Over the last decade the interest in nanoscale materials and their applications in novel electronic devices have been increasing tremendously. This is caused by the unique properties of nanoscale materials and the outstanding performance of nanoscale devices. The fascinating and often unrivalled properties of nanoscale materials and devices opened new and sometimes unexpected fields of applications. Today, the widespread applications range from the detection of explosives, drugs and fissionable materials to bio- and infrared-sensors, spintronic devices, data storage media, magnetic read heads for computer hard disks, single-electron devices, microwave electronic devices, and many more. This book contains a collection of papers giving insight into the fundamentals and applications of nanoscale devices. The papers have been presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Nanoscale Devices - Fundamentals and Applications (NDFA-2004, ARW 980607) held in Kishinev (Chisinau), Moldova, on September 18-22, 2004. The main focus of the contributions is on the synthesis and characterization of nanoscale magnetic materials, the fundamental physics and materials aspects of solid-state nanostructures, the development of novel device concepts and design principles for nanoscale devices, as well as on applications in electronics with special emphasis on defence against the threat of terrorism. TOC:Contents. Preface.Acknowledgments. Contributing Authors. Science against nontrivial Threat. Surface Acoustic Wave Studies for Chemical and Biological Sensors.-The Experience of Utilizing the Explosives Detection System on the Basis of Neutron Radiation Analysis Together with X-Ray Units at the Airport Pulkovo in St.-Petersburg.-Thermodynamic Principles of Artificial Nose Based on Supramolecular Receptors.-Molecular Detection with Magnetic Labels and Magnetoresistive Sensors.- Weak Magnetic Fields Detection Techniques and Devices. Magnetic Tunnel Junctions Based on Half-Metallic Oxides; R. Gross.-MEMS Tunable Dielectric Resonator.-Ultra-Thin Spin-Valve Structures Grown on the Surface-Reconstructed GaAs Substrate.-Novel Ideas and Principles of Devices. Negative U Molecular Quantum Dot.-Configuring a Bistable Atomic Switch by Repeated Electrochemical Cycling.-Realization of an N-Shaped IVC of Nanoscale Metallic Junctions Using the Antiferromagnetic Transition.-PI-Shift Effect and Ferromagnet/Superconductor Nanoscale Devices. Josephson Effect in Composite Junctions with Ferromagnetic Materials.- Depairing Currents in Bilayers of Nb/Pd89Ni11.-Superconductor-Ferromagnet Heterostructures.-Superconducting/Ferromagnetic Nanostructures: Spin Fluctuations and Spontaneous Supercurrents.-Coherence Effects in F/S and N/F Nanostructures. Proximity Effect and Interface Transparency in Nb-based S/N and S/F Layered Structures.-Properties of S/N Multilayers with Different Geometrical Symmetry.-Andreev Reflection in Ballistic Superconductor-Ferromagnet Contacts.- Superconductor-Insulator Transition in a PbzSn1zTe:In Solid Solution.-Advanced Sensors of Electromagnetic Radiation. Thermoelectricity of Low-Dimensional Nanostructured Materials.- Organic Semiconductors - More Efficient Material for Thermoelectric Infrared Detectors.-Submillimeter Radiation-Induced Persistent Photoconductivity in Pb1-x SnxTe(In).-Quasioptical Terahertz Spectrometer Based on a Josephson Oscillator and a Cold Electron Nanobolometer.- Novel Materials for Electronics. Origin of the Resistive Transition Broadening for Superconducting Magnesium Diboride.-Aharonov-Bohm Oscillations in Single Bi Nanowires.- Some Application of Nanocarbon Materials for Novel Devices.-Nanomaterials and Domains. Nanocrystalline Iron-Rare Earth Alloys: Exchange Interactions and Magnetic properties.-The Influence of Applied Field on the Nucleation and Growth of Heteroepitaxial Carbon Films.-
