Quantum and Functional Materials
Our goal: prozess big data with little energy
Quantum materials could process and store data with extremely little energy. At BESSY II, researchers are investigating interesting materials. © HZB/A.Kubatzki
Our modern IT and communication systems use a large amount of electricity - and the trend is upwards. Researchers at HZB are therefore investigating materials that could process data with significantly less energy. In these material classes, the magnetic moments (spins) of the electrons play a crucial role. The electrons themselves do not have to move. Therefore, less energy is needed and hardly any heat is generated. This technology is called spintronics.
Symbolic illustration of a graphene layer on a microchip. In combination with a heavy-metal thin film and ferromagnetic monolayers, graphene could enable spintronic devices. © Dall-E/arö
Spintronics, Topological Insulators, Quantum Materials
Magnetic properties of electrons, but also of local areas in the materials, can be used for the processing, storage and transmission of information. They enable faster and more energy-efficient processing and storage of information. Quantum effects are decisive for the physical behavior of these materials. Many phenomena have hardly been understood so far. At BESSY II, they can be investigated from all sides using a variety of methods.
Control of spin-based phenomena
Topological insulators, nanomagnetic systems, multiferroic materials or spin structures have electronic and magnetic properties that could be used for new devices. We analyze these properties and elucidate spin-based phenomena with high temporal and spatial resolution. The relevant processes such as domain wall shifts or magnetic excitations take place in the nanosecond to femtosecond range which can be examined at BESSY II with special methods (femtoslicing).
Control of collective states
Collective states in solids are characterized by the fact that electrons or quasi-particles change collectively. This leads to ordering phenomena such as quantum magnetism, superconductivity and ferroelectricity, which could be used for IT and energy technologies. We investigate phase transitions, partly under extreme conditions, as well as new material classes such as multiferroic systems and unconventional superconductors, in order to understand the ordering phenomena on an atomic scale. The long-term goal of this research is to control such phase transitions and states of order and to make them usable for future applications.