Nanoelectronics

The central research objective of the laboratory is to establish and study novel device structures, where the characteristic size of the active region is close to atomic dimensions. This includes single-atom and single-molecule circuits formed using the mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) technique and which are studied by conductance histograms, superconducting subgap spectroscopy, point-contact spectroscopy and advanced statistical methods. Using heterojunction geometries we focus on the study of atomic scale resistive switching memories and the investigation of local, nanoscale spin polarization by Andreev spectroscopy. As a third platform we study nanocircuits predefined by electron beam lithography, and thinned further to atomic dimensions by electromigration or electroburning techniques.

Research group website: http://nanoelectronics.physics.bme.hu/

Quantum electronics

The Quantum Electronics Group explores and engineers nanocircuits operating in the Quantum regime. We use novel materials with low dimensionality for these devices: 1D semiconducting nanowires and 2D van der Waals heterostructures assembled for individual layers of 2D materials. Based on these material systems we engineer hybrid nanoelectronic devices using superconducting, ferromagnetic or simple normal electrodes. The nanodevices exhibit novel, correlated or topological effects, like Cooper pair splitting, Kondo effect, Andreev bound states, special quantum Hall effects, Majorana bound states or special spin-orbit states.
 

Research group website: http://nanoelectronics.physics.bme.hu/

Contact: Peter Makk, Szabolcs Csonka

Magnetic materials

We investigate complex magnetic systems including itinerant and insulating magnets, multiferroic compounds. We aim to reveal the microscopic mechanisms, which are responsible for the peculiar physical properties of these materials, by various experimental techniques such as IR and THz spectroscopy, MOKE spectroscopy, neutron scattering. Our studies can promote the systematic synthesis of new functional materials for information technology and photonics.

Research group website: http://dept.physics.bme.hu/complexmagnetism

Contact: Sándor Bordács

Chemical Dynamic systems

Our group focuses on design and controlling of chemical systems with emerging complex behavior using self-assembly and self-organization processes. Self-assembly is a process in which structures emerge in a closed system without external direction (human interventions) due to minimization of the free energy. However, self-organization is a process occurring far from the thermodynamic equilibrium, and the higher order structures emerge in open systems with an external energy (fuel) source. We combine these phenomena to design new chemical systems with unique chemical and physical properties.

Research group website:  http://dept.physics.bme.hu/Self-organization

Applied Optics

Quality inspection of vehicle side mirrors using automated optical methods that can be implemented in industrial environments. Displacements or dimensions in the order of the wavelength of light can be measured using laser light and interferometric principles. Real-time recognition of pedestrians and other objects is a great challenge for image processing algorithms. Cryptographic keys can be distributed safely using quantum optical principles in optical fibers transmitting low intensity light. Holography can spectacularly supplement the presentation of museum pieces.

Contact: János Kornis