Venerdì 3 luglio 2026 | 14:00
Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria - Politecnico di Milano
Sala Conferenze (Edificio 20A)
Speaker: Reza Moheimani (Department of Systems Engineering - University of Texas at Dallas)
Sommario
The scanning tunneling microscope (STM), a Nobel Prize–winning instrument, has transformed nanotechnology by enabling atomic-scale imaging, spectroscopy, and—most critically for emerging quantum technologies—atomically precise lithography on silicon for the fabrication of solid-state quantum devices. Despite its profound impact, the fundamental feedback control loop governing STM operation has remained largely unchanged for more than four decades.This talk presents recent and ongoing efforts to fundamentally rethink STM control architecture. We examine the limitations of the conventional constant-current control paradigm and introduce new modes of operation based on alternative feedback configurations that leverage different measurement signals for closed-loop control. These approaches provide improved robustness, enhanced stability, and superior performance across a broad range of operating conditions.
The practical implications of these advances are demonstrated through applications in atomic-precision lithography, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopy. Taken together, these results suggest that revisiting STM control through the lens of modern control theory—supported by careful experimental validation—can unlock new capabilities and accelerate progress in nanoscale science, nanotechnology, and quantum device fabrication.
Following the seminar, Prof. Moheimani will be available to meet with PhD students and colleagues interested in discussing his research. If you would like to meet with him, please contact Prof. Maria Prandini (maria.prandini@polimi.it) to arrange a time slot.
Biografia
Reza Moheimani is a Professor, Department Head and James Von Ehr Distinguished Chair in Science and Technology in the Department of Systems Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas with affiliate appointments in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Departments. He is the past Editor-in-Chief of Mechatronics, and a past associate editor of IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, IEEE Transactions on Mechatronics and Control Engineering Practice.He received the Transition to Practice Award (IEEE CSS, 2025), Mechatronic Systems Lifetime Achievement Award (IFAC, 2025), Industrial Achievement Award (IFAC, 2023), Nyquist Lecture Award (ASME DSCD, 2022), Charles Stark Draper Innovative Practice Award (ASME DSCD, 2020), Nathaniel B. Nichols Medal (IFAC, 2014), IEEE Control Systems Technology Award (IEEE CSS, 2009) and IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology Outstanding Paper Award (IEEE CSS, 2007 and 2018).
He is a Fellow of IEEE, IFAC, ASME and Institute of Physics (UK). Moheimani received the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from University of New South Wales, Australia in 1996. His current research interests include applications of control and estimation in high-precision mechatronic systems, high-speed scanning probe microscopy and atomically precise manufacturing.