Lina Quan, an assistant professor in the College of Science, has recently been honored as a 2024 Early Career Research Program awardee by the U.S. Department of Energy. This recognition comes with a significant financial boost, offering $875,000 over the next five years to support her research projects and laboratory initiatives.
### Advancing Spintronics with Chiral Semiconductors
Dr. Quan’s work centers on a fascinating aspect of physics called electron spin, which plays a crucial role in magnetic behavior and has great potential for developing new technologies. Spintronics, short for spin-based electronics, makes use of both the spin and charge of electrons. It has the promise of creating electronic systems that are faster, offer more data storage, and consume less power. However, a key hurdle in this field is the quest for materials that can effectively manage and maintain electron spin over time.
“In the grand scheme, our goal is to enhance energy storage and energy conversion,” Dr. Quan explained.
With funding from the Department of Energy, her research investigates chiral hybrid organic-inorganic semiconductors. The aim is to improve how light and spin can be controlled in future spintronic and optoelectronic devices. One of the main focuses of this work is to find ways to keep spin polarization intact without relying on external magnetic fields. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, these chiral semiconducting materials have shown greater efficiency in chiroptical polarization. This could lead to significant advancements in low-power electronics and enhanced data storage and processing.
“Our research is focused on creating materials with strong spin-orbit coupling and longer spin lifetimes—both essential features for progress in spin-based technology,” added Dr. Quan.
### Interdisciplinary Efforts Toward a Bright Future
This project is in line with the mission of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, which aims to develop innovative materials that push the limits of microelectronics. By combining techniques in spectroscopy, materials science, and theoretical analysis, Dr. Quan’s team hopes to establish a new platform of semiconductors for applications in spin-optoelectronics.
“This research has the potential to significantly advance knowledge in the fields of spintronics and optoelectronics,” she noted. “By exploring the structural and electronic factors that influence spin dynamics in these materials, we can create new designs for spintronic devices.”
Furthermore, Dr. Quan recognizes that this award will have a lasting impact on the students in her lab.
“I see this award as an important motivation for our research team to explore the limits of our field while also nurturing the growth of our graduate and undergraduate students. It will equip them with the skills and chances they need for successful careers, whether in industry or academia,” she said.
