RIA: Homogenization of Magneto-Optic Properties in MnBiA1 Films Through the Introduction of Nanoscale Artifical Polycrystallinity

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9409730 Sands The principal objectives of the proposed research are i) to understand the role of A1 additions in homogenizing the microstructure of MnBi thin films and ii) to explore the application of nanoscale patterning of these films to further improving film homogeneity through suppressing the formation of a metastable low-temperature phase and reducing the effective grain size. These objectives address the primary obstacles, media noise and stability, in developing MnBi as a medium for ultra-high density magneto-optic recording at blue laser wavelengths. This technology, if realized, could offer ubiquitous access to low-cost removable and rewritable optical media for digital image and video applications. More generally, the proposed research will contribute to advances in the control of polycrystalline thin-film properties on the scale of tens of nanometers through the application of nanoscale film patterning techniques to fabricate "artificial polycrystallinity." Such control will be essential to continued application of polycrystalline storage media for ultra-high density(1Gbit/in2) magnetic recording, nonvolatile ferroelectric memories, rewritable optical storage and Gbit dynamic random access memories (DRAM) utilizing high permittivity polycrystalline oxides for charge storage. ***