In recent years, "moiré materials"—atomically thin, two-dimensional layered structures such as graphene—have emerged as one of the most exciting frontiers in condensed matter physics. By stacking these atomic layers with a slight rotational misalignment, researchers create interference patterns that fundamentally reshape how electrons move. This simple twist can unlock entirely new quantum phases, including superconductivity and correlated insulating states, making moiré systems a powerful platform for exploring emergent physical phenomena.

Studying these systems, however, has traditionally come with significant technical hurdles. Conventional devices must be assembled with extreme precision, relying on fixed twist angles, painstakingly assembled with precision often better than a tenth of a degree. Even then, imperfections such as strain and disorder can obscure the underlying physics.

The quantum twisting microscope (QTM)—recently pioneered by researchers at the Weizmann Institute—offers a radically different approach. By mechanically separating two-dimensional layers and rotating them in place, the QTM enables continuous, dynamic control of the twist angle, bypassing the constraints of conventional fabrication.