Spintronics
The Center for Micro and Nano Technologies (ZfM) at Chemnitz University of Technology conducts research on advanced spintronic materials and corresponding ultrathin-film systems. Unlike conventional electronics, which solely rely on the transport of the electrical charge, spintronics makes additional use of the intrinsic angular momentum of electrons, their spin, and its associated magnetic moment. This additional degree of freedom enables new approaches to information processing and sensing, and provides opportunities for highly sensitive, energy-efficient and compact nanosystems.
At ZfM, our research is particularly focused on exploiting spin-dependent transport phenomena based on the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) and tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effects. A central objective is the development of sensors with multidimensional magnetic-field sensitivity for the detection of magnetic fields as well as the indirect measurement of quantities, such as electrical current, position, distance and rotational motion.
Our research covers the complete technology chain. From the deposition and optimization of complex magnetic multilayer systems to their thermal and laser-based treatment, micro- and nanostructuring, up to electrical and magnetic characterization. The combination of advanced nanotechnology, dedicated measurement equipment and process understanding provides the basis for our expertise in the relationship between material properties, fabrication conditions and device performance.
Research Topics
Spintronic Thin-Film Systems
The performance of spintronic devices is fundamentally determined by the properties and interfaces of magnetic multilayer systems. Our competence is the deposition, micro- and nanofabrication as well as the characterization of such complex thin-film stacks containing numerous materials and layers with thicknesses down to the sub-nanometer range.
Thermal and Laser Processing
Thermal treatment plays a crucial role in determining the structural and magnetic properties of functional spintronic systems. We investigate phase transitions, crystallization, diffusion and magnetic alignment during thermal processing.
Flexible and Multidimensional XMR Sensors
Multidimensional and highly sensitive magnetic sensing is a key research direction within our spintronics activities. We research sensor architectures that enable the detection of different magnetic field components within a compact device structure and, if relevant, on flexible substrates.
Technology and Infrastructure
Our research is supported by a comprehensive micro- and nanofabrication infrastructure that enables the development of spintronic devices from material deposition through nanodevice fabrication to wafer-level characterization.
Key capabilities include:
- wafer-level process development, incl.
- deposition of complex magnetic multilayer systems,
- lithographic patterning,
- micro- and nanostructuring,
- thermal and laser-based treatment of magnetic thin films,
- electrical characterization of spintronic devices,
- magnetic and magneto-optical characterization,
- wafer-level magnetic testing and sensor evaluation.
The combination of material development, process technology, device fabrication and characterization allows us to investigate spintronic systems across multiple technological scales starting from individual thin-film interfaces to fully functional sensor devices.
Applications
Spintronic technologies offer significant potential for applications where high sensitivity, compact dimensions, low power consumption and multidimensional magnetic-field detection are required.
Potential application areas include:
- electrical current measurement,
- position and distance sensing,
- rotational and angular measurement,
- industrial automation,
- automotive sensor systems,
- power electronics,
- miniaturized and integrated sensor systems.
Recent Publications
Almeida, M. et al. ; Laser induced crystallization of Co–Fe–B films. Sci Rep 11, 14104 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93009-x
Kumar N. et al. ; Terahertz charge and spin transport in metallic ferromagnets: The role of crystalline and magnetic order. Appl. Phys. Lett. 7 March 2022; 120 (10): 102406. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0067443