Surface dynamics on atomic length and time scales: A new opportunity in experimental science

原子长度和时间尺度的表面动力学：实验科学的新机遇

基本信息

批准号：
EP/E004962/1
负责人：
John Ellis
金额：
$ 128.99万
依托单位：
University of Cambridge
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Research Grant
财政年份：
2006
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2006 至无数据
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FE004962%2F1
关键词：
Surface dynamics atomic length time

项目摘要

Our proposal is designed to open up the emerging field of nanoscale surface transport on ultra-short time scales (i.e. picoseconds to nanoseconds). The motion of single atoms and molecules on these time scales is both fundamentally and technologically important. Fields ranging from the development of new catalysts, to understanding how nanostructures can be built by self assembly, and even understanding the microscopic origins of friction and wear, will all benefit from the fundamental work we propose.Measuring surface transport on such fast time scales (which correspond to the typical length of time required for two atoms to pass each other), is difficult; current microscopy cannot achieve the necessary imaging rates. However, the applicants have recently developed a new instrument at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, which makes work in this challenging field possible. The recent demonstration of the capabilities of 'helium-3 spin-echo' represents the culmination of a very successful high-risk project. The present grant application is designed to realise the full potential of this apparatus, by providing vital support instrumentation, specialist staff and running costs for the next four years. These will complete a unique, world-leading facility, allowing the U.K to maintain its present, leading position in this important field.The programme will include a combination of measurement and instrumentation development. Measurements will address a wide range of systems, ranging from simple atoms and molecules on clean metals, to larger molecules and transport processes on nanostructured surfaces. We will obtain otherwise unavailable information, describing dynamics under the thermally activated conditions, where technologically important processes occur. The information made available will be important to disciplines ranging from understanding the processes involved in catalysis, to testing the validity of theoretical models of structure and bonding, and understanding the microscopic origins of friction.New equipment is needed to enable effective use of the new apparatus. Both the beam source and detection equipment will be improved, which will allow us to make measurements much more quickly and enable a much wider range of measurements. We will add the standard sample preparation equipment, which is currently missing from the apparatus, to increase the throughput and optimise the scientific return on the investment, as well as sample transfer equipment to allow rapid sample exchanges and ex-situ sample preparation.The unique scope of the 'spin-echo' instrument will form a focus for a series of new international collaborations, supporting several of the research council's current operating objectives. Several research groups, both in the UK and abroad have already expressed interest in co-operation, both experimentally and theoretically. These collaborations are likely to be particularly productive, given the diverse range of measurements that will be possible and the interdisciplinary nature of the field - linking fundamental physics with surface chemistry, materials science and even nanoscale engineering.

我们的建议旨在在超短时间尺度上打开纳米级表面传输的新兴领域（即picseconds to nanseconds）。在这些时间尺度上，单个原子和分子的运动在根本上和技术上都很重要。从新催化剂的发展到了解如何通过自组装建造纳米结构，甚至了解摩擦和磨损的显微镜起源，都将受益于我们提出的基本工作。在如此快的时间尺度上进行表面运输（与两个原子所需的典型时间相对应），这都是困难的；当前的显微镜无法达到必要的成像率。但是，申请人最近在卡文迪许实验室剑桥开发了一种新工具，这使得在这个充满挑战的领域成为可能。最近关于“氦3自旋回波”能力的演示代表了一个非常成功的高风险项目的高潮。目前的赠款申请旨在通过在未来四年提供重要的支持工具，专业人员和运营成本来实现该设备的全部潜力。这些将完成一个独特的，世界领先的设施，使英国能够保持其现在，在这一重要领域的领先地位。该计划将包括测量和仪器开发的结合。测量值将解决各种系统，从简单的原子和干净金属上的分子到纳米结构表面上的较大分子和传输过程。我们将获得其他不可用的信息，描述在热激活条件下的动态，在这些过程中发生了重要的过程。提供的信息对于从了解催化过程的过程到测试结构和粘结的理论模型的有效性以及理解摩擦的微观起源的有效性。光束源和检测设备都将得到改进，这将使我们能够更快地进行测量，并实现更广泛的测量。我们将添加标准样品制备设备，该设备目前正在设备中缺少，以增加吞吐量并优化投资的科学回报，以及样品传输设备，以允许快速样品交换和前Situ样品制备。“ Spin-Echo”乐器的独特范围将构成一系列新的国际协作，支持该研究委员会当前的几个新国际协作。在英国和国外的几个研究小组在实验和理论上都已经对合作表示了兴趣。鉴于将有可能的测量以及该领域的跨学科性质 - 将基本物理学与表面化学，材料科学甚至纳米级工程联系起来，这些合作可能会特别有效。