Characterization of Spin Dependent Properties in Emerging Semiconductor Materials
Abstract
Emerging semiconductor materials have ushered in a new era of fundamental research and technological innovation. Understanding and controlling electron-electron and spin-based interactions within these materials remains central to the development of next-generation DoD technologies. These functional paramagnetic species, which contain unpaired electrons in their ground or excited states, offer diverse functionalities that are defining a new generation of photonic, (opto)electronic, energy, catalytic, biomedical, magnetic, spintronic, and quantum technologies. Their development and application require a holistic description of how spin and magnetization dynamics manifest across length and timescales spanning many orders of magnitude, from the molecular to the device level. To articulate these relationships in a wide range of fundamental science and engineering disciplines of relevance to the DoD, this DURIP proposal requests funding to upgrade a Bruker continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer to a pulsed EPR with multifrequency capabilities and a Quantum Design Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). Despite the Georgia Institute of Technology’s (GT’s) recognized role as a world leader in chemistry, physics, materials, and engineering research, there are no modern EPR capabilities at GT. Furthermore, researchers are limited in their ability to measure how fundamental quasiparticle, charge carrier, transport, thermal, spin, magnetic, and dynamic phenomena evolve within emerging device technologies as a function of molecular design. Modern EPR instrumentation will provide detailed information about the electronic structure, bonding, spin dynamics, and magnetic interactions of paramagnetic species in a range of molecular and solid-state materials. A PPMS will provide the critical connections between state-of-the-art EPR measurements and emergent functionalities using multiple external fields (optical, magnetic, electrical, microwave), critical to the development of DoD relevant technologies. Thus, support for this request will complement and enhance numerous DoD programs spanning photonics, (opto)electronics, semiconductors, energy conversion and storage, nanotechnology, condensed matter physics, spectroscopy, engineering, device fabrication, catalysis, quantum information, and more. The impact of this instrumentation will go far beyond advancing single research programs towards the development of larger collaborative centers that will tackle more complex issues with an emphasis on the chemistry, materials science, and application of emerging photonic, semiconductor, spin-based, and quantum technologies. A core aim of these efforts is to realize convergent, multi-disciplinary research, education, and training. However, the reliance of the GT community on external facilities for fundamental measurements currently precludes an efficient materials discovery and device development process and limits education and training opportunities. Funding of the capabilities proposed will overcome these barriers, while also having institution wide impacts that include- (i) enhancing research productivity and interdisciplinary collaborations within GT; (ii) nucleating new interdisciplinary research projects; (iii) impacting diverse and otherwise disparate sets of fundamental scientific questions spanning numerous disciplines; (iv) enabling new capabilities that complement and enhance federally funded programs, multidisciplinary efforts, consortia, centers, and workforce development initiatives; and (v) enhancing the scientific profile of GT as a home to a unique and growing set of scientific tools, consistent with its mission as a hub for cutting-edge interdisciplinary scientific research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310520
Entities
People
- Jason D Azoulay
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation
- United States Air Force