Strong Spin-Orbit Coupling and High Mobility via Complex Oxide Heteroepitaxy

非技术描述：微电子继续推动小型化的极限，以努力提高性能。通过在当前微电子体系结构中引入新材料，器件性能的改进成为可能，但这种改进可能不会持续下去，因此需要新的器件范例。除了性能的提高，能效的提高也是新一代设备的重要因素。为了开发一种更节能的电子平台，基于电子自旋(而不是电荷)的自旋电子学已被确定为当今基于电荷的微电子学的一种有前途的替代方案。特别令人感兴趣的是基于纯自旋电流的自旋电子学，其中功率消耗最小，因为电荷的运动被最小化。该项目解决了识别和开发一类新材料以实现有效的自旋电流传播和探测的挑战。其中一类很有前途的材料是基于CaIrO_3和PdCoO_2的金属氧化物薄膜。该研究涉及到这些薄膜的设计、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开发一种在4d和5d过渡金属氧化物薄膜中具有高自旋轨道耦合和高载流子迁移率的新型导体。研究活动包括利用非平衡过程稳定外延Ir酸盐和Pd基氧化膜的独特方法。这些薄膜的合成将与薄膜本身的结构、电子和磁性表征以及随后由这些薄膜组成的基于自旋电流的异质结构的制备和表征相补充。这项研究是及时的，因为它利用了Irate薄膜的最新发展和最近对自旋电流输运的更多了解。这些研究为实现自旋电流控制所必需的大的自旋-电荷和电荷-自旋转换提供了途径，并可能实现一种新型的基于自旋电流的微电子学。该项目的教育方面包括为本科生和研究生提供教育机会的培训，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: Microelectronics have continued to push the limits of miniaturization in efforts to improve performance. Improvements in device performance have been enabled by the introduction of new materials within the current microelectronics architecture but gains may not continue and new paradigms for devices are needed. In addition to improved performance, improved energy efficiency is an important factor in newer generations of devices. In order to develop a more energy-efficient electronics platform, spintronics, based on the manipulation of electron spin (not charge), has been identified as a promising alternative to present day charge-based microelectronics. Of particular interest are spintronics based on pure spin current where power dissipation is minimized because the movement of charge is minimized. This project addresses the challenge of identifying and developing a new class of materials for efficient spin current propagation and detection. One class of promising materials is based on metal oxide thin films of CaIrO3 and PdCoO2. The research involves the design, synthesis, and characterization of these thin films. 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 conductors with high spin orbit coupling and high carrier mobility in 4d and 5d transition metal oxide thin films. Research activities include unique approaches to exploiting non-equilibrium processes to stabilize epitaxial iridate and Pd based oxide films. Synthesis of these films will be complemented with structural, electronic, and magnetic characterization of the films themselves and subsequent fabrication and characterization of spin current-based heterostructures composed of these films. This research is timely as it exploits recent development of iridate films and the recent increased understanding of spin current transport. These studies provide an avenue to large spin-to charge and charge-to-spin conversion necessary for spin current control and may enable a new type of spin current based microelectronics. Education aspects of this project include the training of education opportunities for 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.