NanoJapan: International Research Experience for Undergraduates Program

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As the fields of science and engineering become increasing international there is a pressing need for the development of research and education programs to produce globally aware scientists and engineers. This PIRE renewal award supports the expansion of a unique interdisciplinary U.S.-Japan research and education partnership focused on terahertz (THz) dynamics in nanostructures. The U.S. and Japan are global leaders in both THz research and nanotechnology, and stimulating cooperation is critical to further advance THz science and develop commercial products from new ideas in the lab. The strong educational portfolio of this project focuses on cultivating interest in nanotechnology among young U.S. undergraduate students, especially those from underrepresented groups, and encouraging such students to pursue graduate study and academic research in the physical sciences. The NanoJapan International Research Experience for Undergraduates (IREU) Program is the lead educational initiative of this center. Recognized as a model for international education programs for science and engineering students, NanoJapan provides U.S. undergraduates with structured research opportunities in Japanese university laboratories with Japanese mentors. The TeraNano PIRE Center is supported by an NSF-PIRE Grant (OISE #0968405) and co-funded by the Office of International Science and Engineering, the Division of Electrical, Communications, and Cyber Systems, and the Division of Materials Research. Learn more about the program at http://nanojapan.rice.edu/index.shtml

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Now showing 1 - 15 of 15

Assessing the Spectrum of International Undergraduate Engineering Educational Experiences
(2013) Besterfield-Sacre, M.E.; Ragusa, G.; Matherly, C.A.; Phillips, S.R.; Shuman, L.J.; Howard, L.J.; NanoJapan
Collective antenna effects in the terahertz and infrared response of highly aligned carbon nanotube arrays
(The American Physical Society, 2013) Ren, L.; Zhang, Q.; Pint, C.L.; Wójcik, A.K.; Bunney, M. Jr; Arikawa, T.; Kawayama, I.; Tonouchi, M.; Hauge, R.H.; Belyanin, A.A.; Kono, J.
We study macroscopically aligned single-wall carbon nanotube arrays with uniform lengths via polarization-dependent terahertz and infrared transmission spectroscopy. Polarization anisotropy is extreme at frequencies less than ∼100 cm−1 with no sign of attenuation when the polarization is perpendicular to the alignment direction. The attenuation for both parallel and perpendicular polarizations increases with increasing frequency, exhibiting a pronounced and broad peak around 450 cm−1 in the parallel case. We model the electromagnetic response of the sample by taking into account both radiative scattering and absorption losses. We show that our sample acts as an effective antenna due to the high degree of alignment, exhibiting much larger radiative scattering than absorption in the mid/far-infrared range. Our calculated attenuation spectrum clearly shows a non-Drude peak at ∼450 cm−1 in agreement with the experiment.
Excitonic effects on coherent phonon dynamics in single-wall carbon nanotubes
(The American Physical Society, 2013) Nugraha, A.R.T.; Rosenthal, E.I.; Hasdeo, E.H.; Sanders, G.D.; Stanton, C.J.; Dresselhaus, M.S.; Saito, R.
We discuss how excitons can affect the generation of coherent radial breathing modes in the ultrafast spectroscopy of single-wall carbon nanotubes. Photoexcited excitons can be localized spatially and give rise to a spatially distributed driving force in real space which involves many phonon wave vectors of the exciton-phonon interaction. The equation of motion for the coherent phonons is modeled phenomenologically by the Klein-Gordon equation, which we solve for the oscillation amplitudes as a function of space and time. By averaging the calculated amplitudes per nanotube length, we obtain time-dependent coherent phonon amplitudes that resemble the homogeneous oscillations that are observed in some pump-probe experiments. We interpret this result to mean that the experiments are only able to see a spatial average of coherent phonon oscillations over the wavelength of light in carbon nanotubes and the microscopic details are averaged out. Our interpretation is justified by calculating the time-dependent absorption spectra resulting from the macroscopic atomic displacements induced by the coherent phonon oscillations. The calculated coherent phonon spectra including excitonic effects show the experimentally observed symmetric peaks at the nanotube transition energies, in contrast to the asymmetric peaks that would be obtained if excitonic effects were not included.
GR-FET application for high-frequency detection device
(Springer, 2013) Mahjoub, Akram M.; Nicol, Alec; Abe, Takuto; Ouchi, Takahiro; Iso, Yuhei; Kida, Michio; Aoki, Noboyuki; Miyamoto, Katsuhiko; Omatsu, Takashige; Bird, Jonathan P.; Ferry, David K.; Ishibashi, Koji; Ochiai, Yuichi
A small forbidden gap matched to low-energy photons (meV) and a quasi-Dirac electron system are both definitive characteristics of bilayer graphene (GR) that has gained it considerable interest in realizing a broadly tunable sensor for application in the microwave region around gigahertz (GHz) and terahertz (THz) regimes. In this work, a systematic study is presented which explores the GHz/THz detection limit of both bilayer and single-layer graphene field-effect transistor (GR-FET) devices. Several major improvements to the wiring setup, insulation architecture, graphite source, and bolometric heating of the GR-FET sensor were made in order to extend microwave photoresponse past previous reports of 40 GHz and to further improve THz detection.
Imaging molecular adsorption and desorption dynamics on graphene using terahertz emission spectroscopy
(Nature Publishing Group, 2014) Ajayan, P.M.; Kono, J.; Tonouchi, M.
Being an atomically thin material, graphene is known to be extremely susceptible to its environment, including defects and phonons in the substrate on which it is placed as well as gas molecules that surround it. Thus, any device design using graphene has to take into consideration all surrounding components, and device performance needs to be evaluated in terms of environmental influence. However, no methods have been established to date to readily measure the density and distribution of external perturbations in a quantitative and non-destructive manner. Here, we present a rapid and non-contact method for visualizing the distribution of molecular adsorbates on graphene semi-quantitatively using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and imaging. We found that the waveform of terahertz bursts emitted from graphene-coated InP sensitively changes with the type of atmospheric gas, laser irradiation time, and ultraviolet light illumination. The terahertz waveform change is explained through band structure modifications in the InP surface depletion layer due to the presence of localized electric dipoles induced by adsorbed oxygen. These results demonstrate that terahertz emission serves as a local probe for monitoring adsorption and desorption processes on graphene films and devices, suggesting a novel two-dimensional sensor for detecting local chemical reactions.
Impact on Student Learning: A Comparison of International and Domestic Undergraduate Research Experiences
(2014) Matherly, C.A.; Phillips, S.R.; Kono, J.; NanoJapan
Macroscopic Ensembles of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes in Bubble Imprints Studied by Polarized Raman Microscopy
(Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2014) Ushiba, Shota; Hoyt, Jordan; Masui, Kyoko; Kono, Junichiro; Kawata, Satoshi; Shoji, Satoru; NanoJapan Program
We study the alignment of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in bubble imprints through polarized Raman microscopy. A hemispherical bubble containing SWCNTs is pressed against a glass substrate, resulting in an imprint of the bubble membrane with a coffee ring on the substrate. We find that macroscopic ensembles of aligned SWCNTs are obtained in the imprints, in which there are three patterns of orientations: (i) azimuthal alignment on the coffee ring, (ii) radial alignment at the edge of the membrane, and (iii) random orientation at the center of the membrane. We also find that the alignment of SWCNTs in the imprints can be manipulated by spinning bubbles. The orientation of SWCNTs on the coffee ring is directed radially, which is orthogonal to the case of unspun bubbles. This approach enables one to align SWCNTs in large quantities and in a short time, potentially opening up a wide range of CNT-based electronic and optical applications.
NanoJapan International Research Experience for Undergraduates: Preparing Globally Engaged Science and Engineers
(2013) Matherly, C.A.; Phillips, S.R.; Kono, J.; NanoJapan
The NanoJapan: International Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, established by a National Science Foundation Partnerships for International Research and Education (NSF-PIRE) grant in 2006, is a twelve-week summer program through which twelve freshman and sophomore physics and engineering students from U.S. universities complete research internships in Japanese nanotechnology laboratories. NanoJapan tightly integrates the international experience with students’ academic programs by providing hands-on opportunities to acquire technical skills and knowledge associated with cutting-edge nanotechnology research projects. The program aims to increase the numbers of U.S. students who pursue graduate study in nanoscience and cultivate a generation of globally aware engineers and scientists who are prepared for international research collaboration. The NanoJapan program is the key educational initiative of the National Science Foundation–funded Partnerships for International Research and Education (NSF-PIRE) grant awarded to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of Rice University and the Center for Global Education at the University of Tulsa. The program was awarded five years of funding in 2006 and has been renewed for another five years. This paper will provide an overview and justification for the development of the NanoJapan Program, provide an overview of our program assessment and student outcomes to date, and conclude with an overview of the potential impact of the NanoJapan Program model on STEM education and international engineering programs nationwide.
NanoJapan-International research experience for undergraduates program: Fostering U.S.-Japan research collaborations in terahertz science and technology of nanostructures
(SPIE, 2014-09-15) Phillips, S.R.; Matherly, C.A.; Kono, J.; NanoJapan
The international nature of science and engineering research demands that students have the skillsets necessary to collaborate internationally. However, limited options exist for science and engineering undergraduates who want to pursue research abroad. The NanoJapan International Research Experience for Undergraduates Program is an innovative response to this need. Developed to foster research and international engagement among young undergraduate students, it is funded by a National Science Foundation Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) grant. Each summer, NanoJapan sends 12 U.S. students to Japan to conduct research internships with world leaders in terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, nanophotonics, and ultrafast optics. The students participate in cutting-edge research projects managed within the framework of the U.S-Japan NSF-PIRE collaboration. One of our focus topics is THz science and technology of nanosystems (or ‘TeraNano’), which investigates the physics and applications of THz dynamics of carriers and phonons in nanostructures and nanomaterials. In this article, we will introduce the program model, with specific emphasis on designing high-quality international student research experiences. We will specifically address the program curriculum that introduces students to THz research, Japanese language, and intercultural communications, in preparation for work in their labs. Ultimately, the program aims to increase the number of U.S. students who choose to pursue graduate study in this field, while cultivating a generation of globally aware engineers and scientists who are prepared for international research collaboration.
NanoJapan: Connecting U.S. Undergraduates with the Best of Nanoscience Research in Japan
(2011) Matherly, C.A.; Phillips, S.R.; Kono, J.; NanoJapan
NanoJapan: Preparing Globally Savvy Researchers
(2011) Matherly, C.A.; Phillips, S.R.; NanoJapan
Photoluminescence sidebands of carbon nanotubes below the bright singlet excitonic levels
(The American Physical Society, 2009) Murakami, Yoichi; Lu, Benjamin; Kazaoui, Said; Minami, Nobutsugu; Okubo, Tatsuya; Maruyama, Shigeo
We performed detailed photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy studies of three different types of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by using samples that contain essentially only one chiral type of SWNT, (6,5), (7,5), or (10,5). The observed PL spectra unambiguously show the existence of an emission sideband at ∼140 meV below the lowest singlet excitonic (E11) level, whose identity and origin are now under debate. We find that the energy separation between the E11 level and the sideband is independent of the SWNT diameter within our experimental certainty. Based on this, we ascribe the origin of the observed sideband to coupling between K-point phonons and dipole-forbidden dark excitons, as recently suggested based on the measurement of (6,5) SWNTs.
Rice University NanoJapan Program: Connecting US Undergraduates with Leading Japanese Nanotechnology Research Laboratories: National Science Foundation, Tokyo Regional Office
(2008-04-17) Kono, J.; Phillips, S.R.; Matherly, C.A.; NanoJapan
National Science Foundation, Tokyo Regional Office: Special Scientific Report #08-01. As international partnerships are becoming increasingly indispensible to solving major science and engineering problems, U.S. researchers and educators must be able to operate effectively in teams comprised of partners from different nations and cultural backgrounds. The NanoJapan Program was developed to address this need by attracting undergraduate students to the emerging areas of electrical engineering and the physical sciences, especially the study of nanotechnology. By involving and training students in cutting-edge research projects in nanoscale science and engineering, this program aims to increase the numbers of US students who choose to pursue graduate study in this field while also cultivating a generation of globally aware engineers and scientists who are prepared for international research collaboration. Funded by a Partnership for International Research and Education grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF-PIRE), this program is administered through the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of Rice University and the Center for Global Education at the University of Tulsa.
Study Abroad for Science and Technology Students
(2008) Phillips, S.R.
A U.S. and Japanese Student Outlook on the Impact of International Research Internships
(2012) Matherly, C.A.; Phillips, S.R.; Yamada, M.; Brooks, E.; NanoJapan

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