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 major national and international scientific conferences, national organizations, major corporations, Embassies etc.
(e.g.
General Conference of the American Chemical Society,
General Conference of the
European Physical Society EPS-11, Spring Meeting of the Japanese Physical Society, Spring Meeting of the
Japanese Society for Applied Physics, Magnus House of the German Physical Society,
Forum-Europe, Stanford University, Princeton University,
Trinity College Dublin, many other European, US and Japanese Universities, etc. You can find a list of our other speaking engagements
here. )
Professor Dirk van Dyck
Head of Dept. of Physics, Director of Vision Laboratory,
Co-Director of Electron-Microscope Group (University of Antwerp)
Professor Richard H. Friend, F.R.S.
Cavendish Professor, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, U.K. and
Cambridge Display Technology Ltd., Director, Chief Scientist
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 focuse 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
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
Collaborations
A large range of collaborations with japanese and international universities, corporations and other
organizations exists.
