The Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program of the Division of Chemistry (CHE) and the Metals Program of the Division of Material Research (DMR) will support the Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) award of Prof. Petra Reinke of the University of Virginia. Prof. Reinke and her students aim to form for the first time magnetic nanostructures on silicon surfaces. Theoretical predictions indicate that the shape, position and bonding of the Mn-nanostructures on the Si-surface determine the magnetic properties of the assembly. Prof. Reinke will observe the assembly of the Mn-nanostructure with atomic scale resolution in a scanning tunneling microscope, use this data to tailor the Mn-Si structure, characterize the magnetic properties of these structures and evaluate their suitability for incorporation into spintronics devices. The study aims to unravel the connection between the atomic scale structure and bonding and the resultant magnetic properties of a Mn-nanostructure. It may strongly impact the field of spintronics device development.
