NIST Technicalendar February 1 to February 5, 2010 The NIST Technicalendar is issued each Friday. All items MUST be submitted electronically from this web page by 12:00 NOON each Wednesday unless otherwise stated in the NIST Technicalendar. The address for online weekly editions of the NIST Technicalendar and NIST Administrative Calendar is: http://www.nist.gov/tcal.

In this Issue: Meetings at NIST Meetings Elsewhere Announcements Talks by NIST Personnel NIST Web Site Announcements NIST Administrative Calendar (current)   NIST Vacancy Announcements (current)

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No Scheduled Events

No Scheduled Events

1:00 PM - Approximating Topological Invariants on a Quantum Computer

10:45 AM - Spin Transfer Torque in Magnetic Semiconductors

10:30 AM - The Bomb: A New History

2/1 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

2/2 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

2/3 -- WEDNESDAY

1:00 PM - MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES DIVISION SEMINAR: Approximating Topological Invariants on a Quantum Computer
Stephen Jordan , California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA.
Administration Bldg, Lecture Rm. A. (NIST Contact: Ronald Boisvert, 301-975-3812, boisvert@nist.gov) http://math.nist.gov/mcsd/Seminars/2010/2010-02-03-Jordan.html


2/4 -- THURSDAY

10:45 AM - NIST CENTER FOR NEUTRON RESEARCH SEMINAR: Spin Transfer Torque in Magnetic Semiconductors
Spin transfer torque is an effect whereby the application of a charge current can change the magnetization direction of a ferromagnet. It is most often studied in metallic ferromagnets in a multilayer geometry. These systems are well understood, and hold the promise for high density magnetic random access memory (MRAM). The speaker is interested in how the spin transfer torque effect is manifest in a slightly different class of materials, namely magnetic semiconductors. Magnetic semiconductors have properties that qualitatively distinguish them from metallic ferromagnets, and which make the conventional theory of spin transfer torque inapplicable. Magnetic semiconductors also offer greater functionality than their metallic counterparts, although they are currently only found at low temperatures. In this talk he will review spin transfer torque in metallic systems, and discuss the results of our theoretical studies of spin transfer torque in magnetic semiconductors. They have found that the origin and basic properties of spin transfer in magnetic semiconductors are qualitatively different from conventional (i.e. metallic) materials.
Paul Haney , NIST/CNST. ,.
235 Bldg, Rm. E100. (NIST Contact: Jeff Lynn, 301-975-6246, jeffrey.lynn@nist.gov)


2/5 -- FRIDAY

10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: The Bomb: A New History
From his years at Los Alamos and the Nevada Test Site to his meetings with nuclear arms experts in Moscow, former weapons designer Stephen M. Younger has witnessed firsthand the making of nuclear policy. In this presentation he will guide us from the Manhattan Project to the Cold War and into the present day. He will describe some of the myths and realities about nuclear weapons and how they fit into our globalized, war-plagued world. Does the United States genuinely need a massive stockpile in an era of precision bombs and missile defense? Under what circumstances might we need nuclear weapons in the future? How does the proliferation of weapons in the hands of other nations affect our own nuclear policy? Stephen Younger's book on the subject, "The Bomb: A New History," will be available for review and purchase after the lecture.
Stephen Younger , President, National Security Technologies.
Administration Building, Green Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available


ADVANCE NOTICE

2/9/10 10:30 AM - CNST ENERGY RESEARCH GROUP SEMINAR: Nanometer-size islands on semiconductor surfaces: shape, ordering, and quantum size effects
In this talk I will survey our ongoing work on self-organization of epitaxial nanoislands on semiconductors surfaces, studied primarily by scanning tunnelling microscopy in ultra-high vacuum. More specifically, the following topics will be discussed. Shape evolution of Ge "hut" clusters on Si(001) from nucleation to elongation, namely peculiar shapes of the sub-critical nuclei, and selection of the elongation direction. Self-organization of cobalt- and titanium-silicide islands in terms of lateral self-ordering along step-bunches on vicinal Si(111) surfaces, and step-bunches as island size-selectors. Quantum size-effect of "electronic growth" in the silicide islands causes the electron energy in the islands to prevail over surface and strain energies and dominate the process of determination of the island shape and height. Finally, metallic nano-contacts on cleaved CdZnTe(110) surface, made of epitaxial indium-telluride and producing Schottky-type contacts, will be discussed.
Ilan Goldfarb , Surface Science Expert/Tel Aviv.
Bldg. 217, Rm. H107. (NIST Contact: Alec Talin, 301-975-4724, albert.talin@nist.gov)

2/11/10 10:30 AM - SIGMA XI LECTURE SERIES: SCIENCE, SCIENCE POLICY, AND THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE
This talk will provide an overview of how science, and science and technology policy are developed and implemented through the Executive Office of the President (EoP), and how science and technology play important roles in many aspects of the Executive Office of the President. The talk will describe the knowledge, experience, and insight I have gained through my part-time detail to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). I will discuss both the policy making arms of OSTP and other offices within the EoP. I will outline how science informs policy and how other policy drivers such as economics, human capital, and national security play an important role in the final policy decisions. While a number of examples will mentioned and briefly described, most of the talk will focus on the history and origin of the Subcommittee for Quantum Information Science (SQIS) under the Committee on Technology of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), and on parts of the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI), which is coordinated through the Information and Communications Infrastructure Interagency Policy Council (ICI-IPC) of the National Security Council. The CNCI is a government-wide effort aimed at helping to secure the Nation's digital infrastructure from hacking, cybercrime, and state-sponsored intrusions that threaten both the US Government and critical national infrastructure. Finally, I will comment on the experience of being part of the EoP during the transition from the Bush Administration to the Obama Administration.
Carl Williams , Chief, Atomic Physics Division, NIST.
Admin Building 101, Rm. Portrait Gallery. (NIST Contact: Catherine Lo, 301-975-8643, catherine.lo@nist.gov) http://www.nist.gov/sigmaxi/

2/12/10 10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES (JOINT WITH NIST CHAPTER OF SIGMA XI): The Fabulous Life of Albert A. Michelson
Raised in a California mining camp, A. A. Michelson was a prodigy in experimental physics. Self-educated in research and working in the age of iron and steam, he founded the field of precision measurements by measuring the meter in terms of the wavelength of an atom, thus creating the first natural physical standard. Michelson invented Fourier transform spectroscopy, discovered hyperfine structure and the fine structure of hydrogen, provided the first experimental confirmation of Maxell's kinetic theory, made the first measurement of the diameter of a star, and became the United States' first Nobel Laureate. He launched his career by measuring the speed of light at Annapolis and he was working on an improved measurement on the day of his death. Although Michelson is remembered primarily for the Michelson-Morley experiment, he regarded that experiment as a profound failure and never reconciled himself to his inability to detect the effect of the ether.
Daniel Kleppner , Co-Director (emeritus), MIT-Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms, MIT.
Administration Building, Green Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

2/12/10 10:30 AM - CNST ENERGY RESEARCH GROUP SEMINAR: Precisely Tailored Nanostructures: Materials Chemistry and Applications
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology offers opportunity for manipulating and fabricating artificial nanostructures that might not even exist in nature with desired property and functionality. In this talk, I will present a few recent highlights from my research group. I will start from materials standpoint and show how to achieve meticulous control of nanostructures including defects, crystallinity and compositions based on bottom-up chemical synthetic strategy. Enabled by these advances, fundamental physics properties such as photonic, electronic, mechanic and spintronic interactions can be finely tailored at the nanoscale. Uniquely combined with our nanomaterials advancement, different ultrafast optical spectroscopy techniques have been applied to probe fine coupling interactions within these as-synthesized nanostructures. I will further focus on two topics: (1) electron-phonon and phonon-phonon interactions within nanostructures. Role of defects on modifying such fundamental interactions will be discussed, and I will also present how these coupling interactions can be precisely tuned by controlling dielectric confinement of nanostructures. Implications for performance of sensors based on nanoparticles will also be discussed. (2) light-matter-spin interaction at the nanoscale. Semiconductor nanostructures represent promising building blocks for scalable solid-state quantum devices based on electron spin. I will show how quantum confinement can tailor spin properties of nanostructures. Importantly, light-matter interaction can be engineered by artificial nanostructures and thus can be applied to manipulate spin coherence dynamics through ultrafast optical Stark effect at the nanoscale. BIOGRAPHY Min Ouyang received his B.S. (1996) and M.S. (1997) in Electronics from Peking University, Ph.D in Chemistry from Harvard University in 2001, followed by postdoctoral research in Physics in the University of California at Santa Barbara. Min Ouyang joined the physics department of the University of Maryland as an assistant professor in 2004. Min Ouyang has broad interest in exploring new materials chemistry, physics, and device and technology applications based on the spin and charge degrees of freedom of electrons and nuclei within ordered nano-engineered architectures. Min Ouyang has received Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (2006), NSF CAREER award (2006), Ralph E. Powe award (2006), ONR Young Investigator award (2007), and Beckman Young Investigator award (2007).
Min Ouyang , Project Leader Candidate.
Bldg.217, Rm.H107. (NIST Contact: Nikolai Zhitenev, 301-975-6039, nikolai.zhitenev@nist.gov)

2/16/10 10:30 AM - CNST ELECTRON PHYSICS GROUP SEMINAR: NANOMAGNETISM RESEARCH: BENEFIT FROM REDUCED DIMENSIONALITY AND INTERFACES
Along the effort of intergrating the spin freedom in electronic devices, magnetic structures at nanometer scale are intensely studied because of its importance in both fundamental research and technological applications. Out of the broad topics of nanomagnetism research, I here select several subjects to represent my Ph.D research. Single-crystalline magnetic ultrathin films are synthesized by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), and measured by state-of-art techniques such as Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE), Photoemission Electron Microscopy (PEEM), X-ray Circular and Linear Dichriosm (XMCD and XMLD) Spectroscopy. First, I will present my work on the magnetic long range order in two-dimensional magnetic systems, particularly on the observation of stripe and bubble magnetic phases and the universal laws governing the stripe-to-bubble phase transition. Second, I will present my result on a new type of magnetic anisotropy resulting from the spin frustration at ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic interfaces. Third, I will revisit the topic of exchange bias and show that the exchange bias actually takes place even before the antiferromagentic spins are frozen. Finally I will discuss our recent observation on vortex state of antiferromagnetic thin disks.
Jie Wu , Ph.D. Candidate/University of California at Berkeley.
Bldg.217, Rm.H107. (NIST Contact: John Unguris, 301-975-3712, john.unguris@nist.gov)

2/18/10 10:30 AM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Magnetic Noise at the Si/SiO2 Interface
There is currently widespread interest in the development of spin-based devices such as quantum computers and spin transistors. A fundamental limitation on the performance of these devices is set by the characteristic spin lifetimes T_1 and T_2, which are sensitive to magnetic noise, as opposed to conventional charge noise. What determines magnetic noise? I will argue that the origin of magnetic noise lies in the interface. The problem is that most interfaces are saturated with paramagnetic dangling-bond type defects, whose spin fluctuation is a major source of magnetic noise. I will describe a mechanism of magnetic noise with 1/f frequency dependence, and compare theoretical results with spin-resonance experiments in silicon. Remarkably, the same mechanism seems to explain magnetic flux noise in Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs), and may be the major cause of decoherence in superconducting qubits. [refreshments at 10:15 a.m.]
Rogerio de Sousa , Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, B.C., Canada.
Physics Building, Rm. B145. (NIST Contact: Neil Zimmerman, 301-975-5887, neil.zimmerman@nist.gov)

2/19/10 10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: Conservation of Cultural Heritage: Plenty of Room for Nanoscience
Conservation science is still in its infancy, with most of it related to diagnostics. Only a few methods are available for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. Can the tools of nanoscience be applied for conservation purposes? We have shown how micelles and microemulsions, nanoparticles, gels, and responsive gels can be used in a large number of applications. These nanosystems are characterized by scale lengths below 100 nm in one or more dimensions. Examples of our projects will be described, including the restored masterpieces of Beato Angelico, Taddeo Gaddi, Piero della Francesca, and Santi di Tito, Maya wall paintings (Mexico), the de-acidification of paper and wood from the Vasa warship (Stockholm), and the conservation from corrosion of organ pipes.
Piero Baglioni , Director, Nat'l Consortium for Nanosystems, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Florence.
Administration Building, Green Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

2/25/10 10:30 AM - CNST ENERGY RESEARCH GROUP SEMINAR: Advanced Use of Vibrational Spectroscopy in Nanotechnology: Application in Hydrogen Storage and Cancer Detection
The lack of a suitable and cost effective means of storing hydrogen is one of the main unsolved tasks that prevent its use as a fuel on a global scale. Initially, reports of large values of reversible hydrogen absorption on carbon materials attracted great attention, but the non reproducibility of many results stimulated a discussion on possible adsorption mechanisms. To solve this controversy I designed and built a Raman cell that works at low temperature and both in high vacuum or high pressure. The in situ Raman spectra are useful for the understanding the intermolecular interactions responsible for gas sorption in solids and turned out to be fundamentally important for the development of new materials (Metal-Organic Frameworks) with improved hydrogen storage properties. Despite the improvements in cancer early detection and treatment, cancer is still among the leading causes of death in the USA. Moreover, the collateral effects of traditional cancer therapies are very relevant because just a small fraction of the administered drugs is actually delivered into the tumours. In this talk I will show for the first time that the near-infrared plasmon resonance of gold nanorods (NRs) may be exploited to provide an integrated platform for in vivo multiplexed SERS detection and cancer photothermal heating. Particular emphasis will be given on in vivo SERS imaging and it will be shown how this technology can be integrated with photothermal cancer therapy and in situ drug delivery. The common theme will between the two topics is the use of vibrational spectroscopy. During the talk I will underline measures and materials challenges that still have to be addressed for enabling the above applications.
Andrea Centrone , Project Leader Candidate / Dept. of Chemical Engineering.
Bldg.217, Rm.H107. (NIST Contact: Nikolai Zhitenev, 301-975-6039, nikolai.zhitenev@aol.com)

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MEETINGS ELSEWHERE


2/1 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

2/2 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

2/3 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

2/4 -- THURSDAY

No Scheduled Events

2/5 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

No Scheduled Events

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TALKS BY NIST PERSONNEL

CASSIDY, A. : CHAOS, THERMALIZATION AND (NEAR-) INTEGRABILITY.
Bucknell University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Lewisburg, PA, 2/1.

RICHTER, C. (Co-Authors: N.Gergel-Hackett D.Gundlach ) JS Suehle : FLEXIBLE MEMRISTORS.
Memristor and Memristive Systems Symposium, Berkeley, California, 2/2.

HIGHT WALKER, A. : ISO TC 229 ISO TC 229 JOINT TASK GROUP: UNDERSTANDING MEASURANDS FOR NANO EHS COMPARABILITY.
Tri-National Workshop, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 2/2.

MATHEY, L. : SUPERCRITICAL SUPERFLUID AND VORTEX UNBINDING FOLLOWING A QUANTUM QUENCH.
LPT, Toulouse, France, 2/2.

DELONGCHAMP, D. : MICROSTRUCTURE MEASUREMENTS FOR ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAICS.
Columbia University, New York City, NY, 2/5.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS NIST GALLERY OF DISTINGUISHED SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND ADMINISTRATORS
The NIST Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Scientists, Engineers and Administrators honors NBS/NIST alumni for outstanding career contributions to the work of NBS/NIST. Portraits and biographies of those selected are displayed in the corridor of the NIST cafeteria at Gaithersburg. Portraits of at most ten additional persons will be added to the Portrait Gallery in 2009. Any current or former NIST staff member may make a nomination. Nominations are welcome for alumni who were administrators of either programmatic or support units. SAA also encourages nominations of distinguished female and minority alumni, as well as of outstanding NBS staff members who retired before 1963. For the latter, it is understood that some requested data may no longer be available. For persons who were nominated last year, but not selected, a new nomination may be submitted. If a nominee is not selected after two successive years of nomination, the nominee will not be considered in the following year. Nomination instructions are available from the Standards Alumni Association (SAA), Room A-42 Admin, Mail Stop 0952, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0952; telephone 301-975-2486; by email: alumni@nist.gov; or from the SAA website: www.nist.gov/director/saa. Nominations shall be received by the Standards Alumni Association on or before February 12, 2010, by mail or by email to the above addresses. No exceptions will be made to this deadline.
NIST Contact: Hans Oser, 301-975-2486, hans.oser@nist.gov

17TH ANNUAL SIGMA XI POSTDOCTORAL POSTER PRESENTATION
The NIST Chapter of Sigma Xi invites all NIST Scientists to attend the 17th Annual Postdoctoral Poster Presentation at which NIST Postdocs and Guest Scientists will present posters on their scientific research to their NIST coworkers and friends. There will be two sessions – Session I from 9 am until noon and session II – from 1 pm until 4 pm. Both sessions will take place on February 24, 2010 in Lecture Rooms A and B and the adjoining hallway in the Administration Building and will be accompanied by refreshments. All the participating Post-docs and Guest Scientists will be invited to a special reception in the following week when the awards for the most outstanding posters will be announced. The Sigma Xi Web page containing the 2010 abstracts can be seen at http://www.nist.gov/sigmaxi Please come and support our NIST Postdocs and Guest Scientists.
NIST Contact: Catherine Lo, 301-975-8643, catherine.lo@nist.gov

VISITOR REGISTRATION FOR NIST EVENTS
Because of heightened security at the NIST Gaithersburg site, members of the public who wish to attend meetings, seminars, lectures, etc. must first register in advance. For more information please call or e-mail the "NIST Contact" for the particular event you would like to attend.
NIST Contact: . ., ., .

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NIST WEB SITE ANNOUNCEMENTS

No Web Site announcements this week.

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For more information, contact Ms. Sharon Hallman, Editor, Stop 2500, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD 20899-2500; Telephone: 301-975-TCAL (3570); Fax: 301-926-4431; or Email: tcal@nist.gov.

All lectures and meetings are open unless otherwise stated.

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