Introduction to INPAC

The main task of the Institute for Nanoscale Physics and Chemistry (INPAC) is to investigate systematically the effect of nanostructuring and nanoscale confinement of charge, spin and photon on the electrical, magnetic optical and chemical properties of inorganic, organic and bio-materials in order to reveal the fundamental relation between quantized confined states and physical and chemical properties of these materials. This relation will form the basis of the new concept of "quantum design" through nanostructuring. The basic idea behind INPAC is to optimize the confinement pattern and the composition, which eventually would lead to the controlled quantum effects providing the desired physical and chemical properties of nanostructured materials and their superior functionality.

The very challenging main objectives of INPAC can only be achieved by combining and coordinating the research efforts of the best groups at the KULeuven working in nanoscale physics and chemistry. The participating groups are coming from 5 Concerted Action Programmes (GOA's) at the KULeuven. Bringing together their expertise, unique modern infrastructure and motivated researchers will create the added value and enhance excellence of the KULeuven teams by forming the new Institute for Nanoscale Physics and Chemistry (INPAC) and developing fundamental principles of a new concept - quantum design. For this concept, interdisciplinary by its nature, the collaboration of physicists and chemists is a crucial factor. The consortium is formed by leading groups in Nanoscale Physics and Chemistry at the KULeuven, which also have a well documented record of excellence in this field at the highest international level. As a result, the consortium has a unique combination of expertise, know-how, qualified manpower, modern research equipment and infrastructure at two Departments of the KULeuven highly suitable for a successful implementation of the challenging scientific objectives of the proposal.

Modern nanoscale physics and chemistry form the core of science of nanostructured materials (inorganic, organic and bio). The interest towards these materials is arising from both fundamental and applied points of view. From fundamental point of view, the use of quantum mechanics to design and control the new electrical, magnetic and optical properties is a very challenging scientific problem. The quantum character of the underlying physical phenomena in nanostructured materials is the backbone of all nanosciences. Charges, spins, photons and fluxons all obey the quantum mechanical equations describing their confinement in various nanoobjects and their assemblies. The confinement pattern and conditions can be modified through nanostructuring. This modification induces the change in the physical and chemical properties, which can be envisaged by solving quantum equations with the boundary conditions applied at the physical boundaries of the nanoobjects. In order to achieve in the end necessary properties needed for different applications, how then to introduce and to modulate artificially on a nanometer length scale the confinement? Successful solution of this fundamental problem paves the way to the development of the desired nanostructured materials. Remarkably, very fundamental quantum mechanical principles are then directly used for the design and the optimization of the technologically important new properties (concept of "quantum design").

From applied point of view, a very rapid recent development of microelectronics and information technology has moved the characteristic length scale in devices into nanoscale. Such ultra-small devices can be controlled by tuning quantum effects, thus making possible, among others, the practical realization of the elements needed for quantum computers. Another instructive example here is quantum well and quantum dot lasers providing an extremely rapid growth in performance of the optoelectronic devices based on nanostructured materials. These devices are now widely used in telecommunications. Nanostructured assemblies of biomolecules will on one hand offer new possibilities to detect smaller amounts (up to single molecules) of physiological relevant substances using optical or electrical read out and on the other hand facilitate the simultaneous detection of a large number of different substances in a micron size detector. For implementation of a new generation of these nanoengineered devices, understanding and control of quantum mechanical states in nanostructures become of a primary importance. The combination of nanoscale physics and chemistry and structural biology is a key issue here since it provides a crucial complementarity needed for understanding of quantum effects of matter confined at nanoscale.

This new concept ("quantum design") is based on a strong link between fundamental nanophysics and nanochemistry. It is aimed at achieving the new properties and functionalities through understanding and controlling the confinement of charges, spins and photons in nanomaterials. New exciting perspectives of potential applications of these materials explain why actually nanosciences are now in the focus of the agenda of governmental R&D agencies planning the scientific and technological research. In many countries (USA, Japan, The Netherlands, Germany, etc) there are national programs and initiatives on nanosciences and nanotechnology already under the way. In these countries, and in Flanders as well, investing in science of nanostructured materials is investing in the future of modern technology. To keep momentum in the same direction at the KULeuven, the proposed research activities will focus on the investigation of fundamental aspect of quantization and confinement phenomena in nanostructured materials. This research will stimulate further development in micro- and nanoelectronics, which will be of great importance for such centres in Flanders as IMEC.