Topics

The topics are related to a new, dynamically developing branch of science called spintronics. Spintronics deals with magnetic systems and structures where one or more dimensions is reduced to nanometer size. This kind of systems due to lowered dimensionality reveal variety of new physical properties. Nowadays miniaturisation of electronic devices reached a level where manufacturing and controlling such magnetic nanostructures is essential. Complexity of the structures and their preparation needs special comprehensive research programs to explain phenomena responsible for given magnetic properties. This comprehensivity of the investigations is only possible by integration of many different research centres and by coordination of their scientific programs.

In the frame of ARTMAG network following investigations direction are taken:

1. Elaboration of methods of ultrathin films preparation and their structurisation to receive nanowires- and nanodots-like nonostuctures from ferromagnetic materials. Some of the aforementioned structures will be fabricated via growth induced by spontaneous surface reconstruction, „vicinal” substrate, strains, dislocations and etc. or by post growth structurisation eg. FIB(Focused Ion Beam), electron lithography, ion bombardment.
2. Structural and morphological characterization of prepared magnetic nanostructures,determination of magnetic order, magnetization distribution, investigation of magnetic interactions and remagnetization processes.
3. Developing of magnetic nanostructures imaging.
4. Investigations of mechanisms responsible for surface phenomena influencing effective anisotropy and magnetostriction.
5. Dynamics investigation of remagnetization processes in nanostructures.
6. Fabrication of various kinds of complex magnetic nanostructures revealing giant(GMR)or tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR). It is worth mentioning that discovery of GMR effect has been honored by Nobel Price on physics for A.Fert and P.Grunberg this year. By novel materials employment and proper selection of sublayers thickness and deposition parameters, magnetoresistance systems will be devised attractive for practical applications ( heads reading information from magnetic discs, magnetoresistant memories RAM, magnetic field and non electrical quantities sensors).
7. Determination of correlation between structure and magnetic properties of prepared structures and investigation of annealing and ion bombardment influence.
8. Numerical calculations of magnetization and GMR hysteresis loops with use of own and commercial programs eg. OOMMF (Object Oriented Micro Magnetic Framework).
9. Theoretical investigations of charge and spin transport in magnetic nanostructures: layered structures, nanowires and quantum dots.