Project description
Investigating the physics of 2D magnetism
Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials have been of interest to physicists as much for their unique physics as for the possibility of pushing magnetic devices to their fundamental physical limits. The EU-funded NanoMagnO project will shed further light on the physics underlying the magnetism of 2D materials and specifically the interplay between magnetism and mechanics. Researchers will explore how mechanical strains modify the magnetic behaviour of the 2D monolayers chromium triiodide (CrI3) and chromium(III) bromide (CrBr3). These layered magnetic materials will aid detailed studies on the magnetic coupling between different atomically thin layers in Van der Waals heterostructures. Researchers will then fabricate nanomechanical resonators based on CrI3 and CrBr3 to study the quantum back action of the magnetic measurement process.
Objective
The isolation of graphene sheets ushered the age of 2D materials as the poster children of condensed matter physics. Until a few years ago, 2D magnetism was thought to be impossible to observe experimentally, as any amount of thermal fluctuations is enough to disturb the magnetic order. Recently, the existence of 2D magnets have been proved and these materials have garnered a great amount of interest, both due to their novel physics and to the possibility of downscaling magnetic devices, enabling future beyond CMOS technology. However, the physics underlying 2D magnetism are not fully understood. In this project, we aim to study how the magnetism of 2D monolayers of CrI3 and CrBr3 is modified by applying a mechanical strain, which tunes their intralayer magnetic exchange and ultimately their magnetic order. CrI3 and CrBr3 bilayers will also be used to study the dependence of the magnetic coupling between different layers in van der Waals heterostructures, describing the origin of their interlayer magnetic orderings. Using the same materials, we will fabricate nanomechanical resonators which will be used to study the backaction of magnetic field on oscillating 2D magnets. Ultimately, this project will shed light on how magnetism and mechanics interplay in 2D materials.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinator
08860 Castelldefels
Spain