Collaborative Research: Field Control of Spin Transport in Antiferromagnet Perovskite Oxide Heterostructures

非技术描述该项目研究电子在一种特殊类型的材料(人工层状氧化物)中的自旋，在这种材料中，反铁磁自旋的方向可以控制。从这个项目中获得的知识可以帮助开发用于信息处理的新型电子设备，与传统的电子设备不同，这种设备不受电子流动产生的热量的限制。由于对外加电场或磁场不敏感，这些新器件将具有更快的操作速度、对纳米级区域的可扩展性以及强大的稳定性。该研究项目开发新的测量技术和设备，并在一个结合了物理、材料科学和工程以及电气工程的领域培养年轻的科学家和工程师。外展活动包括支持丹佛大学物理学生协会，他们在当地博物馆和游乐园的外展计划，以及加州大学戴维斯分校数学、工程、科学成就中心。技术细节这个项目的目标是对钙钛矿氧化物异质结构中由反铁磁/铁磁界面组成的近乎理想的反铁磁模型系统中的自旋输运有一个基本的了解。这个系统提供了独特的能力，通过与相邻铁磁层的自旋-翻转耦合(垂直排列)，以较低的外加磁场来控制反铁磁序。此外，随着温度的升高，反铁磁有序演变为与纳米线结构中的铁磁层平行排列。重点是测量非局域自旋输运，这为自旋流提供了一个明确的探测。其他教育活动包括在美国国家实验室对本科生和研究生进行最先进的合成、纳米光刻和表征工具方面的培训，包括基于同步辐射的表征技术。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 DESCRIPTIONThis project investigates the spin of electrons in a special type of materials (artificially layered oxides) where the direction of the antiferromagnetic spins can be controlled. The knowledge gained from this project could help develop novel electronic devices for information processing which, unlike traditional electronic devices, are not limited by heat generated by electron flow. These new devices would have faster operation, scalability to nanoscale regimes, and robust stability due to the insensitivity to external applied electric or magnetic fields. The research project develops new measurement techniques and devices, and trains young scientists and engineers in a field that combines Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. Outreach activities include supporting the University of Denver Society for Physics Students, their outreach programs at local museums and amusement parks, and the UC Davis Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Center. TECHNICAL DETAILSThe goal of this project is to develop a fundamental understanding of spin transport in a nearly ideal antiferromagnetic model system consisting of antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic interfaces in perovskite oxide heterostructures. This system provides the unique ability to control the antiferromagnetic order with low values of applied magnetic field through spin-flop coupling (perpendicular alignment) with an adjacent ferromagnetic layer. In addition, as temperature increases, the antiferromagnetic order evolves to show parallel alignment with the ferromagnetic layer in nanowire structures. The focus is to measure non-local spin transport which provides an unambiguous probe of spin flow. Additional education activities include the training of undergraduate and graduate students in state-of-the-art synthesis, nano-lithography, and characterization tools, including synchrotron radiation-based characterization techniques at U.S. national laboratories.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.