Takayuki Harada

We are conducting exploratory research on thin-film heterostructures, aiming to design and develop novel material systems that enable the discovery of new physical phenomena and advanced electronic functionalities.

We have developed ultra-thin films of oxide metals, known as metallic delafossites, that conduct electricity as efficiently as elemental gold (Fig. 1). Owing to their unique structure, in which electrons move primarily in limited directions, these materials are expected to maintain high electrical conductivity even in nanoscale structures. Our research explores both the application of metallic delafossites to future electronic devices and the discovery of new quantum transport phenomena arising from highly mobile electrons confined in ultra-thin layers. In particular, we are investigating their potential as next-generation interconnect materials to address the increasing resistivity challenges of conventional copper interconnects in advanced logic devices.