and efficient growth of MWNTs by deoxidization of catalyst make the finding possible. The weak magnetic anisotropy, superconductive coherence length (- 7 nm), and disappearance of the Meissner effect after dissolving array structure indicate that the graphite structure of an MWNT and those intertube coupling in the honeycomb array are dominant factors for the mechanism., Comment: 6 pages

We report encapsulated C60 molecules on electron transport in carbon-nanotube peapod quantum dots. We find atomic-like behaviors with doubly degenerate electronic levels, which exist only around ground states, by single electron spectroscopy measured at low back-gate voltages (Vbg's). Correlation with presence of nearly free electrons (NFEs) unique to the peapods is discussed. In contrast, we find that encapsulated C60 molecules do not affect to single charging effect. Moreover, we find anomalously high values of powers observed in power laws in conductance versus energy relationships, which are strongly associated with the doubly degenerate levels. It is revealed that the powers originate from Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids via the occupied doubly degenerate levels. Encapsulated C60 molecules do not eliminate a ballistic charge transport in single-walled nanotubes.

We report that entirely end-bonded multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) can show superconductivity with the transition temperature Tc as high as 12K that is approximately 40-times larger than those reported in ropes of single-walled nanotubes. We find that emergence of this superconductivity is very sensitive to junction structures of Au electrode/MWNTs. This reveals that only MWNTs with optimal numbers of electrically activated shells, which are realized by the end-bonding, can allow the superconductivity due to inter shell effects., Comment: 5 pages