Experimental Studies of Nanoscopic Superconductors: Half-flux Quantum, Metallic State of Cooper Pairs, and the Berry's Phase

近年来，纳米尺度上的超导体研究取得了长足的进展，这一点可以从数十种新物理现象的观察和几种有趣的理论预测的发表中得到证明。后者包括导致π结的负约瑟夫森耦合，因此，在传统的s波超导体中，半通量量子和新的涡旋态，库珀对的金属态，以及介观系统中的贝瑞相。这个个人研究奖支持一个项目，将寻求这些预测的物理现象，通过创新的样品制造和测量技术。与此同时，该项目将追求其教育目标，包括本科生和研究生培训以及公共宣传，重点是吸引更多的妇女和少数民族从事科学工作。 新物理现象的发现和样品制造新技术的发展将对纳米技术产生广泛的影响。为了保持计算机、电信和电子商务等半导体行业令人印象深刻的增长，需要开发传统技术的替代品。 人们认识到，在纳米尺度上运作的新技术将变得越来越重要。 在这种背景下，纳米尺度上的超导体研究取得了长足的进展，这一点可以从数十种新物理现象的观察和几种有趣的理论预测的发表中得到证明。 这个个人研究者奖支持一个项目，将寻找理论预测的新物理现象。 与此同时，该项目将努力实现学生培训和公共宣传的教育目标，重点是吸引更多的妇女和少数民族学习科学和工程。 新物理现象的发现和样品制造中的新技术将对纳米技术产生更广泛的影响。

Research in superconductors on the nanometer scale has made strong headway in recent years, evidenced by the observation of scores of new physical phenomena and the publication of several intriguing theoretical predictions. The latter include negative Josephson coupling that results in pi-junctions, and therefore, half-flux quantum and novel vortex states, in conventional s-wave superconductors, a metallic state of Cooper pairs, and the Berry's phase in mesoscopic systems. This individual investigator award supports a project that will seek out these predicted physical phenomena, through innovations in sample fabrication and measurement techniques. At the same time the project will pursue its educational goals, including undergraduate and graduate student training as well as public outreach with an emphasis on attracting more women and minorities to science. The discovery of new physical phenomena and the development of novel techniques in sample fabrication will have a broad impact on nanoscale technologies.In order to maintain the impressive growth in the semiconductor industries such as seen in the computer, telecommunication, and e-commerce sectors, alternatives to the traditional technology need to be developed. It is recognized that new technologies operating at the nanoscale will become increasingly important. Within this context, research in superconductors on the nanometer scale has made strong headways, evidenced by the observation of scores of new physical phenomena and the publication of several intriguing theoretical predictions. This individual investigator award supports a project that will seek out the novel physical phenomena predicted by theory. At the same time the project will pursue the educational goals of student training and public outreach with an emphasis on attracting more women and minorities to science and engineering. The discovery of new physical phenomena and novel techniques in sample fabrication will have a broader impact on nanoscale technologies.