A microscopic perspective on moiré materials

Contemporary quantum materials research is guided by themes of topology and electronic correlations. A confluence of these two themes is engineered in moiré materials, an emerging class of highly tunable, strongly correlated 2D materials designed by the rotational or lattice misalignment of atomically thin crystals. In moiré materials, dominant Coulomb interactions among electrons give rise to collective electronic phases, often with robust topological properties. Identifying the mechanisms responsible for these exotic phases is fundamental to our understanding of strongly interacting quantum systems and to our ability to engineer new material properties for potential future technological applications. In this Review, we highlight the contributions of local spectroscopic, thermodynamic and electromagnetic probes to the budding field of moiré materials research. These techniques have not only identified many of the underlying mechanisms of the correlated insulators, generalized Wigner crystals, unconventional superconductors, moiré ferroelectrics and topological orbital ferromagnets found in moiré materials, but have also uncovered fragile quantum phases that have evaded spatially averaged global probes. Furthermore, we highlight recently developed local probe techniques, including local charge sensing and quantum interference probes, that have uncovered new physical observables in moiré materials. Moiré materials are an emerging class of strongly correlated quantum materials designed by the rotational or lattice misalignment of 2D crystals. This Review discusses how local probe techniques are uniquely positioned to elucidate the microscopic mechanisms underlying the electronic phases in moiré materials.