PhD position in spintronics on skyrmion dynamics (Kaiserslautern/Mainz)

In the Department of Physics, University of Mainz, a PhD position is immediately available in the field of spintronics with magnetic skyrmions (topologically protected magnetic textures) in a collaboration with the Technical University Kaiserslautern. In particular, we are studying the dynamic formation and excitation of magnetic skyrmions in the framework of a TopDyn excellence project (topdyn.uni-mainz.de). Magnetic skyrmions can form regular artificial crystalline structures in thin film multilayers as we have demonstrated (Nature Mater. (2016)). These structures provide the necessary spin-orbit-interaction and symmetry breaking stabilizing skyrmions with diameters in the nanometer to micrometer range at ambient conditions. Because the film thicknesses are substantially smaller than the skyrmion diameter, the skyrmions in these heterostructures are essentially 2D objects exhibiting topological phase transitions (Nature Nanotech. (2019); Adv. Funct. Mater. (2019)). Such two-dimensional magnetic skyrmions can be manipulated by electrical currents (Nature Phys. (2017)) and the topological stabilization of the skyrmions combined with their small size make them interesting candidates for novel memory devices (Nature Electron. (2020)). During the PhD, the successful applicant will perform experiments combined with a theoretical understanding to establish the dynamic formation and control the ordering of skyrmions. The very active field of skyrmionics offers great possibilities for scientific exchange with national and international collaborators. Our lab combines advanced fabrication techniques (full clean room with lithography and pattern transfer techniques), advanced materials deposition tools (molecular beam epitaxy, sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, etc.) with sophisticated characterization techniques. Optical Kerr- and dynamical X-ray - based microscopy will be combined with broadband magnetic resonance techniques in collaboration with the TU Kaiserslautern. While the project will be hosted by the University of Mainz, the candidate will work closely together with the group of Prof. Dr. M. Weiler at the TU Kaiserslautern and parts of the experimental work will be carried out in Kaiserslautern making use of the unique dynamic FMR and BLS spectroscopy tools. The PhD candidate should preferentially have a condensed matter physics background. The physics department at the University of Mainz has been consistently ranked as one of the leading physics departments in Germany. In the recent 2017 Shanghai and CHE rankings it was selected for the excellence group in Europe and in 2018 Physics in Mainz was ranked #1 in Germany by the German Research Foundation. It is particularly strong in the area of condensed matter physics / material sciences. The University of Mainz houses the Excellence Centre TopDyn and together with the TU Kaiserslautern, the University of Mainz hosts the national German Collaborative Research Centre on Spintronics “Spin+X”. Excellent students can additionally apply to the Max Planck Graduate Centre that provides an interdisciplinary Graduate Education experience with tailor-made training and a range of additional support measures.

For enquiries and applications including a full CV contact Prof. Dr. M. Kläui (Email: [email protected], Tel. +49-6131-3924345) and see www.klaeui-lab.de