POLARIS | Polarization tracking in situ

Summary
"The technology for the growth of thin oxide films has reached the same level of atomic control as in the case of
semiconductors. Yet, in contrast to semiconductors, oxides exhibit novel phases and functionalities like magnetic or electric
order or dramatic changes of electrical resistance. One such functionality is the spontaneous formation of an electric
polarization, called ferroelectricity, that is considered as basis for novel types of smart devices or energy-efficient functional
components in CMOS devices. The infatuating technological potential of ferroelectric oxide heterostructures drives materials
scientists to master their synthesis, understanding and control. Optimizing the ferroelectric performance is tedious, however.
From the post-growth invasive and destructive analysis of prototypes, conclusions are drawn on the optimum heterostructure
design and growth parameters. Monitoring the heterostructures while they are assembled in the growth chamber would
provide immediate and direct feedback on the relation between growth and function and could thus immensely speed up the
iterative process. The present lack of the according technique poses a restricting market factor. Here we will use a laseroptical
process called second harmonic generation (SHG – doubling of the laser frequency) to track the emergence of the
ferroelectric state directly, during the assembly of the oxide heterostructure in the growth chamber. Probing occurs in situ,
non-invasively and non-destructively throughout the deposition process. With our Proof of Concept proposal POLARIS, we
will cast such ""in-situ SHG"" into the prototype for a marketable system that is simply flanged onto the growth chamber. It is a
technique with a high robustness against the sometimes harsh environmental conditions of a lab or, later on, a factory hall.
Its ease of use will be similar to that a laser pointer."
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/957545
Start date: 01-09-2020
End date: 28-02-2022
Total budget - Public funding: - 150 000,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

"The technology for the growth of thin oxide films has reached the same level of atomic control as in the case of
semiconductors. Yet, in contrast to semiconductors, oxides exhibit novel phases and functionalities like magnetic or electric
order or dramatic changes of electrical resistance. One such functionality is the spontaneous formation of an electric
polarization, called ferroelectricity, that is considered as basis for novel types of smart devices or energy-efficient functional
components in CMOS devices. The infatuating technological potential of ferroelectric oxide heterostructures drives materials
scientists to master their synthesis, understanding and control. Optimizing the ferroelectric performance is tedious, however.
From the post-growth invasive and destructive analysis of prototypes, conclusions are drawn on the optimum heterostructure
design and growth parameters. Monitoring the heterostructures while they are assembled in the growth chamber would
provide immediate and direct feedback on the relation between growth and function and could thus immensely speed up the
iterative process. The present lack of the according technique poses a restricting market factor. Here we will use a laseroptical
process called second harmonic generation (SHG – doubling of the laser frequency) to track the emergence of the
ferroelectric state directly, during the assembly of the oxide heterostructure in the growth chamber. Probing occurs in situ,
non-invasively and non-destructively throughout the deposition process. With our Proof of Concept proposal POLARIS, we
will cast such ""in-situ SHG"" into the prototype for a marketable system that is simply flanged onto the growth chamber. It is a
technique with a high robustness against the sometimes harsh environmental conditions of a lab or, later on, a factory hall.
Its ease of use will be similar to that a laser pointer."

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

ERC-2020-POC

Update Date

27-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
ERC-2020
ERC-2020-PoC