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Spintronics and Magnetism

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The ability to manipulate the magnetic state of nanoscale ferromagnetic structures lies at the heart of information storage technologies such as hard disk drives and non-volatile magnetic random access memory (MRAM). The utilisation of the electron’s spin as a logical bit promises faster information processing and energy efficiencies over charge-based devices, with potential applications in quantum computing. While the fast development of metal-based spintronics over the last two decades has transformed information storage, the realization of spin-based logic computing awaits a more complete understanding of spin-orbit and magnetic interactions in nanostructures and at interfaces.

The Spintronics & Magnetism research group at the University of York combines theory, modelling and experiment to study the rich interplay between charge, orbital and spin degrees of freedom, and how it can be explored to manipulate magnetism at fundamental length and time scales. By thin film growth and advanced characterization, together with multiscale materials modelling and theory, we are able to develop a holistic approach to understand new magnetic materials and how these can be exploited for future spintronic technologies.

Work in our group spans the full range from fundamental research aimed at uncovering and understanding new physics to applied research focussed on spintronic devices.

Research topics

  • Spin Transport and Devices
  • Spin-Orbitronics in 2D Heterostructures and Dirac Hybrids
  • MagnetoElectrics
  • Femto-magnetism & Spinwave Dynamics
  • Exchange Bias Phenomena
  • Novel Magnetic Textures
  • New Spintronic Materials (Inorganic and Organic)
  • Magnonics

Methodologies employed and developed

  • Magnetic Materials Growth: Sputter deposition, Metal MBE and Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) of complex oxides.
  • Variable temperature lab based Magnetometry (VSM, FMR, MOKE, TR- MOKE)
  • High-resolution transmission electron microscopy
  • Advanced Synchrotron and Neutron based Magnetometry (XMCD, XMLD, PNR)
  • Quantum diagrammatic theory and real-space Kubo calculations
  • Atomistic & Multiscale modelling

People

Subgroup Lead: Dr Gonzalo Vallejo-Fernandez – MagnetoElectrics, Spinwave Dynamics, Novel Magnetic Textures