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

Tokyo University, Institute of Industrial Science, Fasol Laboratory

Tokyo University, Nanostructure Devices Laboratory, Fasol-Lab (archived website)

Fasol Laboratory – Nanostructure Devices Laboratory (1993 – 1996), University of Tokyo, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Events and visitors
Publications

Archive – for the record

Introduction

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.

Members

  • 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

Research Projects

  • 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

Visitors (selection):

  • 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++.

Equipment:

  • 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

Research Funding

  • 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

    Collaborations:

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

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