The road map of the magnetic data storage industry predicts a demand that will require nanometre length magnetic structures within the next five years. An exciting new development is heralded by the emerging field of molecular spintronics where information is stored as spin at the single-molecule level and where the immense tunability of molecular architectures gives access to unprecedented flexibility and control of such materials.
This PhD project will investigate the tantalising prospect that molecular spintronics can indeed be translated to the surface, thus opening up the possibility of information storage via direct addressing of individual adsorbed molecules as single quantum magnets1. The Surface Science Research Centre at the University of Liverpool has, over the past few years, demonstrated2-4 that it is possible to adsorb molecules possessing spin at non-magnetic Cu(110) and magnetic Co/Cu(110) surfaces in an ultra-clean and defined manner to create robust interfaces that are stable at room temperature and above.
The PhD project will combine the capabilities at Liverpool with X-Ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) at the Diamond Light Source (DLS) to study the magnetic behaviour of such interfaces. DLS is the UK’s new synchrotron light source and produces x-rays of high brilliance for state-of-the-art research. At DLS, the PhD will be based at beamline I06 which specialises in polarised soft x-ray spectroscopy at high magnetic fields and low temperatures.
The student will divide their time between (i) working in the Surface Science Research Centre (SSRC) at the University of Liverpool using sophisticated spectroscopic and molecular imaging techniques to fully characterise the structures to be studied at DLS, and (ii) working at DLS in preparation of the systems for circular dichroism (CD) and XMCD experiments. The SSRC provides an excellent training environment with state-of-the-art facilities and a lively research culture. In addition, there will be access to Theory groups who will collaborate to carry out calculations on systems studied.
Eligibility: The PhD is open to UK students or EU students resident in the UK for at least 3 years. Candidates should have a good Masters degree in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering or Materials Science and an interest in nanoscience, surface science and experimentation.
Deadline for applications: 15 Oct 2010 Nominal start date: End 2010/Early 2011 (dependent on candidate)
To apply send a full CV and the names of two referees to Professor R Raval (raval@liverpool.ac.uk).
For more information, contact
Professor R Raval raval@liverpool.ac.uk http://www.liv.ac.uk/ssci
Dr S D Barrett S.D.Barrett@liv.ac.uk
Professor S S Dhesi dhesi@diamond.ac.uk http://www.diamond.ac.uk
Application deadline: Oct 15 (Fri), 2010
Submitted: Sep 27, 2010
Contact: R. Raval
E-mail: raval@liv.ac.uk
Phone: +44 151 794 3870
Fax: +44 151 708 0662
Address: The Surface Science Research Centre The University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
UK: PhD Studentship in Molecular Spintronics
At Surface Science Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Raval
Field(s): chemical physics, chemistry, condensed matter, material physics, microscopy, molecular physics, nanotechnology, solid state physics, surface physics, synchrotron radiation
PhD Studentship in Molecular Spintronics, UK
