Spinel Structure Oxide Thin Films and Interfaces

技术：该项目的重点是薄膜氧化物异质结构。我们的目标是通过实现原子级光滑的尖晶石结构氧化物界面，了解新的磁性和电子现象与两种不同的过渡金属氧化物之间的界面。了解界面处的价态、带宽和相互作用长度的不平衡如何导致界面处的电荷重新分布以及与本体不同的磁性和轨道顺序是该项目的基础。同构复合氧化物异质结构提供了模型系统，在价态，带宽和相互作用长度的不平衡将被系统地研究。该方法包括：（i）合成原子级光滑的尖晶石结构氧化物薄膜;（ii）合成具有原子级尖锐界面的同构异质结构;（iii）通过X射线磁性圆二色性（XMCD）、光发射电子显微镜（PEEM）、X射线共振散射（XAS）、磁力显微镜（MFM）对表面和界面进行局部电子和磁性表征，透射电子显微镜（TEM）和电子能量损失谱（EELS）;以及（iv）异质结构的电子输运和磁性表征。带结构的作用，电子密度和相互作用长度的不平衡电荷重新分配和磁性和轨道顺序在不同的接口从散装的基本理解。这项研究的新知识和理解预计将用于氧化物系统，以及更广泛的界面物理学和材料科学。非技术性：该项目涉及具有高度技术相关性的材料科学专题领域的基础研究问题。该研究将为潜在的下一代电子/磁性设备的新理解和能力提供基础材料科学知识。该计划的一个重要特点是通过在一个基本和技术上重要的领域对学生进行培训来整合研究和教育。该项目包括研究生和本科生在实验室和课堂上的活动，通过磁学课程，也延伸到当地高中学生。将继续与当地一所高中开展实习方案，预计这种互动的范围将在未来三年内扩大。研究生和本科生将有机会在学年的部分时间和夏季指导这些高中实习生。与高中物理教师合作，还将开发模块化材料科学课程。

Technical: This project focuses on thin film oxide heterostructures. The objective is to understand novel magnetic and electronic phenomena associated with the interface between two dissimilar transition metal oxides through achievement of atomically smooth spinel structure oxide interfaces. Understanding how imbalances in valence, bandwidth and interaction lengths at the interface give rise to charge redistribution and magnetic and orbital order at the interface different from the bulk forms the basis of the project. Isostructural complex oxide heterostructures provide model systems where imbalances in valence, bandwidth and interaction length will be systematically studied. The approach includes: (i) synthesis of atomically smooth, spinel structure oxide thin films; (ii) synthesis of isostructural heterostructures with atomically sharp interfaces; (iii) local electronic and magnetic characterization of surfaces and interfaces by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), X-ray resonant scattering (XAS), magnetic force microscopy (MFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS); and (iv) electronic transport and magnetic characterization of heterostructures. Fundamental understanding of the role of band structures, electron densities, and interaction length imbalances on charge redistribution and magnetic and orbital order at the interface different from the bulk is sought. New knowledge and understanding from this research is anticipated for oxide systems, and more broadly in interface physics and materials science. Non-technical: The project addresses basic research issues in a topical area of materials science having high technological relevance. The research will contribute basic materials science knowledge at a fundamental level to new understanding and capabilities for potential next generation electronic/magnetic devices. An important feature of the program is the integration of research and education through the training of students in a fundamentally and technologically significant area. The project includes graduate and undergraduate student activities in the laboratory and in the classroom through a magnetics curriculum which also extends to local high school students. An internship program will be continued with a local high school and the scope of this interaction is expected to grow over the next three years. Graduate and undergraduate students will have the opportunity to mentor these high school interns during parts of the school year and in the summer. In cooperation with physics teachers from the high school, a modular materials science curriculum will also be developed.