Collaborative Research: Magneto-Electric Nanostructures for Novel Microwave Signal Processing Devices

本合作研究的目的是制造和研究新型一维铁磁-铁电纳米结构中的磁电相互作用，并将其用于创新器件应用。该计划是由理论模型推动的，理论模型表明，这种纳米结构的几何形状比标准薄膜和层压结构的相互作用强得多。该方法是合成由铁电材料（如钛酸铅锆或钛酸钡）与铁磁镍或钴铁氧体组成的纳米线和纳米管复合材料。智力优势：一个全面的研究项目计划由以下部分组成：样品制造，结构表征，跨宽频率范围的磁电相互作用研究，器件研究和理论建模。工作将集中在使用创新的加工方法创造新的纳米结构，并研究它们在电场和磁场可调谐的新型微波器件中的应用。在阿拉巴马大学，PI将领导样品制造、结构表征和器件制造工作；而物理特性测量、理论研究和设备应用将由奥克兰大学的PI领导。更广泛的影响：这些努力将汇集一个多学科的研究团队，将对科学知识、教育推广和基础设施做出重大贡献，并有可能为国防和消费电子产品带来一系列下一代设备。该项目将为研究生和本科生提供支持，包括未被充分代表的少数族裔，并为他们提供广泛的跨学科培训。项目人员将与当地学校合作，促进高中生参与研究。

The objective of this collaborative research is to fabricate and study the magneto-electric interactions in novel one-dimensional ferromagnetic-ferroelectric nanostructures, and to exploit them for innovative device applications. The program is motivated by theoretical models that suggest much stronger interactions in such nanostructure geometries than in standard thin films and laminate structures. The approach is to synthesize nanowire and nanotube composites consisting of ferroelectric materials, such as lead zirconium titanante or barium titanate, with ferrimagnetic nickel- or cobalt ferrite. Intellectual Merit:A comprehensive research program is planned consisting of the following components: sample fabrication, structural characterization, magneto-electric interaction studies spanning a wide frequency range, device studies, and theoretical modeling. Efforts will focus on the creation of novel nanostructures using innovative processing methods and examine their use for a new class of microwave devices that are both electric and magnetic field tunable. At the University of Alabama, the PI will lead the sample fabrication, structural characterization and device fabrication efforts; while the physical property measurements, theoretical studies and device applications will be led by the PI at Oakland University.Broader Impact:The efforts will bring together a multidisciplinary team of investigators that will make significant contributions to scientific knowledge, education outreach and infrastructure, and potentially lead to a host of next-generation devices for the national defense and consumer electronics. The program will provide support for graduate and undergraduate students, including underrepresented minorities, and contribute to their broad interdisciplinary training. Project personnel will collaborate with local schools to facilitate participation by high school students in research.