Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SINFONIA (Selectively activated INFOrmation technology by hybrid Organic Interfaces)
Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-09-30
Cutting-edge research on transport and storage of information widely acknowledges that future IT protocols will need to fulfil specific requirements, such as extremely low power consumption, high-frequency responses, tunability, scalability and miniaturization. SINFONIA envisions the possibility of storage and transport of information on the nanometer length scale and at operational frequencies in the THz regime by developing devices that enable the conversion of an optical stimulus (electromagnetic wave) in a propagating magnetic perturbation (spin wave, SW) and backwards (see the Figure). This project will contribute to the materialisation of this potential by exploiting new, interface-based (thus intrinsically low-dimensional) physical mechanisms occurring only at a new class of hybrid molecular/antiferromagnetic (ORG/AF) interfaces.
The scientific and technological impact of SINFONIA will consist, first, in the advancement of cutting-edge scientific knowledge of hybrid molecular/magnetic systems, allowing for systematic investigations on an unexplored physical mechanism: the possibility of exciting and detecting SW in low-dimensional AF by (near) visible optical probes acting on the interface states. This is expected to have a large impact also on other nanotechnology fields where interfaces play a major role, such as nanoelectronics, sensor applications and catalysis. Second, on a longer time perspective, SINFONIA will contribute to the development of a molecular-mediated magnonic nanotechnological protocol. In this respect, the project aims to open the way of an extended progress in the realization of several possible magnonic solutions that were already proposed as future technological breakthroughs, driven by, in particular, wave computing.
Therefore, the main objective of SINFONIA is to develop the ability to technologically exploit the selective activation by optical manipulation (external optical stimulus) of information emitters and detectors (spin waves, SW, propagating in an antiferromagnet, AF). To reach the main objective, the following intermediate specific goals will be considered: i) create and characterize Hybridized Interface States (HIS) at the interface between a molecular layer and an AF ultrathin film; ii) act on the HIS with (near) visible light and produce a local perturbation that will generate a SW in the AF; iii) explore the time dependence of light/HIS interaction mechanisms; iv) realize proof of concept hybrid magnonic devices (e.g. logic gates); v) induce a SW by light interaction with an ORG molecular nanostructure and detect the SW propagation in a spatially separated ORG molecular nanostructure.
The first proof of concept of the proposed technological approach will be sought in the development of magnon spintronics prototypical devices.
The scientific and technological impact of SINFONIA will consist, first, in the advancement of cutting-edge scientific knowledge of hybrid molecular/magnetic systems, allowing for systematic investigations on an unexplored physical mechanism: the possibility of exciting and detecting SW in low-dimensional AF by (near) visible optical probes acting on the interface states. This is expected to have a large impact also on other nanotechnology fields where interfaces play a major role, such as nanoelectronics, sensor applications and catalysis. Second, on a longer time perspective, SINFONIA will contribute to the development of a molecular-mediated magnonic nanotechnological protocol. In this respect, the project aims to open the way of an extended progress in the realization of several possible magnonic solutions that were already proposed as future technological breakthroughs, driven by, in particular, wave computing.
Therefore, the main objective of SINFONIA is to develop the ability to technologically exploit the selective activation by optical manipulation (external optical stimulus) of information emitters and detectors (spin waves, SW, propagating in an antiferromagnet, AF). To reach the main objective, the following intermediate specific goals will be considered: i) create and characterize Hybridized Interface States (HIS) at the interface between a molecular layer and an AF ultrathin film; ii) act on the HIS with (near) visible light and produce a local perturbation that will generate a SW in the AF; iii) explore the time dependence of light/HIS interaction mechanisms; iv) realize proof of concept hybrid magnonic devices (e.g. logic gates); v) induce a SW by light interaction with an ORG molecular nanostructure and detect the SW propagation in a spatially separated ORG molecular nanostructure.
The first proof of concept of the proposed technological approach will be sought in the development of magnon spintronics prototypical devices.
To reach the main objective of SINFONIA, it is first necessary to select, prepare and characterize the physical systems object of the research, namely the AF films. Starting from those, a first intermediate specific goal is to create and characterize Hybridized Interface States (HIS) at the interfaces between molecular layers and AF substrates.
Through the tasks proposed in the second Work Package (WP2), the consortium has been able to prepare and characterize a relevant number of AF materials (both inorganic, mainly transition metal oxides, and organic, such as metal-organic frameworks), which have been thoroughly characterized. Starting from those, a number of ORG/AF spinterfaces have already been realized and are currently being investigated. The activity has been continuously increasing and consolidating until the end of the second reporting period, in wihch the research has been more and more focused on the most promising physical systems, so to foster cooperative efforts, and increase the effectiveness of the research endeavour.
The following objective is to develop the ability to act on the HIS with (near) visible light and produce a local perturbation that will generate a SW in the AF. This refers, first of all, to characterizing the hybrid ORG/AF interfaces using VIS-spectroscopy, in order to determine specific conditions for resonant optical excitation in those systems, that will be later used to launch AF magnons. Most of these activities are performed under WP3. During the second period, the activities within the latter WP significantly increased and lead to the first reporting of the optical generation/detection of magnons in ORG/AF spinterfaces.
The results obtained in WP2 and WP3 are supported by theoretical analysis and computational activies, that are performed under WP5. These are important also as guidance for the strategic decisions in terms of combination of materials, in order to maximise the effectiveness of the challenging research activities.
At the end of the second reporting period, several ORG/AF systems could be studied both from an experimental and a computational perspective, which helped much in elucidating the physics beyond the systems under investigation.
The other intermediate objectives to be reached in the following of SINFONIA mainly regards the investigation of SW, aiming to realize proof of concept hybrid magnonic devices (e.g. logic gates), and inducing/detecing SW by light interaction with an ORG molecular nanostructures. This part of the activity is the focus of WP4. In this respect, the first results in terms of patterned systems and simple magnonic devices have been accomplished.
In terms of dissemination, communication and exploitation, the project focuses on such aspects in WP6, with the aim of maximising its impact. We have identified 3 project phases, corresponding to 3 dissemination strategies. In phase 1 (up to month 8), the brand identity and dissemination basic tools have been defined (logo, website, social media), in order to announce to the relevant communities the vision, the main objectives and planned work. In phase 2 (months 8-24), the goal has been to engage target groups, establish liaisons and identify synergies with the broader international research and innovation landscape. Finally, in phase 3 (3rd and 4th years), we will focus our efforts to engage and support all stakeholders in the adoption and deployment of the SINFONIA technology and to create conditions for the long-term sustainability through exploitation of IPR.
Through the tasks proposed in the second Work Package (WP2), the consortium has been able to prepare and characterize a relevant number of AF materials (both inorganic, mainly transition metal oxides, and organic, such as metal-organic frameworks), which have been thoroughly characterized. Starting from those, a number of ORG/AF spinterfaces have already been realized and are currently being investigated. The activity has been continuously increasing and consolidating until the end of the second reporting period, in wihch the research has been more and more focused on the most promising physical systems, so to foster cooperative efforts, and increase the effectiveness of the research endeavour.
The following objective is to develop the ability to act on the HIS with (near) visible light and produce a local perturbation that will generate a SW in the AF. This refers, first of all, to characterizing the hybrid ORG/AF interfaces using VIS-spectroscopy, in order to determine specific conditions for resonant optical excitation in those systems, that will be later used to launch AF magnons. Most of these activities are performed under WP3. During the second period, the activities within the latter WP significantly increased and lead to the first reporting of the optical generation/detection of magnons in ORG/AF spinterfaces.
The results obtained in WP2 and WP3 are supported by theoretical analysis and computational activies, that are performed under WP5. These are important also as guidance for the strategic decisions in terms of combination of materials, in order to maximise the effectiveness of the challenging research activities.
At the end of the second reporting period, several ORG/AF systems could be studied both from an experimental and a computational perspective, which helped much in elucidating the physics beyond the systems under investigation.
The other intermediate objectives to be reached in the following of SINFONIA mainly regards the investigation of SW, aiming to realize proof of concept hybrid magnonic devices (e.g. logic gates), and inducing/detecing SW by light interaction with an ORG molecular nanostructures. This part of the activity is the focus of WP4. In this respect, the first results in terms of patterned systems and simple magnonic devices have been accomplished.
In terms of dissemination, communication and exploitation, the project focuses on such aspects in WP6, with the aim of maximising its impact. We have identified 3 project phases, corresponding to 3 dissemination strategies. In phase 1 (up to month 8), the brand identity and dissemination basic tools have been defined (logo, website, social media), in order to announce to the relevant communities the vision, the main objectives and planned work. In phase 2 (months 8-24), the goal has been to engage target groups, establish liaisons and identify synergies with the broader international research and innovation landscape. Finally, in phase 3 (3rd and 4th years), we will focus our efforts to engage and support all stakeholders in the adoption and deployment of the SINFONIA technology and to create conditions for the long-term sustainability through exploitation of IPR.
The investigation of antiferromagnetic spinterfaces essentially was at his very infancy at the beginning of the project, so all new results in this sense can be considered beyond the state of the art of the subject. In fact, this led to the first observations of the effects of interface magnetic moments created at the ORG/AF interfaces. Those results are still unpublished, but we aim to report on them soon after the end of the first reporting period.
The optically-driven generation/detection and study of SW in AF films is at present not investigated at all: it will be much in the focus of the following years of the project.
Considering potential impacts, the industrial partners (THATEC and THALES) mada a stakeholder and impact analysis. The patent survey shows only one patent combining the different technologies (magnonics, organic spintronics, antiferromagnets), though separately these technologies are very dynamic. This means that our approach could give a great opportunity in terms of IP for EU and its R&D landscape to be leader in the multidisciplinary field developed in the project.
The optically-driven generation/detection and study of SW in AF films is at present not investigated at all: it will be much in the focus of the following years of the project.
Considering potential impacts, the industrial partners (THATEC and THALES) mada a stakeholder and impact analysis. The patent survey shows only one patent combining the different technologies (magnonics, organic spintronics, antiferromagnets), though separately these technologies are very dynamic. This means that our approach could give a great opportunity in terms of IP for EU and its R&D landscape to be leader in the multidisciplinary field developed in the project.