IRG II: Magnetoelectric Interfaces and Spin Transport @ University of Nebraska
One of the grand challenges in Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (CMMP) research for the next decade, as identified by the National Research Council of the National Academies, is answering the question "How will the information technology revolution be extended?" Further gains in storage capacity and computational power will likely involve approaches other than scaling, and new physical concepts coupled with new functionalities will play a critical role. To address this goal, IRG2 is employing the electron spin in a synergistic combination with novel nanoscale magnetic, magnetoelectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric structures to yield new spin-dependent properties and unique functionalities. Novel heterostructures are studied to explore the interplay between electric polarization, elasticity, and magnetism across interfaces to uncover interesting new phenomena, such as electrically-controlled exchange bias and magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Conceptually new kinds of tunnel junctions and magnetic nanocontacts are investigated where a ferroelectric material is used as a barrier layer or as an electric gate material so that electron and spin transport may be manipulated both by electric and magnetic polarizations.
