Multi-technique research ecosystem centred around electronic band structure characterisation

The discovery and control of novel quantum materials are central to advancing modern technology. These materials often exhibit complex behaviours that require multiple, complementary techniques to fully understand their structure and properties. For instance, the electronic band structure is critical to the understanding of new quantum materials, and it is characterised using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) or momentum microscopy. We present how the research ecosystem for surface science centred around ARPES is created with the combination of state-of-the-art techniques including molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) for thin-film growth, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) for chemical state analysis, and scanning probe microscopy (SPM) for real-space imaging. Materials innovation is enabled by using complemental techniques, utilizing instruments at laboratories and user facilities, and developing additional instruments to integrate to commercial instruments. We will illustrate some of the research scenarios centred around electronic band structure characterisation and highlight application examples, including 2D materials and topological materials.