Tying down electrons with nanoribbons: 'Topological' graphene nanoribbons trap electrons for new quantum materials

Nanoribbons are promising topological materials displaying novel electronic properties. Chemists and physicists have found a way to join two different types of nanoribbon to create a topological insulator that confines single electrons to the junction between them. Alternating nanoribbon types create a chain of interacting electrons that act as metals, insulators or interacting spins -- qubits for a quantum computer -- depending on separation. This opens the door to designer materials with unique quantum properties.