New way of controlling conductivity of materials at the nanoscale
Great progress for electronic gadgets of the future

Date:
September 16, 2020
Source:
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Summary:
A new discovery is an important step towards smaller, more advanced
electronics. And maybe more environmentally friendly gadgets, too.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
have found a completely new method to check the electronic properties
of oxide materials. This opens the door to even tinier components and
perhaps more sustainable electronics.


==========================================================================
"We found a completely new way to control the conductivity of materials
at the nanoscale," says Professor Dennis Meier at NTNU's Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

One of the best aspects of the new method is that it does not interfere
with other properties of the material, like previous methods did. This
makes it possible to combine different functions in the same material,
which is an important advance for nanoscale technology.

"What's really great is that this project is being run from NTNU and
involves people from several departments. We also benefit from key
facilities like the NanoLab and the TEM (transmission electron microscopy) Gemini Centre. This interdisciplinary approach shows what we can do when
we work together," Meier says.

A new article in the journal Nature Materials addresses the findings. The article has attracted international attention even before being printed.

The possibilities offered by the discovery were discussed in the August
issue of Nature Materials by leading experts in the field.



==========================================================================
We rarely think about the technology that lies behind turning on a light
bulb or our use of electrical appliances. The control of charged particles
on a minute scale is simply part of everyday life.

But on a much smaller nanoscale, scientists are now routinely able to manipulate the flow of electrons. This opens up possibilities for even
smaller components in computers and mobile phones that use barely any electricity.

A basic problem remains, however. You can simulate nanoscale electronic components, but some of the most promising concepts seem mutually
exclusive.

This means that you can't combine multiple components to create a network.

"Utilizing quantum phenomena requires extreme precision to maintain the
right ratio of different substances in the material while changing the
chemical structure of the material, which is necessary if you want to
create artificial synapses to simulate the properties of nerve pathways
as we know them from biology," Meier says.

Collaborative interdepartmental efforts, led by Professor Meier, have
succeeded in circumventing some of these problems by developing a new
approach.



==========================================================================
"The new approach is based on exploiting 'hidden' irregularities at the
atomic level, so-called anti-Frenkel defects," Meier says.

The researchers have managed to create such defects themselves, thus
enabling an insulating material to become electrically conducting.

Defects in the material are related to its various properties. However,
the anti-Frenkel defects can be manipulated in such a way that changes
in the conductivity do not affect the actual structure of the material
or change its other properties, such as magnetism and ferroelectricity.

"Maintaining the structural integrity makes it possible to design multifunctional devices using the same material. This is a big step
towards new technology on a nanoscale," says Meier.

The research team includes Professor S. M. Selbach from the Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Professors Antonius T. J. van
Helvoort and Jaakko Akola and Associate Professors Per Erik Vullum and
David Gao from the Department of Physics, and Associate Professor Jan
Torgersen from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

Another advantage of the new approach is that researchers can erase
components on a nanoscale using a simple heat treatment. Then you can
change or upgrade the components in the material afterwards.

"Maybe we'll be able to use our electronic gadgets longer instead
of recycling them or throwing them away. We can just upgrade them
instead. This is fundamentally much more environmentally friendly,"
Meier says.

Planning is already underway for further attempts to combine different components. This work will be carried out by the FACET group at NTNU's Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

The work is supported by the European Research Council through an ERC Consolidator Grant that Meier received last year. The renowned Center
for Quantum Spintronics (QuSpin) is also involved. The goal is to utilize
both charge and spin in the electrons to give us a more environmentally friendly future.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Norwegian_University_of_Science_and_Technology. Original written by
Steinar Brandslet. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Donald M. Evans, Theodor S. Holstad, Aleksander B. Mosberg,
Didrik R.

Smaabraaten, Per Erik Vullum, Anup L. Dadlani, Konstantin
Shapovalov, Zewu Yan, Edith Bourret, David Gao, Jaakko Akola, Jan
Torgersen, Antonius T. J. van Helvoort, Sverre M. Selbach, Dennis
Meier. Conductivity control via minimally invasive anti-Frenkel
defects in a functional oxide. Nature Materials, 2020; DOI:
10.1038/s41563-020-0765-x ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200916093933.htm

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