We are dedicated to exploring the often
surprising behaviors that arise when small numbers of atoms and
molecules are brought into close proximity. Such small aggregates
offer a window into an intermediate state of matter between isolated
atoms and bulk materials. Improved understanding and control of
these nanometer-scale structures may contribute to new paradigms for
technologies such as molecular circuits, spin-based electronics and
quantum computation.
In the laboratory, combinations of optical
spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) are being
developed to better measure the properties of nanoscale structures.
Projects including STM-induced light emission from semiconductors,
tip-enhanced Raman scattering, and optically-pumped spin-dependent
tunneling are currently in the works. |