Functional magnetic thin films and heterostructures

Magnetic thin films and layered heterostructures are critical components in many modern technologies, and can be also considered model systems for the investigation  of magnetic  phenomena.
The research activity at ISM spans over the design and production of functional thin films and heterostructures for fundamental studies and applications (sensors/actuators biomedicine and data storage), through a deep understanding of the processes governing the physical properties and their correlation with morphological and structural features. Physical deposition techniques are used for the fabrication of novel functional materials with tunable properties, which are investigated by combining  advanced magnetic and magneto-resistive measurements (as a function of the field, temperature and angle), local synchrotron spectroscopies and micromagnetic simulations.
Current focus is on 1) crystal and synthetic antiferromagnet-based systems on rigid and flexible substrates, 2) critical-element-free high magnetic anisotropy materials 3) materials with perpendicular magnetic  anisotropy and 4) all-oxide heterostructures.

Staff: Elisabetta Agostinelli, Aldo Capobianchi, Sara Laureti, Davide Peddis, Alberto Maria Testa, Gaspare Varvaro (nM2-Lab  group)