Evolution of magnetoelasticity from a single-atom bridge to bulk

*技术摘要*这个项目将实验地将铁磁体中的磁弹性从单原子演化到块体。这将通过使用定制的探测器来实现，该探测器能够制作小到单原子桥、原子链或原子簇的稳定的原子大小的样品，并在外加电场、机械扰动和作为温度函数的情况下以皮级分辨率测量它们的原子间作用力和扭曲。该项目将把重点放在铁、钴、镍、铽和格拉德上，这些都是所有磁致动器材料的关键成分。通过精确定位发生磁弹性增强的长度尺度，将导致“按设计材料”的新战略和具有增强致动作用的新合金的开发。该项目将支持两名研究生的教育。对研究生进行薄膜和真空技术、纳米科学和纳米制造方面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巨大的机会。该项目还将通过大学的路易斯·斯托克斯少数族裔联盟计划接待1-2名高中生或本科生。该项目还将为一家初创公司提供服务，该公司寻求将该项目中用于进行实验的探头商业化。*非技术摘要*磁性材料在磁场中精确膨胀或收缩的能力使其在汽车、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执行器非常有用。迫切需要创造出能够在磁场中表现出更大的位移或施加更大的力的新的磁性合金。该项目将从小到单个原子桥或原子链的样品，到块状样品，在实验中绘制磁体中这种驱动能力的演变图。这将通过使用定制的探头来实现，该探头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、铽和格拉德，这些都是所有磁致动器和传感器的关键部件。准确地确定最大驱动的最佳尺寸将导致“按设计材料”的新策略和先进合金的开发。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、纳米科学和微制造方面的培训受到创富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，该公司正在将用于该项目实验的探测器商业化。

****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.