Objective "The aim of the proposed research is to study electric-field induced magnetic phenomena in thin-film ferromagnetic-ferroelectric heterostructures. In particular, the project addresses ferroic order competition and magnetoelectric coupling dynamics at micro, nano, and atomic length scales.The first part of the project focuses on the dynamics of coupled ferromagnetic-ferroelectric domains and electric-field induced magnetic domain wall motion at sub-nanosecond time scales. For simultaneous imaging of both ferroic domain responses to ultra-short electric-field pulses, the construction of a time-resolved polarization microscope is proposed. The second part relates to finite-size scaling of ferroic domain correlations in continuous films and electric-field control of magnetic effects in patterned nanostructures. Here, the aim is to elucidate the competition between magnetoelectric coupling at ferromagnetic-ferroelectric interfaces and the relevant energy scales within the bulk of ferroic materials. Moreover, electric-field induced domain wall motion in magnetic nanowires is pursued as a viable low-power alternative to current-driven spin-torque effects. Finally, the third part of E-CONTROL aims at visualization of magnetoelectric coupling effects with atomic precision. For this frontier study, the development of in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques is proposed. The new measurement method enables the application of local electric fields on cross-sectional specimen during TEM analysis and this is bound to provide unique insights in strain-mediated and charge-modulated coupling mechanisms between ferromagnetic and ferroelectric thin films." Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyelectron microscopyengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE3 - ERC Starting Grant - Condensed matter physics Call for proposal ERC-2012-StG_20111012 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR EU contribution € 1 499 465,00 Address OTAKAARI 1 02150 Espoo Finland See on map Region Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Sebastiaan Van Dijken (Prof.) Administrative Contact Matti Kaivola (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR Finland EU contribution € 1 499 465,00 Address OTAKAARI 1 02150 Espoo See on map Region Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Sebastiaan Van Dijken (Prof.) Administrative Contact Matti Kaivola (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data