Modeling nanostructures in mesoscopic environments

We use theory, modeling, and simulation to elucidate the science important to the measurements that enable nanotechnology and nanoscience. One aspect is understanding the new physical processes which become important as devices approach nanometer length scales. Another aspect is incorporating physical descriptions of these processes into device simulation tools. A third aspect is enhancing measurement techniques by embedding validated modeling into to measurement process. Modeling can greatly enhance nanoscale measurements because models give access to details that are impossible or extremely difficult to measure.

A particular emphasis of our effort is on developing the tools to model the behavior of nanostructures embedded in the appropriate mesoscopic environment. A complication of modeling on the nanoscale is that complete models generally require both predictive models capable of describing properties on nanometer or atomic length scales and coupling the calculated results into models that describe longer length scale behavior. It is ultimately the behavior of mesoscopic and macroscopic systems of nanostructures that will become nanotechnology. The ability to describe and predict the coupling of the short length scale properties of the devices into the macroscopic systems is crucial to the development cycle.

We use a variety of theoretical techniques to study the structural, dynamic, electronic, and magnetic properties of the relevant nanostructures and associated systems. We interpret experiments, suggest new directions, and if possible suggest improvements in measurements, devices, processes, or systems.

Transport in Magnetic Nanostructures

• Theory of spin-transfer torques in magnetic nanostructures
• Theory of current induced domain wall motion
• Theory of transport in magnetic ultrathin films

Theory for Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

• Electron Transport in Graphene
• Effect of Electronic Structure on the Lengths of Atomic Chains
• Vortex Lattice Structural Transitions in a Type-II Superconductor
• Theory of magnetic surface microscopy
• Pattern formation in Fe on Fe homoepitaxy

Theory of Magnetism

• Magentization damping
• Theory of magnetocrystalline anisotropy

Magnetic Multilayers

• Theory of exchange bias
• Theory of oscillatory exchange coupling in magnetic multilayers
• Theory of spin dependent reflection from interfaces

Miscellaneous

• Theory of hysteresis in magnetic ultrathin films
• Quantitative electron energy loss spectroscopy from core levels
• Electron spin polarization determination from luminescence polarization

Mark D. Stiles - NIST
Keith Gilmore - Montana State University
Christian Heiliger - University of Maryland
Paul M. Haney - NIST


David R. Penn
J. William Gadzuk - NIST


Andy Zangwill - Georgia Institute of Technology
Jiang Xiao - Delft University of Technology
Wayne Saslow - Texas A&M University
Michael Donahue - NIST
Tom Silva - NIST
Mark Hoefer - NIST
Emily Jarvis - Gordon College
Joseph Stroscio - NIST
Jason Crain
Nathan Guisinger - Argonne National Laboratory
Gregory Rutter - Georgia Institute of Technolgy
Phillip First - Georgia Institute of Technolgy
Yves Idzerda - Montana State University
C.-L. Chien - Johns Hopkins University
Tingyong Chien - Johns Hopkins University
Jack Bass - Michigan State University
Daniel Ralph - Cornell University



Charles W. Clark - NIST
William Egelhoff - NIST
Karsten Flensberg - University of Copenhagen
Steve Girvin - Yale University
Samed Halilov
Ross Hyman
Yi Ji - University of Delaware
Berry Jonker - Naval Research Laboratory
Mats Jonson - Goeteborg University
Zachary Levine - NIST
Robert McMichael - NIST
Jacques Miltat - University of Paris Sud
Andreas Moschel
Eric Shirley - NIST

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Online: November 2000
Last Updated: February 2008

Website Comments:egpwebmaster@nist.gov