KSEF R&D Excellence: Nano-engineering: Novel Transition Metal Oxides with Complementary Functionalities Through Epitaxially Controlled Pulsed Laser Deposition

Research in exploring non-conventional electronics in multiplayer films or solid state devices has been intensified in recent years, bringing about the field of spintronics, which is still in its infancy. Inspired by novel physical properties of layered Ruddlesden-Popper series of ruthenates and iridates that we have pioneered in the last several years, we propose to broaden this frontier by exploring multilayered films of selected ruthenates and iridates deposited ona single platform using epitaxially controlled pulsed laser deposition. These 4d and 5d transition metal oxide materials are characterized by compatible basal plane areas of the unit cell, and yet a wide array of physical properties including superconductivity, ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, metal11agnetism, tunneling and colossal magnetoresistance,.metal-insulator transition, negative differential resistance, ferroelectric behavior, etc. Such features, which are absent in non-oxide materials, are precisely those sought for integrated thin-film device applications that may be important for future technologies. Apparently, looming in the immediate future is possible new physics and device applications in such multilayered films with complementary functionalities. It is this new physics and device applications that we seek to pursue. The proposed research will directed at synthesis of epitaxial multilayered thin films of these novel materials and studies of the underlying physics. The planned experimental program includes film synthesis, microstructure studies using TEM, characterizations of magnetic, electronic.,thermal and structural properties using state-of the-art techniques. PI has extensive experience in high Tc cuprates thin film growth using laser ablation techniques. The PI's newly built lab is now capable of comprehensive materials synthesis including film growth and crystal growth using flux and floating zone techniques, and characterizations of structural, transport and magnetic properties.