2 PhD positions in Ultrafast optical control of topological magnetic textures

Are you fascinated by controlling magnetic matter by femtosecond laser pulses, eager to explore the underlying physical mechanisms, and passionate to develop a generic tool to ‘print’ complex textures just by design? Join us as a PhD candidate on the ERC project “Topological Magnetism by Photonic Design” – TOP DESIGN!

Information
Topology is a fundamental concept with intriguing implications. Central in your project will be the skyrmion – a nanoscale, whirling magnetic texture. Skyrmions are topologically protected and act like particles; they can be created, moved and annihilated – ideal to store and carry information. Imagine being able to create and delete skyrmions on demand at any position. Imagine doing so for more complex textures, or, ultimately, creating synthetic lattices of skyrmionic entities just by design. That’s the challenge you will address, to open up new horizons in fundamental research, but also to enable non-conventional, more sustainable ICT solutions.

Within the overarching ERC Advanced Grant project “Topological Magnetism by Photonic Design” (TOP DESIGN) two PhD candidates will do their fundamental experimental physics research in a larger team, supervised by Prof. Bert Koopmans, based at Eindhoven University of Technology.

PhD candidate 1 will explore fundamental processes underlying the deterministic creation and annihilation of sub-diffraction limited skyrmions by sequences of femtosecond laser pulses, using a suite of femtosecond time-resolved magneto-optical spectroscopies, as well as magnetic imaging using a dedicated magnetic force microscope and magnetic electron microscopy. PhD candidate 2 will use this fundamental understanding to extrapolate towards more complex textures, including entire lattices and guided by state-of-the-art nano-lithographies, in order to develop a versatile ‘magnetic topology printer’. Both PhD candidates will design and synthesize multilayered magnetic thin films using the NanoAccess facility, and will enjoy theoretical support by a more experienced theoretical postdoc. In the second phase of the project, work will move towards current-driven dynamics of the nanosized textures, the exploration of topological excitations, and final steps towards implementation in an integrated photonic platform, for which an additional PhD candidate and postdoc will join the team.

Within the team you will closely collaborate, but you will also profit from a strong international network. You will publish your findings in research articles in leading journals and by giving talks and presenting posters at national and international research conferences. During the four-year period of the PhD position, you will grow into an independent researcher who can conduct research in a collaborative environment. Moreover, you will improve your teaching and supervision skills by the 10% teaching and supervisions tasks scheduled within your employment.