Optically and electrically induced electron-spin transport in molecular systems

在分子水平上精确地控制自旋-电子相互作用仍然是难以捉摸的。然而，它是非常重要的，因为它有可能影响整个纳米电子学领域，以及信息技术行业小型化的持续挑战。这个快节奏的行业已经达到了纳米级(几个月前，IBM发布了一款5纳米的芯片)。然而，随着研究人员达到单分子水平，出现了更多的挑战。该项目旨在促进这一敏感领域的知识。这是一个非常多学科的项目，它利用化学和物理方法的混合来克服目前我们在理解自旋-电子相互作用方面的实验限制。我们将使用化学方法合成磁性分子，并对带有光学活性基团的面体内富勒烯物种进行官能化，包括商业上可获得的1.5微米的光学频率。在分子上增加光活性基团，使电子在光脉冲后流过或靠近邻近的自旋中心。此外，我们将在主体电极之间放置一个磁性分子。这提供了一种可以批量研究的超清洁系统，具有完美定义的磁元件和电子元件的几何形状。然后，可以将结果与MK温度下的输运实验进行比较。我们将使用先进的方法来合成定义明确的分子，包括异构性纯物种。我们将使用先进的材料表征技术，如UV-Vis光谱、MALDI质谱学和纯化技术，如高效液相色谱(HPLC)。此外，我们将使用电子顺磁共振(EPR)技术。我们有权获得连续波EPR和脉冲EPR，时间分辨率为ns。我们可以进入一个与磁场相耦合的光腔。这将使我们能够探测具有光学活性部分的分子(如含有Er离子的面体内富勒烯)，这些分子在照射下具有电子转移活性。该项目超出了最先进的水平。首先，它独特地将分子磁体与内面体富勒烯结合在一起。这些杂化材料是新颖的，可以通过电荷转移过程来研究电子自旋相互作用。其次，我们的目标是在单分子水平上做到这一点。如果成功，我们的成果将影响几项关键技术，包括自旋相关输运(自旋电子学)和单分子电子学。因此，该项目与EPSRC的几个领域保持一致，例如：-信息和通信技术(ICT)-物理科学-量子技术该项目涉及牛津大学材料系两个小组之间的密切合作，并汇集了化学合成、光学光谱和磁性研究的协同作用。它模糊了化学和物理之间的界限，允许进行具有纳米技术影响的尖端材料科学研究。

Exquisite control of spin-electron interactions at a molecular level is still elusive. It is however of great importance as it has the potential to affect the area of nanoelectronics as a whole, and the ongoing challenge for miniaturization in the Information technology industry. This fast-paced industry has already reached the nanoscale (a few-months ago IBM revealed a 5 nm chip). However, as researchers are reaching the single molecule level, more challenges arise.This project aims at advancing knowledge in this sensitive area. It is a strongly multidisciplinary project, which makes use of a mix of chemical and physical methods to overcome present experimental limitations in our understanding of spin-electron interactions. We shall use chemical methods for the synthesis of magnetic molecules and the functionalization of endohedral fullerene species that carry optically active groups at several frequencies, including the commercially accessible optical frequency of 1.5 mu. The addition of photoactive groups on a molecule, affords the flow of electrons through or close to the adjacent spin centre after a light pulse. In addition, we shall place a magnetic molecule between bulk electrodes. This affords an ultra-clean system that can be studied in bulk, with a perfectly defined geometry of the magnetic and electronic elements. The results can then be compared to transport experiments at mK temperatures. We shall use advanced methodologies for materials synthesis of well-defined molecules including isomerically pure species. We shall use advanced techniques for materials characterization such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, MALDI Mass Spectrometry and purification techniques such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, we shall use electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. We have access to CW EPR and to pulsed EPR with ns time resolution. We have access to an optical cavity coupled to magnetic fields. This will allow us to probe molecules with optically-active moieties (such as endohedral fullerenes containing Er ions) that see electron transfer activity under irradiation.The project goes beyond the state-of-the-art. Firstly it combines, uniquely, molecular magnets with endohedral fullerenes. These hybrid materials are novel and allow the study of electron spin interactions with charge transfer processes. Secondly, we aim to do this at the single molecule level. If successful, our results will impact on several key technologies including spin-dependent transport (spintronics) and single-molecule electronics.Hence the project aligns to several EPSRC areas such as:- Information and communications technologies (ICT) - Physical sciences- Quantum technologiesThe project involves a close collaboration between two groups in the Department of Materials, Oxford and brings together a synergy of chemical synthesis, optical spectroscopy and magnetic properties study. It blurs the borders between chemistry and physics and allows for cutting edge materials science research with nanotechnological implications.