MRI: Development of a Broadband Time-Resolved Magneto-Optical and Second Harmonic Generation Magnetometer for Research and Education in Undergraduate Institution

技术摘要科罗拉多大学科罗拉多斯普林斯分校(UCCS)将开发一种时间分辨磁光和二次谐波产生(SHG)磁强计，使用15秒脉冲激光系统。该仪器的主要优点是：由于两种技术(表面自旋波和体自旋波)的表面敏感性不同，可以识别激发的自旋波；使用相同的设置(从“准静态”到太赫兹)可以灵活地访问较宽的频率范围；时间精度受飞秒脉冲宽度的限制；以及能够获得矢量分辨磁化响应。该系统将用于研究自旋动力学及其在纳米技术中的应用，特别是自旋波的传播和衰减。具体的研究项目包括：自旋波聚焦，热激发自旋波的传播，局域行为对整体磁化衰减的影响，以及液晶的倍频响应。教育推广活动将包括本科生参与仪器的开发，在那里他们将接受关于使用尖端技术(高频应用、超快激光技术等)的实验技术的培训。该仪器还将作为光学和固态实验室的一部分使用。UCCS将向理工科专业的学生提供使用这种仪器的改装课程，为他们未来在当地纳米技术和生物医学行业的职业生涯提供必要的培训。该仪器还将支持跨学科的本科生研究(物理、材料研究、生物和化学)。为通信和计算机等应用开发新的和改进的电子设备需要了解通常发生在超短(飞秒)时间范围内的基本物质过程(为了可视化一飞秒，光从地球传播到月球大约需要1.3秒；在一飞秒内，光传播的距离小于人类头发的厚度)。在所有这些应用中，材料的磁性尤其重要。科罗拉多大学科罗拉多斯普林斯分校(UCCS)将开发一种测量磁性的仪器，这将提供一套独特的技术，通过纳米技术的应用，极大地加强我们在超快现象领域的研究。这一发展项目还将包括教育宣传。本科生将参与仪器的开发，并接受具有尖端技术(高频应用、超快激光技术等)的实验技术培训。该仪器将作为物理专业高级实验课的一部分。UCCS还将为理工科专业的学生提供使用这种仪器的改装课程，为他们未来在本地纳米技术和生物医学行业的职业生涯提供必要的培训。使用这种仪器的研究活动将包括以下项目：开发用于通信的更快、更小的纳米电子设备，开发更好的计算机存储器材料，以及研究用于显示器(LCD)的液晶。

Technical AbstractThe University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) will develop a time-resolved magneto-optical and second harmonic generation (SHG) magnetometer using a 15-fs pulse laser system. The main advantages of the instrument are: availability to identify the excited spin waves due to the different surface sensitivity of both techniques (surface versus bulk spin waves); flexibility to access a wide frequency range using the same setup (from "quasistatic" to terahertz); time precision limited by the width of the femtosecond pulses; and ability to obtain vector resolved magnetization response. The system will be used to investigate spin dynamics with applications in nanotechnology, particularly spin wave propagation and damping. The specific research projects will be: spin waves focusing, propagation of thermally excited spin waves, influence of the local behavior on the overall magnetization damping, and SHG response from liquid crystals. Educational outreach will include the participation of undergraduate students in the development of the instrument, where they will receive training in experimental techniques with cutting edge technology (high-frequency applications, ultrafast laser techniques, etc.). The instrument will also be used as a part of the Optical and Solid State Labs. UCCS will offer a modified class using this instrument to science and engineering majors, providing them with the training necessary for their future careers in the local nanotechnology and biomedical industries. The instrument will also support interdisciplinary undergraduate research (physics, materials research, biology, and chemistry). Lay AbstractThe development of new and improved electronic devices for such applications as communication and computers requires an understanding of fundamental material processes that often occur in ultra-short (femtosecond) time frames (in order to visualize one femtosecond, light travels from the Earth to the Moon in about 1.3 seconds; in one femtosecond, light travels a distance less than the thickness of a human hair). The magnetic behavior of materials is especially important in all of these applications. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) will develop an instrument to measure magnetic properties that will provide a unique set of techniques to greatly enhance our research in the field of ultrafast phenomena with applications in nanotechnology. This development project will also include educational outreach. Undergraduate students will participate in the development of the instrument and receive training in experimental techniques with cutting edge technology (high-frequency applications, ultrafast laser techniques, etc.). The instrument will be used as a part of the advanced laboratory classes offered to physics majors. UCCS will also offer a modified class using this instrument for science and engineering majors, providing them with the training necessary for their future careers in the local nanotechnology and biomedical industries. The research activities using this instrument will include programs leading to, for example: development of faster and smaller nano-electronic devices used in communications, development of better materials for computer memories, and investigation of liquid crystals for displays (LCD's).