Magneto-Structural Effects of Boron Migration in C60/CoB/C60 Structures

The goal of this proposal is to use PNR to study how changes in a molecular-CoB multilayer composition via segregation of boron can lead to the formation of cobalt-rich regions and affect the spin ordering at molecular interfaces. The purpose is to manipulate the magnetisation and anisotropy of the sample via ionic diffusion. Molecular layers offer an alternative to ionic liquids in the control of devices functionalities, and in particular for the thermal, electric or optical tuning of magnetic properties. Here, we will explore how thermal charge/ionic diffusion from magnetic films into molecular layers can be used for the dynamic tuning of magnetic properties. In the longer term, we expect that the thermal manipulation can be extended to the optoelectronic tuning of a wide range of materials and functionalities –such as memristors and photovoltaics.

本研究提案旨在借助极化中子反射（Polarized Neutron Reflectometry, PNR）技术，探究通过硼偏析调控分子-CoB多层膜（molecular-CoB multilayer）的组分，如何促成富钴区域（cobalt-rich regions）的形成并影响分子界面（molecular interfaces）处的自旋有序结构（spin ordering）。本研究的研究目标为通过离子扩散（ionic diffusion）调控样品的磁化强度（magnetisation）与磁各向异性（anisotropy）。相较于离子液体（ionic liquids），分子层（molecular layers）为调控器件功能提供了全新方案，尤其适用于磁特性的热、电或光学调控。本研究将探索磁性薄膜（magnetic films）中的热电荷与离子扩散向分子层的迁移，如何实现磁特性的动态调控。从长远来看，该热调控手段有望拓展至多类材料与功能体系的光电子调控（optoelectronic tuning）——例如忆阻器（memristors）与光伏器件（photovoltaics）。