Project R-2434

Matching the functional properties of nanoparticles and nanowires (Research)

The focus of this WOG will be on nanoparticles and nanowires consisting of metals (with e.g. magnetic, superconducting or various chemical properties), semiconductors, dielectrics, carbon, and combinations of these materials. Based on the confinement of the electric charges and the magnetic spins we aim at a coherent control of the quantummechanical states , which will in turn result in novel functional properties and associated practical applications. The emphasis is not primarily on individual materials with well-defined, specific functionalities, but on the integration of several functionalities together in one nanosystem. An example are magneto-optical materials with a direct coupling between the electrical polarization and magnetization, meaning that the magnetization can be controlled via an electric field. In more general terms we aim at the fine tuning and optimization of the multifunctionality by an active control on the composition of the nanoparticles and wires and by creating specific, functional interfaces between wires and particles or by a (bio-) chemical functionalization in the sense of core-shell structures.

01 January 2009 - 31 December 2013