Topics and research objectives of the project
The scientific goal of the project is to develop innovative growth methods of
epitaxial films and nanostructures with specific structural and magnetic
properties optimized for spintronic applications. The intended effect is to be
achieved by supporting the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) process with
electromagnetic and mechanical external stimuli, such as electric field (EF),
magnetic field (MF) or strain (SF). We expect that due to the high
susceptibility of epitaxial growth to external parameters and strong size
effects at the nanoscale, activation of these external stimuli in the MBE
process will allow for precise control of morphology, exchange interactions,
magnetic anisotropy, and magneto-transport properties. The developed technology
will be applied to selected epitaxial materials with application potential, such
as iron oxides (hematite, magnetite) and other transition metal oxides,
metal-oxide heterostructures, epitaxial metal alloys, epitaxial films on
flexible substrates, etc. Examples of expected effects of supporting the MBE
process external fields include modification of structural and magnetic phase
transitions (e.g. Morin transition in hematite), engineering of perpendicular
magnetic anisotropy, enhancement of exchange polarization in
ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic systems.
Research team
Prof. Józef Korecki – principal investigator
Prof. Nika Spiridis
dr Kinga Freindl
dr Ewa Madej
dr Ewa Młyńczak
dr Dorota Wilgocka-Ślęzak
MSc Bohdana Blyzniuk – PhD student
MSc Adam Dziwoki – PhD student
MSc Natalia Kwiatek – PhD student