The development of AMaChaS platform involves three main challenges: the release and fabrication of Si3N4 or Si membranes, the evaporation of an opaque mask for soft x-ray radiation and the patterning by direct focused ion beam (FIB). With the developed AMaChaS platform, we have mesured the coherence of the beamline (Boreas, at ALBA) and we have studied different magnetic materials (CFO, FGT, CrTe2, CrI3)
Significant progress has been made in exploring the magnetic properties of 2D and layered magnetic materials, focusing on CrI₃, FGT (Fe₃GeTe2), and Cr₁+δTe2. The goal was to enhance understanding of magnetic textures such as skyrmions, domain walls, and their behavior under various conditions. The research spanned several advanced techniques, particularly at the ALBA synchrotron, employing soft X-ray methods like XMCD (X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism), holography, and coherent diffraction imaging (CDI). These tools enabled detailed characterization of nanodomains and magnetic states in extremely thin materials.
For CrI₃, the main achievement was capturing high-resolution images of magnetic domain walls. This work demonstrated the stability of CrI₃’s nanodomains under varying magnetic fields, helping to elucidate its complex magnetic behavior. For FGT, the focus was on the exploration of skyrmions and other topological magnetic states. The research revealed important insights into how these states evolve with temperature and magnetic field, contributing to the potential application of FGT in spintronics and energy-efficient data storage. The ability to control skyrmion sizes and behavior under different field conditions marked a significant advancement in understanding FGT's properties. Cr₁+δTe2, a recently synthesized material, was studied for its potential to host Néel-type skyrmions, driven by bulk Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Several magnetic states were explored, and field-dependent imaging revealed the formation and eventual annihilation of nanodomains as the magnetic field increased. The successful imaging and study of these domains at various stages of their evolution is a key result that broadens the understanding of magnetism in van der Waals materials. In addition, research on CFO (CoFe2O₄) growth by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) was conducted to further investigate their magnetic properties. CFO, known for its high coercivity and chemical stability, was studied to explore its potential in various magnetic applications. The experiments focused on understanding the material's domain structure and magnetic response under varying temperature and magnetic fields.
The project was marked by interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together material synthesis, nanofabrication, and advanced characterization techniques. This work paves the way for future applications of these materials in quantum technologies, including quantum computing and ultra-efficient data storage systems. It opens doors for further exploration of novel magnetic phases and skyrmionic behavior in low-dimensional systems, with a strong focus on creating practical, scalable solutions. The project has led to strengthened international collaborations, enhanced technical expertise in cutting-edge synchrotron techniques, and significantly expanded the researcher’s experience in working with emerging magnetic materials.
This project has made substantial contributions to the field of low-dimensional magnetism, advanced the understanding of skyrmions and other topological states in new materials, and set the foundation for future exploration in related fields. The outcomes so far have laid the groundwork for future research and potential technological applications
