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Abstract Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and electron-electron interaction can mutually influence each other and give rise to a plethora of intriguing phenomena in condensed matter systems. In pristine bilayer graphene (BLG), which has weak SOC, intrinsic Lifshitz transitions and concomitant van-Hove singularities lead to the emergence of many-body correlated phases. Layer-selective SOC can be proximity induced by adding a layer of tungsten diselenide (WSe₂) on its one side. By applying an electric displacement field, the system can be tuned across a spectrum wherein electronic correlation, SOC, or a combination of both dominates. Our investigations reveal an intricate phase diagram of proximity-induced SOC-selective BLG. Not only does this phase diagram include those correlated phases reminiscent of SOC-free doped BLG, but it also hosts unique SOC-induced states allowing a compelling measurement of valleyg-factor and a correlated insulator at charge neutrality, thereby showcasing the remarkable tunability of the interplay between interaction and SOC in WSe₂enriched BLG. 

A series of dibenzannulated phenyl-annulated [4,2] peri -acenoacenes have been synthesized in three straightforward steps from 4,10-dibromoanthanthrone (vat orange 3). The phenyl bisannulation of [4,2] peri -acenoacene provides extra stability by increasing the overall aromatic character of the molecules, and allows for a 45–80% increase of the molar extinction coefficient ( ε ) compared to their [5,2] peri -acenoacene isomers. Depending on the substituents attached to the π-conjugated core, some derivatives exhibit strong aggregation in the solid state with association constant ( K a ) up to 255 M −1 , resulting in a significant broadening of the absorption spectrum and a substantial decrease of the bandgap value (more than 0.3 V) from solution to the solid state. One [4,2] peri -acenoacene derivative was doubly reduced using cesium and the crystal structure of the resulting salt has been obtained. Field-effect transistors showing a temperature-dependent hole mobility have been tested. 

Recent work in structure–processing relationships of polymer semiconductors have demonstrated the versatility and control of thin-film microstructure offered by meniscus-guided coating (MGC) techniques. Here, we analyze the qualitative and quantitative aspects of solution shearing, a model MGC method, using coating blades augmented with arrays of pillars. The pillars induce local regions of high strain rates—both shear and extensional—not otherwise possible with unmodified blades, and we use fluid mechanical simulations to model and study a variety of pillar spacings and densities. We then perform a statistical analysis of 130 simulation variables to find correlations with three dependent variables of interest: thin-film degree of crystallinity and transistor field-effect mobilities for charge-transport parallel (μ para ) and perpendicular (μ perp ) to the coating direction. Our study suggests that simple fluid mechanical models can reproduce substantive correlations between the induced fluid flow and important performance metrics, providing a methodology for optimizing blade design.