FLEET Seminar: Andreas Heinrich – Quantum Nanoscience: Atoms on Surfaces

Quantum Nanoscience: Atoms on Surfaces

Prof Andreas J. Heinrich, Center for Quantum Nanoscience, Institute for Basic Science, Department of Physics, Ewha Womans University

All welcome! The seminar flyer can be downloaded clicking on this link

Abstract:

The scanning tunneling microscope is an amazing tool because of its atomic-scale spatial resolution. This can be combined with the use of low temperatures, culminating in precise atom manipulation and spectroscopy with microvolt energy resolution. In this talk we will apply these techniques to the investigation of the quantum spin properties of magnetic atoms sitting on thin insulating films. Figure below shows STM image of two Ti atoms on thin MgO film. Superimposed is a model of a spin-polarized STM tip.

We will start our exploration with the understanding of the quantum spin states (also called the magnetic states) of these adsorbates. To measure these states, we combined scanning tunneling with x-ray absorption spectroscopy and found amazing agreement of those vastly different techniques (Science 2014, PRL 2015).

Next, we will investigate the lifetimes of excited states. Surprisingly, we find lifetimes that vary from nanoseconds to hours, a truly amazing consequence of the quantum states of different adsorbates.

Finally, we will explore the superposition of quantum states which is inherent to spin resonance techniques. We recently demonstrated the use of electron spin resonance on single Fe atoms on MgO (Science 2015). This technique combines the power of STM of atomic-scale spectroscopy with the unprecedented energy resolution of spin resonance techniques, which is about 10,000 times better than normal spectroscopy.

About the speaker:

Heinrich is a world-leading researcher in the field of quantum measurements on the atomic-scale in solids. He pioneered spin excitation and single-atom spin resonance spectroscopy with scanning tunneling microscopes – methods that have provided high-resolution access to the quantum states of atoms and nanostructures on surfaces.

Heinrich is fascinated by the world of atoms and nanostructures, built with atomic-scale precision, and educates the public on nanoscience as demonstrated by the 2013 release of the movie “A Boy and his Atom”. A native of Germany, Heinrich received his PhD in 1998 from the University of Goettingen and then joined the research group of Dr. Donald Eigler’s as a postdoc.

Heinrich spent 18 years in IBM Research, which uniquely positioned him to bridge the needs of industrial research and the academic world. Heinrich became a distinguished professor of Ewha Womans University in August 2016 and started the Center for Quantum Nanoscience (QNS) of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in January 2017.