PhD student at FZJ - studying proximity effects in two-dimensional magnetic heterostructures

Thesis subject : Correlative Microscopy Characterization of Two-Dimensional Quantum Devices Based on Magnetic Heterostructures.

Chiral spin textures such as topologically-protected skyrmions are promising for next-generation memory and quantum computing applications. By carefully selecting and engineering two-dimensional (2D) materials, van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures provide new avenues to control and manipulate such spin textures. In particular, proximity-induced spin-orbit coupling is a promising mechanism for control of topological spin textures.

In this project, vdW heterostructures will be studied using a multimodal approach based on correlative surface and analytical techniques. The PhD candidate will fabricate and tailor vdW heterostructures from promising materials systems, optimizing their interfaces to enhance desired magnetic and electronic properties. The primary focus of the project will be to correlate local magnetic domain structure and electronic band structure, in order to determine the influence of proximity-induced spin-orbit coupling, by combining momentum microscopy with aberration-corrected low energy electron microscopy (LEEM) and photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM). In order to ensure in-depth correlative analysis, these studies will be complemented with advanced electron and X-ray microscopy by performing measurements on identical specimens with controlled transfer between different microscopes. These investigations will be used to understand how electronic and magnetic properties evolve at the nanoscale. This information is crucial for designing optimized quantum devices.

The project will be hosted at the Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons (ER-C) at Forschungszentrum Jülich, one of the world’s leading electron microscopy facilities. The ER-C houses an exceptional collection of state-of-the-art electron microscopes and correlative surface science instruments, which enable high-resolution studies of materials and devices with outstanding spatial and energy resolution. Phase contrast techniques available at the ER-C are particularly well-suited for studying the local magnetic properties of materials.

This project is a collaboration between the ER-C and the Momentum Microscopy Group in the Peter Grünberg Institute for “Electronic Properties” (PGI-6) in Forschungszentrum Jülich, where the candidate will receive training and access to unique momentum microscopes. The project also includes opportunities for research stays at leading partner institutions worldwide, providing hands-on experience with state-of-the-art synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy and momentum microscopy techniques.

Further information can be obtained from: Dr. Joachim Dahl Thomsen, email: j.thomsen@fz-juelich.de, Dr. Ying-Jiun Chen, email: yi.chen@fz-juelich.de and PD Dr. Christian Tusche, email: c.tusche@fz-juelich.de.