Spin-Resolved Momentum Microscopy of Symmetry-Broken Materials
Abstract
In this proposal, University of Arizona request an imaging spin filter assembly to enable spin-resolved measurements of the electronic structure of materials with unprecedented sensitivity. Spin, a strictly quantum mechanical property, underpins new materials concepts that can withstand extreme conditions and that may revolutionize the low-power electronics and quantum information technologies necessary for the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force to maintain superiority in the cyber, space and conventional arenas. Measuring the spin-dependent electronic structure of materials has long presented a formidable challenge due to the exceedingly low efficiency of spin-selective detection of photoelectrons in conventional photoemission spectrometers. The requested imaging spin filter overcomes this challenge due to its increased sensitivity by more than four orders of magnitude, making it possible for the first time to more routinely obtain the spin-dependent electronic structure of materials. This is achieved by a simultaneous spin-dependent detection of all photoemitted electrons for a given energy when combining the requested spin filter assembly with the principal investigator’s already available momentum microscope. Even without a spin filter, this microscope is already capable of obtaining the electronic structure of quantum materials from structures as small as until recently unreachable micrometer length-scales. It is thus ideally suited for investigating the electronic properties of novel structures e.g. composed of two-dimensional materials with transformative technological potential, but whose size is at present limited to no more than a few tens of microns and thus outside the capabilities of conventional photoelectron spectroscopy. The proposed combination of the existing Arizona momentum microscope with the requested imaging spin filter assembly transforms this already highly advanced momentum microscopy capability by adding the ability to simultaneously obtain the spin degree of freedom. This will constitute the first and only instrument in the U.S. that can collect the full spin-resolved electronic structure of materials on micron length-scales.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310612
Entities
People
- Oliver Monti
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Arizona