TU/e II: All-optical magnetic switching and photonic circuit integration

Host: Eindhoven Technical University

Location: Eindhoven, the Netherlands

Supervisor: Bert Koopmans

Scientific project:

We are looking for a talented and highly motivated experimental physics candidate with extensive experimental drive and creativity to investigate all-optical-switching magnetization switching (controlling magnetism using photons) and integrating this with photonic. This project will pave the way towards integrating photonics with nano-magnetism for future data buffering and manipulation technologies.

We will use deterministic all-optical switching by single femtosecond laser pulses to reverse the magnetic state of ferromagnetic systems that are relevant for state-of-the art spintronics. The all-optical approach allows for ultrafast (sub-ps) and energy efficient (demonstrated 50 fJ per 50 x 50 nm2 area) routes for optical control. First we will engineer layered structures that display strong DMI and SOT and demonstrate all-optical control and current-induced domain wall motion in one device. All-optical switching will be implemented in nanowires structured on top of a photonic waveguide, which is considered a unique building block for future magneto-photonic integrated circuits. We will also perform experiments on all-optical switching of one of the two magnetic layers in a MTJ, and measure induced electrical (current/voltage) effects either directly (using fast electronics) or indirectly (using excited spin dynamics).