Spin conversion, logic storage in oxide-based electronics

Project Information

SPICOLOST

Grant agreement ID: 734187

DOI

10.3030/734187

Project closed

EC signature date 22 November 2016

Start date 1 March 2017

End date 31 August 2022

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 711 000,00

EU contribution

€ 693 000,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SPICOLOST (Spin conversion, logic storage in oxide-based electronics)

Reporting period: 2019-03-01 to 2022-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Many of the current challenges in the rational and efficient use of the energy extend to whole classes of electronic devices. For these, energy harvesting, energy savings and energy conversion are key concepts that should be exploited. The present project is addressing those challenges by designing materials in which various energy reduction schemes can be implemented. We envision cutting edge nanotechnology, to produce oxide materials for spintronics technologies in the SPICOLOST framework and the complemental matching of multiferroic and superconducting material with suitable interface to Si electronics. The project’s technical work will follow two main parallel approaches:
1) Exploiting suitable heterostructures for high-efficiency conversion of thermal- into electrical energy, taking the advantage of harvesting, in the so-called thermoelectric thermopile device based on the Seebeck and Spin-Seebeck Effects;
2) Producing multicomponent nanostructured materials for magneto-electronic and superconducting devices, capable of fast signal processing, and minimizing the energy dissipation by proper control of the magnetic switching, thus consuming less energy within the interface with Si-electronics.
By stimulating the innovative technologies of efficient use of energy deeply it is enhancde the European know-how in the application of these materials in digital circuits with sustainable reduce of energy consumption. Stimulation of the interest of the R&D EU community in the area of materials applications for energy saving will guarantee the Project social outcome.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1: samples prepared for the project
1) Films obtained by PLD/sputtering: MgO/Fe3O4/Pt (Fig. 1), SrTiO3/CaMnO3, SrTiO3/LaMnO3, SrTiO3/(LaSr)MnO3
2) Films obtained by PAD: BiFeO3
3) Nanoparticles: Fe3O4, and Fe3O4 coated with MgO, CoO, ZnO and CoFe2O4, Fe3O4/ZnFe2O4, Fe3O4/ZnxCo1-xFe2O4
This work was done with the participation of CNRS, UNIZAR, USC, CNEA, UTN, Empa and UNSAM.
WP2: Conventional and advanced characterization by XRD, SEM, TEM, STEM, EELS, EDX, of films and nanoparticles for energy applications, tunnel magnetoresistance and multiferroics, were implemented in this WP. Samples prepared in WP1 were characterized in several laboratories of the consortium and task and deliverables 2.1 and 2.4 were done for obtaining information about the process, this work was done with the participation and secondments between of UNIZAR, CNEA, UTN, CNRS, and USC.
WP3: Energy Converter Devices fabricated with multilayer heterostructures with high spin-to-charge conversion. The Task 3.1 was accomplished; samples prepared by several groups of the consortium were measured at AIMR, CNEA, USC and UNIZAR. The Task 3.2: Measurement of Seebeck Effect and thermal conductivity of multilayers are partially fulfilled since thermal conductivity measurements were difficult to obtain with reproducibility. One way to solve this task is collaborating with other groups or to invite for participating in the Consortium a new laboratory from Carnegie Mellon University (USA) with which USC has already collaboration. The rest of deliverables of this WP were achieved successfully and reported.
WP4: this WP was dedicated to work in the optimization of magnetic oxides and HTCS growth onto silicon substrates for future using in Si-electronics. Samples grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition were prepared using different buffers and varying deposition parameters. The PLD deposition of YSZ/CeO2/La0,67Sr0,33MnO3 (Fig. 3a), YSZ/CeO2/SrTiO3/BaTiO3 (Fig.3b) and HTCS YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) was successfully achieved onto Si substrates. This work was done with the participation of CNRS, CNEA, UNSAM, USC. Advances in Task 4.1 4.2 and 4.3 were done by secondments CNEA/CNRS and CNEA/UNIZAR.
WP5: It was celebrated two Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between UNSAM and UNIZAR for co-supervising PhD thesis and CNEA (Univ.Cuyo)-UNIZAR. One General Academic Memorandum of Understanding signed between UNIZAR and UNSAM. 4 Workshops organized Dissemination was widely fulfilled with several participations in the media (radio, TV, YouTube, newspapers) general press release: 27; trainings (3 technicians, 4 PhD and 4 postdocs). Our scientific production was portrayed by 43 scientific publications, inclusive one BACK COVER PAGE The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018. DOI: 10.1039/c8nr07834c ; 2 organizations/participation in schools; 16 Seminars participation; 26 participations in conferences. A detail of dissemination is included as a table in Images attached to the Summary for publication.
WP6: Management in the Administrative, financial and legal strategies. The management was followed by periodical meeting of coordination (12), regarding the scientific and administrative field. It was done the 95% of the secondments, very difficult milestone to achieve because of the Pandemia. Nevertheless, we have tried to solve this unexpected trouble with the Amendment for have and extension of duration of the project.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Many progresses were done in several fields that are core objectives of this project:
1) Synthesis and characterization of Nanoparticles (NP), bimagnetic NP with single and core-shell structure. Different combinations of soft/hard and hard/soft core/shell configurations can be envisaged for optimizing devices with the required magneto transport response. (WP1, WP2, WP4)
2) We were successful in the integration of magnetic oxides and HTCS on Si substrates, to make compatible our device with standard Si-electronics. This opens up the possibility to include these types of materials in a new set of electronic devices, developing a new spectrum of different functionalities. (WP1, WP4)
3) The Spin Seebeck Effect was achieved in multilayers systems of Fe3O4/Pt and others FM materials. We fabricated thermopiles that multiply by 10 the signal obtained by a single bi-layer. This work paves the way to more efficient thermal-conversion devices using spin currents, and encouraging the deeper understanding of spintronics. (WP1, WP2, WP3)
4) Regarding training new capacities researchers got quality training on their specialties, highly required but not available in their home institutions. We consider that may substantially improve the life quality of the European population, by producing devices with low energy consumption and with the proper dissemination, (see table on Dissemination). (WP5, WP6)

Back Cover Pager-highlighting publication

List of Outreatching Activities

Seminars-Trainings

List of OA publications