| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R73850/01 |
| Title: |
Imaging High Frequency Magnetisation Dynamics at the Wafer Level |
| Principal Investigator: |
Hicken, Professor R |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Exeter |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 February 2002 |
Ends: |
31 January 2004 |
Value (£): |
127,707
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Electronics |
Creative Industries |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The next generation of high-speed magnetic data storage devices will require nanostructured storage media and read-write transducers that switch on picosecond time scales by means of magnetisation precession. The physics of this process is not yet understood. It is not known which structures will exhibit precessional switching, how the process may be most efficiently induced, or which mechanisms affect its coherence and damping. We therefore propose to study the picosecond magnetisation dynamics of nanostructured magnetic elements with 100 fs temporal resolution and sub-micron spatial resolution by means of an optical pump-probe technique. The optical pump pulse will trigger magnetic field pulses with ultrashort rise times. These will be generated by miniaturised high frequency waveguide structures that are overlaid on the sample. The sample response will be probed through transparent windows in the waveguide structure. This will require the application of novel micro- and nano-fabrication techniques on non-semiconductor substrates. The apparatus will also be used to test the high frequency magnetic properties of partially processed recording head wafers. The technique will allow defective wafers to be identified earlier in the production process, and so provide a solution to a current problem in production engineering.
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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.ex.ac.uk |