Holger Schmidt - US grants

True excellence in a career as university professor requires commitment, creativity and excellence in both research and education. In this proposal, a plan for implementing a research and education program in Electrical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz is presented.

In the research part of the proposal, the investigation of intersubband transitions in low-dimensional semiconductor quantum structures in the near-infrared wavelength range is put forward as an area of research activity with long-term potential for advancing materials science, engineering and physics. As optical networks become a reality and solutions for higher data bit rates are sought, intersubband transitions are an attractive alternative to currently existing technologies for pushing the limits of optical communications to higher bandwidths. Increasing the bandwidth is essential for building faster and less costly communication products and systems. The material properties of antimony-based heterostructures for near-infrared intersubband transitions will be studied. This includes determining band offsets and optical nonlinearities as well as the growth of self-assembled quantum dots. Secondly, new devices such as ultrafast wavelength converters and photodetectors will be designed and realized. Finally, new physics can be explored. Examples are nonclassical light emission from quantum dots at room temperature and quantum interference effects such as electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in intersubband transitions.

The educational aspects of this proposal are tailored to improve the educational programs in Electrical Engineering at the Universitt of California, Santa Cruz, on several levels: within the University -lf, the local community, as well as the global scientific community at large. To this end, a number of measures are proposed for each community. Within UC Santa Cruz, the emphasis lies on building up the educational program of a very new department by developing new classes for the curriculum and introducing new ideas for classroom instruction. Activities involving the local community have a special emphasis on interaction with students who are at critical points in their school careers. Examples are open houses for high school seniors and lectures and demonstrations at middle schools to expose students at a younger age to science. Finally, the paramount importance of global interaction between students and scholars is recognized by proposing a number of programs, which institutionalize and foster relations, that will be beneficial to all participants. This includes establishing partner schools for exchange programs and joint educational projects, for example with the German Academic Exchange Service
(DAAD).

0216155
Schmidt

Continuous progress in microscopy and ultrafast optics has allowed researchers to investigate
phenomena on ever smaller length and shorter time scales, leading to a multitude of novel applications. Here, the PIs propose to build a measurement system that combines both ultrahigh spatial and temporal resolution. This system will enable access to a whole new class of experiments for which both characteristics are required and will significantly enhance the research facilities at UC Santa Cruz. They propose to develop a system that integrates the temporal resolution of a tunable ultrafast Ti:Sapphire laser with the spatial resolution of an atomic force microscope with NSOM capabilities and a high-resolution photodetector array. The ultrashort optical pulses emanating from the Ti:Sapphire laser are fed into the fiber of the near-field microscope or focused directly on a sample using far-field optics. A subwavelength aperture at the output of the NSOM is used to emit or collect the light pulses, and creates a unique optical probe for investigating a wide variety of samples and substrates. The tunability of the Ti:Sapphire allows for a large accessible spectrum in the near-infrared while leaving options for future upgrades. The complete system will simultaneously have a time resolution of about 200fs and a spatial resolution of 100 nm.

If funded, research projects and student training in nanoscale electronics will be carried out: One example for the ensuing research activities is the study of the dynamics of magnetization switching in single-domain metallic nanomagnets for high-density magnetic storage. Only the combination of both high spatial and temporal resolution will allow studying the dynamics of individual magnets. Knowledge of the magnetization reversal time is critical for assessing the intrinsic limitations for write-operations using such nanomagnets. Magneto-optic Kerr spectroscopy is capable of capturing reversal dynamics, but so far not with the required capabilities for single-domain magnets. The second project is spatially resolved
picosecond ultrasonics. Here, the goal is to analyze interfaces below a metal-covered semiconductor surface, a situation typical for integrated circuits. By heating the metal with a short optical pulse, an acoustic wave is created that propagates inside the semiconductor and is partially reflected at interfaces. The depth of the interface can be determined from the return time of the reflection signal. In combination with the high spatial resolution of a near-field scanning microscope and a unique multichannel heterodyning detection method using a photodetector array, non-destructive high-resolution imaging of the wafer can be obtained.

These examples clearly demonstrate the wide range of experiments that will become accessible. The main components (Ti-sapphire laser, AFM/NSOM) are each widely used state-of-the-art instruments and their combination which require significant development for pulse broadening compensation, polarization control and also multi-channel detector array will create unique capability for many more fields in nanotechnology, such as time-resolved spectroscopy of semiconductor quantum dots. Exciting collaborations across campus departments and with other universities are anticipated. The system will have broad impact on research and education in nanoscience. It will provide excellent training for students in several key areas of current interest such as nanoscopy, laser optics, and time-resolved spectroscopy. In addition, it will be integrated in a laboratory experiment for a nano-optics class that the P.I. is developing at UCSC as part of an NSF CAREER program.

In recent years, research on the use of magnetic properties of materials for electronics (spintronics) and data storage has grown tremendously. In both areas, spintronics and magnetic storage, size and operational speed are defining properties of a device. As the size of a magnetic element is reduced below a few hundred nanometers, another qualitative change occurs as the magnet can only sustain a single domain. This has severe consequences for dynamic properties, which do not depend on domain wall motion anymore. To this day, the time scales over which magnetization changes on the single-domain levels occur are not known. It is therefore essential to develop the capabilities to measure these fundamentally and technologically relevant quantities that present the ultimate intrinsic limit for the speed of nanoscale magnetic devices.

We will study the magnetization dynamics of nanoscale magnetic structures with high temporal and spatial resolution as an area of research with large impact on (nano)-magnetic applications. Ultrafast optical methods such as magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopy will be used to provide the time resolution required to resolve changes in the magnetization direction of single-domain particles. Based on an integrated ultrafast spectroscopy system with near-field scanning microscopy capabilities, a setup for the magneto-optical measurement of the magnetization dynamics of single single-domain (nano)-magnetic structures will be built. Subsequently, measurements on nanomagnetic structures of varying sizes and shapes will be carried out to gain a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the magnetization reversal time scales and mechanisms.

In addition, highly sensitive magneto-optical spectroscopy methods will be developed. The detection of small magneto-optic reflection signals from individual nanostructures requires exquisite sensitivity. Therefore, cavity enhancement of the magneto-optical Kerr effect will be studied to extend this technique to the ultrafast single-particle regime. In the course of the project, cavity enhancement will first be investigated in larger samples or arrays of nanomagnets before then being applied to individual single-domain particles.

The work proposed here is expected to have significant broader impact. As magneto-optics and spintronics evolve and device dimensions shrink further, sensitive methods to measure magnetic properties will play an important role in determining the limitations of such devices. Over the course of the program, graduate students will be trained in two key areas of experimental research, ultrafast spectroscopy and scanning microscopy. In addition, undergraduates will be actively involved in the project and aspects of this research will be incorporated into a multidisciplinary graduate class in nanotechnology currently being developed at UC Santa Cruz.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The aim of this project is the development of novel integrated optical sensors for biomedical applications. These sensors will be based on anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROW) that allow for light propagation and guiding in low-index (liquid or gas) layers surrounded by semiconductors. Based on this principle, highly integrated instruments will be built that are compatible with fiber optic technologies and specifically avoid bulky optical setups in three dimensions involving microscopes and inefficient light coupling. This approach has several key advantages, most notably higher sensitivity, lower coupling losses and the potential for massively parallel devices due to the planar nature of the waveguide structures. Specific applications of such low-index waveguides can include fluorescence detection from single DNA molecules, highly-efficient low-volume flow cytometry, and sensitive absorption measurements of liquids containing biomolecules or gases. The implications to human health of this project range from improving fundamental understanding of DNA to more sensitive detection of potentially harmful substances in the liquid or gas phase. The specific aims of this exploratory grant are to provide the first demonstration of light guiding in low-index optical waveguides with non-solid (liquid or gas) cores and the fabrication of a first generation optical platform suitable for fluorescence measurements. The research will cover the following three areas: theory and simulation, microfabrication, and optical testing. Theoretical work will include the design of suitable ARROW waveguide structures and the calculation of detection efficiency for fluorescence in these waveguides. Microfabrication efforts will address growth and quality control of dielectric multilayer structures and fabrication of low-index channels filled with liquid or gas. Finally, prototypes will be tested with optical spectroscopy to ensure agreement with simulations and to test the robustness of the fabrication techniques. Fluorescence measurements on biological samples such as single DNA molecules will be carried out to demonstrate the potential of this integrated platform for biomedical instruments. [unreadable] [unreadable]

0528730
Schmidt


Optical and electrical sensing has enabled the study of individual molecules in the gas or liquid phase, leading to an understanding of physical, chemical and biological processes on a very fundamental level. An integrated sensor platform is proposed that provides single-molecule resolution, extremely small gas or liquid sample volumes, planar architecture, and high throughput in a sensor array configuration. Such a sensor is highly desirable for providing fast, reliable and robust analytical tools. Without the need for bulky three-dimensional setup, these sensors can also be used outside a laboratory and could impact a variety of fields ranging from genomics and proteomics to toxicology and pollution monitoring in both air and water.
Intellectual merit: The proposed approach is based on combining nanopore technology with single-molecule electrical resolution and antiresonant reflecting optical (ARROW) waveguides with liquid cores. The research has the following primary goals:
1. To build a new type of integrated optical sensor that simultaneously provides single-molecule fluorescence sensitivity and allows for parallel sensor array architectures.
2. To integrate nanopores as "smart gates" with the optical waveguides. The nanopores will control molecule access in the optical detection channel and simultaneously provide electrical sensing capability with single molecule resolution.
3. To use the novel combination of optical and electrical sensing to study biomolecules in genomics and proteomics for enhancing understanding of molecular biology on the single molecule level.
While the concept is, in principle, equally applicable to sensing of molecules in the gas phase, the focus of this proposal is on integrated sensors of liquids for biomolecular studies on the single molecule level.
Broader Impact: The research program outlined above has significant broader impact. It will advance optical sensor science and technology and provide graduate student training in the fields of integrated optics, molecular biology, and semiconductor device fabrication. Undergraduate research will be integrated into the program. At UCSC, students will participate in the project under the existing UC LEADS (underrepresented minorities) or COSMOS (K-12 students) programs. At BYU, undergraduates as well as high school students from underrepresented groups (BYU SOAR program) will be involved in the fabrication aspects of the projects during the summer.

0500602
Schmidt


Recent work in quantum interference in alkali vapors has shown some spectacular and well-publicized results. This type of atomic quantum state control can be used to reduce the speed of light down to a few meters per second, temporarily store the quantum state of a photon in an atomic medium, render an opaque medium transparent, and realize phase modulation and optical switching with few or single photons.
Intellectual Merit: In order to move quantum interference from fundamental physics towards practical device applications, alkali vapors need to be integrated into optical waveguides on a semiconductor chip. To do so, an optical waveguide is required where light is guided in the low-index vapor. This has never been realized in atomic vapor, but can be achieved in antiresonant reflecting optical (ARROW) waveguides.
Here, optical quantum interference is combined with design and fabrication of ARROW waveguides to develop an integrated platform for the use of quantum interference in alkali atoms for integrated optical devices in linear and nonlinear optics.
The research is based on an existing strong collaboration between researchers at UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University and covers the following areas: Fabrication of alkali vapor containing hollow-core ARROW waveguides on a silicon chip, evaluation of the coherence as a function of waveguide dimensions, demonstration of linear and nonlinear quantum interference effects, and integrated optical devices relying on quantum state control on a chip. In particular, proof-of principle demonstration of a nonlinear optical switch operating at the few-photon level will be pursued.
Broader Impact: In addition to contributing to the fields of integrated optics and quantum optics, the work contains a strong educational component taking advantage of the collaboration between UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University. Graduate student training in integrated optics, quantum optics, and device fabrication will be enhanced by extended visits to the partner university to receive training in the complementary research areas. At UC Santa Cruz, two undergraduate students from underrepresented and underprivileged groups will participate in the project for one year under the UC LEADS program. These students will also spend time at BYU to learn semiconductor fabrication techniques. At BYU, several undergraduates will be involved in the fabrication aspects of the projects under the BYU Microfabrication Mentoring Environment program. In addition, outreach visits to community and regional colleges such as Utah Valley State College will be arranged to help encourage students to pursue further education.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): At this time, no commercially available biomedical instrument exists that provides optical sensitivity to a single molecule of interest. Single-molecule studies are only carried out in specialized research labs using costly and bulky setups based on various types of microscopy. In this context, the overall goals and long- term objectives of the research proposed here are two-fold: (I) Development of a new kind of sensor platform with single molecule sensitivity for biomedical characterization instruments, (ii) Use of these sensors to study individual biomolecules to gain better understanding of fundamental processes in molecular biology. Integrated optical waveguides based novel liquid-core optical waveguides were developed by two of the investigators under an NIBIB R21 grant. At present, these waveguides can be used to guide light through Pico liter volumes on a semiconductor chip, and to detect fluorescence from tens of molecules without the need for a bulky, external microscope. This novel silicon-based approach is compatible with further micro fluidic integration and represents a paradigm shift in the way optical signals from minute amounts of biological analytes can be detected. Building on this research, our specific aims for this application are: 1. Demonstration of single-molecule sensitivity: We will improve the optical waveguides and detection setup to improve the sensitivity from currently 40 to single molecules 2. Development of integrated electrical and optical nanopore waveguide sensor: Using synthetic nanopores as smart gates to the liquid-core optical waveguides, we will develop a novel sensor that enables simultaneous electrical and optical sensing of single biomolecules. 3. Study of individual ribosome's: As one representative biomolecule, we will demonstrate sensing of single fluorescently labeled ribosomes and use the integrated waveguides to study dynamic effects on a millisecond timescale with the ultimate goal of elucidating the dynamics of the RNA translation process. An instrument with single molecule level sensitivity based on integrated technology would be compact, inexpensive, and portable. It would have significant impact on biology, medicine, and public health. Widespread deployment of improved analytical instrumentation in clinical settings, doctor's offices, remote locations, and underdeveloped countries around the world would be possible. In addition, researchers at the forefront of molecular biology could focus on the experimental results instead of the measurement apparatus. As a result, new insight into fundamental life science with long-term effects on drug development, disease detection and treatment can be gained. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

MRI: Development of Magneto-Optic Near-field Scanning Optical
Microscope (MO-NSOM) for optical characterization of nanostructures

Optical methods using visible or near-visible light are perhaps the most popular tools for sample characterization across virtually all scientific fields. Optical characterization on the nanoscale is hampered by the diffraction limit which can be overcome with near-field microscopy (NSOM), but at the price of more complex instrumentation. At this time, no instrument exists that provides polarization-sensitive detection with picosecond temporal and nanometer spatial resolution.

Intellectual merit: This proposal will develop a Magneto-Optic Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (MO-NSOM). This will be the first instrument that combines nanometer spatial resolution, sub-picosecond temporal resolution, and polarization sensitivity. To accomplish this goal, the PIs will work with two industrial partners to significantly expand the capabilities of a commercially available microscope in all relevant areas ranging from light source to detection apparatus. They will carry out a diverse range of research projects, focusing on ultrafast nano-magneto-optics of individual nanomagnetic structures in dense arrays.

Broader impact: The picosecond MO-NSOM will be a valuable addition to nanoscale characterization instrumentation that combines a large set of capabilities that can be used individually or in combination. The results of the development effort will be disseminated through the participating companies and on the PI's website. Both graduate and undergraduate students will be involved in different aspects of the instrument development. In addition, the instrument will be used for course development in the Electrical Engineering department at UC Santa Cruz.

Abstract
ECCS-0801896
H. Schmidt, University of California-Santa Cruz

Objective: The objective of this research is to investigate the dynamic response of single nanomagnets within the type of dense arrays that will be found in applications including magnetic data storage, memory, or biosensor arrays. The approach to this effort will be to use time-resolved magneto-optic Kerr (MOKE) spectroscopy in conjunction with optical near-field resolution to measure magnetization changes of single nanomagnets surrounded by magnets in dense arrays. Pre-commercial prototype samples will be fabricated and provided by the industrial partner, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (HGST).

Intellectual merit: The dynamic magnetization response is a natural limit for the operating speed of future nanomagnetic devices, and a thorough understanding of both the intrinsic magnetization dynamics as well as the influence of dynamically changing magnetic fields from nearby neighbors is essential to optimize device performance. Here, it is proposed to gain this knowledge by (i) developing time-resolved magnetization detection of a single nanomagnet within a dense array using both far-field and near-field MOKE, and (ii) measuring dynamic magnetic properties of individual metal multilayer nanomagnets in dense arrays with sub-picosecond resolution.

Broader Impact: The collaboration with HGST will ensure rapid translation of the results of this research to commercial magnetic storage devices, resulting in broad societal impact through a paradigm change in the way data are stored. HGST will also provide educational opportunities for students at different levels through summer internships and involvement in sample characterization for the project. In addition, undergraduate students from underrepresented minorities will be recruited to participate in the research.

Nanomagnets have a wide range of potential applications, including next generation high-density magnetic data storage, spintronic devices, and magnetic biosensing. Essential for all applications is an understanding of the underlying material properties and the capability to design and optimize these properties for the purpose at hand. In this collaborative effort between UC Santa Cruz and the Magnetic Nanostructures group of Manfred Albrecht (Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany), patterned nanomagnetic materials are fabricated and characterized to obtain a complete understanding of the material properties of curved metallic multilayer nanomagnets (?nanocaps?) for use in high-speed, high density magnetic data storage. Different metallic multilayer compositions are investigated and compared to more conventional flat nanomagnets. A complete picture of the dynamic properties of the magnetic nanocaps is obtained using time-resolved magneto-optical studies of single, isolated magnets and nanomagnets within an array. This comprehensive comparison results in a quantitative understanding of the influence of the magnetic environment on the dynamics of a single nanomagnet.

Broader impact of this research results from the straightforward application of the results of this project to other growing areas of nanomagnetic research such as magnetic memory, spintronics, or biosensors. In addition, joint educational activities between the participating groups take full advantage of the international nature of the collaboration. These include mutual, extended visits of students at different levels to the partner laboratory to gain experience in the complementary expertise of their colleagues. This experience improves the students? understanding of different cultures, research environments, and languages, and gives them a competitive edge in this highly international field.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Miniaturization is a growing trend for bioanalytical instruments. Integration of sensing, detection, and manipulation functionalities in a small space promises a new generation of inexpensive, portable and highly sensitive equipment that can benefit public health in many, possibly disruptive ways such as point-of-care devices in homes and medical practices or as rugged detectors for prevalent infectious diseases in underdeveloped countries. The long-term goals of our research are, therefore, to develop a new generation of optofluidic instruments in which both microfluidic and optical components are integrated in the plane of a single chip, thus allowing for smaller, less expensive, and more robust instruments. In addition, these instruments should possess exquisite sensitivity on the single-particle level. In this application, the development and characterization of integrated optical particle traps for all-optical manipulation of particles on a chip is proposed. Trapping and manipulation of bioparticles with light using optical tweezers has already led to a dramatic increase in our understanding of cells and molecules. The translation of these capabilities to a chip using integrated optics in lieu of high-end microscopes will enable their application to disease detection and other public health issues. The proposed research has two specific aims: Aim 1: A new type of integrated optical particle trap will be introduced and characterized. A trapping principle based on intrinsic properties of integrated waveguides will be implemented in liquid-core ARROW waveguides as the model optofluidic platform. The relevant trap properties such as trap strength and unique features that take advantage of its integrated nature will be characterized using inorganic microspheres as test particles. These studies will be complemented by analytical and numeric modeling. Aim 2: New bio-analytical capabilities on a chip using optical particle control will be demonstrated. Functional capabilities including particle concentration, single particle fluorescence, optically controlled particle binding and reactions in microenvironments will be demonstrated using representative biological particles including liposomes, E.coli bacteria, and DNA molecules. This will be achieved through the combination of the new trap properties with established techniques for waveguide design and fabrication, and sensitive optical detection. At the end of this project, all-optical particle control using integrated waveguides will have been firmly established as a new tool in optofluidics and major step towards next generation bio- analysis on a chip.

The objective of this program is to create the first set of quantum interference based slow and stopped light photonic devices. Quantum interference creates some of the strongest light-matter interactions ever observed, including electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), slow light, and stopped light. A large number of possible applications exist, including optical data processing, enhanced sensing, (quantum) optical memories, and quantum information processing. However, to date there is no viable platform that combines large quantum interference effects with photonic device integration.
The intellectual merit of this project is to explore the use of a recently developed self-contained atomic spectroscopy platform for creating a new class of photonic devices based on quantum interference. To this end, a second generation hollow-core waveguide spectroscopy chip for high temperature and high optical density operation will be developed and used to demonstrate stopped light on a chip. A set of novel, canonical photonic devices for chip-scale sensing and optical signal processing based on quantum interference, slow and stopped light will be demonstrated. This new class of devices will have transformative impact on the use of non-solid (atomic) media for photonics.
The broader impacts of this work are to unite several fields, including microfabrication, integrated optics, atomic spectroscopy, and device physics. This collaborative project will provide opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to acquire a unique, multidisciplinary skill set. The program is complemented by a number of outreach efforts to recruit undergraduate students from underrepresented groups through established and successful programs at UCSC and BYU, respectively.

1159453/1159423
Schmidt/Hawkins

The main goal of the proposal is to develop a chip that combines microfluidics with a sensitive fluorescence excitation and detection platform that relies on liquid-core waveguides. This lab-on-a-chip is designed for highly sensitive and specific detection of cell-free nucleic acids (CNAs) that are found in elevated concentrations within the bodily fluids of cancer patients. The high sensitivity of the proposed technology is expected to obviate the need for amplification that is currently required when performing traditional PCR assays for CNAs, which in turn increase the complexity and cost associated with this approach.
The investigators propose to initially develop a multi-mode interferometric approach for fluorescence excitation in order to enhance the signal to noise ratio and to enable spectral multiplexing in order to enhance sensitivity and specificity. The second step involves integration of the silicon photonic layer with standard PDMS microfluidics layers for sample preparation and filtering. The integrated device will be tested initially using fluorescent beacons against viral nucleic acids associated with high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) 18. In the final step, the platform will be tested using blood from 5 melanoma patients, a healthy human and a leukemia patient.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are the current gold standard in cell-free nucleic acids (CNA) detection and rely on amplifying the genomic material to produce a sufficiently large signal for optical readout.. The PIs propose to demonstrate and validate a biophotonic platform for multiplexed, amplification-free analysis of cell-free DNA. At its core will be liquid-core optical waveguides that have a limit of detection of single fluorescing molecules of DNA/RNA at clinically relevant concentrations. The project will address key innovations at all levels of the detection system, and, if successful, create a transformative step for cancer diagnosis, enabling non-invasive and quantitative analysis of biomarker panels from cell-free DNA.

Principal Investigator/Program Director: Schmidt, Holger Project Summary Highly infectious diseases originating from bacterial (e,g, anthrax) or viral (e.g. Ebola) pathogens with high mortality rates pose high risks, including epidemic outbreaks and hostile acts using these pathogens as biological weapons. The ability to detect and respond rapidly at the point of care is essential for dealing with these threats. Despite increased research activity, there is currently no established point-of-care system for these pathogens due to the shortcomings of the current detection approaches, including lack of speed (culture), lack of accuracy (antigen tests), and lack of simplicity (polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in large part due to the need to amplify the genetic target material). Our long-term goal is to develop point-of- care biomedical devices using optofluidics - the combination of integrated optics and microfluidics on a single chip-scale system. The objective of this application is to demonstrate and validate a Hybrid, Integrated Molecular Analysis System (HIMAS) that is suitable for differential point-of-care diagnosis of category A pathogens. Our central hypothesis is that this can be accomplished by combining two powerful microfluidic and optical technologies that are optimized for sample processing and amplification-free detection in separate chip layers. During the initial R21 phase, our objectives will be accomplished by the following specific aims: (1) Introduce a new spectral target multiplexing approach using interferometric waveguide structures; (2) Introduce a new hybrid optofluidic system composed of a glass microfluidic layer and a silicon optical layer; (3) Validate the platform for differential diagnostics of hemorrhagic fever viruses using clinical samples. In a subsequent R33 phase, we will build on these innovations by developing a portable prototype system that can rapidly distinguish between 14 weaponizable hemorrhagic fever viruses without the need for target amplification, starting from a whole blood patient sample. The innovative contributions of the proposed approach are: (i) interferometric excitation using multi-mode interferometer (MMI) waveguides for spectral, spatial, and combinatorial target multiplexing; (ii) introduction of a new planar optofluidic system with layers optimized individually for sample processing and amplification-free nucleic acid analysis. The proposed work is significant because it overcomes the critical barriers to developing a point-of-care system for PCR-free, differential diagnostics of biodefense pathogens and other viral and bacterial threats to human health. 1

The goal of this Innovation Corps project is to validate a specific business opportunity and to test the optofluidic detection principle using a molecular detection assay on a portable instrument. Specifically, the proposed team will: (i) Critically evaluate the commercialization potential of molecular detection using optofluidic chips, including determination of a relevant customer base, identification of target market segments and sizes, and development of a business plan; and, (ii) Demonstrate an improved version of an alpha-version optofluidic detection prototype that can be used for live demonstrations to potential investors and customers.

If successful, the integrated optical chip can be used to create a new class of biomedical diagnostic devices that replace polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with simpler analytical approach that directly detects genomic nucleic acids without the need for costly and complex target amplification. As a result, this technology has applications for a variety of molecular diagnostic applications, in particular those for which test time, cost, portability, or complexity are major issues. The PI/team envision developing optofluidic diagnostic instruments for the molecular diagnostic market, in particular for nucleic acid testing. Among those, the PI/team are considering infectious rapid point-of-care diagnostics (e.g. infectious disease detection) and companion diagnostics (e.g. cancer biomarker monitoring).

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
With financial support provided by the Division of Materials Research (DMR) at the National Science Foundation and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, this collaborative effort between the Applied Optics group of Holger Schmidt (UC Santa Cruz, USA) and the Magnetic Nanostructures group of Manfred Albrecht (Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany) will investigate techniques, materials, and applications of all-optical magnetization switching in ferro- and and ferrimagnetic nanomagnets. Specific project goals include (i) demonstration of all-optical magnetization switching in single-domain nanomagnets using ferrimagnetic materials; (ii) fabrication of exchange-coupled heterostructures using magnetic materials with adjustable magnetic anisotropy, Curie temperature, and crystallography; (iii) demonstration of ultrafast switching of single nanomagnets in various combinations of ferro- and ferromagnetic materials; and (iv) investigation of the all-optical switching process as a function of the three-dimensional nanomagnet, and the magnetic environment in a dense array. This research is enabled through the combination of the materials expertise of the Albrecht group and the single nanomagnet detection capabilities developed in the Schmidt group.

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Nanomagnets have been under consideration for next generation data storage media and other spintronics applications for some time. Recently, the discovery of ultrafast all-optical switching of magnetic orientation in ferrimagnetic materials has received a lot of interest due to the potential to create data storage media with unprecedented response times. The potential combination of such an optical switching layer with an exchange-coupled ferromagnetic storage layer is highly intriguing and raises a number of exciting material questions. This project will systematically explore novel combinations of such materials in the context of nanoscale storage media. In addition, the project will provide students at different levels with a broader and more complete education than what would be possible in a uni-national setting by creating a unique and rewarding educational experience. Mutual visits between the participating groups for a substantial amount of time (2-4 weeks per year) will allow for meaningful training in the technique used by their collaborators to broaden student knowledge, communication skills, and professional competitiveness. Aside from one graduate student and one postdoc, undergraduate students from underrepresented groups will be recruited through the UC LEADS or UC CAMP program, and will be given the opportunity to complete their senior theses in collaboration with researchers from abroad.

1402848 / 1402880
Schmidt / Hawkins

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Detection and analysis of single biological nano particles are critical tools for understanding biological processes on the molecular level. Single particle analysis is employed across a wide range of disciplines such as molecular biology, analytical chemistry, biomedicine, biophysics, physiology, genomics, and proteomics. Despite their success to date, single molecule studies suffer from certain limitations: they typically use a single detection mechanism; they detect particles transiently in flow or tethered to a surface which can interfere with the molecular properties; and, they rely on complex apparatuses or techniques that require a lot of expertise. This project will address these challenges by developing a new device for sensing and analyzing of individual molecules. It will enable holding a single particle in place for prolonged observation without compromising biological function and then investigate the particle for an extended period of time. The integration of these capabilities on a single chip will simplify experimental procedures and enable researchers to analyze many single molecules in rapid succession.

In addition to graduate student training in nanoelectronics, micro/nanofabrication, and single molecule analysis, undergraduate students from underrepresented groups will be involved through the IMMERSE program at BYU, and the UC LEADS and CAMP programs at UCSC. Additional outreach to K-12 schools will be implemented at BYU with a program called "Chip Camp" which is conducted through the MICRON Foundation with the assistance of IMMERSE students. In Santa Cruz, a new and unique partnership between UCSC, a local K-8 school, and a children?s museum will be developed to strengthen the connections between the University and the community, and to provide exposure to nanobiology and nanobiosensing at an age-appropriate level.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
This collaborative effort between the Applied Optics group of Holger Schmidt (UC Santa Cruz), the molecular biology group of Harry Noller (UC Santa Cruz), and the Microfabrication group of Aaron Hawkins (Brigham Young University) will explore a new approach to sensing and analyzing single biological nanoparticles by combining nanopore-based electrical detection and fluorescence analysis in a single-particle trap. Detection and analysis of single biological nanoparticles is a critical tool for understanding biological processes on the molecular level and employed across a wide range of disciplines such as molecular biology, analytical chemistry, biomedicine, biophysics, physiology, genomics, and proteomics. The transformative impact of this project will be to create the first integrated device that can trap and analyze single biomolecules using both electrical and optical readouts. This will enable researchers to investigate hundreds to thousands of individual molecules such as viruses or ribosomes in rapid succession, creating robust statistical data sets.

This award is being made jointly by two Programs- (1) Nano-Biosensing, in the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (Engineering Directorate), and (2) Instrument Development for Biological Research, in the Division of Biological Infrastructure (Biological Sciences Directorate).

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Magnetism is at the heart of numerous every-day applications. Recently, arrays of densely packed nanomagnets have emerged as the prototype vision for spintronic devices with applications in data storage, memory, and sensing. It has recently been shown that the geometric design of these arrays can impact the dynamic magnetic response because the magnetism interacts with the physical vibrations of the nanoelements. This effect is due to magnetoelastic coupling to optically generated, propagating surface-acoustic waves. Such thermally induced magnetoelastic coupling can be particularly important for emerging techniques such as heat-assisted magnetic recording and all-optical magnetization switching. The goal of this project is to fully understand these phenomena, maximize them, and to explore their utilization for energy-efficient all-optical switching. This research has direct impact on our fundamental understanding of nanomagnet materials and properties, specifically the coupling between magnetic and elastic degrees of freedom. The project also has multiple educational components, including graduate student training in the fields of nanomagnetism and ultrafast optics, involvement of undergraduate students from underrepresented groups through the UC LEADS and CAMP (California Alliance for Minority Participation) programs, and outreach activities to high school students and local K-6 schools.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Magnetoelastic coupling to propagating surface-acoustic waves can strongly affect the magnetization dynamics of a nanomagnet array, even for relatively weakly magnetoelastic materials. Periodic arrays are the prototype layout for emerging spintronic devices, but they also act as phononic crystals whose resonances affect the magnetization. Such effects need to be carefully considered, especially for emerging optically assisted techniques that excite phononic modes due to the large thermal energies involved. This project comprises a comprehensive investigation of magnetoelastic control of nanomagnet dynamics in dense arrays with the goal of obtaining a complete understanding of the extent to which the geometry of the nanostructured array can determine its magnetic properties. The transformative impact of this project will be to answer this question and to demonstrate several scientific firsts. The project is designed around three thrusts: The first thrust addresses parameter optimization of magnetic materials. Nanomagnet material, shape and array geometry are systematically varied in order to demonstrate that the frequency of the magnetization precession can be completely determined by the array geometry, independent of applied field. The focus is on incorporation of materials with large magnetoelastic coefficients. The second thrust focuses on exploring and optimizing nonlocal excitation of magnetization dynamics via optically generated surface acoustic waves. The goal is to demonstrate selective excitation and detection of a single nanomagnet with a surface-acoustic wave (SAW). This represents the first observation of single nanomagnet dynamics in an array under non-thermal, well-defined excitation with a magnetoelastically generated external field. The focus of the final thrust is to explore a path towards devices by demonstrating that SAW-delivered mechanical energy can assist in magnetization switching. The goal is to show a reduction in the optical fluence required for all-optical switching of FeTb nanomagnets. Being able to non-thermally affect the requirements for optical switching could have significant impact on the potential use of all-optical switching for data storage and other applications.

According to Moore's Law, miniaturization of electronic components is nearing its end. Different approaches are being explored to continued improvement of computing performance. Technology is currently at the beginning of a paradigm shift from charge-based devices to spintronics where the electron spin is used to transport and store information. Eventually, all major elements of a computer chip (logic, memory, data storage) may be based on magnetism, addressing some of the most pressing current challenges such as power consumption and interconnect delays. Specifically, spin transfer torque random access memory is being vigorously pursued to replace conventional semiconductor technology in the near future. However, a reduction of the current required to switch the state of a memory element is urgently needed in order to realize the full commercial potential. The proposed research will address these challenges by studying and optimizing the material properties of these nanopatterned elements that are critical for operation as a memory element. The close collaboration between Samsung and UC-Santa Cruz provides an excellent opportunity for students at all levels to be trained in an industrial environment. The project also ensures rapid translation of the research results into prototypes and, ultimately, commercialization of memory products using nanomagnetic arrays. Other outreach activities include internships for undergraduates, and guest lectures from Samsung researchers at UC Santa Cruz.

This collaborative project between UC Santa Cruz and Samsung Semiconductor aims at studying and optimizing the critical material parameters that determine the performance of next-generation magnetic memory devices. The expertise in device design and fabrication at Samsung and ultrafast magneto-optical characterization at UC Santa Cruz will be combined in order to understand, control, and minimize damping in nanomagnetic elements that will make up high-density commercial products. By the end of the project, a complete understanding of how material choice, process conditions, and sample geometry affect damping will have been gained. Both single nanomagnets and nanomagnet arrays will be studied with the goal of being able to control Gilbert damping in a single nanomagnet under applied bias and to understand the influence of various mechanical and magnetic inter-element interactions in an array on the behavior of a single element.

This proposal will devise an optofluidic versatile system that will allow pre-analysis manipulation of the sample for removing components that might interfere with the analysis. Using nucleic acids of the target analyte along and with antibodies to detect the presence of a variety of infection-causing viruses in the presence other viruses. The device will be engineered on chips with little a-priori information on the content of the target sample. This is the sample-to-answer system where the developed chip would be available for a variety of yet underdetermined diagnostic tasks. This goal is a quantum leap from the current target-dedicated diagnostics on a chip to the all-purpose diagnostic chip with as broad an application as possible without sacrificing capabilities of sensitivity, selectivity, ease of use and cost.

The specific objectives are to develop a multi-wavelength waveguide that will provide a multi-source for excitation of biomarkers. A second objective is to develop a sample preparation section on the chip. The final effort in this work will demonstrate the high sensitivity and selectivity of the approach by detecting the Zika virus using both, nucleic acid and biomarkers for the virus in the presence other viruses. The present proposal evolves from a long standing collaboration between the present PI, a physicist in Electrical Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, and a the Hawkins group at BYU. The previous achievements of the collaboration are detailed in the proposal and has enjoyed broad recognition within the community and beyond.

The Planning Grants for Engineering Research Centers competition was run as a pilot solicitation within the ERC program. Planning grants are not required as part of the full ERC competition, but intended to build capacity among teams to plan for convergent, center-scale engineering research.

Genomics is transforming health, nature, and society in the 21st century, as new technologies make genomic data available, accessible, and useful to an increasingly wide range of stakeholders. To reap the transformative benefits of genomics, however, better integration between what genomic technologies are feasible and what genomic technologies are useful is necessary. Convergent genomics adapts to the changing relationship between the development of ideas and technology and the individuals, groups and institutions that are affected by these innovations. The convergent model integrates recognized leaders from engineering, natural, and social sciences with experience in technology development, genome analytics, and the integration of science and social impact analysis. This planning grant will capture interdisciplinary expertise in a manner that maximizes the power of convergent genomics--that is, a genomics in which engineers work alongside natural and social scientists, formulating the foci of work and the novel forms of engagement needed to realize them. Through a series of three workshops focused on identifying research themes, stakeholders, and organizing principles, the problems facing the growing genomics community and the specific tools and resources needed for convergent genomics will be developed.

Genomics, due to the speed of technological innovation, volume of data produced, and expertise required to generate and interpret these data, is at high risk of evolving through narrowly focused research communities that are heavily siloed and not motivated to serve the best interests of society. The UCSC Genomics Institute has the unique combination of expertise in device and instrument development, genome analytics, and social sciences to be a global leader in engineering technologies that are designed to maximize both technological power and social impact. Through a series of three planning meetings and with the help of a facilitator, we will develop a proposal for an Engineering Research Center (ERC) with activities that will revolve around four pillars of genomics innovation: Integrated device and instrument technology; data science; training the next genomic engineering work force; and establishing and protecting the innovation ecosystem of the genomics field. These pillars, which represent the intellectual merit of our proposed ERC, require a convergent and holistic approach that far exceeds the scope of small-scale projects and small teams of investigators, thus achieving the broader impacts that are the promise of convergent genomic innovation. For instance, technologies that glean molecular information must do so from diverse biological samples efficiently and accurately and communicate results to a broad constituency of stakeholders. Devices and instruments are valuable to the public only if resulting data and information are accessible, equitable and open, and shared in a manner that is cognizant of the complex challenges of privacy and justice. Similarly, questions of storage of, access to, and ownership of genomic data and technologies present formidable challenges that will result in policies that affect everyone across society. Activities such as implementation of a cross-departmental undergraduate mentoring program and establishment of a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site in concert with other academic partner institutions will integrate trainees into this convergent environment. Open workshops, symposia, and outreach activities, which will be developed throughout the planning period, will engage the public and other stakeholders.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Principal Investigator/Program Director: Schmidt, Holger Project Summary Spurred by the explosive growth in personalized medicine which requires highly sensitive genomic and proteomic analysis, single molecule detection is rapidly developing from a fundamental research technique into the foundation for advanced molecular diagnostic techniques. Whereas optical fluorescence detection used to be the approach of choice, electrical detection of single molecules as they are drawn through a nanopore has recently gained great attention, particularly in the context of next generation sequencing. The direct, label-free detection of a wide range of molecules using nanopores has much broader potential. However, a major obstacle for fully exploiting the exquisite sensitivity of nanopore detection is the mismatch between the minute electrostatic capture volume of a nanopore and the low concentrations encountered in real-world applications, e.g. in molecular diagnostics. The goal of this project is to overcome this limitation with a novel, innovative approach to high- throughput molecular diagnostics using single molecule nanopore analysis. The specific objectives of this application are to increase the capture rate (throughput) of a nanopore by orders of magnitude and to validate this approach with clinical samples for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Our central hypothesis is that this can be accomplished by delivering target molecules isolated on microbeads within the capture radius of the pore using a chip-based optical trap on a waveguide-based optofluidic chip. The objectives of this application will be accomplished by the following Specific Aims: (1) Nanopore capture rate enhancement using optical trapping of carrier beads. This Aim will validate the core of our new approach and demonstrate a 50,000x improvement for both nucleic acids and proteins; (2) On-chip integration of microfluidic sample processing with high throughput molecular detection at ultralow (attomolar) concentrations; and (3) Multiplex direct detection of ZIKV infection starting from complex sample matrices (serum, saliva, urine, semen). The innovative contributions of the proposed work are: (i) Optical trapping of carrier particles for molecular target delivery; (ii) Creating an integrated chip-based system for nanopore-based, label-free detection of diverse molecular biomarkers; and (iii) Clinical validation of nanopore- based analysis of multiple analyte types. The proposed work is significant because it will introduce the first integrated system that matches the sensitivity, simplicity, and versatility of single-molecule nanopore detection with the real-world constraints for molecular diagnostics. As such, this approach will be applicable to many molecular targets and applications. 1

Future telescope instruments capable of collecting and processing light from thousands of faint galaxies simultaneously are planned. Such instruments would enable transformative insights, including on the nature of dark energy and dark matter. The investigators represent a collaboration between astronomical instrument builders and engineering groups specializing in new lightwave circuits that manipulate light on a chip. This technology is exciting because such “photonic” chips are small and light-weight and can be mass-produced to provide more powerful astronomical instruments at a fraction of their current cost. The investigators propose to build and test a novel chip whose performance can be tuned. This makes it ideally suited to studying thousands of small galaxies, with the eventual aim of revealing their dark matter content for the first time using an array of such chips mounted on a telescope. The investigators will weave the themes of this work into several STEM engagement efforts targeting underserved communities and age levels from elementary school to undergraduates.<br/><br/>The next-generation of spectroscopic facilities will need to be capable of observing 1 billion spectra efficiently. This is many factors greater than what is possible today. The only viable path is an order-of-magnitude reduction in the cost-per-spectrum afforded by utilizing integrated photonic technologies. This project makes important strides towards high-multiplex, on-chip spectrometers by focusing on the wide-field regime where low-order adaptive optics corrections are possible. The investigators will develop a new spectrally-tunable chip-based spectrometer that is easily mass-produced and delivers 2D spectral images well suited to scalable packaging. Taking advantage of advanced astronomical testing facilities at UCSC’s Lab for Adaptive Optics, this proposal will inform the conceptual design of a near-term photonic instrument with modest cost capable of conducting a powerful dwarf galaxy dark matter survey.<br/><br/>This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.