Magnetic materials, Spintronics and Magnonics
Magnetic order observed in materials is a consequence of the spin angular momentum of the constituent electrons and their mutual exchange interaction. The non-volatile nature of magnetic order can be used to record information, broken time reversal symmetry gives rise to non-reciprocal wave propagation, while wave-like excitations of the magnet order can be manipulated in a field known as Magnonics.
Transport of spin-polarised electrons within, or to and from, the material leads to a transfer of angular momentum that generates a torque according to the rotational form of Newton’s 2nd law. The control and exploitation of these spin-polarised conduction electrons forms the basis of the field of Spintronics. Our focus is on high frequency properties and processes that involve manipulation of magnetic order and spin-polarised electrons.
People working within this area include:
Our research
Research within the Magnetic materials theme includes:
- Ultrafast dynamics and all-optical switching of magnetic materials including 2D van der Waals magnets
- Magnetic resonance and Magnonics
- Antiferromagnetic Spintronics
- Spin torque and spin transfer oscillators
- Magnetism in information and communication technology including hard disk recording, magnetic random access memory and neurotrophic computing