NSF-Europe: Electronic Correlations in Carbon Nanotubes

对碳纳米管的激子性质进行了系统的研究。光吸收、光致发光和光致发光激发光谱将由亚利桑那州立大学(ASU)、马德里自治大学(西班牙)和克莱姆森大学的研究人员进行。这些研究所需的特殊材料将在克莱姆森大学合成，摩德纳大学(意大利)的研究人员将提供理论支持。该项目预计将产生广泛的社会影响。最近纳米管异质结的制备和掺杂机制的发现表明，碳纳米管可能在未来几代光电子器件中发挥重要作用。对这些材料中激子的了解是任何此类应用的基本科学前提。将特别强调促进科学教育。亚利桑那州立大学现有的课程将有助于吸引少数族裔和高中生。拉曼光谱学和激子的跨学科研究生课程将由欧洲合作伙伴在亚利桑那州立大学教授。课程讲稿将透过互联网发放。该计划还将支持美国研究生在欧洲的实验研究。提高我国公民生活水平的非技术进步在很大程度上依赖于新材料的开发。在取得这些进展之前，总是会有密集的基础研究。本项目旨在研究碳纳米管的基本性质，碳纳米管是一种具有诱人技术潜力的新型材料，其具体目的是研究碳纳米管吸收和发射光的激子效应。激子效应是由光激发的电子和它留下的正电荷之间的引力产生的。这些效应在传统半导体中是至关重要的，但在碳纳米管方面，它们还没有得到任何详细的研究。所需的纳米管样品将在克莱姆森大学制备。光学测量将在亚利桑那州立大学克莱姆森和西班牙马德里的自治大学进行。意大利摩德纳大学的合作者将提供理论支持。这些国际合作将使美国研究生有可能在国外进行研究工作。这个NSF项目是由多学科活动办公室、材料研究部门(凝聚态物理)、国际办公室(西欧)以及NSF和欧洲之间的材料研究合作活动(NSF 02-135)共同资助的。该项目是与西班牙马德里自治大学和意大利摩德纳大学合作开展的。

Technical AbstractA systematic study of the excitonic properties of carbon nanotubes is proposed. Optical Absorption, Photoluminescence and Photoluminescence Excitation Spectroscopy will be carried out by researchers at Arizona State University (ASU), the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Spain) and Clemson University. The special materials needed for these studies will be synthesized at Clemson University, and theoretical support will be provided by researchers at the University of Modena (Italy).The project is expected to have a broad societal impact. The recent fabrication of nanotube heterojunctions and the discovery of doping mechanisms suggest that carbon nanotubes may play an important role in future generations of optoelectronic devices. The understanding of excitons in these materials is a fundamental scientific prerequisite for any such application.A special emphasis will be placed on fostering scientific education. Existing programs at ASU will help attract minority and high-school students. Interdisciplinary graduate courses on Raman spectroscopy and Excitons will be taught at Arizona State University by the European partners. Course notes will be disseminated via the Internet. The program will also support experimental research in Europe by US graduate students.Non-technical AbstractTechnological advances that improve the standard of living of our citizens depend, to a great extent, on the development of new materials. These advances are invariably preceded by intense fundamental research. In this project it is proposed to study the basic properties of carbon nanotubes, a new class of materials with an intriguing technological potential.The specific purpose of this project is to study "excitonic effects" in the absorption and emission of light by carbon nanotubes. Excitonic effects result from the attractive force between an electron that is excited by the light and the positive charge it leaves behind. These effects are of fundamental importance in conventional semiconductors, but in the case of carbon nanotubes they have not been studied in any detail.The required nanotube samples will be prepared at Clemson University. Optical measurements will be performed at Clemson, Arizona State University, and at the Autonomous University in Madrid, Spain. Theoretical support will be provided by collaborators at the University of Modena, Italy. These international collaborations will make it possible for US graduate students to do research work abroad.This NSF project is co-funded by the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities, and the Divisions of Material Research (Condensed Matter Physics), International Office (Western Europe) and a Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between the NSF and Europe (NSF 02-135). This project is being carried out in collaboration with the Autonomous University in Madrid, Spain and University of Modena, Italy.