Scientific project
Chiral magnetic interactions can appear in systems that lack inversion symmetry. In ultrathin ferromagnetic films on heavy-metal substrates, such interactions can lead to a variety of interesting spin configurations such as chiral domain walls and skyrmions. These objects, which are examples of topological solitons, have solicited much interest recently due to their potential for providing new avenues for low-power spintronic devices.
In this project, we will explore the dynamics of magnetic skyrmions in ultrathin films with the goal of establishing their feasibility for applications. Open questions include the role of thermal fluctuations and material disorder, particularly in the context of thermal stability and reliability. This work will be carried out in collaboration with research groups at the Unité Mixte de Physique CNRS/Thales (Palaiseau) and the Charles-Albrecht-Universität zu Kiel in Germany.
Methods and techniques
This is primarily a theoretical project and will involve micromagnetics simulations, theory of nonlinear dynamical systems, theory of stochastic processes, and basic programming.
Supervisors
Thibaut Devolder, Joo-Von Kim
Start date and duration
This project can start in October 2016 with a duration of three years.