A Ph.D. position is available in the field of spintronics studying pure spin currents and their employment in devices, such as non-local spin valves. A variety of different generation methods for these pure spin currents will be studied and compared, including newly emerging phenomena such as the spin Hall effect and ultimately optical generation of ultrafast superdiffusive spin currents, effects which are very timely and highly interesting from a scientific point of view. In particular we are working on novel effects due to the interaction of spin currents and magnetization, leading to highly efficient spin dynamics such as magnetization switching and domain wall propagation. This project has a strong outlook towards applications such as data storage and logic, since in particular neuromorphic logic based on spin currents has been proposed.

The lab boasts advanced fabrication techniques (full clean room with lithography and pattern transfer techniques), a range of materials deposition tools (molecular beam epitaxy, sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, etc.) and sophisticated characterization techniques. Low temperature magneto-transport measurements (10mK to room temperature with fields up to 15T) will be carried out to detect spin injection, spin dynamics and quantum transport effects. A novel scanning electron microscope with polarization analysis was recently installed that allows for high resolution magnetic imaging in combination with variable temperature transport characterization and the project’s exciting science is particularly enabled by a newly enhanced detector scheme for the instrument.

Potential applicants need to hold a Master's or equivalent degree in Physics or Materials Science. Experience in magnetic materials or spintronics is an advantage. In the recent Shanghai and CHE rankings Physics at Mainz was selected for the excellence group in Europe and top 5 in Germany and in the recent ranking by the German Research Foundation (DFG Förderatlas), Mainz was ranked #1 both in Physics overall and in Condensed Matter Physics. Mainz is particularly strong in the area of spin-based condensed matter physics / material sciences with the Max Planck Graduate Centre providing additional support. Very good candidates will be considered for this Graduate Centre that provides a structured graduate education with additional tailored training.
 

This research is related to Spin+X project B02.

For further information and applications (including a full CV) please contact:

Prof. Dr. Mathias Kläui

Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz; www.klaeui-lab.de