SPIN ELECTRONICS: Spin Manipulation in Semiconductor Nanostructures

该提案是响应21世纪世纪自旋电子学倡议，计划征集NSF 02-036而收到的。该提案侧重于半导体纳米结构在新兴的自旋电子学领域的应用。该方案的目标是： 探讨奈米结构的自旋电子学应用示范，包括自旋过滤器、自旋阀及自旋电晶体的奈米应用 进行半导体奈米结构中自旋极化输运的实验研究 对半导体纳米结构的自旋相关电子结构和自旋退相干机制进行理论研究。这项研究的主要成果预计将是对未来自旋电子器件中利用半导体纳米结构独特性质的方式的重要理解。该方案的一个重要方面是其协调结构。主要研究人员在半导体纳米结构的实验和理论研究方面有着良好的记录，他们的合作预计将导致高度多学科的相互作用。该研究计划本身探索了复杂的自旋电子器件的实现，如自旋阀或自旋晶体管，通过集成最基本的自旋器件，自旋过滤器的纳米级实现。理论建模探讨了这些设备中的自旋分辨子带结构，自旋退相干的机制，以及正在调查的结构的输运性质。除了其科学的重要性，该计划还有助于在亚利桑那州立大学的研究生和本科生教育的上级环境的创建。 它的教学影响进一步加强了与美国（桑迪亚）和日本（先进工业科学技术研究所，AIST）国家实验室研究人员的合作。 参与该项目的研究生和本科生从这些合作提供的机会中受益匪浅。 例如，这些合作的一个重要组成部分是他们在该计划期间为学生实习提供的机会。 与此同时，本科生参与该计划是通过协调研究与两个学期的高级设计项目，形成在电气工程系本科课程的毕业要求之一鼓励。 正如我们过去所做的那样，我们继续努力让代表性不足的少数民族和妇女参与这一方案。 一个更广泛的推广的宝贵机会是由妇女在科学和工程（WISE）计划，我们有参与的记录，并积极鼓励女高中生进入工程项目提供。 通过在顶级同行评审期刊上发表文章，学生和教师参加会议，以及在现有NSF赞助项目下开发的中央网络资源上发布相关材料，促进了该计划成果的传播。

This proposal was received in response to the Spin Electronics for the 21st Century Initiative, Program Solicitation NSF 02-036. The proposal focuses on the application of semiconductor nanostructures in the emerging field of spin-based electronics. The program objectives are: To explore demonstrations of the spintronic applications of nanostructures, including nanoscale implementations of the spin filter, the spin valve, and the spin transistor To undertake experimental investigations of spin-polarized transport in semiconductor nanostructures To perform theoretical studies of the spin-dependent electronic structure of semiconductor nanostructures, and of the mechanisms of spin decoherence.The key outcome of this research is expected to be the development of a crucial understanding of the manner in which the unique properties of semiconductor nanostructures may be exploited in future spintronic devices. An important aspect of this program is its coordinated structure. The principal investigators have proven track records in the experimental and theoretical study of semiconductor nanostructures, and their collaboration is expected to result in a highly multidisciplinary interaction. The research program itself explores the implementation of complicated spintronic devices, such as the spin valve or the spin transistor, by integrating nanoscale implementations of the most basic of spin devices, the spin filter. Theoretical modeling explores the spin-resolved subband structure in these devices, the mechanisms for spin decoherence, and the transport properties of the structures being investigated.In addition to its scientific importance, this program also contributes to the creation of a superior environment for graduate and undergraduate education at Arizona State University. Its pedagogic impact is further enhanced by the collaborations it promotes with researchers at national laboratories in the US (Sandia) and Japan (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, AIST). Graduate and undergraduate students involved in this project benefit greatly from the opportunities provided by these collaborations. A significant component of these collaborations, for example, is the opportunities they provide for student internship during this program. At the same time, undergraduate involvement in this program is encouraged by coordinating the research with the two-semester senior-design projects, which form one of the graduation requirements of the undergraduate program in the Electrical Engineering Department. As we have done in the past, we continue to make efforts to involve both underrepresented minorities and women in this program. A valuable opportunity for wider outreach is provided by the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program, which we have a record of involvement in and which actively encourages female high-school students to enter engineering programs. Dissemination of the results of this program is promoted through publications in the top peer-review journals, student and faculty participation in conferences, and the posting of related material on a central web resource that is being developed under an existing NSF-sponsored project.