Thin film quantum materials

Abstract:

The teaching of the different aspects of a sensor system, with a focus on the involved nanotechnology, is a challenging, yet important task. We present the development of an electronic nose system that utilizes a nanoscale amperometric sensing mechanism for gas mixtures. The fabrication of the system makes use of a basic microfabrication facility, as well as an undergraduate chemistry laboratory for material synthesis and preparation. The sensing device consists of an array of cross-reactive sensors composed of metal-oxide semiconducting nanoparticles. Each sensor in the array produces a unique response in the presence of a target gas, allowing the sensor to determine the identity and concentration of multiple gases in a mixture. The educational aspects include microheater simulation and fabrication, design and fabrication of interdigitated electrodes, development of interfacing circuitry and software, development and calibration of a sensory array, sol-gel processing of nanoparticle films and their characterization, and details of the fundamental chemical sensing mechanism. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Abstract:

Magnetic devices have shown the potential to be used not only as storage elements but also as nonvolatile and programmable logic devices. We present a magnetic logic device element-the S state element-that consists of a single magnetic layer. Its output can be controlled by orthogonal magnetic inputs. The reconfigurable logic element can be easily integrated with common magnetoresistive device concepts, such as spin valves or magnetic tunnel junctions. Using Permalloy as an example, we demonstrate the feasibility of magnetologic operation through micromagnetic simulations. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract:

Elastic properties of nanoscopic materials, structures and thin films are important parameters controlling their growth, as well as their optical and electronic properties. Acoustic microscopy is a well-established method for elastic imaging. In order to overcome its micrometer-scale diffraction-limited lateral resolution, scanning probe microscopy-based acoustic near-field techniques have been developed. Among the acoustic modes used for microscopy, surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are especially suited for probing very small and thin objects due to their localization in the vicinity of the surface. Moreover, the study of SAWs is crucial for the design of frequency filter devices as well as for fundamental physical studies, for instance, the probing of composite fermions in two-dimensional electron systems. This review discusses the capabilities and limitations of SAW-based scanning probe microscopy techniques. Particular emphasis is laid on the review of surface acoustic waves and their interaction with elastic inhomogeneities. Scattering, diffraction and wave localization phenomena will be discussed in detail. Finally, the possibilities for quantitative acoustic microscopy of objects on the nanoscale, as well as practical applications, are presented. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.