Optical control of Magnetic Metamaterials
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The functional magnetism group has a strong interest in the magnetic properties of nanostructured materials and devices. We have recently developed a method of writing any magnetic pattern we choose into magnetic nanostructured arrays using a magnetic force microscope. Structures of this type are interesting for neuromorphic computing hardware, where massively parallel computation can be based on the collective response of a magnetic particle network from a defined starting point. However, reading and writing of individual magnetic particles is currently slow and technologically intractable.
The aim of this project will be to fabricate magnetic particle networks and then "read/write" states using a laser-induced local heating technique. This would be a faster and more scalable method to initialise states. The nanostructures will be of a size such that the magnetic structure is static under ambient conditions, but switchable when selectively heated by laser light. This technique is similar to heat assisted magnetic recording, which is an emerging hard disk technology, boosting capacities to the 50 TB level.
The aim of this project will be to fabricate magnetic particle networks and then "read/write" states using a laser-induced local heating technique. This would be a faster and more scalable method to initialise states. The nanostructures will be of a size such that the magnetic structure is static under ambient conditions, but switchable when selectively heated by laser light. This technique is similar to heat assisted magnetic recording, which is an emerging hard disk technology, boosting capacities to the 50 TB level.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Rupert Oulton (Primary Supervisor) | |
Holly HOLDER (Student) |
Publications
Stenning K
(2023)
Low-power continuous-wave all-optical magnetic switching in ferromagnetic nanoarrays
in Cell Reports Physical Science
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/N509486/1 | 30/09/2016 | 30/03/2022 | |||
2446043 | Studentship | EP/N509486/1 | 30/09/2020 | 31/03/2024 | Holly HOLDER |
EP/T51780X/1 | 30/09/2020 | 29/09/2025 | |||
2446043 | Studentship | EP/T51780X/1 | 30/09/2020 | 31/03/2024 | Holly HOLDER |
Description | This award is still in progress. However key findings to date have included narrowing down the parameters involved in the design of samples and control laser, ruling out potential mechanisms by varying the composition of samples, exploring the temperature of the sample during times of interest, and preliminary experiments probing the timescales of excitation within the samples under illumination. |
Exploitation Route | In the academic context this award has pushed forward the investigation into novel mechanisms which could produce many more interesting studies of underlying magnetic material physics. In the industrial context this award has enormous potential for use in magnetic data storage, and for control of magnetic neuromorphic computing systems. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics |
Description | This award is currently in progress, however there has already been initial groundwork laid for impact in industrial applications. |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Imperial College Summer Showcase |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | In-person poster exhibition explaining research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Imperial Lates Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Evening hands-on exhibition from variety of nano- focused research projects across the university, open to the general public |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |