RUI: DMR: Bespoke low-dimensional magnets: from chiral chains to skyrmion candidates

非技术性概述通过该项目，由材料研究部的固态和材料化学计划和凝聚态物理计划支持，使用化学方法合成排列在不寻常结构中的原子，例如一维（1D）螺旋或锯齿链或二维（2D）平面。曼森教授通过各种测量技术研究所得晶体，以评估其磁特性，并与理论家合作，以帮助他们理解这些特性或酌情开发新的理论。因为他在合成过程中使用了不同的金属原子和不同数量的电子，新的磁相出现了，包括skyrmions。一个skyrmion可以比作一个电子漩涡，它的精确排列取决于几个因素，曼森教授和他的团队研究这些因素以了解更多。这是第一次在分子材料中产生这种现象。这种材料有可能彻底改变现有技术，包括自旋电子学和数据存储。通过这个项目，首席研究员提供了一个多样化和包容性的本科研究人员群体，有充分的机会参与实验;与合作者会面和互动;协助数据分析和准备出版手稿;帮助塑造未来的研究方向;并在会议和研讨会上展示他们的成果。 技术摘要在这个由材料研究部的固态和材料化学计划和凝聚态物理计划支持的项目中，曼森教授研究了具有交错/交替和手性拓扑结构以及通常缺乏反转中心的一维链和二维层中的激发。这一点的关键是Dzyaloshinskiii-Moriya（DM）相互作用，首席研究员曼森认为这是一个可调参数。这种可调谐性预计将导致很大的机会，发现新的阶段，包括skyrmion候选人，一种现象尚未实现的分子系统。这些材料在质子或非质子溶剂中合成为晶体，使用顺磁性过渡金属离子和仔细选择的阴离子和有机配体的组合。这些晶体经过详细的实验研究，并辅以理论，以帮助我们理解潜在的物理学。预计这些概念是可转移的，并与单分子磁体和强关联电子社区相关。此外，该项目汇集了广泛的材料设计和发现工作以及众多的表征方法，以促进国家和国际合作，整合该领域最好的设施，设备和专业知识的资源，并为本科生研究，培训和教育提供独特的机会。核心是一个包罗万象的研究团队，专注于样品制备，光学表征和X射线结构测定。EWU学生有充分的机会参与实验;满足和与合作者互动;协助数据分析和准备出版手稿;帮助塑造未来的研究方向;并在会议和研讨会上展示他们的成果。为了这个项目，曼森教授建立了一个多元化的本科生研究小组，主要由女性组成，这一群体在STEM中的代表性很低。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

Non-technical summaryWith this project, supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program and the Condensed Matter Physics Program in the Division of Materials Research, atoms arranged in unusual architectures such as one-dimensional (1D) spiral or zig-zag chains or two-dimensional (2D) planes are synthesized using chemical methods. Prof. Manson studies the resulting crystals by a variety of measurement techniques to assess their magnetic properties and collaborates with theorists to aid their understanding of these properties or develop new theories as appropriate. Because he uses different metal atoms with varying numbers of electrons during the synthesis new magnetic phases emerge, including skyrmions. A skyrmion can be likened to a vortex of electrons with precise alignments that depend on several factors, factors that Prof. Manson and his team study to learn more about. This is the first time this phenomenon is produced in molecular materials. Such materials have the potential to revolutionize existing technologies, including spintronics and data storage. Through this project the principal investigator provides a diverse and inclusive group of undergraduate researchers with ample opportunities to participate in experiments; meet and interact with collaborators; assist in data analysis and prepare manuscripts for publication; help shape future research directions; and present their results at conferences and workshops. Technical summaryWith this project, supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program and the Condensed Matter Physics Program in the Division of Materials Research, Prof. Manson examines the excitations in 1D chains and 2D layers that feature staggered/alternating and chiral topologies as well as those that generally lack inversion centers. Key to this is the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction which principal investigator Manson posits it a tunable parameter. This tunability is expected to lead to great opportunity to discover novel phases including skyrmion candidates, a phenomenon not yet realized in molecular systems. These materials are synthesized as crystals in protic or aprotic solvents using combinations of paramagnetic transition metal ions and carefully chosen anions and organic ligands. These crystals are subjected to detailed experimental study complemented by theory to aid our understanding of the underlying physics. It is anticipated that these concepts are transferable and relevant to the single-molecule magnets and strongly-correlated electron communities. Additionally, the project brings together a wide-ranging materials design and discovery effort as well as numerous characterization methods to foster national and international collaboration, coalescing the resources of the best facilities, equipment, and expertise available in the field, as well as provide unique opportunities for undergraduate research, training and education. At the core is an all-inclusive research team focused on sample preparation, optical characterization and X-ray structure determinations. EWU students have ample opportunities to participate in experiments; meet and interact with collaborators; assist in data analysis and prepare manuscripts for publication; help shape future research directions; and present their results at conferences and workshops. For this project Prof. Manson has established a diverse undergraduate research group that consists mostly of women, a group largely underrepresented in STEM.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.