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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/K032690/1
Title: Quantum Magnon Spintronics
Principal Investigator: Karenowska, Dr AD
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
CEA - Atomic Energy Commission Private Address Technical University of Kaiserslautern
Department: Oxford Physics
Organisation: University of Oxford
Scheme: EPSRC Fellowship
Starts: 30 September 2013 Ends: 29 September 2018 Value (£): 1,071,286
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Condensed Matter Physics Magnetism/Magnetic Phenomena
Quantum Optics & Information
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
20 Mar 2013 EPSRC Physical Sciences Fellowships Interview Panel 20-22nd March 2013 Announced
26 Feb 2013 EPSRC Physical Sciences Physics - February 2013 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Spintronics is the area of research dedicated to the study of how 'spin'--the quantum mechanical currency of magnetism--can be used realize new types of information transport, storage, and processing system which surpass the capabilities of those currently found in our computers and other electronic devices. Over the quarter century since its conception this field has branched in many directions. Some have already delivered spectacular real-world impact: spintronic magnetic field sensors are, for example, the bedrock of contemporary hard-disc technology and key players in the choreography of the information age. Others hold exciting promise as the basis for technologies of the future: a host of spintronic sub-disciplines feature among the most active and innovative areas of contemporary solid-state physics research.

Today, with many spintronic sub-fields now well-developed, there is mounting interest in unlocking the rich and subtle physics which connects them. Against this background, this proposal is about recognizing and investigating a new and exciting frontier: the interface between magnonics and magnon spintronics, and quantum information.

The field of magnonics is the area of magnetics dedicated to the science of quasi-particles known as magnons. In certain magnetic systems, magnons are able to play the role of microscopic spin-carrying tokens which can be generated and transmitted over relatively long distances (up to centimetres) and at high speed (many tens of kilometres per second). Magnon spintronics, magnonics' emerging sister discipline, is concerned with structures and devices which involve the passing of spin-information between magnons and electrons, the familiar workhorses of conventional electronics.

As appreciation of the interplay between magnonic and electronic spin-transport deepens, so excitement surrounding its possible contribution to next-generation information technology heightens. To date however, work in magnonics and magnon spintronics has focused on the study of room-temperature magnon and magnon/electron systems in the classical limit. As a result, the field of experimental quantum measurement and information processing has yet to explore what the magnonic theatre has to offer.

This project will develop the first experimental systems dedicated to a broad and systematic investigation of magnonics and magnon spintronics at the quantum level. Building on this, it will take the maiden steps towards accessing the new physical insight and potential technological opportunity at the interface between the rich physics of magnonic and magnon spintronic systems, and the techniques of contemporary quantum measurement and information processing. If successful, it will define and open up an entirely new field of research: quantum magnon spintronics.
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Organisation Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk