Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AMaChaS (Advanced Material Characterisation System)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-07-25 bis 2024-07-24
Advanced Material Characterization Systems (AMaChaS) is a multidisciplinary project combining cutting-edge nanofabrication, materials growth, advanced soft x-ray holography, and transmission synchrotron microscopies for investigating materials with fundamental and technological relevance. It provides advances both at the level of nanoscale materials preparation as well as the characterization techniques, by enabling experiments on high-quality materials in a form that is not available today and pushing soft x-ray holography nanoscale spatial resolution. The project demonstrates a novel bottom-up path for developing nano-patterned membrane platforms for FM, FE and SC materials. This enables the state-of-the-art materials preparation for high-resolution transmission x-ray and electron microscopies, allowing studies of a broad class of relevant materials in an unprecedented high-quality form and unperturbed state. We have investigated the magnetic materials FeGeTe, CrI3, CrTe2 and CFO using soft X-ray holography and coherent diffraction imaging to resolve non-collinear nanoscale magnetic domain configurations. The instrumentation at BOREAS scattering endstation (ALBA Synchrotron) enables to image with high resolution approaching 20 ~ 30 nm on such materials, as results demonstrate, at low temperatures and high fields.
AMaChaS Project is important for the following research fields:
• Magnetism and Quantum materials community at national and international level
• Fundamental research in magnetic materials
• Study of magnetism in air-sensitive materials
• Reinforces ongoing collaborations
• Coherent imaging community
• ALBA II: Holography and CDI experiments are relevant for the future of the scattering/imaging program given the upgrade facility as a low-emittance machine
AMaChaS Project is important for the following research fields:
• Magnetism and Quantum materials community at national and international level
• Fundamental research in magnetic materials
• Study of magnetism in air-sensitive materials
• Reinforces ongoing collaborations
• Coherent imaging community
• ALBA II: Holography and CDI experiments are relevant for the future of the scattering/imaging program given the upgrade facility as a low-emittance machine
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
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
The work undertaken in this project has contributed to advancements beyond the state of the art in multiple areas of condensed matter physics, particularly in understanding and manipulating magnetic materials such as CFO, FGT, CrI₃, and Cr₁₊δTe2. The research has delivered breakthroughs in characterizing skyrmions and magnetic domain structures, offering insights into new mechanisms of stabilization, such as DMI and dipole interactions in Cr₁₊δTe2. This paves the way for more detailed investigations into magnetic textures relevant to quantum technologies and spintronics.
Results:
The project accomplished high-resolution characterization of magnetic domain evolution under different temperature and field conditions. The refinement of soft X-ray techniques like XMCD and holography enhances spatial resolution for observing sub-30 nm skyrmions and other nanoscale magnetic textures. The experiments focused on mapping domain behavior as a function of external stimuli, which is vital for understanding the mechanisms behind magnetic phase transitions.
Impacts:
- Scientific Innovation: Advances in characterization methodologies for air-sensitive materials like CrI₃ and Cr₁₊δTe2 will foster further research on topological magnetic structures, crucial for energy-efficient data storage and spintronics.
- Technological Application: The new knowledge on skyrmions and domain walls offers pathways toward engineering materials for quantum computing and memory devices.
- Collaboration and Competitiveness: This project has established a novel international framework for the study of magnetic materials, bolstering EU leadership in advanced material science and fostering global scientific cooperation.
The outcomes of this research have the potential to significantly influence both academic and industrial fields, addressing key challenges in data storage technology and quantum materials.
Results:
The project accomplished high-resolution characterization of magnetic domain evolution under different temperature and field conditions. The refinement of soft X-ray techniques like XMCD and holography enhances spatial resolution for observing sub-30 nm skyrmions and other nanoscale magnetic textures. The experiments focused on mapping domain behavior as a function of external stimuli, which is vital for understanding the mechanisms behind magnetic phase transitions.
Impacts:
- Scientific Innovation: Advances in characterization methodologies for air-sensitive materials like CrI₃ and Cr₁₊δTe2 will foster further research on topological magnetic structures, crucial for energy-efficient data storage and spintronics.
- Technological Application: The new knowledge on skyrmions and domain walls offers pathways toward engineering materials for quantum computing and memory devices.
- Collaboration and Competitiveness: This project has established a novel international framework for the study of magnetic materials, bolstering EU leadership in advanced material science and fostering global scientific cooperation.
The outcomes of this research have the potential to significantly influence both academic and industrial fields, addressing key challenges in data storage technology and quantum materials.