Projects / Programmes
Dynamics of complex nano-systems
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2014
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.02.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
|
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P260 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic and optical properties, supraconductors, magnetic resonance, relaxation, spectroscopy |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.03 |
Natural Sciences |
Physical sciences |
nanotubes, optical spectroscopy, femtosecond spectroscopy, thin films, DNA, superconductivity, manganites, charge density wave materials, organic semiconductors, charge transfer, ultra high vacuum, surfaces, metal-semiconducor joints
Researchers (32)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
18 |
Abstract
The aim of the research program is to investigate complex nano-systems, focusing on nonequilibrium dynamics of new and existing nano-materials, nonperiodic inhomogeneous matter, and biological nanosystems, as well as the relations between their dynamic properties and function.
The program encompasses synthesis of nanomaterials (in particular nanowires and nanotubes based on transition-metal chalcogenides), research of their interaction with organic molecules (e.g., proteins and DNA) via different functionalisation routes, and construction of sensors and related devices using electron beam and tunneling nanolithography techniques.
Dynamical properties of complex nanosystems will be characterised using various physical measurement techniques, ranging from measurements of spin dynamics via magnetic, optical and single-molecule nano-transport measurements to femtosecond spectroscopy studies.
The main strengths of the proposed program are derived from a strong interdisciplinary approach, based on new materials and new research techniques pioneered at the Jozef Stefan Institute, facilitating capitalisation and technology transfer to industry on one hand, while at the same time performing a basic research program at the forefront of science, on the other.
Significance for science
The study of the realtime evolution of systems through symmetry breaking transitions (SBTs) in condensed matter systems breaking different kinds of symmetries (spatial, gauge, timereversal etc.) by monitoring single particle and collective excitations has important consequences in the undamental physics of temporally evolving systems. The analogy with cosmology (i.e. the Big Bang) is particularly pertinent, as discussed by Kibble, Zurek, Varma, Volovik etc.. Other systems are also of interest, such as SBTs which occur after collisions of elementary particles, typically discussed in terms of GinzburgLandau derived theories, such as the Standard model. The importance of the current project is that one can chose different symmetries in different laboratory systems to mimic inaccessible or irreproducible SBTs, such as the Big Bang or stock market crashes. Emergence of different symmetries can thus be explored by choice of system, and significant analogies can be drawn. Thus analogies between vortices and domain walls with cosmic strings and branes can be drawn. Dark matter analogues are offered by weakly interacting bosonic excitations, particularly phonons. The control of SBTs is of fundamental interest as a means of directing systems into hidden ordered states not reachable under ergodic conditions, opening a window into “parallel universes”. The field is rapidly expanding and the first international conference on “Higgs bosons in condensed matter” was organized by the Yuakawa Institute Kyoto in 2014. Furthermore, our group has been trusted with the organization of international conference on Photoinduced Phase Transitions PIPT5 at Bled in June 2014, and the Flatlands beyond graphene conference in 2016, which reflects the respect our group commands in the field. Judging by its publication record (including papers in Science, Nature, PRL, PRX), and its success in starting new research fields through procuring state of the art equipment from EU funds and other international funding (ERC advanced grant, MarieCurie and other FP7 projects), its activities are highly regarded both in Slovenia and abroad. The group has found a successful recipe for performing exciting science, resting on the shoulders of a stream of students and a smallnumbered wellcoordinated seniour team. Presented research also has a number of technology spinoffs. The first type comes from the underlying essential materials science which leads to new functionality of nanomaterials, which we have already demonstrated in the recent past (e.g. MoSI molecular wires in batteries, catalysis, recognitive sensor substrates and additives to lubricants). The understanding of photoexcited electron energy relaxation is directly relevant for understanding charge transfer dynamics and solar cell efficiency, and other functionalities. Improvements of up to 60% were observed, which is a remarkable achievement condsidering progress has typically been relatively slow, with typical improvements of the order 10% or less. The second category of spinoffs are even more exciting and come from the photoinduced phase transitions themselves. Control of SBTs in time is important in future electronics devices, particularly memory devices. A potentially revolutionary development is the use of photoinduced or current injection induced hidden state transitions (Stojchevska et al., Science, 2014) for nonvolatile memory devices, potentially bridging the gap in speed between fast dynamic RAM and static mass storage class memory which has held up computer development since the 1980's (IBM report, G.W. Burr, 2013). Our approach is potentially competitive with memristor (HP), spintorque memory (STM) and phase change memory (PCM), offering advantages in terms of speed and compatibility with silicon technology. Research group has access to state of the art equipment through CENN Nanocenter, such as FIB instrument, MBE and ALD, 4 probe low temperature STM/AFM with a SEM, LDI laser.
Significance for the country
The research programme introduces a number of crossdisciplinary new technologies and a new and original research field to Slovenia, specifically timeresolved spectroscopy as a whole, nanoelectronics and nanolithography (both by electron beam and proprietary laser technology). Nanoscale FET device construction, molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) are new techniques in Slovenia, and are introduced for the first time. In the last 10 years, the group started two spinoff companies (Mo6 and NANOTUL). Experience suggests that new spinoff products and technologies can be expected to arise in the forthcoming period. The synthesis of transitionmetal oxides, carbides, chalcogenides and nitrides represents a very interesting field between chemical and physical sciences on one side and technological applications on the other. These compounds are important for a diverse range of technology, such as electronics, as lubricants, nanocomposites or for energy storage and conversion. Another spinoff in the pipeline will be developing multichannel detectors for femtosecond spectroscopy, which is commercially interesting. Prototypes are currently being tested and used in a number of publications. The group is responsible for setting up and maintaining a number of research facilities: FIB/HRTEM dual beam instrument, ALD, MBE, AFM Raman, 4probe STM/AFM/SEM procured through European restructuring funds within the Centre of Excellence in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology - CENN Nanocenter. The research field which has direct consequences for training top quality engineers for Slovenian highadded value industry (like LPKF, Helios, BSH BoshSiemens Hausgeräte, Xpand, Litostroj Power, Elaphe, IOS, Količevo karton) or abroad (like IEE Luxemburg, Ilmenau University, Germany, German Research School for Simulation Science, University of Antwerpen, Belgium). Intense cooperation takes place with LPKF, a hightech medium size multinational company, developing the next generation of a laser lithography system (the current system, which was developed jointly with the Physics department at the University of Ljubljana is a marketed product). New nanomaterials, nanomateirals for composites are in use in paints and coatings industry (Helios, Cinkarna Celje). We expect commercial results in the field of battery electrode nanomaterials, solar cell components and sensor devices (Kolektor/Nanotesla institute). The research group has a world leading position in the field, competing and/or collaborating with groups at leading universities. The award of an ERC Advanced grant TRAJECTORY to head of the group testifies to the quality of the group and its importance in promoting Slovenia worldwide as a scientifically and technologically advanced country. Our group is currently involved in a number of EU projects: ERC Advanced Grant, Marie Curie ITN, HINT EU project 7FP, several COST projects and bilateral projects. Research group has access to over 100 Slovene and international projects through CENN Nanocenter equipment. Especially important are the synergies within the framework of the projects developed with the partner institutions, such as TASC & Elettra Laboratories, Italy; Joanneum Research Institute and the University of Graz, Austria; University of Oxford,United Kingdom, and Stanford University in the USA, the Swiss Institute of Technology of Lausanne and ETH, Zurich, Brookhaven National Laboratory (USA), University of Konstanz, and the University of Orsay, which brings the work of the research groups in the wider international arena.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
