Foundations of Molecular Nanospintronics
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: London Centre for Nanotechnology
Abstract
Traditional electronics exploits the charge degree of freedom of carriers in metals, semiconductors, and superconductors to construct a broad range of omnipresent devices, with applications ranging from computation and transmission of data to sensing of biological material. In the past two decades, we have begun to take advantage of the magnetic degree of freedom that is also inherently found in these carriers. Often referred to as spintronics , technology based on the interplay between charge and spin offers revolutionary new functionality including non-volatility in data storage, higher sensitivity in sensors, and improved performance in the consumption of energy. The first generation of spintronic devices based on magnetic and non-magnetic metal heterostructures has already had significant commercial impact with the introduction of GMR-based read heads, and promises continued success with the development of new MRAM devices.Recent advances in scanning probe microscopy have enabled us to explore these systems at the single atom scale. The goal of this proposal is to gain an understanding of the electronic, magnetic, and structural properties of spintronic systems at the molecular level, and use this to develop new types of devices. This timely marriage of the nascent discipline of spintronics with the power and flexibility of organic chemical synthesis would enable a step-change reduction in device dimensions and extend functionality to unconventional (e.g. flexible) structural and low-cost environments.
Organisations
- University College London (Lead Research Organisation)
- National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS) (Collaboration)
- Max Planck Society (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (Collaboration)
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (Collaboration)
- University of Florence (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL (Collaboration)
- Trinity College Dublin (Collaboration)
- Freie Universität Berlin (Collaboration)
Publications
Delgado F
(2014)
Consequences of Kondo exchange on quantum spins
in Surface Science
Gill T
(2017)
Metallic atomically-thin layered silicon epitaxially grown on silicene/ZrB 2
in 2D Materials
Martinez-Castro J
(2018)
Electric polarization switching in an atomically thin binary rock salt structure.
in Nature nanotechnology
Oberg JC
(2014)
Control of single-spin magnetic anisotropy by exchange coupling.
in Nature nanotechnology
Palamarciuc T
(2012)
Spin crossover materials evaporated under clean high vacuum and ultra-high vacuum conditions: from thin films to single molecules
in Journal of Materials Chemistry
Park J
(2012)
Crystal structure and epitaxy of Bi2Te3 films grown on Si
in Applied Physics Letters
Serri M
(2014)
High-temperature antiferromagnetism in molecular semiconductor thin films and nanostructures.
in Nature communications
Warner B
(2016)
Sub-molecular modulation of a 4f driven Kondo resonance by surface-induced asymmetry.
in Nature communications
Warner B
(2017)
Controlling electronic access to the spin excitations of a single molecule in a tunnel junction.
in Nanoscale
Warner B
(2013)
Temperature- and Light-Induced Spin Crossover Observed by X-ray Spectroscopy on Isolated Fe(II) Complexes on Gold.
in The journal of physical chemistry letters
Warner B
(2015)
Tunable magnetoresistance in an asymmetrically coupled single-molecule junction.
in Nature nanotechnology
Warner B
(2017)
Guided Molecular Assembly on a Locally Reactive 2D Material.
in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Warner M
(2013)
Potential for spin-based information processing in a thin-film molecular semiconductor.
in Nature
Wu W
(2013)
p -orbital nanomagnetism in an organic chain magnet
in Physical Review B
Wu W
(2013)
Magnetic properties of copper hexadecaphthalocyanine (F16CuPc) thin films and powders
in Journal of Applied Physics
Wu W
(2011)
Theoretical modeling of the electronic structure and exchange interactions in a Cu(II)Pc one-dimensional chain
in Physical Review B
Wu W
(2013)
Suitability of chromium phthalocyanines to test Haldane's conjecture: First-principles calculations
in Physical Review B
| Description | Throughout our studies, we have explored how the magnetic properties of molecules can be influenced by their interaction with each other and with an underlying surface. In particular, we have found that by modifying this coupling, it is possible to control the magnetic properties of single magnetic molecules in a variety of different ways. |
| Exploitation Route | The different methodologies that we have developed for controlling the properties of individual magnetic molecules will be useful for others who are designing devices in which the active component is a single magnetic molecule. We have already developed prototype demonstrations of such capabilities, and others will develop more practical implementations. |
| Sectors | Electronics,Energy,Environment |
| Description | The findings from this project have stimulated new research into the interactions between individual magnetic molecules and their local environment, particularly how this interaction can be used to control the magnetic properties of the molecule. |
| Sector | Electronics,Energy,Environment |
| Description | Exploring complex magnetism at the atomic scale |
| Amount | £65,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | SPECS Surface Nano Analysis GmbH |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Germany |
| Start | 05/2013 |
| End | 04/2016 |
| Description | Ringtronics: Single-molecule circuitry for electronics and spintronics |
| Amount | £507,855 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | RPG-2012-754 |
| Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2013 |
| End | 02/2016 |
| Title | Controlling electronic access to the spin excitations of a single molecule in a tunnel junction |
| Description | STM data related to the paper: Controlling electronic access to the spin excitations of a single molecule in a tunnel junction Ben Warner, Fadi El Hallak, Henning Prüser, Afolabi Ajibade, Tobias Gill, Andrew J Fisher, Mats Persson, and Cyrus F Hirjibehedin Nanoscale (2017) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | None to date. |
| URL | http://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3699211 |
| Title | Metallic atomically-thin layered silicon epitaxially grown on silicene/ZrB2 |
| Description | STM data used in the referenced paper: Metallic atomically-thin layered silicon epitaxially grown on silicene/ZrB2 Tobias G. Gill, Antoine Fleurence, Ben Warner, Henning Prüser, Rainer Friedlein, Jerzy T. Sadowski, Cyrus F. Hirjibehedin and Yukiko Yamada-Takamura 2D Materials 4, 021015 (2017) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | None to date. |
| URL | http://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3688366 |
| Title | Sub-molecular modulation of a 4f driven Kondo resonance by surface-induced asymmetry |
| Description | Data files for experimental and DFT calculations in paper Sub-molecular modulation of a 4f driven Kondo resonance by surface-induced asymmetry Nature Communications 7, 12785 (2016) DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12785 |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | None to date. |
| URL | http://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.3383038 |
| Description | Advance Microscopy Laboratory |
| Organisation | Trinity College Dublin |
| Department | Advanced Microscopy Laboratory |
| Country | Ireland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developed collaboration with the group of David Serrate at the Advanced Microscopy Laboratory at the University of Zaragoza in Spain to study magnetic interactions at the atomic scale. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | CNRS and Universite de Bordeaux |
| Organisation | National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developed collaboration with the group of Patrick Rosa at the CNRS and Universite de Bordeaux in France to study spin crossover molecules at the atomic scale. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Free University of Berlin |
| Organisation | Free University of Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developed collaboration with the groups of Jose Ignacio Pascual and Katharina Franke at the Free University of Berlin in Germany to study the interactions between magnetic molecules and surfaces with advanced scanning probe techniques. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory |
| Organisation | International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory |
| Country | Portugal |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developed collaboration with the group of Joaquin Fernandez Rossier at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Braga, Portugal to study magnetic interactions at the atomic scale. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics |
| Organisation | Max Planck Society |
| Department | Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developed collaboration with the group of David Jacob at the in Halle, Germany to study magnetic interactions at the atomic scale. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Universita di Firenze |
| Organisation | University of Florence |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developed collaboration with the group of Roberta Sessoli at the Universita di Firenze in Italy to study magnetic molecules on surfaces using x-ray spectroscopy techniques. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | University of Liverpool |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developed collaboration with the group of Mats Persson at the University of Liverpool in the UK to study the properties of magnetic molecules on various surfaces. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | University of Nottingham |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developed collaboration with the group of Joris van Slageren at the University of Nottingham in the UK (now at the University of Stuttgart) to study novel magnetic molecules. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Title | Feynman's Flowers |
| Description | We have developed a crowdsourcing / citizen science application called "Feynman's Flowers", which allows members of the public to help scientists study the properties of molecules on surfaces. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2012 |
| Impact | The appication has been visited by over 3300 people from 99 countries. |
| URL | http://crowdcrafting.org/app/feynmanflowers/ |
| Description | UCL Physics Dragonfly Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | UCL Physics and Headstart hosted a Physics Dragonfly Day even on the 29th March 2011; this is an initiative to encourage more females to continue studying science post-16 and at University. We performed a demonstration about low temperature physics. Students expressed additional interest in continuing to study science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | feature article in Nature Physics: News and Views |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | News and Views article in Nature Physics highlighting "Control of single-spin magnetic anisotropy by exchange coupling" article published in the same issue. More people became interested in the interaction of magnetic adsorbates with surfaces. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | guest editor for special issue of Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter on Recent Advances in Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Guest editors of a special issue of the Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter highlight "Recent Advances in Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy". Provides a review of recent activity in the field of nanospintronics research done by STM. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://iopscience.iop.org/0953-8984/26/39 |
| Description | public outreach at the Wellcome Collections Miniatures Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Participation in a public event organised by the Wellcome Collection. We explained molecular spintronics, and more broadly nanotechnology research, to many members of the general public who attended the event. Stimulated interest in nanotechnology in many members of the public. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |