Descripción del proyecto
Aprovechamiento del poder de los transportadores magnéticos de información que se desplazan libremente en las tres dimensiones
A lo largo de los dos últimos decenios, los materiales magnéticos han pasado a ser controlables a nanoescala, lo cual ha abierto la puerta a fenómenos únicos con posibles aplicaciones apasionantes. Las nanoestructuras magnéticas como nanopartículas, nanocables, autoensamblajes, nanoclústeres, nanogránulos, multicapas y películas ultrafinas encuentran aplicaciones en campos como el almacenamiento de datos, la detección, la espintrónica y la biomedicina. Hasta hace poco, la mayoría de los nanoimanes patronados eran nanoestructuras planas bidimensionales. Los avances en los métodos de síntesis permiten obtener hoy en día estructuras tridimensionales (3D) con propiedades nunca vistas. Entre las estructuras más interesantes figuran los solitones magnéticos, un estado de enlace de muchas excitaciones magnéticas básicas o magnones. El proyecto 3D MAGiC, financiado con fondos europeos, reúne a cuatro importantes grupos de investigación para llevar este campo a otro nivel a través de la investigación teórica y experimental de la nucleación, la estabilidad, la dinámica y el transporte relacionados con los solitones magnéticos 3D.
Objetivo
Over the past 150 years, many of the greatest questions in physics, spanning astronomical dimensions to quarks, have addressed how particles can emerge in continuous fields. In this highly exploratory project, we will open a window into the behavior and control of some of the least explored and most puzzling objects in nanomagnetism: three-dimensional (3D) magnetic solitons (MSs). These are spatially localized stable magnetization textures that have particle-like properties and are expected to move and interact in 3D in magnetic crystals and heterostructures in a similar manner to ordinary particles. Until now, their theoretical study has been restricted to simple models, while the experimental study of individual 3D MSs is nearly unexplored as a result of their deep-sub-micron size and a current lack of suitable characterization techniques. We bring together four complementary research groups with expertise in theoretical descriptions of magnetism, device physics and magnetic characterization with high spatial and temporal resolution. Methodological breakthroughs by the partners will enable new fundamental theoretical and experimental insights into the nucleation, stability, dynamics and transport of 3D MSs, which are predicted to be influenced strongly by their nontrivial topology. Particular attention will be paid to the manner in which 3D MSs can be controlled and manipulated dynamically. This project will open the field of 3D magnetization textures at the nanoscale to fundamental science,with a view to enabling disruptive applications. 3D MSs are foreseen to play the role of information carriers that can move freely in any spatial direction and to offer a key advance over conventional 2D magnetization textures. Results from the project will provide guidelines for their use in applications that include magnetic storage technology and neuromorphic information processing systems and enable the realization of pervasive new 3D device concepts.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Tema(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-SyG - Synergy grantInstitución de acogida
52428 Julich
Alemania