Strain-Free All Heusler Alloy Junctions

This project aims to develop a low-power ferrimagnetic Heusler-alloy film for spintronic devices, utilizing atomic engineering to enhance magnetic properties and simplify production processes.

Subsidie
€ 3.108.441
2024

Projectdetails

Introduction

Spintronics is anticipated to replace current semiconductor-based memories and sensors based on fast-operating times (< ns) and low power consumption (< pJ per read/write operation). The spintronic devices typically consist of a magnetoresistive junction with a free ferromagnet/oxide barrier or non-magnet/pinned ferromagnet trilayer and may suffer from edge-domain formation and leakage current through the barrier by further miniaturisation (<10 nm in cell diameter).

Challenges in Spintronics

To avoid such obstacles, antiferromagnetic spintronics has recently been developed by introducing spin-orbit torque which can reduce the power consumption by over two orders of magnitude but contain critical raw materials.

Project Goals

In this transformative project, we aim to develop a ferrimagnetic Heusler-alloy film, in which the magnetic properties will be controlled by substituting the constituent element to achieve compensated ferrimagnetism (effectively the same as antiferromagnetism) sandwiched by weak and strong ferrimagnet in a single-step deposition.

Methodology

This will be achieved based on our Heusler-alloy database developed recently through existing collaborations. The selected alloy(s) without using critical raw materials will be grown by dedicated combinatorial sputtering under low pressure and characterised by:

  1. Conventional structural and magnetic analysis
  2. Non-destructive imaging we have developed
  3. Synchrotron-beam imaging at the Paul Scherrer Institute

Impact on Material Development

Such atomic engineering can offer a new way for material development for low-power electronics. The simplified growth process for a junction without any interfacial scattering is adoptable for future spintronic devices as will be demonstrated using the 200-mm-wafer production line at IMEC by the end of this project.

Conclusion

Hence this proposed project will reveal both fundamental magnetic coupling in a ferrimagnetic alloy and atomic control of the alloy for new growth processes, which can revolutionise spintronic device production.

Financiële details & Tijdlijn

Financiële details

Subsidiebedrag€ 3.108.441
Totale projectbegroting€ 3.108.441

Tijdlijn

Startdatum1-1-2024
Einddatum31-12-2028
Subsidiejaar2024

Partners & Locaties

Projectpartners

  • MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EVpenvoerder

Land(en)

Germany

Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council

ERC Consolid...

Magnetic alloys and compounds for ultra-high harmonics spin current generation

MAGNETALLIEN aims to develop innovative magnetic-based platforms for efficient spin current generation and ultra-high harmonics production, enhancing energy efficiency in data processing and transfer.

€ 1.996.550
ERC Starting...

Spins in two-dimensional materials for tunable magnetic and optoelectronic devices

This project aims to integrate 2D materials for efficient magnetic devices and optical communication, enabling energy-efficient data storage and transport at the nanoscale.

€ 1.500.000
ERC Starting...

Artificial Intelligence–Driven Materials Design for Spintronic Applications

This project aims to develop AI tools to optimize Van der Waals heterostructures for energy-efficient spin-orbit torque memories, enhancing speed and storage while reducing power consumption.

€ 1.078.750
ERC Advanced...

Altermagnetism and spintronics without magnetization and relativity

This project aims to explore and develop altermagnetism, a new magnetic phase combining benefits of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets, for advanced spintronic applications and memory devices.

€ 2.499.997
ERC Proof of...

Ultralow-power logic-in-memory devices based on ferroelectric two-dimensional electron gases

UPLIFT aims to develop a non-volatile, ultralow power logic-in-memory component using ferroelectric materials to reduce power consumption in microelectronics, supporting a new start-up for commercialization.

€ 150.000

Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen

EIC Transition

Hybrid Spintronic Synapses for Neuromorphic Computing

Spin-Ion Technologies aims to develop neuromorphic chips using ion beam-engineered magnetic materials, bridging computational neuroscience and deep learning for efficient embedded systems.

€ 2.499.998
EIC Pathfinder

Metaplastic Spintronics Synapses

METASPIN aims to develop low-power spintronic artificial synapses with metaplasticity to prevent catastrophic forgetting in AI, integrating this technology into an ANN for multitask learning applications.

€ 2.999.750
EIC Pathfinder

HIGH-TC JOSEPHSON NEURONS AND SYNAPSES: TOWARDS ULTRAFAST AND ENERGY EFFICIENT SUPERCONDUCTING NEUROMORPHIC COMPUTING

The project aims to develop high-temperature Josephson junctions as artificial neurons and synapses to revolutionize neuromorphic computing, enhancing speed, efficiency, and capabilities for diverse applications.

€ 3.438.122