SPIN TEXTURES

Overview

We are interested in novel spin textures, especially those occurring in three-dimensional magnetic objects such as nanowires, nanotubes and 3D MRAM. In these, specific effects are made possible by curvature, three-dimensional spin and space, and topology with azimuthal periodic boundary conditions. We design and fabricate devices, image the spin textures, and ultimately aim at addressing these with spin-polarized currents. The applied background includes the proposed concept of 3D race-track memory. This research topic is conducted in close collaboration with colleagues in the Theory group, with LEMMA laboratory at IRIG, with Institut Néel, and expert chemist groups in Germany.

Research topics

Physics of spin textures

bloch-point We aim at investigating the existence and dynamics of motion of 3D spin textures under magnetic field or spin-polarized current. While nanowires have been the initial focus, we are developing multilayered nanotubes for their higher versatility for spintronic purposes. Checking the strength of topological protection against their transformation or annihilation is a major goal. We also contribute to 3D MRAM development. We combine material synthesis, experimental investigations, and micromagnetic modelling.

Material development

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Special samples need to be designed and synthesized to stabilize 3D spin textures. They may be based on bottom-up chemical synthesis (anodization, electroplating, electroless deposition, atomic layer deposition) and/or lithography for electrical contacting.

Advanced magnetic imaging

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Magnetic imaging 3D spin textures is demanding in terms of spatial resolution, bulk/surface and multi-components sensitivity. We are developing expertise in various electron- and X-ray-based techniques, both in the lab and at external facilities.

The team

Projects

M3d, FP7 (2012-2016).
MILF, ANR (2019-2022).
C3DS, ANR-DFG (2019-2022).

Partners

Institut NEEL, Grenoble, France.
Prof. J. Bachmann. Department of Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
Prof. W. Ensinger. Materialanalytik – Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany.
C. Gatel, CEMES, Toulouse, France.
L. Perez, IMDEA, Madrid, Spain.
Prof. M. Vazquez, Group of Nanomagnetism and Magnetization Processes, CSIC-Madrid, Spain.
A. Lubk, D. Wolf, IFW Dresden, Germany.
J. M. de Teresa, Univ Zaragoza, Spain.
A. Fernandez-Pacheco, The Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, Cambridge, UK.

Recent news

Aurélien Masseboeuf joins SPINTEC (September 13th, 2019)
Aurélien Masseboeuf is a recognized expert in transmission electron microscopy techniques applied to magnetic microscopy. Following a PhD and post-doc period in Grenoble, he further developed his expertise and carrier during ten years as CNRS ...
MILF – An ANR project (September 13th, 2019)
MILF stands for Magnetic Imaging at Low dimensions & high Frequencies. It is a 36-month-long early-carrier ANR project. Magnetic events such as domain reversal, domain wall propagation and vortex oscillations are fast processes, broad source ...
Olivier Fruchart becomes Vice-President of the European Magnetism Association (August 29th, 2019)
Olivier Fruchart, Deputy Director of Spintec, has been elected Vice-President of the European Magnetism Association for a three-year mandate, alongside Burkard Hillebrands from Kaiserslautern, elected President. The purpose of the European Magnetism Association (EMA) is ...
Modeling magnetic-field-induced domain wall propagation in modulated-diameter cylindrical nanowires (August 27th, 2019)
Domain wall propagation in modulated-diameter cylindrical nanowires is a key phenomenon to be studied with a view to designing three-dimensional magnetic memory devices. In this framework, we quantified theoretically the driving force needed for ...
Seminar – Brownian computing using skyrmions (June 13th, 2019)
On Friday July 12 at 11:00 we have the pleasure to welcome Prof. Yoshishige SUZUKI from Osaka University. He will give us a seminar at CEA/IRIG, Bat 1005, room 445 entitled : Brownian computing using skyrmions We ...