It’s imperative that we stay one step ahead of our adversaries in new ultra-high speed and low power computing paradigms. Here we present an opportunity for applicants to leverage NRL’s unique expertise in metamagnetism, antiferromagnetics and spintronics research to lead the field in a newly discovered class of spin-ordered materials called the “Altermagnets.” Discovered just recently, these materials have captivated the research community with their large spin-momentum locking at room temperature despite having zero net magnetic moment. This manifests in a high spin-polarization that can be electrically detected without the need for external magnetic fields (i.e topological insulators), or the complicated fabrication of single-atom-thick heterostructures (i.e 2D materials). The outcome of the applicants program should be a fundamental understanding of the physics underlying the altermagnet’s non-relativistically protected spin polarization through nautron scattering and magnetotransport, and an experimental toolbox learned through the first-time fabrication of materials systems and test-bed altermagnetic devices for use in ultra-high frequency memory, logic, signal modulators and spin filters.

Objective: To understand and control the non-relativistically protected spin polarization in the newly discovered “Altermagnets” by sample synthesis, neutron scattering, magnetotransport, muon spin resonance and squid magnetometry and to use these materials to lithographically fabricate nanoscale test-bed devices with actively modulated spin polarizations for ultra-high speed nano-electronics.

The the applicant to this call should seek a fundamental understanding of the physics underlying the altermagnet’s non-relativistically protected spin polarization, and an experimental toolbox learned through Neutron scattering, spin-ARPES, muon spin resonance, bulk/thin film growth, and the first-time fabrication of test-bed altermagnetic devices for use in ultra-high frequency memory, logic, signal modulators and spin filters.

key words

Altermagnet, Magnet, Neutron Scattering, Altermagnetic, spin systems, magneto-transport, muon spin resonance

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants

Additional Benefits

Relocation

Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.

Health insurance

A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.