Novel van der Waals heterostructures for spintronic applications

This project will explore new nano-materials based on magnetic van der Waals (vdW) systems. By using exfoliation techniques, each layered material will be mechanically exfoliated into a few monolayer and then stack to each other. Electric and magnetic characterisation will be performed to measure their spin transport based on interracial electronic structures. High spin-orbit materials such as WSe2 will be actively used to study their topological states and for applications of magnetisation switching. These heterostructures will be a potential building block of future spintronic memory devices with excellent energy efficiency.
Aims and objectives
Fabricate novel vdW magnetic heterostructures;
Measure their transport and spin dynamics properties, Optimise the device structure for magnetisation switching applications;
and Demonstrate high efficiency of magnetisation switching that outperforms the existing record value.
Through this project, we gain the knowledge of how to stack vdW materials by mechanical exfoliation, which will be heavily used for material exploration. Measurement techniques of contacting these heterostructures will be also developed and used. Furthermore, knowledge/know-how of how to measure spin ensembles with a small-volume will be explored and built during the project.
Alignment to EPSRC's strategies and research areas
Spintronics, Condensed matter: magnetism and magnetic materials and Graphene and carbon nanotechnology
Any companies or collaborators involved.
National Physical Laboratory as external partner