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

非技术性解释本项目研究一种特殊类型的材料（人工层状氧化物）中的电子自旋，其中反铁磁自旋的方向可以控制。从该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，与传统电子设备不同，这些设备不受电子流产生的热量的限制。这些新设备将具有更快的操作，可扩展到纳米级制度，以及由于对外部施加的电场或磁场不敏感而具有强大的稳定性。该研究项目开发新的测量技术和设备，并在物理学，材料科学与工程学和电气工程相结合的领域培养年轻的科学家和工程师。推广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推广计划，以及加州大学戴维斯分校数学，工程，科学成就中心。该项目的目标是在一个近乎理想的反铁磁模型系统中发展自旋输运的基本理解，该模型系统由钙钛矿氧化物异质结构中的反铁磁/铁磁界面组成。该系统通过与相邻铁磁层的自旋翻转耦合（垂直对准）提供了利用低的施加磁场值来控制反铁磁顺序的独特能力。此外，随着温度的升高，反铁磁顺序演变为与纳米线结构中的铁磁层平行对齐。我们的重点是测量非局域自旋输运，这提供了一个明确的探针的自旋流。 其他的教育活动包括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的培训，包括在美国国家实验室进行的基于同步辐射的表征技术。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得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来支持。

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. Our 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.