In this project, Dr. R.R. Galazka of the Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, will cooperate with Dr. J.K. Furdyna of the University of Notre Dame under the U.S.-Poland Marie Sklodowska-Curie Joint Fund to research "Physics and Technology of Semimagnetic Semiconductors ?SMSC!," or semiconducting alloys whose lattice is composed in part of substitutional magnetic atoms. The researchers will focus on: (1) Fe-based SMSC (sp-d exchange interaction between band electrons and Fe++ in a II-VI crystal host; the position of Fe++ level with respect to the band structure of the material); (2) SMSC involving IV-VI hosts (band structure of the allows; the exchange interaction between magnetic ions; the influence of band structure and carrier concentration on magnetic properties of the materials); and (3) localization phenomena in SMSC (donor and acceptor levels; the shape of the acceptor wave functions; spin-related phenomena; magnetic-field-induced semiconductor-metal Mott transition). This project in condensed matter physics fulfills the program objectives of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling leading experts in the U.S. and Poland to combine complementary efforts and capabilities in areas of strong mutual interest and competence on the basis of equality, reciprocity, and mutuality of benefit.
