Focus Topic Descriptions, 02.8.2 - 07.11.6
See also Focus Topic Descriptions 11.8.1 - 12.7.6 and Focus Topic Descriptions 13.6.1 - 23.12.6.
| 02.8.2 | DMP | Dopants and Defects in Semiconductors The properties of semiconductors are determined by the presence of impurities and defects. Defects control carrier concentration, mobility, lifetime, and recombination; they are also responsible for processes that involve atomic transport such as migration, diffusion, and precipitation of impurities and host atoms. In dilute III-N-V alloys, impurities even modify the band gap. The control of defects and impurities is the critical factor that enables a semiconductor to be engineered for use in electronic and optoelectronic devices as has been widely recognized in the remarkable development of Si-based electronics and the recent success of the GaN-based blue LED and lasers. The fundamental understanding, characterization and control of defects are proving to be important for the development of novel wide-band gap semiconductors and future solid-state based spintronic devices. The physics of dopants and defects in semiconductors, from the bulk to the nanoscale, is the subject of this focus session. The electronic, structural, optical, magnetic and isotopic properties of dopants and defects in elemental and compound semiconductors; SiO2 and alternative dielectrics; wide band-gap semiconductors such as diamond, SiC, metal-oxides, and the group-III nitrides; and organic semiconductors are of interest. Abstracts on experimental and theoretical investigations are solicited. Organizers: Matthew McCluskey Michael Stavola | |
| 03.8.1 | DMP | Dielectric, Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Oxides This topic will focus on fundamental advances in the growth, characterization, and experimental as well as theoretical understanding of dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and multiferroic oxides in bulk, thin-film, superlattice, and nanostructured forms. Contributions on functional oxides of all structural types are encouraged. Areas of interest include the physics of structural and ferroelectric phase transitions, domain structure and dynamics, lattice dielectric properties, the impact of disorder on cooperative behavior, progress in theoretical approaches to ferroelectricity, multiferroicity, and relaxor behavior, as well as understanding of oxide synthesis and growth mechanisms. A major thrust will be to explore how bulk dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties are modified in thin-film, superlattice, or other nanoscale geometries, for example by the effects of strain, surfaces and interfaces, chemical environment, and electrical boundary conditions. Organizers: Matthew Dawber Gustau Catalan | |
| 04.14.1 | same as 10.15.20 | DPOLY/ DBP | The Physics of Biocompatibility Interactions of native and modified polymer surfaces with living systems; control of such interactions using polymer-modified surfaces. |
| 04.14.2 | DPOLY | Spatially Confined Polymer Materials Polymer physics in spaces of molecular dimension or smaller. Influence on phase transitions, chain conformation, chain dynamics, diffusion. | |
| 04.14.3 | DPOLY/ FIAP | Polymers and Energy: photovoltaics, fuel cells, batteries Physics of polymers in new energy-producing and energy storing technologies. Influence of polymer structure and morphology in energy applications. | |
| 04.14.4 | DPOLY | Polymers and/in Ionic Liquids Ionic liquids as solvents, swelling agents, and modifiers for polymers and technologies/devices fabricated using this new class of liquids. Polymer structure in the presence of ionic liquids. | |
| 04.14.5 | DPOLY | Long Range Order in Polymer Structures & Morphologies Methods to control mesoscopic and microscopic ordering in microphase separated, phase separated, or crystalline polymer systems. Influence of structural defects on long range order. Approaches in increasing the range and perfection of lattice order in two or three dimensions. | |
| 04.14.6 | DPOLY | Surface Instabilities Surface instabilities, such as wrinkling and crumpling, offer a novel and robust approach to define the topology of polymer surfaces. Surfaces can be produced with discrete, predictable length scales and patterns, and direct control of surface properties can be achieved. | |
| 04.14.7 | DPOLY | Grazing Incidence Scattering Development and use of grazing incidence scattering methods to probe polymer lateral structure at or near surfaces and interfaces. | |
| 04.14.8 | DPOLY | New Imaging and Visualization Techniques Development and use of advanced imaging methods to observe surface and bulk polymer structure. Of interest are experimental visualization techniques such as electron tomography, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, near field optical microscopy, spatially resolved spectroscopic techniques, etc. as well as novel visualization approaches for displaying the results of theoretical and simulation studies. | |
| 04.14.9 | DPOLY | Hierarchically Ordered Systems Methods to create polymer organization at multiple length scales, ranging from molecular to macroscopic length scales; studies of hierarchical polymer structure; techniques to undertake the study of hierarchical polymer structure. | |
| 04.14.10 | DPOLY | The Physics of Green Polymers & Green Polymer Processing Preparation, processing and properties of polymers derived from renewable feedstocks. Methods to reduce the environmental impact of polymer materials. Novel applications of polymers to save energy or reduce pollution. | |
| 04.14.11 | same as 10.15.19 | DPOLY/ DBP | Biological-Synthetic Hybrid Materials Preparation and properties of materials synergistically exploiting natural and synthetic components, typically at the molecular to mesoscale so that interfacial effects dominate. |
| 04.14.12 | DPOLY | Mechanical Force Spectroscopy of Single Chains and Biopolymers Methods to manipulate and study single polymer chains and assemblies of polymer chains for the purposes of determining fundamental dynamic or structural information, or for structure fabrication. | |
| 04.14.13 | DPOLY | The Physics of Polymer Nanocomposites; Polymer Nanoparticle Interactions Understanding the physics and properties of dispersed particles or other nanoscale structures in bulk polymers or in phase separated or microsphase separated polymer systems. Self assembled polymer nanocomposites. | |
| 04.14.14 | DPOLY | Templated Assembly of Polymers Polymer structural organization influence by interaction with preformed structural templates on the molecular to mesoscopic scale. Template based approaches to controlling structure, morphology, and long range order in thin films and in the bulk. | |
| 04.14.15 | same as 16.12.6 | DMP/ DPOLY | Organic Electronics, Photonics & Magnetics Organic small-molecule and polymer materials are actively studied for their interesting electronic, photonic and magnetic properties. This focus topic covers the recent developments in this field. Contributions are solicited on the following studies of organic semiconductors and related devices: charge carrier transport, optical properties (e.g., spectroscopy, physics of excitons, nonlinear optics, lasing, photonic bandgap materials), issues related to energetics of organic-organic and organic-inorganic interfaces, magneto-transport phenomena (e.g., magnetoresistance, spin dependent phenomena, magneto-optics). Studies of device physics of organic field-effect transistors, photovoltaic cells, lasers, spin valves, and sensors will be presented. Both theoretical and experimental studies are welcome. Organizers: A. Kahn |
| 05.17.1 | DMP | Iron Pnictides and Other Novel Superconductors The discovery of superconductivity in Fe pnictides has again demonstrated the potential of non-cuprate superconductors both in terms of high critical temperatures, currents and field, and in terms of fundamentally new superconducting states. Considerable progress has been made in recent months to understand both the normal and superconconducting states of these materials and their parent compounds. This focused session will cover both theory and experiment on these and other non-cuprate unconventional superconductors, including, but not limited to, noncentrosymmetric superconductors, CeCoIn5 and related materials, superconducting skuterrudites, organics and intercalated graphites, etc. Organizers: Ian Fisher | |
| 05.17.2 | DMP | Hybrid Magnetic-Superconducting Systems The focus session will be dedicated to hybrid superconducting/magnetic structures from the theoretical as well as the experimental point of view. The main subjects include superconducting/magnetic multilayers and nanostructures, magnetic proximity effect and Andreev reflection, and exotic magnetic phases in superconductors. Special attention will be paid to non-centrosymmetric superconductors both with singlet and triplet pairing, Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov states, heterojunctions with non-collinear magnetizations, pi-phase junctions, superconducting/magnetic hybrids with spiral magnetic structures, Josephson effects involving half metallic systems, and complex oxide ferromagnet/superconductor multilayers. Organizers: J. Wei University of Notre Dame Email: bjanko@nd.edu | |
| 06.14.1 | same as 17.13.2 | DCOMP/ DMP/ GMAG | Theory & Simulation of Spin Dependent Effects & Properties This focus topic centers on recent advances in the theory and numerical simulations of static and dynamical spin-dependent properties of magnetic materials and structures. This is a broad topic including, in particular, basic theory of magnetism, spin-dependent transport, magnetic phase transitions, magnetic hysteresis, spin waves, spin relaxation, spin transfer torques, exchange bias, interlayer magnetic coupling, novel concepts in magnetic recording, dynamics of domain walls and other topological defects. Particular interest is in low-dimensional magnetic systems and nanostructures such as interfaces, multilayers, thin films, nanowires, nanodots, and molecular magnets. Approaches include first-principles techniques, multiscale modeling, many-body theory, effective spin Hamiltonians, Monte Carlo simulations, Langevin dynamics, micromagnetic modeling, and combinations of these techniques. We especially encourage contributions showing benefits of cross-pollination between analytical and numerical approaches for explaining and predicting specific experimental results and materials or systems properties. Organizers: Aldo Romero Dieter Suess |
| 06.14.2 | same as 13.6.5 | DMP/ GMAG | Magnetic Nanostructures: Materials and Phenomena This topic focuses on magnetic nanostructures, including thin films, multilayers, nanoparticles, nanowires, nanorings, nanocomposites, core-shell structures, hybrid structures, magnetic point contacts and self-assembled as well as patterned magnetic arrays. This session will cover both experimental and theoretical advances in investigating these materials for proximity and structural disorder effects, magnetic quantum confinement, interlayer magnetic coupling, exchange spring, exchange bias, magnetic anisotropy, inter-particle interactions, and relaxation dynamics as well as modeling of hysteresis, thermal and quantum fluctuations, and other nanoscale magnetic phenomena. Of special interest is the fabrication of nanostructures with atomic-scale control using new/improved physical and/or chemical methods, high-resolution characterization methods with site and/or element specificity, and unusual physical phenomena present in these systems. Organizers: Yumi Ijiri |
| 06.14.4 | same as 07.11.4 & 09.9.3 | DMP/GMAG | Complex Oxide Thin Films A rich variety of intriguing behaviors has been observed in complex oxides, many of which remain still far from understood. High Tc superconductivity, ferroelectricity or colossal magnetoresistance are just a few of them. When grown in the form of thin films, heterostructures or nanostructured systems, they often exhibit additional effects resulting from epitaxial strain, reduced dimensionality, charge transfer, proximity effects or phase competition across interfaces. Since all this phenomenology can deeply alter the macroscopic physical properties, their understanding acquires a special relevance. This Focus Topic explores the physical properties of thin complex oxide films and heterostructures, paying special attention to the role of interfaces. It also will focus on the mechanisms by which the macroscopic properties are affected, which may include strain, electronic phase separation, charge transfer or localization, structural defects, etc. These mechanisms have an important role in the interaction between spin, charge, lattice and orbital degrees of freedom in films. This Focus Topic will provide a forum to discuss recent developments in both theoretical and experimental work on these issues, including growth, characterization (by x-ray, neutron or electron scattering, scanning probe microscopy techniques, etc) and physical properties (transport, thermodynamic measurements, magnetometry, etc) of complex oxide films, heterostructures and nanostructured systems. Organizers: Army Research Office Email: marc.ulrich@us.army.mil Maria Varela |
| 06.14.5 | same as 16.12.7 | GMAG/ DMP/ FIAP | Spin Transport & Magnetization Dynamics in Metal-Based Systems This topic focuses on the experimental and theoretical aspects of spin transport, spin transfer, and magnetization dynamics in metal-based systems; related phenomena in semiconductor systems will be covered in a separate focus topic. Topics of interest include all aspects of spin-dependent transport and scattering in the diffusive, ballistic, tunneling and hot electron regimes. These are spin diffusion, relaxation, and accumulation, spin transport though interfaces, spin injection and detection, mechanisms for magnetic damping (especially in magnetic nanostructures), etc. A major topic is the interplay between spin currents and magnetization dynamics in magnetic nanostructures: spin-transfer, spin pumping and related phenomena. Also included are the studies on spin transport in ferromagnetic-normal metal and ferromagnetic-superconductor systems. Relevant phenomena include giant magnetoresistance (GMR), tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR), spin polarization measurements, spin filtering, current-induced magnetization dynamics: magnetization switching, driven oscillations, motion of magnetic domain walls, vortices and other defects and related processes, studied in time and frequency domains. Organizers: Casey Miller |
| 06.14.6 | same as 02.8.1 & 16.12.8 | GMAG/ DMP/ FIAP | Spin-Dependent Phenomena in Semiconductors The field of spin-dependent phenomena in semiconductors is developing rapidly, with significant advances recently in a widening range of material systems (e.g., silicon, diamond, carbon nanotubes, graphene), in semiconductor nanostructures (e.g., self-assembled and lithographically-defined quantum dots), and in hybrid ferromagnetic/semiconductor device structures. This series of Focus Sessions solicits contributions aimed at understanding spin-dependent processes in magnetic and non-magnetic structures incorporating semiconducting materials. Topics include: (i) growth, characterization, electrical, optical and magnetic properties of (ferro-) magnetic semiconductors and hybrid ferromagnet-semiconductor structures including quantum dots, nanocrystals, and nanowires; (ii) transport and dynamical effects in semiconductors with or without spin-orbit interactions; (iii) electrical and optical spin injection, spin Hall effects, spin interference, spin filtering, spin lifetime effects, spin dependent scattering, and spin torque; (iv) manipulation, detection, and entanglement of electrical and nuclear spins in quantum systems such as dots, impurities and point defects; and (v) spin-dependent devices and device proposals involving ferromagnets and semiconductors. Organizers: Scott Crooker Lu Sham |
| 06.14.7 | GMAG | Frustrated and Low Dimensional Magnetism There is a robust framework for describing the low temperature structures, phase transitions, and excitations of conventional three dimensional magnetic materials. However, when fluctuations are enhanced by low dimensionality or competing interactions, qualitatively new behavior can emerge. This is well established in one and two dimensions where controlled theory and experiment have uncovered phases lacking long-range magnetic order but exhibiting novel statistical and quantum phenomena. Such phenomena include valence bond solids and various forms of spin liquid and spin ice phases. This Focus Topic solicits abstracts for presentations that explore both theoretical and experimental aspects of the field. Topics of interest include: one dimensional quantum magnetism, geometrical frustration and associated effects of quantum spin liquid and spin ice, magnetism in artificial structures, including 1D atomic chain or 2D monolayer film, order by disorder, the role of magnetoelastic coupling, quantum critical two dimensional spin systems and magnon Bose condensation. Also of interest are the effects of strongly fluctuating spins on properties beyond magnetism including transport, thermal transport and ferroelectricity. Organizers: Matthew Stone | |
| 06.14.8 | GMAG/ DMP | Spin Dependent Physics in Organic Materials This focus topic is on spin transport and dynamics in organic materials including organic semiconductors, graphene, carbon nanotubes and molecular magnets. Research at the intersection of several forefront areas in condensed matter and material physics are of interest: spin electronics, carbon-based materials and molecular magnetism. Organic materials are of particular interest for spin transport and dynamics because weak spin orbit interactions and hyperfine interactions may lead to long spin lifetimes. Phenomena/ materials of interest include, hybrid ferromagnetic/organic structures, spin transport in graphene, Kondo effect, spin qbits in diamond, quantum tunneling and coherence in molecular nanomagnetics, organic magnetoresistance and all related topics. Organizers: Andrew Kent Jagadeesh Moodera | |
| 06.14.9 | DMP/ GMAG | Hybrid Magnetic-Superconducting Systems The focus session will highlight experimental, theoretical and computational work on hybrid superconducting/magnetic structures. The main subjects will include: vortex motion control and imprinting of the ferromagnetic response on superconducting films with arrays of magnetic nanostructures such as dots and nanowires; proximity effects, Andreev reflections, spatial modulation of the order parameter, non-collinear magnetization effects, and spin injection in both conventional and complex oxide superconducting/ferromagnetic multilayers and heterostructures; and pi-phases, proximity and triplet states in hybrid Josephson junctions. Also, superconducting-magnetic nanocomposites, reentrant superconductors and novel hybrid devices will be considered. Organizers: Jose Martin Theoretical Division Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544 USA Email: charlesr@cnls.lanl.gov | |
| 07.11.1 | DMP | Carbon Nanotubes & Related Materials Interest in the fundamental properties and applications of carbon allotropes, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, and patterned graphene, continues to grow. The reason for this interest lies in the unique combination of chemical, mechanical, thermal, optical, opto-electronic, spectroscopic, electrical and magnetic properties of these systems. This focus topic addresses recent developments in (i) the fundamental understanding of nanotubes and graphene, including characterization, synthesis, processing, purification, chemical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, opto-electronic and magnetic properties, and (ii) in their potential applications as nanosensors, nanoprobes, field emitters, displays, field-effect transistors, composite materials, high surface-area storage media, superconducting and magnetic devices, and others. Experimental and theoretical contributions are solicited in the following areas:
Also, the symposium will cover the broad range of unique applications of these nanosystems, including their use for:
Organizers: Tony F. Heinz Antonio H. Castro Neto | |
| 07.11.2 | DMP | Graphene The discovery of graphene in 2004 has stirred a lot of interest in the scientific community followed by an exponential growth in the literature. The excitement behind this discovery has two main driven forces: basic science, and technological implications. Graphene is a condensed matter realization of the Dirac equation with a Fermi-Dirac velocity of order of one hundredth of the velocity of light. This fact has strong implications in many of the physical properties of these systems: the electronic density of states vanishes at the Fermi level, there is very poor screening of the Coulomb interaction, the Dirac fermions interact very strongly with disorder, and Landau's Fermi liquid theory is not applicable. There has been an intense experimental effort in recent years in graphene research. Cutting-edge research techniques such as infrared absorption, and angle resolved photo-emission (ARPES), are being used to study this system. The FT will cover the latest developments in graphene research, both experimentally and theoretically. Organizers: Alessandra Lanzara Young-Woo Son | |
| 07.11.3 | same as 06.14.3 & 09.9.2 | DMP/ GMAG | Bulk Properties of Complex Oxides Transition metal oxides exhibit a wide range of novel phenomena which originate from the complexity induced by competing interactions and the presence of multiple ground states. Associated with this complexity is a tendency for short range order such as the formation of stripes, ladders, checkerboards, or phase separation, and an enhanced response to external fields that gives rise to giant and colossal effects with potential for applications. This Focus Topic explores the nature of the various ground states observed in bulk specimens of complex oxides and their competing interactions, the ways in which the spin, lattice, charge and orbital degrees of freedom respond on a variety of length scales, and how they interact and compete with each other to produce novel phenomena. It provides a forum to discuss recent developments and results covering basic aspects (experiment, theory and simulation) of bulk complex oxides, including multiferroics, manganites, nickelates, cobaltites, and ruthenates. Organizers: Jaime A. Fernandez-Baca |
| 07.11.4 | same as 06.14.4 & 09.9.3 | DMP/ GMAG | Complex Oxides: Thin Films A rich variety of intriguing behaviors has been observed in complex oxides, many of which remain still far from understood. High Tc superconductivity, ferroelectricity or colossal magnetoresistance are just a few of them. When grown in the form of thin films, heterostructures or nanostructured systems, they often exhibit additional effects resulting from epitaxial strain, reduced dimensionality, charge transfer, proximity effects or phase competition across interfaces. Since all this phenomenology can deeply alter the macroscopic physical properties, their understanding acquires a special relevance. This Focus Topic explores the physical properties of thin complex oxide films and heterostructures, paying special attention to the role of interfaces. It also will focus on the mechanisms by which the macroscopic properties are affected, which may include strain, electronic phase separation, charge transfer or localization, structural defects, etc. These mechanisms have an important role in the interaction between spin, charge, lattice and orbital degrees of freedom in films. This Focus Topic will provide a forum to discuss recent developments in both theoretical and experimental work on these issues, including growth, characterization (by x-ray, neutron or electron scattering, scanning probe microscopy techniques, etc) and physical properties (transport, thermodynamic measurements, magnetometry, etc) of complex oxide films, heterostructures and nanostructured systems. Organizers: Dimitri Basov Marc Ulrich |
| 07.11.5 | same as 17.13.1 | DMP/ DCOMP | Computational Nanoscience When the characteristic dimensions of a physical system are reduced to the nanometer scale, new properties and physical phenomena emerge. Computational studies play an important role in understanding the physical origin of these new properties and phenomena, interpreting experiments, developing structure-function relationships, and enabling rational design. This session will provide an overview of recent applications and methodological developments at the frontier of computational nanoscience for the study of inorganic, organic, and biological nanostructures, and their assemblies and interfaces. Nanoscale phenomena to be covered include, but are not limited to, assembly, growth, and dynamics; structure and morphology; mechanical and vibrational response; and electronic, optical, plasmonic, and transport properties. Studies addressing the impact nanoscale surfaces and hybrid interfaces are strongly encouraged. Contributions covering new methods and algorithms that lead to better predictive capabilities, and that bridge multiple time and/or length scales, are also solicited. Organizers: Alexander A. Demkov |
| 07.11.6 | DMP | Probing and Modifying Materials with Lasers: Fundamentals and Applications This session focuses on materials physics issues involved in laser-materials interactions including those relevant to laser-driven techniques for material removal, modification, processing, and deposition. Also, we consider laser-based diagnostic techniques that probe transient atomic and molecular dynamics as well as electronic and vibrational phenomena in materials and at surfaces. The session aims to bring together researchers involved in experimental, theoretical, and computational investigations in the general area of laser-materials interactions to facilitate active broad-ranging interdisciplinary discussions. Topics of interest include but not limited to ultrafast time-resolved techniques including x-ray and electron diffraction; nonlinear response of materials at high intensity; laser interactions with "soft materials" (molecular and polymer systems and biological tissue); effects of pulse duration, wavelength and pulse repetition frequency; generation of nanoparticles, laser nano-patterning, micro- and nano-fabrication; theory and simulations of laser-materials interactions. Organizers: Richard Haglund Leonid V. Zhigilei |
