NSF/DMR-BSF: Spatially Resolved Probes of Magnetism at Oxide Interfaces

NSF/DMR-BSF：氧化物界面磁性空间分辨探针

• 批准号: 1609519
• 负责人: Jeremy Levy
• 金额: $ 53.5万
• 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: 2016
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2016-06-01 至 2020-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1609519&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NSF; DMR; BSF; Spatially; Resolved

Nontechnical abstract:Some of the most remarkable discoveries are related to the existence and nature of magnetism, and magnetism at a non-magnetic interface remains one of the greatest outstanding mysteries of modern physics. Experimental evidence has revealed magnetism coexisting with superconductivity, and the existence of magnetism at room temperature. This project seeks to provide understanding of such unexpected phenomena. The research requires proficiency in a variety of areas including physics, materials science, and nanoscale engineering, making it challenging and rewarding for beginning graduate and undergraduate students. Students also receive valuable training and experience in an international research setting: this research project is made possible by an international collaboration with a research team from the Weizmann Institute in Israel and exposes students both scientifically and culturally.Technical abstract:The interface between two insulating oxides, strontium titanate and lanthanum aluminate, exhibits an incredibly rich palette of emergent behavior. Some of the most remarkable discoveries have related to the existence and nature of magnetism, which coexists at low temperature with superconductivity, and is strongly influenced by the density of mobile electrons at the interface. Fundamental questions about the origin and nature of magnetism at (non-magnetic) oxide interfaces are investigated using a suite of probes that combine high spatial and temporal resolution. This project seeks an increased understanding of coupled phases in oxides, greatly benefiting the oxide community as a whole. The research focuses on developing a microscopic understanding of the origin of magnetism at oxide interfaces, with a particular emphasis on the role of both localized and delocalized electrons that are otherwise confined to these interfaces. This research combines ultrasensitive probes of magnetism at low temperature with the ability to create electronic nanostructures using conductive-atomic fore microscope lithography. A variety of complementary imaging techniques are employed to reveal magnetic properties at the oxide interface, including magnetic force microscopy , time resolved Kerr rotation, and superconducting-quantum-interference-device-on-a-tip microscopy. This unique combination of techniques, made possible by an international collaboration between the United States and Israel, is able to provide new insights into the most important outstanding physics questions concerning this remarkable material system.

非技术摘要：一些最引人注目的发现与磁性的存在和性质有关，而在非磁性界面上的磁性仍然是现代物理学最杰出的奥秘之一。实验证据表明，磁性与超导性共存，并在室温下存在磁性。该项目旨在提供对这种意外现象的理解。这项研究需要在各个领域的熟练程度，包括物理学，材料科学和纳米级工程，使其对初学者和本科生的挑战和有益。学生还在国际研究环境中获得了宝贵的培训和经验：与以色列魏兹曼学院的研究团队进行了国际合作，使该研究项目成为可能，并在科学和文化上揭露了学生。技术摘要：两个绝缘氧化物，钛质和lanthanum乳酸和灯笼铝的界面之间的界面，表现出令人难以置信的良好的紧张感。一些最引人注目的发现与磁力的存在和性质有关，磁力的存在和性质与超导性在低温下并存，并且受到界面上移动电子密度的强烈影响。关于（非磁性）氧化物界面的磁性起源和性质的基本问题，使用一组结合了高空间和时间分辨率的探针。该项目寻求对氧化物中耦合阶段的越来越多的了解，从而使整个氧化物社区受益匪浅。该研究的重点是对氧化物界面处磁力的起源有微观的理解，特别着重于本地化和离域电子的作用，这些电子既局限于这些界面。 这项研究结合了低温下磁性的超敏探针和使用导电 - 原子前显微镜光刻创建电子纳米结构的能力。采用多种互补的成像技术在氧化物界面上揭示磁性特性，包括磁力显微镜，时间分辨的Kerr旋转和超导量 - Quantum-Quantum-Quantum-Interference-Device-A-A-A-A-A-TIP显微镜。美国与以色列之间的国际合作使这种独特的技术结合得以实现，能够对有关这种非凡的材料系统的最重要的物理问题提供新的见解。