Ultrafast magnetic switching for advanced devices

Objective

The ULTRASWITCH network addresses the field of ultra fast switching phenomena in magnetic submicron structures for applications such as magnetic sensors, magnetic random access memory elements and media for magnetic recording. It provides advancement of science, development of new routes for ultra fast switching and the training of 12 - 1 7 young researchers to provide the work force for tomorrows research, development and production in Europe in a strongly expanding field. The strong demand for continuing increase of data storage density and access time poses a strong challenge in particular on the exploration and development of new schemes for ultra fast applications. This can only be achieved by a combined action of the leading research groups in this field strongly inter-linked with leading industry. The ULTRASWITCH network comprises seven leading laboratories and three industrial companies to meet this challenge. The network is aimed to overcome the severe switching speed problems in devices, caused by the crossing of the access rate with fundamental time scales, such as the precession frequency. It focuses on coherent switching phenomena as the projected most successful path to stable magnetic switching in sub-nanosecond applications. As one example, in the area of magnetic random access memory, the ULTRASWITCH network will contribute to the scientific background to ultra fast memory designs in future memory applications.
Objectives are
i) the development and the testing of new concepts for ultra fast switching, like, e.g. spin injection assisted switching,
ii) the investigation of the underlying physical mechanisms, in particular the microscopic understanding of the magnetic damping mechanisms,
iii) the investigation of the decay channels on the femtosecond time scale, and iv) issues of thermal stability and limits of magnetic storage. Test structures comprise devices with lateral dimensions which are progressively kept below those defined by the

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › electronic engineering › sensors

Programme(s)

• FP5-HUMAN POTENTIAL - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base" (1998-2002)

Topic(s)

Data not available

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

NET - Research network contracts

Coordinator

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT KAISERSLAUTERN

Address

Erwin-schrödinger-straße
Kaiserslautern
Germany

Participants (10)

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

France

Address

Avenue Georges Clémenceau Université Paris-sud 11
91405 Orsay

CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT S.C.P.A.

Italy

Address

Strada Torino 50
10043 Orbassano

EINDHOVEN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Netherlands

Address

Den Dolech 2
5600 MB Eindhoven

IBM DEUTSCHLAND SPEICHERSYSTEME GMBH

Germany

Address

Hechtsheimer Strasse 1
55131 Mainz

INSTITUTO DE ENGENHARIA DE SISTEMAS E COMPUTADORES

Portugal

Address

Rua Alves Redol 9
1000 Lisboa

INTERUNIVERSITAIR MIKRO-ELEKTRONICA CENTRUM VZW

Belgium

Address

Kapeldreef 75
3001 Heverlee

SIEMENS AG

Germany

Address

Paul Gossen Strasse, 100
91052 Erlangen

UNIVERSITE DE PARIS-SUD XI

France

Address

Université Paris Xi - Bètiment 414
91405 Orsay

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW

United Kingdom

Address

University Avenue
G12 8QQ Glasgow

University of Durham

United Kingdom

Address

South Road
DH1 3LE Durham