| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/K027808/1 |
| Title: |
Development of new CuMn-V epitaxial antiferromagnetic semiconductors for applications in spintronics |
| Principal Investigator: |
Campion, Dr RP |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Physics & Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Nottingham |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
01 June 2013 |
Ends: |
31 August 2015 |
Value (£): |
274,126
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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26 Feb 2013
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EPSRC Physical Sciences Materials - February 2013
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
This proposal aims to develop new room-temperature antiferromagnetic semiconductor thin films which are compatible with mainstream electronics while offering unique spin-based functionalities.
Systems combining the logic functions of semiconductors with the sensing and storage capabilities of magnetic materials are highly sought-after as building blocks for a new generation of fast, non-volatile and high-density electronic devices.
In principle magnetic semiconductors offer many advantages over both magnetic metals and non-magnetic semiconductors for such applications, but despite major efforts over more than 10 years room temperature ferromagnetic semiconductors have still not been convincingly demonstrated.
It has recently been predicted that exciting new functionalities can be realized using antiferromagnetic materials. In an antiferromagnet, electron spins on adjacent atomic sites are aligned anti-parallel to each other, so that the net magnetic polarization is zero. These staggered electron spins offer an alternative mechanism for the storage and sensing of information. This greatly enhances the prospects for technological applications of magnetic semiconductors, as there are several candidate materials with antiferromagnetic spin order at room temperature, at least in bulk form.
We are proposing to develop high quality thin films from two materials, CuMnAs and CuMnP, identified as having the highest potential for room temperature applications based on antiferromagnetic spin order. Materials will be produced by molecular beam epitaxy, an established method for growing single crystal thin films which is widely used in the semiconductor industry.
We will identify the optimal conditions for producing ordered single-phase films and will develop methods for producing n- and p-type doping. The structural, electrical and magnetic properties of the films will be investigated using a range of approaches.
The proposed materials development programme will provide a solid foundation to establish within the UK a strong research activity in antiferromagnetic semiconductor spintronics.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk |