基于原子操纵技术的人工量子结构研究

扫描隧道显微镜原子操纵技术是指利用扫描探针在特定材料表面以晶格为步长搬运单个原子或分子的技术.它是纳米尺度量子物理与器件研究领域一种独特而有力的研究手段.利用这种手段,人们能够以原子或分子为单元构筑某些常规生长或微加工方法难以制备的人工量子结构,通过对格点原子、晶格尺寸、对称性、周期性的高度控制,实现对局域电子态、自旋序、以及能带拓扑特性等量子效应的设计与调控.原子操纵技术与超快测量及自动控制技术的结合,使得人们能够进一步研究原子级精准的量子器件,因而该技术成为探索未来器件新机理、新工艺的重要工具.本文首先简介原子操纵方法的发展过程和技术要点,然后分别介绍人工电子晶格、半导体表面人工量子点、磁性人工量子结构、人工结构中的信息存储与逻辑运算、单原子精度原型器件等方面的最新研究进展,以及单原子刻蚀和自动原子操纵等方面的技术进展,最后总结并展望原子操纵技术的应用前景和发展趋势.

Investigation of artificial quantum structures constructed by atom manipulation

The atom manipulation technique based on scanning tunneling microscope refers to a method of relocating single atoms or molecules on a certain surface at atomic accuracy by using an atomically sharp tip,which is a unique and powerful tool for studying the quantum physics and prototype quantum devices on a nanometer scale.This technique allows us to build artificial structure atom-by-atom,thus some desired interesting quantum structures which are difficult to grow or fabricate by conventional methods could be realized,and unique quantum states,spin order,band structure could be created by the fine tuning of the structural parameters like lattice constant,symmetry,periodicity,etc.Combined with nanosecond scale time domain electric measurement and autonomous control technique,the atom manipulation would be useful in exploring the atomic precision prototype quantum devices,and providing some valuable knowledge for future electronics.In this review,we introduce the atom manipulation technique and related milestone research achievements and latest progress of artificial quantum structures,including electronic lattices with exotic quantum states on Cu(111),quantum dots on III-V semiconductors,magnetic structures with tunable spin order,structures for quantum information storage and processing,prototype Boolean logic devices and single atom devices.The STM lithography and autonomous atom manipulation are discussed as well.With such improvements,this technique would play more important roles in developing the functional quantum devices in future.