Macroatomistic spin models of advanced magnetic materials

Atomistic spin models are immensely useful in describing atomic scale properties such as defects, interfaces and exotic magnetic structures such as ferrimagnets and anti-ferromagnets where the magnetization varies from atom to atom. However the computational cost means that until now these advanced models could only be used to study small scale system of a few hundred thousand atoms. Recent advances in computer hardware and parallel programming now allow us to use these state-of-the-art models to study large scale magnetic behaviour at the full-device level for the first time. This new and exciting development has opened up a range of possibilities, from studying domain wall processes, reversal mechanisms and thermal effects to complex magnetic structures such as a magnetic vortex (right), where the atoms are too small to resolve. The aim of this project is to investigate the atomic scale properties of complex magnetic devices at lengthscales of greater than 100 nm using supercomputers. Such simulations would give unprecedented insight into the behaviour of magnetic materials and the relationships between atomic structure and device performance.