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

这一重大研究仪器奖支持堪萨斯大学研究中心公司的仪器开发。该仪器是一种超高真空扫描探针显微尖端增强拉曼光谱表征室，与现有的超高真空溅射原子层沉积(ALD)集成在一起。其目标是提供独特的、最先进的研究基础设施，允许以纳米分辨率和高达飞秒时间分辨率的表面动力学原位制造和表征表面和界面的结构、化学和物理性质。该仪器将直接惠及量子器件物理、纳米材料、能源和生物材料等领域的研究。它将极大地促进基础知识的发展，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量身定制特性的革命性新物质形式的原子和能源效率合成？该仪器将使旨在导致开发用于量子设备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首次能够调查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给信息处理带来革命性的变化。太阳能研究的启动将导致在人工或混合系统中提高太阳能捕获效率的方法，用于长期电力生产，以实现大规模和具有成本效益的可再生燃料生产。此外，还将开发用于太阳能转换的新型低成本、高性能纳米结构光伏器件。此外，还将探索将ALD生长的材料用于改进的能量存储设备，如超级电容器和电池。*该重大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，与现有的UHV溅射-原子层沉积系统集成在一起。这种集成的超高压生长-表征系统将能够实现材料的原位形貌、电学和化学表征、结构、电子和光学性能。研究人员将获得开发用于量子设备和能源应用的新型功能材料所必需的基础知识。此外，该仪器还将支持传感器、催化和生物工程领域的研究人员。该仪器带来的预期成果/突破将导致开发具有国家和全球影响的新的、可行的量子信息和能源相关技术。该工具将利用堪萨斯大学和合作机构现有的教育和外联活动。具体地说，这些活动将在科学和工程领域产生一支独特和多样化的未来劳动力队伍，特别是在量子信息和能源领域。与哈斯克尔印第安人国家大学等为少数群体服务的机构现有的伙伴关系将促进招聘和有效培训的多样性。

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.