Topological Insulator Hybrid Structures for Novel Optoelectronic Applications

目的：本计划的目的是利用基于拓扑绝缘体的结构在光电应用中的独特优势。具体来说，拓扑绝缘体-磁性材料界面处的强磁电相互作用以及随后的波段工程是重点，因为它们可以促进对光信号的定制响应，为以前无法实现的性能（如极端灵敏度检测）提供理想的环境。理论和实验相结合的努力旨在实现新型拓扑绝缘体材料和层状异质结构的合成、制造和分析，并展示优越的器件功能。智力优势：智力优势是该研究为超越当前技术水平的可实现拓扑绝缘体为基础的设备提供了基础。通过领域匹配外延的范例，努力在硅兼容平台上合成具有界面原子均匀性的外延拓扑绝缘体/铁磁绝缘体混合结构。目标材料包括Bi2Se3和新兴的立方候选材料，如逆钙钛矿Sr3SnO和半heusler LuPtSb。该研究还发展了对各种太赫兹探测器设计的拓扑绝缘体特性和光响应特性的基本理论认识。更广泛的影响：除了具有技术重要性的先进设备开发之外，更广泛的影响是研究生和本科生的教育/培训。特别重要的是，通过与当地历史上的黑人学院和大学建立牢固的联系，让少数族裔学生参与进来并招收他们。ASM材料营（ASM Materials Camp）是一个成功的高中生夏季活动，此外还有在线远程教育网络。该项目由电气、通信和网络系统部（ECCS）的电子、光子学和磁性器件计划（EPMD）和材料研究部（DMR）的电子和光子材料计划（EPM）共同资助。

Objective: The objective of this program is to exploit unique advantages of topological insulator based structures for optoelectronic applications. Specifically, the strong magnetoelectric interaction at the topological insulator-magnetic material interface and subsequent band engineering is the key focus as they can facilitate tailored response to an optical signal, offering an ideal environment for previously unattainable performances such as extreme sensitivity detection. The combined theoretical and experimental effort aims to achieve synthesis, fabrication, and analysis of novel topological insulator materials and layered heterostructures as well as demonstration of superior device functionalities.Intellectual Merit: The intellectual merit is that the investigation presents a basis for realizable topological insulator based devices beyond the current state-of-the art. Through the paradigm of domain matching epitaxy, the effort pursues synthesis of epitaxial topological insulator/ferromagnetic insulator hybrid structures with atomistic uniformity at the interface on a silicon compatible platform. The target materials include both Bi2Se3 and emerging cubic candidates such as inverse perovskite Sr3SnO and half-Heusler LuPtSb. The investigation also develops fundamental theoretical understanding of topological insulator properties and photo-response characteristics of various terahertz detector designs.Broader Impacts: The broader impacts are the education/training of graduate and undergraduate students in addition to advanced device development with technological importance. Of particular significance is participation and recruiting of minority students by fostering strong ties to local historically black colleges and universities. The outreach is also pursued through ASM Materials Camp, a successful annual summer event for high school students, as well as the online distance education network.This project is jointly funded by the Electronics, Photonics, and Magnetic Devices Program (EPMD) in the Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS) and by the Electronic and Photonic Materials Program (EPM) in the Division of Materials Research (DMR).