RADIATION MONITORING DEVICES, INC. — Department of Defense STTR Phase II: A19B-T007

RADIATION MONITORING DEVICES, INC. — STTR Phase II award from Department of Defense.

Amount
$1,098,412
Agency
Department of Defense · Army
Program / Phase
STTR · Phase II
Topic
A19B-T007
Solicitation
19.B
NAICS
Place of performance
MA
Period
2021-03-22 → 2023-03-22

Description

Thin film heterojunction comprised of topological insulator and magnetic insulator layers provide a unique opportunity to develop highly energy efficient microelectronics. During the Phase I, we have addressed a key challenge towards the demonstration of this heterojunction: epitaxial growth of antiferromagnetic layer directly interfacing the topological insulator surface with an abrupt interface between the layers for efficient magnetic coupling. The growth of the magnetic materials is carried out at low-temperatures in order to preserve the pristine surface conditions of the topological insulator. In Phase II, we propose to optimize the interfacing efficiency of the magnetic layers with topological materials and demonstrate magnetic coupling. Towards the end of the Phase II, we shall demonstrate room-temperature operation of a suitable energy-efficient spintronic device that will  be based on the proposed coupling of magnetic thin films with topological insulators.