Preprint FZJ-2026-02280

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Orbitals of Artificial Atoms in a Gapped Two-Dimensional Vacuum

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2026
arXiv

arXiv () [10.48550/ARXIV.2604.14737]

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Abstract: Advances in nanotechnology now allow the creation of artificial atoms - engineered structures whose electronic states closely mimic those of real atoms. Understanding how these artificial atoms interact and bond is key to designing new materials with tailored electronic properties. Here, we use scanning tunnelling microscopy to visualise the bound states of nanostructures patterned in a two-dimensional molecular film featuring a parabolic band with multiple partial energy gaps. The lowest-energy states split off from the bottom of the band and resemble the familiar $s$ and $p$ orbitals of natural atoms, even bonding in the same way. Yet, artificial atoms go beyond this analogy: the gapped two-dimensional vacuum in which they reside gives rise to entirely new orbitals with no counterparts in real atoms. These quasi-one-dimensional localised states enrich the orbital vocabulary of chemistry, adding a new class of orbitals that are predominantly shaped by the surrounding electronic vacuum.

Keyword(s): Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) ; FOS: Physical sciences


Contributing Institute(s):
  1. Quantum Nanoscience (PGI-3)
Research Program(s):
  1. 5213 - Quantum Nanoscience (POF4-521) (POF4-521)
  2. SFB 1083 A12 - Struktur und Anregungen von hetero-epitaktischen Schichtsystemen aus schwach wechselwirkenden 2D-Materialien und molekularen Schichten (A12) (385975694) (385975694)

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 Record created 2026-04-23, last modified 2026-04-23


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