The co-ordinated activities will concentrate on the preparation and investigation of high quality epitaxial films and multilayers of metal oxide(MO) materials. These heterostructures are based on high-Tc superconductors (HTSC) and ferromagnetic materials exhibiting high magnetoresistance (CMR), which are of greatest importance for novel magnetoelectronic applications. The films will be obtained by means of innovative chemical vapour deposition (CVD) techniques. Special emphasis will be put in the characterisation of the microstructure of interfaces and the study of the physical properties of the epitaxial heterostructures. The final scientific goal of the project will be to obtain new magnetoelectronic devices, such as spin polarised quasi-particle injection devices, and spin valves devices from the thin heterostructures. The industrial partners within the network will participate in the assessment and the transfer of these technologies to industry. Special interest will be given to the training and education of young scientists, and to knowledge diffusion through the organisation of three main Seminars and four Workshops on different topics related with the network activities.

Problem addressed

The present technology derived from metal oxide multilayered structures relies mainly on physical vapour deposition (PVD) techniques, which are in most cases, very difficult to implement for industrial purposes. The use of cost-effective deposition techniques (such as CVD) would contribute to an industrial-scale development of related technologies, as was already proven for semiconducting-related technologies.

Expected impact:

The usage of the developed technologies combined with the technical know-how generated by the R&D work of the project could result in the manufacture of appropriate hybrid all-oxide high-speed electronic devices, i.e. improved highly competitive commercial products such as tunnel spin valves and spin-polarised quasi-particle injection devices.

Expected results:

• Social outputs: Networking activity in "Training and Education".
• Scientific outputs: The assessment of the feasibility of novel magnetoelectronic devices by CVD techniques, and transfer of technology to industry.
• Exploitation and dissemination policy with the industries included as partners.
• The establishment of a second circle of "associated partners" mainly related with electronic companies, which can give rise to another set of potential end-users in this/another framework.

Consortium


Co-ordinator:
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Instituto de Ciencie de Materiales de Barcelona, ICMB, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain