The goal of this Master project is to create crystallographically ordered, high-quality magnetic films and multilayers, whose properties have been modified by the use of specific interface layers that can modify the overall magnetic interactions and properties. The purpose of this work is to

(i) study and classify suitable fabrication conditions 

(ii) understand the resulting magnetic behavior, including the magnetic ground state

These goals are not only of substantial scientific, but also technological interest because all magnetic storage technology today, is based on magnetic films and multilayers with fine-tuned interface designs. Modern fabrication techniques, such as the Ultra High Vacuum Sputter system at CIC nanoGUNE, allow for the precise fabrication of so-called multilayer structures, in which different ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic layers are alternated and fabricated in stacks with sub-nm precision. It is hereby interesting to note that ferromagnetic films with interface-modified interactions can form laterally varying order structures, called skyrmions or skyrmion lattices. 

In the first part of the Master project different ferromagnetic alloy films and multilayers will be fabricated. Subsequently, their magnetic states will be measured and classified by means of using a magnetic force microscope (MFM) and their field stability will be evaluated with the help of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The project will involve the fabrication and characterization of samples as well as the analysis of experimental results.  Some prior knowledge of solid-state physics and ferromagnetism will be beneficial.

Description of the research group

The nano-magnetism Group at CIC nanoGUNE is conducting world-class basic and applied research in the field of magnetism in nano-scale structures. The Group staff has a longstanding expertise and proven track record in fundamental and applied aspects of nano-magnetism. 

Application:

If you are a master student and you are interested in this project, please get in touch with the scientist in charge: Andreas Berger (a.berger@nanogune.eu)