MRI: Development of UHV SPM-TERS in situ Characterization Interfaced with UHV Sputtering-Atomic Layer Deposition System

该主要研究仪器奖支持堪萨斯大学研究中心的仪器开发。该仪器是一个超高真空扫描探针显微镜-尖端增强拉曼光谱表征室，集成了现有的特高压溅射-原子层沉积（ALD）。目标是提供独特的、最先进的研究基础设施，允许在纳米分辨率和飞秒时间分辨率的表面和界面上进行结构、化学和物理性质的原位制造和表征。该仪器将直接有利于量子器件物理、纳米材料、能源和生物材料的研究。它将显著推动基础知识的发展，以寻求基础科学中以下主要挑战的答案：我们如何设计和完善具有定制特性的革命性新物质形式的原子和节能合成？该仪器将使旨在开发用于量子器件和太阳能收集和存储的新型纳米材料的研究成为可能。这台仪器的独特能力将使研究人员第一次能够研究约瑟夫森隧道结的结构、物理和化学性质之间的相关性，约瑟夫森隧道结是超导量子比特的核心——量子计算机的构建块。由高性能超导量子比特实现的量子计算有可能彻底改变信息处理。太阳能研究将导致提高人工或混合系统的太阳能捕获效率的方法，用于大规模和具有成本效益的可再生燃料生产的长期电力生产。此外，还将开发新型的低成本、高性能的太阳能转换纳米结构光伏器件。此外，ALD生长的材料将被用于改进能量存储设备，如超级电容器和电池。*****该主要研究仪器奖支持堪萨斯大学研究中心的仪器开发。该仪器是一种新型的超高真空扫描探针显微镜-尖端增强拉曼光谱（UHV SPM-TERS）表征室，集成了现有的UHV溅射-原子层沉积系统。这种集成的特高压生长表征系统将实现材料的原位形貌、电学和化学表征、结构、电子和光学特性。研究人员将获得开发用于量子器件和能量应用的新型功能材料所必需的基本理解。此外，该仪器还将支持传感器、催化和生物工程方面的研究人员。仪器的预期成果/突破将导致具有国家和全球影响的新颖可行的量子信息和能源相关技术的发展。现有的教育和推广活动在堪萨斯大学和合作机构将利用仪器。具体来说，这些活动将在科学和工程领域，特别是在量子信息和能源领域，产生独特和多样化的未来劳动力。与哈斯克尔印第安民族大学（Haskell Indian Nations University）等为少数族裔服务的机构建立的现有伙伴关系将促进招聘和有效培训方面的多样性。

This Major Research Instrumentation award supports instrument development at the University of Kansas Center for Research Inc. The instrument is an ultra-high-vacuum scanning probe microscopy-tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy characterization chamber integrated with an existing UHV sputtering-atomic layer deposition (ALD). The objective is to provide unique, state-of-the-art research infrastructure that would allow in situ fabrication and characterization of structural, chemical and physical properties at surfaces and interfaces with nanometer resolution and surface dynamics up to femtosecond temporal resolution. This instrument will directly benefit research in quantum device physics, nanomaterials, energy, and biomaterials. It will significantly advance fundamental knowledge in the pursuit of answers to the following major challenge in basic science: How do we design and perfect atom- and energy-efficient syntheses of revolutionary new forms of matter with tailored properties? The instrument will enable research designed to lead to the development of novel nanomaterials for quantum devices and solar energy harvesting and storage. The unique capability of this instrument will allow researchers, for the first time, to investigate correlation between the structural, physical and chemical properties of the Josephson tunnel junctions, which are the heart of superconducting qubits-building blocks of quantum computers. Quantum computation enabled by high-performance superconducting qubits has the potential to revolutionize information processing. The solar energy research enabled will lead to methods for increasing solar energy capture efficiency in artificial or hybrid systems for long-term electricity production for large-scale and cost-effective renewable fuel production. Further, novel low cost and high performance nano-structured photovoltaic devices for solar energy conversion will be developed. In addition, ALD grown materials will be explored for improved energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors and batteries.*****This Major Research Instrumentation award supports instrument development at the University of Kansas Center for Research Inc. The instrument is a novel ultra-high-vacuum scanning probe microscopy-tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy (UHV SPM-TERS) characterization chamber integrated with an existing UHV sputtering-atomic layer deposition system. This integrated UHV growth-characterization system will enable in situ topographic, electrical, and chemical characterization, structural, electronic and optical properties of materials. Researchers will acquire fundamental understanding essential to developing novel functional materials for quantum devices and energy applications. In addition, the instrument will also support researchers in sensors, catalysis, and bioengineering. The anticipated outcomes/breakthroughs enabled by the instrumentation will lead to the development of novel and viable quantum-information and energy-related technologies with national and global impact. Existing education and outreach activities at the University of Kansas and the collaborating institutions will be leveraged by the instrumentation. Specifically, these activities will produce a unique and diverse future workforce in science and engineering, particularly in the quantum information and energy fields. Existing partnerships with minority-serving institutions, such as Haskell Indian Nations University, will promote diversity in recruiting and effective training.