CRC: Electronically Active Defects in Magnetic ZnO Films and Nanocrystalline Aggregates

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Daniel R. Gamelin and Xiaosong Li (University of Washington), Peter Moeck (Portland State University), and Scott A. Chambers (Pacific Northwest National Laboratories) are jointly supported to develop high-Curie temperature (Tc) ferromagnetic diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) for possible applications in spintronics. The team combines expertise in synthesis and characterization of doped oxides, advanced density functional theoretical methods, high resolution electron microscopy and nano-crystallography, and epitaxial thin film growth. They will explore chemical preparation of polycrystalline doped oxides as an inexpensive and flexible platform for rapid exploratory development of ferromagnetic oxide DMSs, and for rational defect engineering. More specific project goals include (1) elucidate the roles of lattice defects in activating high-TC oxide DMS ferromagnetism, (2) development of chemically synthesized oxide DMSs as source materials for preparation of electronics grade epitaxial ferromagnetic DMS thin films by pulsed laser deposition, (3) definition of dopant and defect electronic structural contributions to polarity dependent ferromagnetism using combined spectroscopic and ab initio approaches, and (4) exploration of dynamical processes in DMSs using time-dependent quantum mechanical electrodynamics calculations, including of charge delocalization, magnetic polaron nucleation, and magnetization reversal dynamics.The results from this research will lead to both fundamental and applied advances in several areas, including nanoscience and semiconductor research for future information processing technologies. This interdisciplinary research project promotes academic-PNNL interactions and provides new opportunities for advanced education and training in the economically important areas of inorganic, theoretical, physical, and materials chemistries. Web-based curricular materials on the subjects of nanoparticles and semiconductors will be developed and disseminated. This project is funded through the Collaborative Research in Chemistry Program (CRC).