Chiral magnetism or more specifically topological magnetic skyrmions in chiral magnets are one of the most exciting current topics in condensed matter physics. Magnetic skyrmions are two-dimensionally localised magnetic excitations that are metastable over macroscopic times and behave like single particles. They are promising for low-power memory and/or logic architectures due to their small size and potential for manipulation using ultra-low current densities. The stability of the skyrmions result from a competition of different magnetic and relativistic exchange interactions such as the Heisenberg and the Dyzaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Aim of the thesis is to determine these interactions for interesting materials from the basic laws of quantum mechanics using very sophisticated first-principles methods based on density functional theory. So far the community focussed on axisymmetric skyrmions. In this thesis we look at materials with potential for antiskyrmions.

Master Thesis contents:

• Introduction to spin-lattice models including Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction
• Introduction to ab-initio methodology to perform interaction parameters for real materials
• Determining interaction parameters for ultrathin magnetic films
• Using a multiscale approach, skyrmions or antiskyrmion profiles using calculated parameters

Your Profile:
The candidate should have a

• a good motivation to enjoy research in an excellent environment
• it is expected to have a solid background in solid state physics, and to have motivation to dive into computational physics

What We Offer:

• Excellent guidance and mentoring.
• Research in a friendly, multitopical and international setting
• as well as a cooperative work environment in a dynamical institute.
• A fantastic research and computational infrastructure

Contact:
Prof. Stefan Blügel
Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI) &
Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS)
Forschungszentrum Jülich
D-52425 Jülich, Germany

tel: +49-2461-61-4249
email: s.bluegel@fz-juelich.de

For further information please contact Prof. Blügel or visit our website at http://www.fz-juelich.de/pgi/pgi-1.