Objective Heusler compounds are a remarkable material, a vast collection of more than 1000 members with a large number of functionalities. The prototype Cu2MnAl is a ferromagnetic compound, even though none of its elemental constituents are magnetic. This is typical for this material class; the properties of many of the Heuslers can be forecast simply by counting the number of their valence electrons. Most of the Heusler compounds with 8, 18 or 24 valence electrons are semiconductors. The band gap can be tuned from more than 4 eV to zero by changing systematically the composition and simultaneously the lattice constant. Co2-Heusler compounds with more than 24 valence electrons are half-metallic ferromagnetic. Such compounds display nearly full spin polarized conduction electrons making them very useful for spintronics. Mn2-Heusler compounds show excellent performance for spin torque transfer applications. Another class of Heusler compounds has been predicted to be topological insulators, a new quantum state of matter. The precondition for my ambitious proposal was our systematic investigation of the Heusler family, which has led to detailed insight into the structure- electronic structure to property relation. The short term vision of this proposal is the design, synthesis and investigation of building blocks based on the Heusler structure with combined functionalities; such as superconducting topological insulators. With a virtual lab approach the materials with a desired property will be designed. The large number, the tuneability and controllability of the properties makes this material class the ideal system for the design of artificial multifunctional material on an atomic scale which allows contactless switchable functionalities via external control by fields, current, temperature, or other physical quantities. The long term vision is the synthesis of such an artificial material made by thin film or chemical methods for future electronics and energy technologies. Fields of science engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and filmsnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicsspintronicsnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivitynatural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationsvirtual reality Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-PE5 - ERC Advanced Grant - Materials and Synthesis Call for proposal ERC-2011-ADG_20110209 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Address Hofgartenstrasse 8 80539 Munchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Alexander Otte (Mr.) Principal investigator Claudia Anna Maria Felser (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Germany EU contribution € 2 123 600,00 Address Hofgartenstrasse 8 80539 Munchen See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Alexander Otte (Mr.) Principal investigator Claudia Anna Maria Felser (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data JOHANNES GUTENBERG-UNIVERSITAT MAINZ Germany EU contribution € 236 640,00 Address Saarstrasse 21 55122 Mainz See on map Region Rheinland-Pfalz Rheinhessen-Pfalz Mainz, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Julia Doré (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
