Spin Functionality in Perovskite Stannates Through Complex Oxide Heteroepitaxy

非技术描述：半导体材料构成了微电子设备的基础，这些设备驱动着广泛的技术，包括信息技术、能源应用和国家安全。为了提高现有微电子学的能效和性能，具有强磁响应的半导体或铁磁半导体已被认为是当前非磁性半导体的一种可能的替代方案。该项目解决了识别和开发一类新的铁磁半导体以提高能效和性能的挑战。一类很有前途的铁磁半导体是基于一类以锡为基础的氧化物薄膜，称为钙钛矿锡酸盐。该研究涉及到具有强磁响应的锡酸盐薄膜的设计、合成和表征。其他研究活动包括培训本科生和研究生研究人员，包括代表人数不足的少数群体，他们有可能在信息技术部门找到未来的工作。技术细节：这一综合研究和教育计划的重点是通过掺入磁性杂质在外延锡氧化物薄膜中开发一类新的自旋极化半导体。研究活动包括独特的磁性掺杂方法，包括在热平衡时加入超过溶解度极限的磁性掺杂剂浓度，以及在两种类型的阳离子位置上共掺杂。这项研究是及时的，因为它利用了高迁移率外延锡酸盐薄膜的最新发展，它可能提供一种室温铁磁半导体的途径，使自旋基半导体电子成为现实，并可能彻底改变微电子行业。该项目的教育方面包括本科生和研究生的培训，以及为当地高中生开发学徒和模块化材料物理课程计划。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Semiconductor materials have formed the foundation of microelectronic devices that drive a wide range of technologies, including information technology, energy applications and national security. In an effort to improve energy efficiency and performance of existing microelectronics, semiconductors with strong magnetic responses, or ferromagnetic semiconductors, have been recognized as a possible alternative to current non-magnetic semiconductors. This project addresses the challenge of identifying and developing a new class of ferromagnetic semiconductors to enable improvements in energy efficiency and performance. One class of promising ferromagnetic semiconductors is based on a class of oxide thin films based on Sn, known as perovskite stannates. The research involves the design, synthesis, and characterization of stannate thin films with strong magnetic response. Additional research activities include the training of undergraduate and graduate researchers, including underrepresented minorities, who are likely to find future employment in the information technology sector. TECHNICAL DETAILS: This integrated research and education program is focused on the development of a new class of spin-polarized semiconductors in epitaxial stannate oxide thin films through incorporation of magnetic dopants. Research activities include unique approaches to magnetic doping, including incorporating concentrations of magnetic dopants beyond the solubility limits at thermal equilibrium and co-doping on both types of cation sites. This research is timely as it exploits the recent development of high mobility epitaxial stannate films and it may provide an avenue to a room temperature ferromagnetic semiconductor that could make spin-based semiconductor electronics a reality and may revolutionize the microelectronics industry. Education aspects of this project include the training of undergraduate and graduate students, and the development of an apprenticeship and modular materials physics curricular program for local high school students.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.