Misfit Superconductors by Heartsound Audio

 


There is a new study from Michigan State University that defines atom misfits. It could potentially help design better superconductors for the future of electronics.

The problem with more powerful, even smarter electronics and the shrinking size of the devices is the tools and techniques used in analyzing the materials that will Make them up with increasing precise practices.  

Physicists at MSU have been diligently working on an extremely precise approach that combines microscopy and ultrafast lasers. Their technique was recently described in the journal Nature Photonics. It allowed scientists to recognize misfit atoms in semi conductors with exacting precision.

In the world of semi conductor physics, some atoms are labeled “defects”. It sounds negative, but in reality, there are important to the output of today’s devices and will be of even more importance in the future.

“ This is particularly relevant for components with nanoscale structures.” Said Tyler cocker, the Jerry Cowen Endowed Chair in Experimental Physics and the leader of this new study.

Computer chips are an example of semi conductors with nanoscale features. Researchers are taking nanoscale architecture to an extreme by creating materials that are a single atom thick. 

“ These nanoscopic materials are the future of semiconductors.” Said cocker,  “ When you have nanoscale electronics, it’s really important to make sure that electrons can move the way you want them to.”

Defects play a major role in electron motions, Which is why Crocker and his team are very interested in learning precisely where the misfits are located and how they behave. The new technique will allow scientists to easily obtain that information. Cocker Stated that the technique is relatively simple to implement with the correct equipment. The team is currently applying it to atomically thin materials like Graphene nano ribbons. 

There are several tools for measurement already in use, including scanning tunneling microscopes or STM that Help spot single-atom Defects. Unlike microscopes, the STM‘s don’t use lenses and lightbulbs to magnify objects. Instead STMs Scan a materials surface, using an atomically sharp tip, just like a record player stylus.

The STM doesn’t touch the materials surface. It gets close enough for electrons to jump or tunnel between the tip and the sample. STM records how many jumps per electron and where they jump from. This provides atomic scale information about each sample. 

Crocker and his team recently have a new trick up their sleeves- the researcher still use STM, but also Shine laser pulses at the tip of the STM. These pulses are made of light waves measuring a movement of 1 trillion times a second. (Terahertz light). 

By coupling STM and the terahertz light, The teams new probe has an unprecedented sensitivity for defects! 

Although Crocker’s lab is at the forefront of this field, researchers around the world are combining STMs and terahertz light for the first time.

This project is supported by the office of Naval Research, the Army Research Office, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. 


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