A novel, purpose designed and homebuilt ESR-STM for research on spin dependent electron transport in
Abstract
Publicly Releasable Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Swift, Division 342, Biological and Physiological Monitoring and ModelingWe propose to develop, a scanning tunneling probe microscope (STM) with added magnets and radiofrequency excitation for electron spin resonance (ESR) and, control a recently developed instrumentation modality referred to as ESR-STM. ESR-STM enables an extensive control of electroni,c spin coherences as opposed to other modalities of probe microscopy that have been harnessed for spintronics applications, and in, which electronic spins of interest are binary. ESR-STM is thus behind the leap of examining electronic spin transport and interact,ions utilizing a fully quantum description.Our ESR-STM will be primarily developed to elucidate the full quantum character of the c,hiral induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect. CISS is a rare example of magnetic spin response in diamagnetic materials, including,many organic molecules of paramount impor,t, at room temperature, charge transport through nanoscopic chiral structures favors a particular electronic spin orientation. Such,observations abound, and not only have important biological consequences (as most proteins and biomolecules, including DNA, are chir,al), but also tremendous implications for any technology that relies on optimal charge and spin transport in other words, for the,entire quantum device industry.Whereas CISS has been the object of spintronics research, our ESR-STM will allow for experiments on,the phenomenon that are inspired by quantum information and sensing. We will elucidate, for example, how spin coherences evolve when, an electron is transported through a nanochiral potential, be it in a biological molecule, or in an engineered nanomaterial.Using c,hirality as a design basis for biological quantum protocols and quantum devices is unprecedented. The proposed ESR-STM will enable,the quantum description and control of spin, charge, and energy transport through chiral molecules so that quantum information can b,e preserved and transferred at room temperature. A key concept is the manipulation of the magnetic response in chiral molecules and,engineered nanomaterials via the CISS effect. Since this effect also arises in naturally occurring biomolecules such as DNA and alp,ha helices in proteins, the quantum approach enabled by the ESRSTM will open new regimes into the study of quantum phenomena of rel,evance for biology i.e., into the field known as quantum biology.The proposed ESR-STM is an instrument whose benefits can only be, heaped through the strong collaboration of physicists, electrical and material engineers, chemists and bioscientists. The education,cipating labs at UCLA will be enhanced by such a strong interdisciplinary collaboration.The primary benefit of developing this state, of the art instrument within UCLAs California NanoSystems Institute is its access to the broad community provided by the shared, instrumentation facilities. The instrument will strengthen global and local partnerships in Southern California, making UCLA a hub,for novel research on quantum chiral materials at the nanoscale.Theprospect of combining the unique properties of chiral, organic, a,nd low dimensional quantum materials for developing room temperature quantum devices for sensing, storage and information processi,ng has many future societal and economic benefits, including: quantum computing at room temperature significantly increased energy, sensing will shed light on the extent to which it is possible to use technology to control biological processes to healthcare and t,herapeutic advantage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 05, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212417
Entities
People
- Clarice D. Aiello
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, Los Angeles