Overview

We investigate novel phenomena that occur in magnetic systems where the size of the incorporated magnetic elements range from a few micrometres down to only a few tens of nanometres. For fabrication we use the latest cleanroom processing methods and for characterisation we employ large-scale-facility and lab-based methods to probe the magnetic behaviour at timescales from minutes down to femtoseconds.

The Thin Films and Interfaces Group focuses on the preparation of highly defined thin films, mainly oxides, by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) for applications in energy technology. We also study other materials properties, such as multiferroicity. We are working on the fundamental understanding of the PLD process, the influence of strain on material properties and we utilize the large facilities at PSI (neutrons, muons, and photons from the SLS). More details can be found on our group web pages.

The Solid State Chemistry Group is working on the synthesis and characterization of ceramic and single crystal materials with novel electronic and magnetic properties. Numerous complex oxide materials have been successfully crystallized by the Traveling Solvent Floating Zone (TSFZ) method using an optical furnace. This includes cuprates, manganates, orthoferrites, cobaltites, borates and phosphates. Novel chalcogenide iron superconductors have been synthesized as powders and single crystals (Bridgman method).

The Physical Properties of Materials Group prepares and characterizes materials with novel structural and magnetic properties. This is done mainly as bulk, but also as thin films. We are working on the fundamental understanding of the interaction mechanims leading to these novel phenomena and utilize the large scale facilities at PSI (neutrons, muons, and photons from the SLS). More details can be found on our group web pages.