| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N33379/01 |
| Title: |
NEAR-FIELD, SECOND HARMONIC OPTICAL MICROSCOPY OF MESOSCOPIC MAGNETIC AND FERROELECTRIC STRUCTURES |
| Principal Investigator: |
Zayats, Professor A |
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| Department: |
Sch of Mathematics and Physics |
| Organisation: |
Queen's University of Belfast |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
17 July 2000 |
Ends: |
16 July 2003 |
Value (£): |
60,256
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Electronics |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The performance of ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials and devices is determined by their properties at microscopic level, particularly by structure and the sizes of domains and domain boundaries. It is important to develop high resolution tools for characterisation of the micromagnetic and magneto-optical properties of these materials in order to adopt a bottom-up approach in the search for new materials. The goal of this proposal is to apply a non-invasive and non-contact technique of second-harmonic generation to the imaging and studies of mesoscopic ferromagnetic and ferroelectric structures on the nanoscale.We will utilise the particular surface sensitivity of SHG technique in combination with near-field optical microscopy for the investigation of domain structures and its dynamics in magnetics and ferroelectrics. The sub-wavelength optical resolution of SNOM enable us to visualise the polarisation evolution in antiferromagnetic films, layered antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic structures and spin-valve tunnelling junctions, as well as ferroelectric films. This will provide information on basic electronic, magnetic and optical properties related to individual domains such as exchange anisotropy as well as the influence of local texture and granularity. This research is of importance for high density storage media, magnetic and ferroelectric random access memories as well as magneto-optical devices and sensors.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.qub.ac.uk |