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Spin-Phonon interaction for Energy Conversion

Project description

Research explores spintronic materials that control heat flow

Conventional CMOS scaling seems to be reaching a state of terminal decline: heat generation is a major hurdle that impedes progress toward smaller, faster chips. Spintronic circuits based on magnetic insulators, which do not conduct electric charge but can transport spin, are a promising remedy for these problems. In this regard, insulating transition metal oxides can be designed to show low heat dissipation while showing different types of complex magnetic order. The EU-funded SPEC project plans to explore magnon–phonon interactions in certain magnetic insulating materials. The focus will be on optimising the heat-into-electrical energy conversion through spin currents (spin Seebeck effect) and to identify the conditions for large thermal rectification.

Objective

Heat dissipation is one of the great challenges for microelectronic and information technologies, which is aggravated by the reduction of the transistor dimensions and the increases in packing density and amount of data. Therefore, beyond CMOS technologies and heat management strategies are important challenges that need to be faced for the sustainable development of a knowledge-based society.

The exploration of spin-based devices exploiting novel mechanisms is one of the possible routes to explore. In particular, insulator spintronics has great potential. Since magnetic insulating materials (mostly transition metal oxides, TMO) can offer lower heat dissipation due to the absence of charge carriers and no Joule heating losses. Moreover, TMO can offer new functionalities due to the mutual interaction between several degrees of freedom: electronic, magnetic, lattice. One example; is the spin-lattice interaction which has recently gained increased attention.

In this present proposal, I will explore magnon-phonon interaction effects in suitable magnetic insulating materials to investigate their potential for magnetic-field-controlled heat-rectification effects, as well as their contribution to spin-based thermoelectric conversion phenomena (spin Seebeck effect).

I will carry out the proposed research under the supervision of Prof. F. Rivadulla at CIQUS-USC and secondments in the group of Prof. M. Klaui at JGU-Mainz, thereby making use of the complementary expertise and stablishing a collaborative work environment between both institutions.
Moreover, the experience I acquired during the last 5 years in Prof. Saitoh laboratory at Tohoku University will be critical for the success of this project, placing me in an unbeatable moment to tackle this ambitious research.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Net EU contribution
€ 172 932,48
Address
COLEXIO DE SAN XEROME PRAZA DO OBRADOIRO S/N
15782 Santiago De Compostela
Spain
Region
Noroeste Galicia A Coruña
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 172 932,48