This book combines the proceedings of Symposium Q, Magnetoelectronics-Novel Magnetic Phenomena in Nanostructures, and Symposium R, Advanced Characterization of Artificially Structured Magnetic Materials, both from the 2002 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston. The common focus is on artificially engineered nanostructured magnetic systems. The two symposia address new phenomena in magnetoelectronic applications, their preparation, and advanced methodology for characterization. Interest in nanomagnetism has been catalyzed by advances in two fields of research. 1) Advances in materials synthesis of structures whose length scales transcend magnetic length scales and open the possibility for creating materials with new magnetic properties. Such structures include interfaces, superlattices, tunneling devices, nanostructures, and single-molecule magnets. 2) Advances in sample characterization techniques for nano-magnetism which allow detailed exploration of structure-property relationships in nanostructured magnetic systems. The volume highlights current trends in both fields and offers an outlook for further advances and new capabilities.

The papers in this volume are drawn from Symposium Q, "Magnetoelectronics-Novel Magnetic Phenomena in Nanostructures," and Symposium R, "Advanced Characterization of Artificially Structured Magnetic Materials," which were held December 1-5 at the 2002 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. The common focus of interest was on artificially engineered nanostructured magnetic systems. The two symposia discussed new phenomena in such systems that are interesting for magnetoelectronic applications, their preparation, and advanced methodology for characterization. Interest in nanomagnetism has been catalyzed by advances in two fields of research: (i) Advances in materials synthesis of structures whose length scales transcend magnetic length scales and open the possibility for creating materials with new magnetic properties. Such structures include interfaces, superlattices, tunneling devices, nanostructures, and single-molecule magnets. (ii) Advances in sample characterization techniques for nanomagnetism allow detailed exploration of structure-property relationships in nanostructured magnetic systems. The symposia reviewed current trends in both fields, and provided a forum for discussions about the outlook for further advances and new capabilities.

Progress in MOS integrated-circuit technology is largely driven by the ability to dimensionally scale the constituent components of individual devices and their associated interconnections. Given a set of materials with fixed properties, this scaling is finite and its predicted limits are rapidly approaching. The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors establishes the pace at which this scaling occurs and identifies many of the technological challenges ahead. This volume assembles representatives from the fields of materials science, physics, electrical and chemical engineering to provide an insightful review of current technology and understanding. Specifically, the intent is to discuss materials issues stemming from device scaling to sub-100nm technology nodes. Topics include: high-k characterization; atomic layer deposition; gate metal materials and integration; contacts and ultrashallow junction formation; theory and modeling and crystalline oxides for gate dielectrics.

The MRS Symposium Proceeding series is an internationally recognised reference suitable for researchers and practitioners. This 2003 volume focuses on experimentally validated multiscale modeling of ductile metals and alloys.

A primary driver of progress in nanoscience and technology is the continuing advances in the ability to measure structure, and particularly properties, at spatially localized scales. From the point of view of characterization, it is worth mentioning advances in the interpretation of processes in semiconductors, the ability to observe and manipulate metal, carbon and silicon nanowires and nanodots, and studies in molecular self-assembly. The papers in this book fall into two categories - those addressing classes of characterization techniques that emphasize how the combination of theoretical, experimental, and instrumentational developments lead to new capabilities in nanoscale characterization, and those focused on the use of various spatially localized approaches on a single phenomenon or materials issue. Topics include: characterization with electron optics; novel measurements of nanoscale properties; size-dependent behavior of nanoparticles; biological systems at the nanoscale; processing and properties of nanowires and heterostructures; and local phenomena in materials and microstructures.

The MRS Symposium Proceeding series is an internationally recognised reference suitable for researchers and practitioners.

As nanotechnology has developed over the last two decades, some nanostructures, such as nanotubes, nanowires, and nanoparticles, have become very popular. However, recent research has led to the discovery of other, less-common nanoforms, which often serve as building blocks for more complex structures. In an effort to organize the field, the Handbook of Less-Common Nanostructures presents an informal classification based mainly on the less-common nanostructures. A small nanotechnological encyclopedia, this book: Describes a range of little-known nanostructures Offers a unifying vision of the synthesis of nanostructures and the generalization of rare nanoforms Includes downloadable resources with color versions of more than 100 nanostructures Explores the fabrication of rare nanostructures, including modern physical, chemical, and biological synthesis techniques The Handbook of Less-Common Nanostructures discusses a classification system not directly related to the dimensionality and chemical composition of nanostructure-forming compounds or composite. Instead, it is based mainly on the less-common nanostructures. Possessing unusual shapes and high surface areas, these structures are potentially very useful for catalytic, medical, electronic, and many other applications.