Ballistic Spin Transport in 2D Carrier Systems

自旋电子学是固体科学与工程领域的一个新兴领域。它的广泛目标是利用载流子的自旋来实现依赖于自旋和自旋流的产生、操作和检测的新型电子设备。如果成功，这种对自旋的操纵也可能对另一个新兴的、甚至更奇异的量子计算领域产生影响，因为自旋是在拟议的量子计算机中注册量子比特信息的领先候选者。这个项目的目标是探索AlAs量子阱中干净的二维载流子系统中的弹道自旋输运，其中由于电子的大有效g因子，电子可以在适度的磁场(~1T)下被自旋极化。该项目包括通过分子束外延生长基本材料的晶体，使用光学和电子束光刻制造各种器件，以及传输测量。该项目包含了高质量和全面的教育内容。PI致力于研究生和本科生的教育，该项目将导致学生在关键的、最先进的科学和技术领域的教育，包括高质量层状半导体结构的制造、表征和物理。该协会还致力于对公众进行更广泛的科学和工程教育。他参加了各种K-12教师电学和磁学方面的培训计划，这些都是与本提案主题相关的一般领域。这些计划包括培训课程、工具包开发和在地区学校的演示。

Spintronics is an emerging area in solid state science and engineering. Its broad goal is to utilize carriers' spin to realize novel electronic devices that rely on the creation, manipulation, and detection of spin and spin-currents. If successful, such manipulation of spins can also have impact on another emerging, and perhaps even more exotic, field of quantum computing, as spin is the leading candidate for registering the quantum bit of information in the proposed quantum computers. The goal of this project is to explore ballistic spin transport in clean, two-dimensional carrier systems in AlAs quantum wells where, thanks to their large effective g-factor, the electrons can be spin-polarized with a modest magnetic field (~ 1T). The project involves the crystal growth of the basic materials, via molecular beam epitaxy, the fabrication of various devices using optical and electron-beam lithography, and transport measurements.The project incorporates a high quality and comprehensive educational component. The PI is dedicated to the education of both graduate and undergraduate students, and the project will result in the education of students in critical, state-of-the art areas of science and technology, including the fabrication, characterization, and physics of high quality layered semiconductor structure. The PI is also committed to a broader education of the public in science and engineering. He participates in various K-12 teacher training programs in electricity and magnetism, general areas that are linked to the topic of this proposal. The programs include training sessions, kit development, and demonstrations at regional schools.