PhD Position: Ultrafast Dynamics of Magnetic Switching in Antiferromagnetic Quantum Materials

This PhD position offers the opportunity to work in a cutting‑edge experimental facility, addressing fundamental challenges in condensed matter physics.

HFML‑FELIX builds on a strong background in cutting‑edge advanced spectroscopy using high magnetic fields, intense infrared/THz radiation, and a combination thereof. As a PhD candidate, you will conduct research and answer questions in fundamental condensed matter physics on one of the topics listed below. You will actively cooperate with other PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and staff of HFML‑FELIX working on related topics, and you will be involved in collaborations with external users to carry out related experiments.

Funding for the projects is provided in the context of the ERC Advanced Grant for the INTERPHON project led by Prof.

A. Kirilyuk.

Two PhD positions are available:

• Ultrafast dynamics of phonon‑driven magnetic switching – You will develop new ways to optically control the magnetic state of materials with the lowest possible energy dissipation and at the fastest possible speed, using infrared/THz radiation for excitation of coupled spin‑lattice dynamics. The problems of ultrafast angular momentum transfer are at the heart of many phenomena, and a hot topic of modern magnetism.
  
  Already in statics, crystalline order leads to fascinating types of magnetic order such as alteromagnets or spin density waves. Manipulating the lattice on ultrashort time scales, scientists could achieve states of matter that are unthinkable otherwise. This project is deeply fundamental in nature, but with a strong potential for application concepts.
• Exploring antiferromagnetic quantum materials in and out of equilibrium – You will investigate the static and ultrafast response of cutting‑edge antiferromagnetic materials exhibiting a wide range of fascinating phenomena such as anomalous spin dynamics and THz‑range transport. You will experimentally investigate specific quantum materials using ultra‑fast spectroscopy under infrared/THz radiation. The goal will be to define the most efficient ways to generate coherent magnonic states with spin dynamics in a strongly non‑linear regime preceding antiferromagnetic switching.
  
  This work will pave the way towards a better understanding of possibilities for novel low‑power microelectronic applications.

Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your working time.

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate.