Oxide Spintronics


Book Description

Oxide materials have been used in mainstream semiconductor technology for several decades and have served as important components, such as gate insulators or capacitors, in integrated circuits. However, in recent decades, this material class has emerged in its own right as a potential contender for alternative technologies, generally designated as ‘beyond Moore’. The 2004 discovery by Ohtomo and Hwang was a global trendsetter in this context. It involved observing a two-dimensional, high-mobility electron gas at the heterointerface between two insulating oxides, LaAlO3 and SrTiO3, supported by the rise of nascent deposition and growth-monitoring techniques, which was an important direction in materials science research. The quest to understand the origin of this unparalleled physical property and to find other emergent properties has been an active field of research in condensed matter that has united researchers with expertise in diverse fields such as thin-film growth, defect control, advanced microscopy, semiconductor technology, computation, magnetism and electricity, spintronics, nanoscience, and nanotechnology.




Ordering Phenomena in Rare-Earth Nickelate Heterostructures


Book Description

This thesis presents an experimental study of ordering phenomena in rare-earth nickelate-based heterostructures by means of inelastic Raman light scattering and elastic resonant x-ray scattering (RXS). Further, it demonstrates that the amplitude ratio of magnetic moments at neighboring nickel sites can be accurately determined by RXS in combination with a correlated double cluster model, and controlled experimentally through structural pinning of the oxygen positions in the crystal lattice. The two key outcomes of the thesis are: (a) demonstrating full control over the charge/bond and spin order parameters in specifically designed praseodymium nickelate heterostructures and observation of a novel spin density wave phase in absence of the charge/bond order parameter, which confirms theoretical predictions of a spin density wave phase driven by spatial confinement of the conduction electrons; and (b) assessing the thickness-induced crossover between collinear and non-collinear spin structures in neodymium nickelate slabs, which is correctly predicted by drawing on density functional theory.




Epitaxial Growth of Complex Metal Oxides


Book Description

Epitaxial Growth of Complex Metal Oxides, Second Edition reviews techniques and recent developments in the fabrication quality of complex metal oxides, which are facilitating advances in electronic, magnetic and optical applications. Sections review the key techniques involved in the epitaxial growth of complex metal oxides and explore the effects of strain and stoichiometry on crystal structure and related properties in thin film oxides. Finally, the book concludes by discussing selected examples of important applications of complex metal oxide thin films, including optoelectronics, batteries, spintronics and neuromorphic applications. This new edition has been fully updated, with brand new chapters on topics such as atomic layer deposition, interfaces, STEM-EELs, and the epitaxial growth of multiferroics, ferroelectrics and nanocomposites. - Examines the techniques used in epitaxial thin film growth for complex oxides, including atomic layer deposition, sputtering techniques, molecular beam epitaxy, and chemical solution deposition techniques - Reviews materials design strategies and materials property analysis methods, including the impacts of defects, strain, interfaces and stoichiometry - Describes key applications of epitaxially grown metal oxides, including optoelectronics, batteries, spintronics and neuromorphic applications




Chemically Deposited Nanocrystalline Metal Oxide Thin Films


Book Description

This book guides beginners in the areas of thin film preparation, characterization, and device making, while providing insight into these areas for experts. As chemically deposited metal oxides are currently gaining attention in development of devices such as solar cells, supercapacitors, batteries, sensors, etc., the book illustrates how the chemical deposition route is emerging as a relatively inexpensive, simple, and convenient solution for large area deposition. The advancement in the nanostructured materials for the development of devices is fully discussed.




Physics of Spin-Orbit-Coupled Oxides


Book Description

This book is aimed at graduate students, post docs and senior researchers with preliminary expertise in materials physics or chemistry, and with an interest in the physical and chemical properties of 4d- and 5d transition metal oxides, especially ruthenates and iridates. The 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides are among the most current and interesting quantum materials. This book reviews recent experimental and theoretical evidence that the physical and structural properties of these materials are decisively influenced by strong spin-orbit interactions that compete with comparable Coulomb, magnetic exchange and crystalline electric field interactions. This competition often leads to unusual ground states and magnetic frustration that are unique to this class of materials. Novel coupling between the orbital/lattice and spin degrees of freedom, which seriously challenge current theoretical models and are not addressed by traditional textbooks, are of particular interest, This book also reviews a few techniques for single-crystal growth that are most suitable for the 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides. The discussion is intended to help fill an existing void in the literature describing relevant synthesis techniques for 4d- and 5d-materials, which is a daunting experimental challenge.




Metal Oxide-Based Thin Film Structures


Book Description

Metal Oxide-Based Thin Film Structures: Formation, Characterization and Application of Interface-Based Phenomena bridges the gap between thin film deposition and device development by exploring the synthesis, properties and applications of thin film interfaces. Part I deals with theoretical and experimental aspects of epitaxial growth, the structure and morphology of oxide-metal interfaces deposited with different deposition techniques and new developments in growth methods. Part II concerns analysis techniques for the electrical, optical, magnetic and structural properties of thin film interfaces. In Part III, the emphasis is on ionic and electronic transport at the interfaces of Metal-oxide thin films. Part IV discusses methods for tailoring metal oxide thin film interfaces for specific applications, including microelectronics, communication, optical electronics, catalysis, and energy generation and conservation. This book is an essential resource for anyone seeking to further their knowledge of metal oxide thin films and interfaces, including scientists and engineers working on electronic devices and energy systems and those engaged in research into electronic materials. - Introduces the theoretical and experimental aspects of epitaxial growth for the benefit of readers new to the field - Explores state-of-the-art analysis techniques and their application to interface properties in order to give a fuller understanding of the relationship between macroscopic properties and atomic-scale manipulation - Discusses techniques for tailoring thin film interfaces for specific applications, including information, electronics and energy technologies, making this book essential reading for materials scientists and engineers alike




Surfaces and Interfaces of Metal Oxide Thin Films, Multilayers, Nanoparticles and Nano-composites


Book Description

This book provides a general overview and current state of the art of different types of metal oxide nanomaterials, either in nanoparticles or thin film structure. It covers from the development and optimization of different nanofabrication/synthesis techniques for nanostructures which are currently the attention of the research community, the study of the structure and interactions by different characterization techniques of heterostructured materials and the final impact in different applications such as nanotherapy, data storage, super magnets, high-frequency devices. The book’s 13 chapters provide deep insight into the intriguing science of oxide materials and include contributions on novel technologies to fabricate nanomaterials with a broad range of functional properties (semiconducting, magnetic, ferroelectric, thermoelectric, optical, flexible and mechanical). This book is intended to the experts for consolidation of their knowledge but also for students who aim to learn and get basics of nanostructured metal oxides in diverse forms.




Magnetic Oxides


Book Description

Magnetic Oxides offers a cohesive up-to-date introduction to magnetism in oxides. Emphasizing the physics and chemistry of local molecular interactions essential to the magnetic design of small structures and thin films, this volume provides a detailed view of the building blocks for new magnetic oxide materials already advancing research and development of nano-scale technologies. Clearly written in a well-organized structure, readers will find a detailed description of the properties of magnetic oxides through the prism of local interactions as an alternative to collective electron concepts that are more applicable to metals and semiconductors. Researchers will find Magnetic Oxides a valuable reference.




Thin Films for Advanced Electronic Devices


Book Description

In this volume of the highly esteemed Physics of Thin Films serial, focused coverage is given to new trends in solid state devices. Four chapters combine to provide comprehensive discussions of magnetostatic wave phenomena in epitaxial magnetic oxide films and their applications in microwave signal processing devices: Thin-film rare earth transition metal alloys for magnetooptic recording. Two new classes of quantum well structures that have been used for infrared detectors and ultrafast resonant tunneling devices. Recent applications of Fourier transform spectroscopy for the analysis of inorganic thin solid films. This book provides a focused treatment of recent developments in novel thin film solid state components, and specifically discusses magnetic, semiconducting, and optical phenomena.




Handbook of Zinc Oxide and Related Materials


Book Description

Through their application in energy-efficient and environmentally friendly devices, zinc oxide (ZnO) and related classes of wide gap semiconductors, including GaN and SiC, are revolutionizing numerous areas, from lighting, energy conversion, photovoltaics, and communications to biotechnology, imaging, and medicine. With an emphasis on engineering and materials science, Handbook of Zinc Oxide and Related Materials provides a comprehensive, up-to-date review of various technological aspects of ZnO. Volume One presents fundamental knowledge on ZnO-based materials and technologies. It covers the basic physics and chemistry of ZnO and related compound semiconductors and alloys. The first part of this volume discusses preparation methods, modeling, and doping strategies. It then describes epitaxial methods used to create thin films and functional materials. The book concludes with a review of alloys and related materials, exploring their preparation, bulk properties, and applications. Covering key properties and important technologies of ZnO-based devices and nano-engineering, the handbook highlights the potential of this wide gap semiconductor. It also illustrates the remaining challenging issues in nanomaterial preparation and device fabrication for R&D in the twenty-first century.