Fasol Lab – Tokyo University, Department of Electrical Engineering, Nanostructure Devices Laboratory (archived)

In the future much faster devices will be necessary to process information, for example to process images for multi-media applications. One approach is to extrapolate the design of presently used devices. Another approach is to attempt to find new device principles. Thus the fabrication of a new class of electronic devices where the electron spin carries the information is investigated. A second approach is the design of devices using coherent electrons. Novel simulation methods have been developed. A further research area is the development of an invention of a new class of thin magnetic film information storage devices, utilizing a new magnetic coupling mechanism between layers.

Fasol is founding member of a Japanese national focus research programme on Spin Electronics, the work was published in many scientific publications, and it continues to be recognized by many invitations to “Invited Talks” and “Invited Plenary Talks” at scientific conferences and other occasions. For a list of publication click here.

Fasol’s work was evaluated by a joint commission of the US Department of Commerce and by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), read the evaluation here.

• Gerhard Fasol, Associate Professor
• Dr Katharina Runge (European Union Scientist, EU Science and Technology Fellow)
• Dr. Maya Balasubramanyam (Daiwa Foundation Scholar)
• Mr Takeshi Noda, Research Associate
• Ms Kaji Rumi, Student part-time research assistant

.

• Electron Devices which use the electron spin
  Traditional electronic devices use the electron charge for switching. An alternative is to use the electron spin to carry and switch information. A new electron spin polarization device has been invented. Research is done of the development of fabrication methods and on new operation principles (supported by a “Sakigake 21” project of JRDC – I am the only non-Japanese participant in this program).
  Fasol is founding member of a Japanese national focus research programme on Spin Electronics.
• Devices using coherent electrons
  As microelectronic and opto-electronic devices are made very small, the domain is reached were electrons propagate through a device without scattering, and coherence effects are utilized for new device effects. A praticular example are tera-hertz light emitters utilizing Bloch oscillations or cyclotron orbital motion. Currently novel simulation techniques are being developed to design devices based on coherent electrons, and experiments are done to investigate new device designs. Some results of the simulation work was awarded the 2nd prize in the “Computer Simulation Contest” organized by Nikkei-Science, the japanese version of “Scientific American”.
• Thin magnetic layers
  In cooperation with Prof. M. Tanaka (Univ. of Tokyo) a new class of devices based on a new magnetic coupling mechanism of ultra-thin magnetic layers has been invented. Measurements of this effect using the magneto-optic Kerr effect are in preparation (supported by a Shinsei-kenkyu Project (1994), and by a Sentei-Kenkyu award (May 1995)).
• Magnetic micro- and nano-structures
  Growth of novel magnetic micro- and nano-structures: we are fabricating extremely thin magnetic wires to explore the limits of magnetic storage

.

The “sakigake” (= pioneer) research project program was created by Japan’s Science and Technology Agency (JST) before its merger with the Ministry of Education (MEXT), to support outstanding researchers in a for Japan pioneering way. Competition is fierce and a large number of industrial and University researchers compete for a very limited number of projects every year.

Gerhard Fasol is the first foreigner to successfully complete a Sakigake research project, delivering results, patent applications, scientific publications – (and he is the second foreigner to have been awarded a sakigake project)

• Sakigake (= pioneer) Research Project (approx US$ 1 million for 3 years): equipment, assistant staff, consumables, conference travel etc
• https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/presto/research_area/completed/02kinoubussei.html
• for an evaluation by a US evaluation commission (Dept of Commerce and NSF) see: http://scienceus.org/wtec/old/erato.pdf

• Professor Dirk van Dyck,
  Head of Dept. of Physics, Director of Vision Laboratory, Co-Director of Electron-Microscope Group (University of Antwerp)
• Professor Sir Richard H. Friend, F.R.S.,
  Cavendish Professor, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, U.K. and Cambridge Display Technology Ltd., Director, Chief Scientist
• Dr. Bjarne Stroustrup,
  Head of AT & T Bell Labs Large-Scale Programming Research Department and AT & T Fellow, created and implemented the computer language C++.

.

• Kerr Effect equipment for magnetic measurements
• AFM (Atomic Force Microscope)
• Oxford Instruments Helium Cryostat with 12 Tesla Split-Coil Superconducting Magnet with optical access
  (purchased and shared in cooperation with Professor Hirakawa of IIS)
• Evaporator
• Reaction Chamber
• Various Processing equipment for the fabrication of semiconductor and magnetic nano-structures
• Deposition equipment
• UNIX workstation & 5 personal computers, various software including CAD (=computer aided design) software for mask design

.

• Tokyo University, Institute of Industrial Science
  • basic funding, equipment, consumables
  • visiting researcher funding (Dr Katharina Runge, mainly supported by European Union personal grant)
• Tokyo University, Institute of Industrial Science, special research award for one researcher per year, which Gerhard Fasol was awarded for one year
  • equipment fund
• Society of Friends of Institute of Industrial Science
  • visiting scientists (Professor Sir Richard Friend, and other visitor funding)
• Science and Technology Agency (Japan Research Development Corporation (JRDC), Government of Japan
  • Sakigake Research Project (approx US$ 1 million for 3 years): equipment, assistant staff, consumables, conference travel etc
  • https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/presto/research_area/completed/02kinoubussei.html
  • for an evaluation by a US commission see: http://scienceus.org/wtec/old/erato.pdf

.

A large range of collaborations with japanese and international universities, corporations and other organizations

.

• “Physics in industry – perspectives from Japan”
  11th General Conference of the European Physical Society : EPS-11 : Trends in Physics
  Time: 6 – 10 Sep 1999, London, UK (40 minutes)
  Invited plenary talk (40 mins)
  Place: London
  Speaker: Gerhard Fasol
• “Spin-polarized Electrons in Semiconductors and in Mesoscopic Devices”
  Spring Meeting of the Japanese Physical Society in Kanazawa:
  Time: Tuesday 2nd April 1996, 15:15-16:05 (50 minutes incl. discussion)
  Special Invited Lecture Nr. 2pF5
  Place: Kanazawa-University, Lecture-Room F
  Speaker: Gerhard Fasol
• “Can we see atoms inside a crystal with an electron microscope”
  Tuesday 6th February 1996, Institute of Industrial Science, Univ. Tokyo,
  Speaker: Professor Dirk van Dyck
  Head of Dept. of Physics, Director of Vision Laboratory,
  Co-Director of Electron-Microscope Group (University of Antwerp)
• “Semiconductor Device Physics from Conjugated Polymers”
  Monday 5. February 1996, Institute of Industrial Science, Univ. Tokyo,
  Speaker: Professor Richard H. Friend, F.R.S.
  Cavendish Professor, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, U.K.
• “Cross-Cultural Communication” (In Japanese Language)”
  Monday 22 January 1996, 18:00-20:00,
  German Chamber of Commerce in Tokyo,
  Speaker: Gerhard Fasol
  Audience: Japanese Executives of German and Japanese Companies
• “What C++ Is and Why?”
  Dr. Bjarne Stroustrup
  Head of AT & T Bell Labs Large-Scale Programming Research Department and AT & T Fellow, created and implemented the computer language C++.
  Dr. Bjarne Stroustrup will give a talk at the Institute of Industrial Science on 14 November 1995
• “Electron Spin Effects in Semiconductors: Spin Relaxation, Spin-Effects on the Bandstructure, Possible Device Applications>”
  Friday 6 October 1995, 13.30
  Institute of Industrial Science, Univ. Tokyo,
  Speaker: Gerhard Fasol
• “Development of novel electronic, opto-electronic and magneto-electronic devices and research trends in Japan in semiconductors”
  “Entwicklung neuartiger elektronischer, opto-elektronischer und magneto-elektronischer Bauelemente und Forschungstrends in Japan auf dem Gebiet der Halbleiter”
  Monday 18 September 1995, 18.00, German Embassy Tokyo, Technology Seminar Series,
  Speaker: Gerhard Fasol
• “Blue light emitters for displays, data storage, and traffic signals –
  Recent breakthroughs by Nichia Chemical Industries Ltd.,
  background & implications”
  Speaker: Gerhard Fasol, University of Tokyo, and JRDC
  Time & Date: 4PM, Wednesday 2 August, 1995
  Where: Asian Technology Information Program (ATIP), Tokyo

.