MRI: Acquisition of a Low-Temperature High-Magnetic-Field Multifunctional Scanning Probe Microscopy System

现代科学的核心要素之一是从广泛的长度尺度（包括原子、分子和纳米结构到太阳系和星系的尺度）中获取结构信息。真实的空间成像方法在结构分析中发挥着越来越重要的作用。从所获得的信息，然后可以建立理论模型，可以解释潜在的现象。在纳米科学和材料研究的情况下，成像结构和性能导致了纳米技术，信息技术和生物技术的革命性进展，特别是在电子和扫描探针显微镜的发明之后，1986年诺贝尔奖被授予。这笔赠款允许购买具有极端样品环境的尖端显微镜系统，以进一步推进科学的边界，阐明纳米尺度上复杂材料特性的潜在机制。使用显微镜系统进行的研究结果预计将对许多机械，电气，磁性和能源材料的应用产生重要影响。该显微镜系统还为大量研究生和本科生以及博士后研究人员提供了最先进的显微镜仪器的培训机会，并有助于提高公众对纳米科学和纳米技术重要性的认识。技术说明该项目获得了最先进的，多功能的，低温的，高磁场扫描探针显微镜系统在内布拉斯加大学林肯分校，并使该系统的纳米科学和工程研究的广泛使用。该系统能够表征空间分辨电导率，磁力，piezoresponse力，和地形下到纳米级。该系统配备了超低振动的样品环境，可提供广泛的温度和磁场范围。基于该系统的多功能功能，该仪器可以实现以下研究项目：1）纳米和低维材料的形态，电输运，磁性和铁电性; 2）这些属性之间的耦合; 3）仅在极端条件下出现的材料属性，以及相关的热力学相变; 4）电场和/或磁场中的量子相变。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-Technical DescriptionOne of the core elements of modern science is to acquire structural information from a broad range of length scales including the scale of atoms, molecules, and nanostructures to solar systems and galaxies. Imaging methods in real space play an ever-increasing role in structure analysis. From the acquired information, it is then possible to build theoretical models that can explain the underlying phenomena. In the case of nanoscience and materials research, imaging structures and properties has led to revolutionary progress in nanotechnology, information technology, and biotechnology, particularly after the invention of electron and scanning-probe microscopy, for which Nobel prizes were awarded in 1986. This grant allows purchase of a cutting-edge microscopy system with extreme sample environments to further advance the boundary of science in terms of elucidating the underlying mechanisms of complex material properties on the nanometer scale. The outcome of the research carried out using the microscopy system is expected to have important impacts on the applications of many mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and energy materials. The microscopy system also provides training opportunities on the state-of-the-art microscopy instrument for a large group of graduate and undergraduate students and postdoctoral researchers and help promote public awareness of the importance of nanoscience and nanotechnology.Technical DescriptionThis project acquires a state-of-the-art, multifunctional, low-temperature, high-magnetic-field scanning probe microscopy system at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and enables broad usage of the system for nanoscale science and engineering research. The system is capable of characterizing spatially resolved conductivity, magnetic force, piezoresponse force, and topography down to the nanoscale. The system is equipped with an ultra-low-vibration sample environment that offers a wide range of temperature and magnetic fields. Building on the versatile capabilities of the system, this instrument enables research projects that explore: 1) the morphology, electric transport, magnetism, and ferroelectricity on nanoscale and low-dimensional materials; 2) the coupling between these properties; 3) material properties that emerge only at extreme conditions, as well as the related thermodynamic phase transitions; and 4) quantum phase transitions in electric and/or magnetic fields.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.