General information
Organisation
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.
Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.
The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
Reference
SL-DRF-24-0246
Direction
DRF
Thesis topic details
Category
Condensed Matter Physics, chemistry, nanosciences
Thesis topics
Attosecond dynamics of electrons and spins in 2D and 3D magnetic materials
Contract
Thèse
Job description
Attosecond science focuses on the study of dynamics in matter at ultimate timescales, using light pulses of attosecond (10-18 s) duration. Our laboratory has pioneered the development and use of these pulses to investigate the ultrafast response of matter. In particular, we operate several platforms dedicated to attosecond spectroscopy of solids.
During this PhD project, we will develop original attosecond experiments aimed at elucidating the dynamics of one of the most important and intriguing degree of freedom of solids: the spins of its electrons. This quantity is responsible for the magnetic properties of materials, with applications ranging from data storage devices to spintronic components. Typically, existing devices use electric currents to convey and manipulate information.
Here, we aim to answer one apparently simple question: can we use a laser field, instead of a current, to control the electronic spins of a solid? While this would have the concrete potential of orders-of-magnitude faster operation, answering this question first requires fascinating fundamental investigations. Indeed, the response of magnetic materials at optical frequencies – below 10 fs – is almost completely unknown to this day. We propose to address this problem by performing experiments that combine spin sensitivity and attosecond resolution for the first time. By carefully shaping attosecond pulses and using state-of-the art detection schemes, we aim to establish a technique called attosecond magnetic dichroism, which will reveal the spin response of materials on the timescale of the electric field of light. We will first focus on simple tridimensional ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic systems, before evolving towards their bi-dimensional counterparts. Indeed, so-called 2D materials are expected to provide enhanced, or even fundamentally novel light-spin interactions. By understanding how light interacts with electronic spins in 2D, we will provide key elements towards the integration of future low-dimensionality spintronic components.
The student will acquire practical knowledge about experimental ultrafast optics and of time resolved spectroscopy of condensed matter, especially magnetic materials. He/she will become an expert in attosecond physics and technology, as well as acquire valuable skills in complex data acquisition and analysis.
University / doctoral school
Ondes et Matière (EDOM)
Paris-Saclay
Thesis topic location
Site
Saclay
Requester
Position start date
01/10/2024
Person to be contacted by the applicant
GENEAUX Romain romain.geneaux@cea.fr
CEA
DRF/IRAMIS/LIDyL/DICO
Orme des Merisiers - Bâtiment 701 Pc 19
CEA Saclay
91191 Gif-Sur-Yvette, FRANCE
0169087886
Tutor / Responsible thesis director
GENEAUX Romain romain.geneaux@cea.fr
CEA
DRF/IRAMIS/LIDyL/DICO
Orme des Merisiers - Bâtiment 701 Pc 19
CEA Saclay
91191 Gif-Sur-Yvette, FRANCE
0169087886
En savoir plus
https://iramis.cea.fr/Pisp/romain.geneaux/
https://iramis.cea.fr/LIDYL/DICO/