Date of Award

2016

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.Sc.

Department

Physics

Supervisor

Kim, Eugene

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Currently, there is interest in using a bottom-up approach to fabricate nanostructures i.e. structures whose dimensions are on the order of 1E-9 metres. Discovering devices which exploit/thrive on quantum mechanical effects is vital if the down-sizing of electronics is to continue. The aim of this Thesis is to theoretically design and characterize nanoscale structures/devices built atom-by-atom in a bottom-up approach on a metal surface. By varying the properties of our "building blocks" (i.e. atoms), we demonstrate that one can engineer devices which purposefully exploit novel physics. More specifically, we demonstrate how the strongly correlated state induced by magnetic atoms in a metal can be used for control and transmission of signals between distinct points. Furthermore, we demonstrate a mechanism to drive superconductivity in a single atom; we utilize this mechanism to create superconducting nanostructures with precisely designed properties.

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