Single-Electron Mediated Charge, Spin and Lattice Interactions in Oxide Nanostructures

氧化物纳米结构中单电子介导的电荷、自旋和晶格相互作用

• 批准号: 1104191
• 负责人: Jeremy Levy
• 金额: $ 71.11万
• 依托单位: University of Pittsburgh
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-08-01 至 2016-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1104191&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Single; Electron; Mediated; Charge; Spin

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONThis research project will help provide physical understanding of a new oxide-based system capable of information storage and sensing at scales approaching the distance between atoms. Using a technique analogous to the perennial toy "etch-a-sketch", devices that operate with single electrons are being created. These devices store information at very high densities, and they are also predicted to be ultrasensitive sensors of both force and charge. The combined sensitivity, once understood properly, can be used to develop new types of devices and technologies. Aligned with the research goals are mentoring strategies for helping undergraduates learn advanced (but essential) subjects such as quantum mechanics. Mentoring strategies for underrepresented groups are also being pursued for both undergraduate and graduate students.TECHNICAL DETAILSThis research project will identify and develop novel couplings between electron charge, spin, and nanomechanical degrees of freedom in oxide nanostructures. The research centers on a recently developed ferroelectric sketch-based single-electron transistor ("SketchSET"). Resonant tunneling into the SketchSET is modified by the ferroelectric polarization in SrTiO3, enabling an ultrasensitive electronic readout of the ferroelectric polarization (or strain) state. Initial experiments are further characterizing the SketchSET devices, and helping to define the relationship between writing parameters, charging energies, and tunnel barriers. The two-dimensional confining potential V(x,y) that forms the SketchSET are being mapped using a cryogenic atomic force microscope (AFM). Nanomechanical coupling is also being investigated using the piezoelectric and inverse-piezoelectric effects. Subsequent experiments couple a nanoscale mechanical object (e.g., C60 molecule or nanocrystalline quantum dot) placed atop the SketchSET and investigate coupling to phonon modes through inelastic tunneling experiments. Spintronic effects are being investigated at low temperature and high magnetic fields (50 mK/9T), with the purpose of investigating spin relaxation times and gauging the applicability of these systems for spin-based quantum information platforms. The Kondo regime for SketchSETs are being investigated, with a longer-term goal of creating artificial networks of localized and delocalized spin systems. Graduate students are receiving broad-based training in advanced techniques including sample processing, scanning probe microscopy and low-temperature magneto-transport.

非技术描述该研究项目将有助于对基于氧化物的新系统进行物理理解，以便在接近原子之间距离的尺度上进行信息存储和传感。 使用类似于多年生玩具“ Etch-a-Sketch”的技术，正在创建使用单电子运行的设备。 这些设备以非常高的密度存储信息，并且预计它们是力和电荷的超敏感性传感器。 一旦正确理解的组合灵敏度可用于开发新型的设备和技术。 与研究目标保持一致的是指导策略，以帮助大学生学习高级（但必不可少的）主题，例如量子力学。 本科生和研究生也正在追求针对代表性不足的群体的指导策略。技术细节这项研究项目将在氧化纳米结构中识别和开发电子电荷，自旋和纳米力学自由度之间的新型耦合。 该研究集中在最近开发的基于铁的草图单电子晶体管（“ SketchSet”）上。 SRTIO3中的铁电偏振化修饰了进入草图集中的谐振隧穿，从而实现了铁电偏振（或应变）状态的超敏化电子读数。 最初的实验进一步表征了草图集设备，并有助于定义写作参数，充电能量和隧道屏障之间的关系。 形成草图集的二维限制电势V（x，y）正在使用低温原子显微镜（AFM）映射。 还使用压电和逆Piezoelecleclectric效应研究了纳米力学耦合。 随后的实验将纳米级的机械对象（例如C60分子或纳米晶量子点）放在草图集的顶部，并通过非弹性隧道实验研究与声子模式进行偶联。 在低温和高磁场（50 MK/9T）下，正在研究自旋效应，目的是研究自旋松弛时间，并测量这些系统对于基于自旋的量子信息平台的适用性。 正在研究用于草图组的Kondo制度，其长期目标是创建局部和离域旋转系统的人工网络。 研究生正在接受高级技术的广泛培训，包括样品处理，扫描探针显微镜和低温磁电机。