EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L67752/01
Title: TIME RESOLVED PUMP-PROBE STUDIES OF SPIN DYNAMICS IN THIN FILMS
Principal Investigator: Hicken, Professor R
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics
Organisation: University of Exeter
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 15 September 1997 Ends: 14 March 1999 Value (£): 39,108
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Magnetism/Magnetic Phenomena Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
A new time resolved optical pump-probed technique will be developed for the characterisation of advanced magnetic materials. The Magneto Optical Kerr Effect will be used to probe the non-resonant response of the magnetisation on time scales of 0.1 to 1000 picoseconds (ps) with a temporal resolution of 0.1 ps. Samples will be pumped with either an optically triggered magnetic field or by direct optical excitation. The technique is intrinsically sensitive to structures with thicknesses in the nanometre range, due to the optical skin effect, and so it will be used to study both layered and granular thin film samples. Four of the core scientific issues in the magnetism of nanostructures will be addressed. First, the magnetic anisotropy and exchange coupling in nanostructured films will be characterised. Second, thermal relaxation in single domain particles will be explored on previously inaccessible picosecond time scales. Third, magnetism reversal on layered and granular materials on picosecond time scales will be investigated. Fourth, the spin relaxation of conduction electrons in nanostrustured films will be measured and related to the structural properties of the film. These studies will provide information relevant to the theme areas of Structured Films and Information Storage.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.ex.ac.uk