3D Artificial Spin-ice

Frustration is defined as the inability for all pairwise interactions to be simultaneously satisfied and is a phenomenon that impacts a wide range of scientific areas.

For example, frustration is important in the production of solar flares, in the folding of biological molecules and in the bonding of water ice. Realising model systems for studying frustration will help to elucidate a range of complex phenomena in science.

The group of Dr Sam Ladak, School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University has recently shown that 3D printing upon the nanoscale, when combined with deposition can be used to realise tuneable frustrated magnetic systems. Through direct magnetic imaging our group has shown the creation and propagation of magnetic monopole defects upon the lattice surface.

The student upon this project will further exploit 3D nanostructuring of magnetic materials in order to fabricate tuneable frustrated systems and study ground state ordering. These systems will be characterised using a wide-range of techniques including scanning probe microscopy, optical magnetometry and synchrotron imaging. Experimental work will be complemented by detailed micro-magnetic modelling which will be performed in Cardiff and Monte Carlo simulations which will be performed by collaborators.

Interested applicants can find out more about our PhD programme and apply via the following link: Physics and Astronomy - Study - Cardiff University

Please submit the following documents with your application:

• All of your University level certificates and transcripts to date
• Two references (at least one of these must be academic)
• Your academic CV
• Your personal statement