CAREER: Experimental Neutron Scattering and Materials-Based Exploration of Spin-Orbital Physics in Intermediate-Bandwidth Quantum Materials

职业：中子散射实验和中带宽量子材料中自旋轨道物理的基于材料的探索

• 批准号: 1521208
• 负责人: Stephen Wilson
• 金额: $ 12.01万
• 依托单位: University of California-Santa Barbara
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1521208&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CAREER; Experimental; Neutron; Scattering; Materials

Non-Technical Abstract:The electrons in a number of recently discovered materials with exciting new properties tread a fine line between two extremes: one of independent electrons largely ignoring one another (such as in good metals) and one where electrons interact so strongly with each other that they foster collective behavior. These new classes of so-called intermediate bandwidth systems occupy a unique regime where the coupling between an electron's atomic orbital motion and its intrinsic magnetic field (or spin) plays an important role in generating new electronic behavior. This project will support a neutron scattering-based experimental research program exploring the fundamental electronic behavior in three key classes of these new spin-orbit coupled materials: iron-based high temperature superconductors, iridium oxide insulators, and topological insulators; many of which possess potential for future energy transport and computing applications. The project will also support the growth of materials necessary to attack key research problems while simultaneously addressing the large national need for creative materials exploration. In addition to supporting the education of two PhD students, the project will also provide hands-on, research-based, education to underrepresented high school interns and undergraduates. The synergy fostered by this project's integration of research and educational activities will also advance a broader goal of training the next generation of neutron scattering experts in the United States.Technical Abstract:This award will support a neutron scattering-based experimental research program whose goal is to understand magnetism and competing order's role in the electronic behavior of an emerging class of intermediate bandwidth materials where strong spin-orbital coupling effects conspire to create novel properties. These materials occupy a unique coupling regime (U~W) where modest correlation can exert a dramatic influence within their resulting ground states. This project will focus on three classes of these materials where magnetic and orbital degrees of freedom are thought to play a key role: iron pnictide high temperature superconductors, novel 5d Mott insulators, and perturbed topological insulators. Work will be guided by the project-supported growth of the crystalline materials necessary to attack key issues while simultaneously addressing the large national need for creative materials exploration. In addition to supporting the education of two PhD students, the project will also provide hands-on, research-based, education to underrepresented high school interns and undergraduates. The synergy fostered by this project's integration of research and educational activities will also advance a broader goal of training the next generation of neutron scattering experts in the United States.

非技术摘要：最近发现的许多具有令人兴奋的新特性的材料中的电子在两个极端之间徘徊：一种是独立的电子在很大程度上相互忽略（例如在优质金属中），另一种是电子与每个电子之间的相互作用如此强烈另外，它们促进集体行为。 这些新型所谓的中间带宽系统占据了一个独特的领域，其中电子的原子轨道运动与其固有磁场（或自旋）之间的耦合在产生新的电子行为中发挥着重要作用。 该项目将支持基于中子散射的实验研究计划，探索这些新型自旋轨道耦合材料的三个关键类别的基本电子行为：铁基高温超导体、氧化铱绝缘体和拓扑绝缘体；其中许多具有未来能源运输和计算应用的潜力。 该项目还将支持解决关键研究问题所需材料的增长，同时满足国家对创意材料探索的巨大需求。 除了支持两名博士生的教育外，该项目还将为代表性不足的高中实习生和本科生提供基于研究的实践教育。该项目整合研究和教育活动所产生的协同作用也将推动培养美国下一代中子散射专家的更广泛目标。技术摘要：该奖项将支持一项基于中子散射的实验研究项目，其目标是了解磁性和竞争顺序在新兴中带宽材料电子行为中的作用，其中强自旋轨道耦合效应共同创造出新颖的特性。 这些材料具有独特的耦合机制（U~W），其中适度的相关性可以对其产生的基态产生巨大的影响。 该项目将重点研究磁自由度和轨道自由度被认为发挥关键作用的三类材料：铁磷族高温超导体、新型 5d 莫特绝缘体和扰动拓扑绝缘体。 工作将以项目支持的晶体材料生长为指导，以解决关键问题，同时满足国家对创意材料探索的巨大需求。除了支持两名博士生的教育外，该项目还将为代表性不足的高中实习生和本科生提供基于研究的实践教育。 该项目整合研究和教育活动所产生的协同作用也将推动美国培养下一代中子散射专家的更广泛目标。