This award from the Materials Research Group (MRG) Program of the Division of Materials Research will support a multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary research program at Purdue University on II-VI semiconductors, diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS), and their sub-micron heterostructures. The unique combination of semiconducting and magnetic properties exhibited by DMS substances and the wide band gaps available in II-VI semiconductors offer long-term potential for new materials and technology. The MRG activity at Purdue University is headed by Professors R.L. Gunshor and A.K. Ramdas, and also involves the research group of Professor J. Furdyna at Notre Dame. Comprehensive materials preparation, design, and fabrication, as well as a range of physical measurements and theoretical studies will be carried out under the program. These include spectroscopic studies (Raman, Brillouin, infrared, photoluminescence, piezo- and photo-modulated reflectivity); transmission electron microscopy; and Faraday effect and related magneto-optic investigations. Bulk crystals grown in the crystal growth facility as well as sub-micron heterostructures grown in Molecular Beam Epitaxy and Atomic Layer Epitaxy facilities will be specially prepared to address issues important in the context of basic materials science and engineering, and with potential for leading to new technology and devices. Collective and localized excitations (vibrational, electronic, magnetic); the nature of the interfaces in sub-micron heterostructures; the novel aspects of the excitations in the sub-micron structures; exchange interaction, magnetic ordering, and the physics of quantum wells are illustrative examples of the wide range of physical problems within the scope of the Purdue MRG activity.
