Spin Orbit functionalized nanostructures for spintronics 

RESEARCH PROGRAMME

P4: Nanomagnetism for Information and Communication Technologies

PhD PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The transition towards a Green and Secure EU society requires the development of electronic devices more dense, fast and functioning at lower power than the actual semiconductor based technologies. These prerequisites can be fulfilled in the next years by combining materials in low dimensional multi-layered structures that allow manipulating the magnetic interactions at play in the systems by acting with an electric field, enabling the realization of unconventional computational schemes.

We will exploit the relativistic spin orbit interaction, such as Rashba effects, in hybrid systems composed by ferromagnetic, heavy metal, ferroelectric and 2D materials as graphene. We will study basic phenomena that lay the ground for future spintronics and investigate them at various length, time, energy and temperature scales.

These are one the one hand exchange-induced effects such as ferromagnetism and on the one hand spin-orbit-induced effects such Rashba effects as well as the combination of both as in magnetic anisotropies.

The research aims at tailoring the interfacial Spin Orbit driven magnetic interaction in magnetic systems with different magnetic anisotropy, with interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction (DMI), focusing on Graphene (Gr)/Ferromagnetic (FM)/heavy-metal (HM) interfaces, which enable the electrical control of the charge/spin transport and manipulation of (topologically protected) magnetic structures.

The PhD thesis work will cover all the aspects of the investigation, from the preparation of the epitaxial multilayers in controlled UHV conditions to their in-situ spin resolved surface characterizations, from the nanopatterning in on-purpose designed device geometries to the charge- and spin-transport experiments.

APPLICANT’S REQUIREMENTS

The position is open to candidates with a background in Physics or Materials Science. Open minded applicants, with a passion for condensed matter physics and physical phenomena at the nanoscale, and a curiosity for advanced instrumentation and entrepreneurship in technology sectors are highly welcome. Although not mandatory, previous experience in UHV techniques, nanofabrication, magneto-transport measurements and programming will be ideal.

RESEARCH GROUP DESCRIPTION

RESEARCH SUPERVISOR

Dr. Fernando Ajejas
fernando.ajejas@imdea.org

Research Group website: New emerging Spintronics