Magneto-optical quantum excitations and spintronics effects in chiral (CH)x

非技术描述下一代电子应用和设备将更快，保真度更高，并且需要更小的设备功能和更少的散热。微小的电子磁矩，被称为自旋，其方向可以代表信息，在设备中的应用不如它的电荷多。如今，基于自旋的量子信息设备正在被开发以实现这些目标。众所周知的导电聚合物的新形式，即（CH）n（其中n是大于~20的数值指数），以微观捆绑链的形式出现在纤维和环中，为提供此类设备所需的长自旋相干性提供了机会。在这个项目中，光对（CH）n的影响将使用先进的光学和磁光谱学来表征。该项目将有助于开发新的、增强的电子元件，即集成电路，用于许多应用。此外，该项目还将培养本科生和研究生，从而为美国未来的劳动力做出贡献。对新型手性和循环形式聚乙炔（CH）n薄膜中顺磁性（即携带自旋）电子激发的理解可能会导致新的量子传感、自旋电子学和光电子器件概念。在本项目中，我们将研究（CH）n中由四个纠缠的中性自旋1/2孤子组成的中性光激发，它们具有很长的自旋相干时间和强手性效应。在这项研究中，我们将使用大量的合成、电、磁、自旋电子学以及瞬态和稳态光学和磁光技术来研究手性和循环（CH）x薄膜和自旋电子器件中注入和光产生的电子激发的自旋寿命、自旋扩散现象和光学性质。特别是，这些研究将在0.4-15微米的宽光谱范围内使用圆偏振稳态和瞬态光谱进行，时间范围从100 fs到秒。我们还将使用磁光学和各种稳态和瞬态光学检测磁共振技术，以及理论模型来加深我们对（CH）n中的新型中性激励的理解。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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 DescriptionNext generation electronic applications and devices will be faster with greater fidelity and require smaller device features with less heat dissipation. The tiny electron magnetic moment, called spin of which direction can represent information, has not been used in devices as much as its charge. These days, spin-based quantum information devices are being developed to achieve these objectives. New forms of the well-known conducting polymer, namely (CH)n (where n is a numerical index larger than ~20) that come in the form of microscopic bundled chains into fibers and rings, offers opportunities to provide long spin coherence that is required in such devices. In this project, the effect of light on (CH)n will be characterized using advanced optical and magneto-optical spectroscopies. This project will contribute to the development of new, enhanced components for electronics, i.e. integrated circuits, for numerous applications. In addition this project will also train undergraduate and graduate students and, thus, contribute to the future workforce of the US.Technical DescriptionThe understanding of paramagnetic, i.e. spin-carrying, electronic excitations in the novel chiral and cyclic forms of polyacetylene, (CH)n films could lead to new quantum sensing, spintronics and optoelectronic device concepts. In this project we will investigate the neutral photoexcitations in (CH)n which are composed of four entangled neutral spin 1/2 solitons having very long spin-coherence times and strong chiral effects. For this research we will use a large arsenal of synthesis, electrical, magnetic, spintronics as well as transient and steady state optical and magneto-optical techniques to study spin lifetimes, spin diffusion phenomena, and optical properties of injected and photogenerated electronic excitations in chiral and cyclic (CH)x films and spintronic devices. In particular these investigations will be carried out using circularly polarized steady state and transient spectroscopies in a broad spectral range of 0.4-15 microns and time ranging from 100 fs to seconds. We will also use magneto-optics and various steady state and transient optically detected magnetic resonance techniques, as well as theoretical models to deepen our understanding of the novel neutral excitations in (CH)n.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.