Equipment: MRI: Track 1: Acquisition of a Cryogen-Free Sub-Kelvin Variable-Temperature System for Electronic and Quantum Materials Measurements

Non-technical Description: The project consists of the acquisition of a versatile instrument for experimental characterization of solid electronic materials and electronic devices over a range of temperatures, from above room temperature to deep cryogenic temperatures. The instrument enables studies by a community of scientists and engineers aiming to extend the limits of a wide range of electronic materials and devices. Important impacts exist in both science and technology regarding microelectronics, sensors, and quantum information science. Research projects enabled by the instrument use a combination of variable and low temperatures and high magnetic fields for the characterization and understanding of electron states in new materials. The instrument is specifically designed for ease of use and for high measurement throughput. These attributes also enable educational activities using the instrument, to produce a trained workforce in microelectronics, semiconductors, and quantum sciences via educational partnerships and an experiential open inquiry course meshing with quantum technologies degrees. The instrument also sees use by a nearby technology company for research and development projects. Technical Description: The project pursues the acquisition of a variable temperature instrument towards electronic and quantum materials and electronic device measurements. The instrument consists of a cryogen-free cryostat with a variable temperature insert space in which top loading sample probes are inserted for measurements. A helium-3 probe allows sample temperatures from 0.3 kelvin to about 60 kelvin. A standard probe allows sample temperatures from 1.3 kelvin to 325 kelvin. The instrument is equipped with a superconducting magnet for controlled bipolar magnetic fields up to 8 tesla. The system is capable of fully automated cooldown and control, and it features fast sample cooldown for higher measurement throughput. The instrument is cryogen free, so that its operation does not use costly, scarce and strategic liquid helium. The research enabled by the instrument lies in low temperature and variable temperature magnetotransport measurements, meaning electronic characterization under a magnetic field of solid-state materials and electronic devices, using excitation frequencies from low to ultra-high. Major research projects include the characterization of semiconductor structures with applications in electronic devices, high-power electronics and photovoltaics, development of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials for quantum technologies, advances in the use of nuclei as spin bearing entities with long lifetimes for novel data storage platforms, studies of quantum spin transfer in spintronics, characterization and development of quantum materials and of magnetic sensors based on quantum interference, and studies of nanofilament memristors. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2510111 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Jean Heremans | Institution: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, BLACKSBURG, VA | Award Amount: $393,875 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2510111 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2510111.html