Spinel Structure Oxide Thin Films and Interfaces

技术：该项目主要研究薄膜氧化物异质结构。其目的是通过获得原子上光滑的尖晶石结构的氧化物界面来理解与两种不同过渡金属氧化物之间的界面相关的新的磁性和电子现象。了解界面价态、带宽和相互作用长度的不平衡如何导致界面上的电荷重新分布以及不同于主体的界面上的磁和轨道顺序构成了该项目的基础。同构复杂氧化物异质结构提供了一个模型系统，系统地研究了价、带宽和相互作用长度的不平衡。该方法包括：(I)合成原子光滑的尖晶石结构氧化物薄膜；(Ii)合成具有原子尖锐界面的等结构异质结构；(Iii)用X射线磁圆二色谱(XMCD)、光电子显微镜(PEEM)、X射线共振散射(XAS)、磁力显微镜(MFM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和电子能量损失谱(EELS)对表面和界面进行局部电子和磁性表征；以及(Iv)异质结构的电子输运和磁性表征。我们试图从根本上理解能带结构、电子密度和相互作用长度不平衡对不同于块体的界面上的电荷再分布以及磁和轨道顺序的作用。预计这项研究将为氧化物系统以及更广泛的界面物理和材料科学提供新的知识和理解。非技术性：该项目解决具有高度技术相关性的材料科学专题领域的基础研究问题。这项研究将在基础水平上为潜在的下一代电子/磁性设备的新的理解和能力贡献基本的材料科学知识。该计划的一个重要特点是通过在一个具有根本意义和技术意义的领域对学生进行培训，将研究和教育结合起来。该项目包括研究生和本科生在实验室和课堂上通过磁学课程开展的活动，该课程也适用于当地高中生。一项实习计划将继续在当地的一所高中进行，这种互动的范围预计将在未来三年内扩大。研究生和本科生将有机会在学年的部分时间和暑期指导这些高中实习生。与高中物理教师合作，还将开发材料科学模块课程。

Technical: This project focuses on thin film oxide heterostructures. The objective is to understand novel magnetic and electronic phenomena associated with the interface between two dissimilar transition metal oxides through achievement of atomically smooth spinel structure oxide interfaces. Understanding how imbalances in valence, bandwidth and interaction lengths at the interface give rise to charge redistribution and magnetic and orbital order at the interface different from the bulk forms the basis of the project. Isostructural complex oxide heterostructures provide model systems where imbalances in valence, bandwidth and interaction length will be systematically studied. The approach includes: (i) synthesis of atomically smooth, spinel structure oxide thin films; (ii) synthesis of isostructural heterostructures with atomically sharp interfaces; (iii) local electronic and magnetic characterization of surfaces and interfaces by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), X-ray resonant scattering (XAS), magnetic force microscopy (MFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS); and (iv) electronic transport and magnetic characterization of heterostructures. Fundamental understanding of the role of band structures, electron densities, and interaction length imbalances on charge redistribution and magnetic and orbital order at the interface different from the bulk is sought. New knowledge and understanding from this research is anticipated for oxide systems, and more broadly in interface physics and materials science. Non-technical: The project addresses basic research issues in a topical area of materials science having high technological relevance. The research will contribute basic materials science knowledge at a fundamental level to new understanding and capabilities for potential next generation electronic/magnetic devices. An important feature of the program is the integration of research and education through the training of students in a fundamentally and technologically significant area. The project includes graduate and undergraduate student activities in the laboratory and in the classroom through a magnetics curriculum which also extends to local high school students. An internship program will be continued with a local high school and the scope of this interaction is expected to grow over the next three years. Graduate and undergraduate students will have the opportunity to mentor these high school interns during parts of the school year and in the summer. In cooperation with physics teachers from the high school, a modular materials science curriculum will also be developed.