Magneto-transport properties of superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures
RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
P2: Quantum materials at the nanoscale
P4: Nanomagnetism for Information and Communication Technologies
PhD PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Superconductivity and magnetism have attracted the attention of the scientific community for many years now not only due to the relevance of understanding the fundamental physical behind them, but also due to the myriad of applications in novel devices based on these two fascinating phenomena. Although these states of matter can be considered antagonist, it has been widely shown that the interplay between a ferromagnet (FM) in contact with a superconductor (SC) can lead to a wide variety of exotic phenomena.
For example, SC spin currents can offer an alternative route for the development of spintronic devices with novel functionalities and low power consumption. SC spin currents are a consequence of the formation of spin-triplet (parallel spins) Cooper pairs as opposed to the conventional spin-singlet (opposite spins) pairing and have shown to be able to carry spin information for large distances. On the other hand, SC screening currents or SC vortices can both nucleate and stabilize magnetic skyrmions in an adjacent FM. The realization of skyrmion-vortex bound states could lead to complex phase diagrams allowing control of skyrmion dynamics. In this project, we will investigate the possibility to nucleate and stabilize FM skyrmions in SC/FM/HM trilayers via vortices in the SC and supercurrent manipulation in SC nanostructures. We will modify SC properties and investigate skyrmion nucleation and motion via magneto-transport experiments. We will also aim to establish spin-triplet correlations in functional junctions composed by SCs and non-collinear magnets.
The candidate will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment provided by IMDEA Nanociencia. The PhD thesis work will include all aspects from the design, growth and fabrication of the heterostructures to their structural, magnetic and magneto-electric characterization. The PhD student will be also involved in the discussion of results and possible simulations and modelling of the experimental system with national and international collaborators of the hosting group.
The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to attend to international summer schools (as the ones organized by UAM, UCM, EMA, IEEE, COST actions, ….), to participate regularly to group and project meetings and to attend and present her/his own results in national and international conferences. Short or mid-term secondments at some of the EU collaborators will be also set as function of the research/training needs.
APPLICANT’S REQUIREMENTS
An ideal candidate should have a Master degree in Physics, Material Science or a closely related field of science. We are looking for candidates with an interest in: condensed matter physics, magnetism, superconductivity, quantum materials, nanodevices and/or low temperature physics. Practical skills on electrical characterization, nanofabrication and low temperature measurements will be an advantage. Good oral and written communication in English is a must. We are looking for a team player but also someone who can tackle complex problems independently.
RESEARCH GROUP DESCRIPTION
Quantum materials are in the spotlight of condensed matter physics research offering an exceptional venue to uncover the role of interactions associated with spin, charge, lattice and orbital degrees of freedom. Understanding and manipulating these interactions is necessary for exploiting quantum materials in diverse novel technologies.
The Quantum Transport group at IMDEA Nanociencia focuses on studying transport phenomena in quantum materials including superconductors, magnetic, strongly correlated and 2D materials. The main topics of research are:
- Transport properties in superconductor-2D materials heterostructures and in magnetic materials in close contact with superconducting nanostructures.
- Quantum Hall effect in graphene-based devices and resistive switching phenomena in 2D materials both with possible applications in metrology.
- Metal-insulator transition in strongly correlated materials.
The project work will be done in close collaboration with the SpinOrbitronics Team at IMDEA Nanociencia specialized in the nanofabrication of hybrid spintronics systems and their surface/interface and magneto-transport properties.