UPSud I: Photo-induced strain control of magnetic domain wall motion in nanostructures

Host: Paris Sud University

Location: Palaiseau, France

Supervisor: Guillaume Agnus and Liza Herrera Diez

Scientific project:

In this project we will combine mechanical strain and light to control domain wall motion in enhanced multifunctional nanodevices in a most innovative manner. Photo-strictive substrates will be combined with ultra-thin magnetic films by advanced material growth in order to create devices where light pulses of different wavelengths (UV and infrared) will trigger two distinct mechanisms to control magnetism, (I) mechanical strain through a photo-strictive substrate and (II) all optical switching. The ultimate goal will be to understand and optimise these two effects separately and to potentiate the device functionality by exploring the combined effects on magnetic domain wall motion and magnetisation switching.

This unique approach allows for the integration of two very promising routes to low-power and highly efficient spintronics devices, straintronics and all-optical switching. The combination of the two in one single device will have the potential of reaching new efficiency standards in optical control of magnetic processes in spintronics devices and for creating a large impact in terms of the design of multifunctional magnetic devices for applications.