NSF: Magnetic Properties of Mesoscopic Multilayer Rings; 3D ferromagnetic ring device structures for spintronics.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The main aim of the research is to explore the fundamental magnetic, transport and collective properties of 3D multilayer structures and arrays. Such structures consist of ferromagnetic multilayers (typically 1-10nm thickness, fabricated from transition metals and alloys with non-magnetic layers as spacers) structured into rings down to 150nm diameter or smaller. The new class of structures presents significant fabrication, characterisation and measurement challenges which go well beyond the expertise of a single group but which we address in this proposal by building on the previous successful collaboration on single layer (2D) rings between the Cambridge and MIT groups. This previous collaboration has produced numerous publications in prestigious journals such as Phys. Rev. Letts. and the exchange of research students and postdoctoral researchers between the two groups which have been very fruitful and we expect this to provide a very strong base for the new collaboration. Specifically, the MIT group bring materials deposition and device fabrication expertise and expertise in device applications in spintronics to the project while the Cambridge group bring expertise in magnetic and optical measurements and in the interpretation of magnetic switching and dynamics. Together this makes a very strong team well suited to this ambitious project. We also propose to have several students and the post doctoral researcher involved participate in exchanges between the two institutions both to facilitate the research programme and to provide a training opportunity in an international context. Our goal is to create a novel 3D architecture based on multilayer ring structures, both as single entities and as arrays, in order to assess the potential of such structures for device and memory applications.
Publications
Easton S
(2010)
Spin-engineering in the Co75Fe25/Cu(110) system
in Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials
Easton S
(2010)
The initial growth mode of Co on Cu(311)
in Journal of Applied Physics
Gonzalez Oyarce A
(2013)
360° domain wall injection into magnetic thin films
in Applied Physics Letters
Holmes S
(2013)
Magnetic vortex stability in Ni80Fe20 split rings
in Journal of Applied Physics
Honda S
(2008)
Spin polarization control through resonant states in an Fe/GaAs Schottky barrier
in Physical Review B
Lee J
(2009)
Magnetic remanent states and quasistatic switching behavior of Fe split-rings for spin field-effect-transistor applications
in Applied Physics Letters
Lee J
(2009)
Influence of thermal excitation on magnetization states and switching routes of magnetic multilayer rings
in Journal of Applied Physics
Oyarce A
(2013)
Topological-charge-driven reversal of ferromagnetic rings via 360 ° domain-wall formation
in Physical Review B
Oyarce A
(2013)
Static and dynamic behavior of 360 ° domain walls in patterned thin films
in Physical Review B
Rawlings C
(2010)
Correlation between shape and stray field in indented square nanomagnets: Experimental and theoretical study
in Physical Review B
Description | Our aim was to study magnetic domains in small ring structures and determine if they could be used in memory applications. Our work lead us to some important discoveries relating to a type of domain wall called a 360 degree domain wall. These domain walls do have application in magnetic memory because they have limited stray fields and can therefore be packed more densely than the usual 180 degree domain walls. |
Exploitation Route | We are now applying the skills learned to the study of magnetic nanostructures. |
Sectors | Other |
URL | http://www.tfm.phy.cam.ac.uk |
Description | Our research has enabled us to understand new types of domain wall with applications to magnetic memory in magnetic thin-film micro-rings. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Other |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | EPSRC IAA Knowledge Transfer Fellowship: Thresholdless Domain Wall Motion in Magnetic Nanowires. |
Amount | £40,620 (GBP) |
Funding ID | KFZA/278 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2015 |
End | 10/2015 |