Evolution of magnetoelasticity from a single-atom bridge to bulk

* 技术摘要 * 本项目将通过实验绘制铁磁体中磁弹性从单原子到大块的演化。这将通过使用定制的探针来实现，该探针能够使稳定的原子大小的样品小到单原子桥，原子链或原子簇，并在施加的场，机械扰动下以皮级分辨率测量它们的原子间力和扭曲，并作为温度的函数。该项目将重点关注铁，钴，镍，铽和钆，这些都是所有磁致动器材料的关键成分。通过精确定位增强磁弹性发生的长度尺度，将导致“设计材料”和开发具有增强致动的新合金的新策略。该项目将支持两名研究生的教育。在薄膜和真空技术，纳米科学和纳米纤维方面对研究生的培训与创造财富的高科技公司直接相关，并为学生毕业后提供了巨大的机会。该项目还将通过大学的路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族联盟项目接待1-2名高中或本科生。该项目还将为一家初创公司提供外展服务，该公司寻求将用于在该项目中进行实验的探针商业化。非技术摘要 * 磁性材料在磁场中精确膨胀或收缩的能力使它们在汽车、航空航天、数据存储、卫星和电信系统等行业中作为传感器和致动器非常有用。迫切需要创造新的磁性合金，其可以在磁场中表现出更大的位移或施加更高的力。该项目将实验性地绘制这种驱动能力在磁体中的演变，从小到单个原子桥或原子链的样品开始，到大块。这将通过使用定制的探针来实现，该探针能够制作原子大小的样品，并以亚纳米精度测量力和位移。该项目将专注于铁，钴，镍，铽和钆，这是所有磁致动器和传感器的关键部件。精确定位最大驱动的最佳尺寸将导致“材料设计”和先进合金开发的新战略。该项目将支持两名研究生和1-2名本科生的教育，他们在薄膜和真空技术，纳米科学和微加工方面的培训受到高科技公司的高度追捧。该项目还将为一家初创公司提供帮助，该公司正在将该项目中用于实验的探针商业化。

****Technical Abstract****This project will experimentally map the evolution of magneto-elasticity in ferromagnets from a single-atom to bulk. This will be accomplished by using a custom built probe that is capable of making stable atomic-sized samples as small as a single-atom bridge, an atomic chain or atomic clusters, and measure their interatomic forces and distortions with pico-level resolution under applied field, mechanical perturbations, and as a function of temperature. The project will focus on iron, cobalt, nickel, terbium and gadolinium, which are key components of all magnetic actuator materials. By pinpointing the length scales where enhanced magnetoelasticity occur will lead to new strategies for "materials by design" and development of new alloys with enhanced actuation. The project will support education of two graduate students. Training of graduate students in thin films and vacuum technology, nano-science and nanofabrication is of direct relevance to wealth generating high-tech companies and opens vast opportunities for students upon graduation. The project will also host 1-2 high school or undergraduate students through university's Louis Stokes Alliance for Minorities Program. The project will also offer outreach to a startup company that seeks to commercialize the probe used to conduct experiments in this project.****Non-Technical Abstract****The ability of magnetic materials to precisely expand or contract in a magnetic field makes them highly useful as sensors and actuators in industries ranging from automobile, aerospace, data storage, to satellites and telecommunication systems. There is urgent need to create new magnetic alloys that can exhibit larger displacements or exert higher forces in a magnetic field. This project will experimentally map the evolution of this actuation ability in magnets, starting with samples as small as a single atom bridge or an atomic chain, to bulk. This will be accomplished by using a custom built probe capable of making atomic sized samples and measure forces and displacements with sub-nanometer accuracy. The project will focus on iron, cobalt, nickel, terbium and gadolinium, which are key components of all magnetic actuators and sensors. Pinpointing the optimum size for highest actuation will lead to new strategies for "materials by design" and development of advanced alloys. The project will support education of two graduate students and 1-2 undergraduate students whose training in thin films and vacuum technology, nano-science and microfabrication is highly sought after by wealth generating high tech companies. The project will also offer help to a startup company that is commercializing the probe used for experiments in this project.