A Scanning Magneto-Optical Microscope for Topological Materials
Abstract
The birth of topological insulators, which only conduct electricity on their surfaces, and topological semimetals, which have gapless, topologically-protected degenerate points, have highlighted the importance of novel quantum effects beyond those in traditional strongly correlated materials. Topological insulators and semimetals are promising platforms for a new generation of low-dissipation spintronics, energy-efficient optoelectronics, and fault-tolerant topological quantum computing. The proposed studies will be based upon the recent studies of large linear magneto-optical effect and giant nonlinear optical response in topological insulators and semimetals, which indicated the possibility of unprecedentedly large effects with a novel mechanism in these topological materials. These observations all point to a pressing need to perform measurements in carefully controlled experimental conditions where domains, vibrations, and magnetic fields are all deliberately controlled. Domains can become particularly problematic for revealing the intrinsic properties of the material systems such as the phase transition temperature and transition field strength. The purpose of this proposal is to acquire the components to construct a compact scanning confocal microscope with a magnetic field up to 7 tesla that could be coupled to second harmonic generation, time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect, and terahertz emission experiments to address hidden physics in magnetic and chiral topological materials. The objective is to investigate novel linear and nonlinear optical responses in these topological materials with the proposed unique magneto-optical microscope and identify them as possible new platforms for faster memory devices and energy-efficient optoelectronics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 2021
- Source ID
- W911NF2110131
Entities
People
- Liang Wu
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Pennsylvania