Generation, Imaging and Control of Novel Coherent Electronic States in Artificial Ferromagnetic-Superconducting Hybrid Metamaterials and Devices
Lead Research Organisation:
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Department Name: ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source
Abstract
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Publications
Cooper J
(2014)
Neutron reflectivity of electrodeposited thin magnetic films
in Electrochimica Acta
Curran P
(2015)
Irreversible magnetization switching at the onset of superconductivity in a superconductor ferromagnet hybrid
in Applied Physics Letters
Flokstra M
(2019)
Manifestation of the electromagnetic proximity effect in superconductor-ferromagnet thin film structures
in Applied Physics Letters
Flokstra M
(2015)
Remotely induced magnetism in a normal metal using a superconducting spin-valve
in Nature Physics
Flokstra M
(2015)
Controlled suppression of superconductivity by the generation of polarized Cooper pairs in spin-valve structures
in Physical Review B
Flokstra MG
(2018)
Observation of Anomalous Meissner Screening in Cu/Nb and Cu/Nb/Co Thin Films.
in Physical review letters
Rogers M
(2021)
Spin-singlet to triplet Cooper pair converter interface
in Communications Physics
Satchell N
(2017)
Probing the spiral magnetic phase in 6 nm textured erbium using polarised neutron reflectometry.
in Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal
Satchell N
(2017)
Control of Superconductivity with a Single Ferromagnetic Layer in Niobium/Erbium Bilayers
in Physical Review Applied
| Description | This grant is supporting blue skies curiosity-driven research. In particular we are trying to understand the physics surrounding superconducting correlations in ferromagnet-superconductor hybrid structures, including the generation of triplet (equal spin paired) in non-collinear magnetic systems. The project is completed and we have made significant progress with regard to our original 10 objectives, with a number of important results either published or currently being prepared for submission to leading physics journals. During the grant period we have established good partnerships with other leading groups in the field (Cambridge, Leiden) and have now produced joint publications with these partners. The consortium associated with this critical mass grant originally set out an ambitious programme of objectives, and we have made significant progress across all fronts. Below we list 4 examples. 1. Spatially probe the novel spin-triplet state to detect spin-polarisation of Cooper pairs directly and explore new device architectures to enhance the formation and control of spin triplet pairs: -Experimentally we have placed limits on the size of this effect in the ferromagnetic and superconducting layer using polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) , XMCD and muon spectroscopy in a range of samples from our own and other leading groups. We developed highly functional spin valve devices based on a Co layer pinned by IrMn. We have also explored magnetic Skyrmion -based structures and the use of epitaxial Er in spin valve devices. 2. Investigate the spin-polarisation of triplet pairs injected into N, conventional S and other materials: -Extensive progress made in this area with a key publication in the field. We obtained the dramatic finding of a spin -polarization induced in a normal magnetic layer. The role of m=0 or m=+/-1 triplets in this process is not yet completely clear but provides a challenge to theory. The magnitude of the net magnetization in the superconducting layer itself is surprisingly small and these data also provide valuable input for the development of theory. 3. Explore generic aspects of the interaction of magnetic and superconducting order at buried interfaces: -Using advanced characterisation to understand in detail the structure-function relation of existing spin-triplet devices, extensive data has been collected and is either published or undergoing analysis. We have carried out work both on our own samples and on those from leading groups in the field (Cambridge, Leiden, Hitachi GST), providing useful information on magnetic states and interfacial quality. These have been measured using muons (including Py/Nb, Ho/Nb, Co/Nb spin valves, Er/Nb, Co/Nb bilayers, NiTi/CoPd), PNR (including Ho/Co/Nb, Co/Nb spin valves, NiNb multilayer), and XMCD (including Co/Nb and Fe/Nb spin valves with delta-doped Mn). 4. Improve routes to the reproducible production of exotic hybrid superconducting-magnetic systems over areas large enough to be amenable to a wide range of quantitative techniques: -We have been highly successful in producing working devices suitable for investigation using a number of techniques systems including XMCD, muons, PNR etc. We have recently made the exciting discovery of an induced magnetic moment in a non-magnetic metal layer adjacent to a superconducting spin valve structure. Moreover the induced moment can be tuned by varying the relative orientation of the magnetisation in two ferromagnetic layers in the spin valve structure. |
| Exploitation Route | The basic research presented here will form an important component for the development of the field of superconducting spintronics. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics |
| Description | Our work has generated several media sources picking up the work. News Date News Headline Outlet Name Outlet Type Outlet Country News Attachment Name 09/10/2015 Magnetised gold could change computer technology, research reveals International Business TImes Australia - Online Online, consumer Australia http://www.ibtimes.com.au/magnetised-gold-could-change-computer-technology-research-reveals-1472950 07/10/2015 Magnetised bullion heralds new era of electronics Fresh Ghana.com http://news.vocus.com/?a=22944469161&p=19f&v=1&x=BRtciZWJNd_EQfv31zCo8Q 07/10/2015 Kings of spin scientists have the golden touch Courier (Dundee) - Online, The Online, consumer United Kingdom http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/kings-of-spin-scientists-have-the-golden-touch-1.903787 07/10/2015 Research on magnetising gold could improve computers, say St Andrews University scientists National Online, consumer United Kingdom http://www.thenational.scot/news/research-on-magnetising-gold-could-improve-computers-say-st-andrews-university-scientists.8441 06/10/2015 Scientist discovery 'could make computers faster' scotsman.com Online, consumer United Kingdom http://www.scotsman.com/news/sci-tech/scientist-discovery-could-make-computers-faster-1-3909167 06/10/2015 Scientists reveal next generation spintronics to power faster, smaller computers The Stack https://thestack.com/world/2015/10/06/machiel-flokstra-spintronics-superconductor-magnetised-golf/ 06/10/2015 Magnetised gold heralds new generation of electronics FIRE News http://ftnews.firetrench.com/2015/10/magnetised-gold-heralds-new-generation-of-electronics/ 06/10/2015 Magnetised gold heralds new generation of electronics Aerospace & Defence News http://aerospace.firetrench.com/2015/10/magnetised-gold-heralds-new-generation-of-electronics/ 06/10/2015 Magnetised gold is first step NOODLS Online, trade/industry Italy http://www.noodls.com/viewNoodl/30193155/university-of-bath/spintronics-magnetised-gold-is-first-step 06/10/2015 University of Bath (via noodls) / Magnetised gold heralds new generation of electronics NOODLS Online, trade/industry Italy http://www.noodls.com/viewNoodl/30193150/university-of-bath/magnetised-gold-heralds-new-generation-of-electronics 06/10/2015 Scientists discover 'ground-breaking' magnetic capabilities of gold ITV Network Ltd - Online Online, consumer United Kingdom http://www.itv.com/news/west/2015-10-06/scientists-discover-ground-breaking-magnetic-capabilities-of-gold/ 07/10/2015 Turning gold into spintronics Electronics Weekly http://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/design/university-electronics/turning-gold-into-spintronics-2015-10/ 06/10/2015 Scientists have managed to magnetise gold for the first time ever - and it will change your life Western Daily Press http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Scientists-managed-magnetise-gold-time-change/story-27930012-detail/story.html 06/10/2015 Magnetised gold heralds new generation of electronics World News http://article.wn.com/view/2015/10/06/Magnetised_gold_heralds_new_generation_of_electronics_Univer/ 05/10/2015 Superconductor induces magnetism in non-magnetic gold Physics World United Kingdom http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2015/oct/05/superconductor-induces-magnetism-in-non-magnetic-gold 06/10/2015 Superconductivity trained to promote magnetization Phys.org http://phys.org/news/2015-10-superconductivity-magnetization.html Since completion of the grant the research field of superconducting spintronics continues to grow with numerous studies exploiting both intrinsic and proximitised effects. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Electronics |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | SFM Consortium |
| Organisation | Paul Scherrer Institute |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provide nanoscale characterisation using, primarily, central facilities. Paper writing |
| Collaborator Contribution | Additional facility characterization and macroscopic measurements. Theoretical interpretation Sample Growth |
| Impact | Scientific literature Post-doctoral training |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | SFM Consortium |
| Organisation | Royal Holloway, University of London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provide nanoscale characterisation using, primarily, central facilities. Paper writing |
| Collaborator Contribution | Additional facility characterization and macroscopic measurements. Theoretical interpretation Sample Growth |
| Impact | Scientific literature Post-doctoral training |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | SFM Consortium |
| Organisation | University of Bath |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provide nanoscale characterisation using, primarily, central facilities. Paper writing |
| Collaborator Contribution | Additional facility characterization and macroscopic measurements. Theoretical interpretation Sample Growth |
| Impact | Scientific literature Post-doctoral training |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | SFM Consortium |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provide nanoscale characterisation using, primarily, central facilities. Paper writing |
| Collaborator Contribution | Additional facility characterization and macroscopic measurements. Theoretical interpretation Sample Growth |
| Impact | Scientific literature Post-doctoral training |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | SFM Consortium |
| Organisation | University of St Andrews |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provide nanoscale characterisation using, primarily, central facilities. Paper writing |
| Collaborator Contribution | Additional facility characterization and macroscopic measurements. Theoretical interpretation Sample Growth |
| Impact | Scientific literature Post-doctoral training |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | I'm a scientist get me out of here |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A national initiative to allow school children to talk with and question research scientists. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.imascientist.org.uk |
| Description | Indo-UK Science Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | research talk at an Indo-UK science meeting in Bangalore, India. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited Talk (IFE, Norway) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk at IFE, Norway to discuss superconductivity work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Invited Talk (NIST) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk to NIST, Washington DC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Media Coverage of work |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Press releases following the publication of our work. News Date News Headline Outlet Name Outlet Type Outlet Country News Attachment Name 09/10/2015 Magnetised gold could change computer technology, research reveals International Business TImes Australia - Online Online, consumer Australia http://www.ibtimes.com.au/magnetised-gold-could-change-computer-technology-research-reveals-1472950 07/10/2015 Magnetised bullion heralds new era of electronics Fresh Ghana.com http://news.vocus.com/?a=22944469161&p=19f&v=1&x=BRtciZWJNd_EQfv31zCo8Q 07/10/2015 Kings of spin scientists have the golden touch Courier (Dundee) - Online, The Online, consumer United Kingdom http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/kings-of-spin-scientists-have-the-golden-touch-1.903787 07/10/2015 Research on magnetising gold could improve computers, say St Andrews University scientists National Online, consumer United Kingdom http://www.thenational.scot/news/research-on-magnetising-gold-could-improve-computers-say-st-andrews-university-scientists.8441 06/10/2015 Scientist discovery 'could make computers faster' scotsman.com Online, consumer United Kingdom http://www.scotsman.com/news/sci-tech/scientist-discovery-could-make-computers-faster-1-3909167 06/10/2015 Scientists reveal next generation spintronics to power faster, smaller computers The Stack https://thestack.com/world/2015/10/06/machiel-flokstra-spintronics-superconductor-magnetised-golf/ 06/10/2015 Magnetised gold heralds new generation of electronics FIRE News http://ftnews.firetrench.com/2015/10/magnetised-gold-heralds-new-generation-of-electronics/ 06/10/2015 Magnetised gold heralds new generation of electronics Aerospace & Defence News http://aerospace.firetrench.com/2015/10/magnetised-gold-heralds-new-generation-of-electronics/ 06/10/2015 Magnetised gold is first step NOODLS Online, trade/industry Italy http://www.noodls.com/viewNoodl/30193155/university-of-bath/spintronics-magnetised-gold-is-first-step 06/10/2015 University of Bath (via noodls) / Magnetised gold heralds new generation of electronics NOODLS Online, trade/industry Italy http://www.noodls.com/viewNoodl/30193150/university-of-bath/magnetised-gold-heralds-new-generation-of-electronics 06/10/2015 Scientists discover 'ground-breaking' magnetic capabilities of gold ITV Network Ltd - Online Online, consumer United Kingdom http://www.itv.com/news/west/2015-10-06/scientists-discover-ground-breaking-magnetic-capabilities-of-gold/ 07/10/2015 Turning gold into spintronics Electronics Weekly http://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/design/university-electronics/turning-gold-into-spintronics-2015-10/ 06/10/2015 Scientists have managed to magnetise gold for the first time ever - and it will change your life Western Daily Press http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Scientists-managed-magnetise-gold-time-change/story-27930012-detail/story.html 06/10/2015 Magnetised gold heralds new generation of electronics World News http://article.wn.com/view/2015/10/06/Magnetised_gold_heralds_new_generation_of_electronics_Univer/ 05/10/2015 Superconductor induces magnetism in non-magnetic gold Physics World United Kingdom http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2015/oct/05/superconductor-induces-magnetism-in-non-magnetic-gold 06/10/2015 Superconductivity trained to promote magnetization Phys.org http://phys.org/news/2015-10-superconductivity-magnetization.html |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | School Visit (OLV) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Talk to Students about superconductivity |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Symposium on Spin, Coherence, and Topology, Royal Holloway University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |