NSRRC Activity Report 2022

I n this year’s section on Physics and Materials Science, benefiting from the superb physical properties of novel materials, we present articles covering numerous topics of considerable interest to researchers in the basic and applied sciences. Antiferromagnets are a promising candidate for use in next-generation spintronic devices because of their remarkable properties. In one study, photonic crafting was used to create nonvolatile and rewritable antiferromagnetic spin textures. In addition, weave epitaxy, which is a breakthrough approach in which single-crystal thin films are woven, has created new possibilities for epitaxial growth. Another study focused on CaCu 3 Ru 4 O 12 , a high Kondo temperature metallic oxide, and verified its properties by using bulk sensitive hard and soft X-ray electron spectroscopy. Additionally, a study of a Dirac semimetal called α-Sn discovered that the coexistence of a topological surface state and a Rashba surface state could significantly enhance the semimetal’s potential for spintronic applications. Finally, a simple and efficient method for hydrogen spillover and storage was developed and characterized for single-site catalysts; the method enables precise control of the coverage of Ti on graphene and has potential for application to hydrogen storage by all graphitic materials. These studies have led to crucial advances in the field of materials science and may enable the development of next-generation electronic and spintronic devices. (by Cheng-Maw Cheng) Physics and Materials Science