Optical Control of Dynamics in Spintronic Devices

控制自旋动力学的能力对于实现一系列磁性设备的操作至关重要。就像最近的实验证明的那样，直接使用光场提供了操纵自旋的令人兴奋的机会。本程序介绍了一个全面的理论和计算框架，用于描述、建模和设计涉及自旋动力学光学控制的磁性器件。建议的研究包括理论物理、计算物理、工程、技术和教育部分。这项研究提供了对光学驱动的自旋动力学的基本理解，例如居里点附近的开关、全光开关、光学-自旋转移扭矩的组合现象以及光学诱导的自旋波。该程序确定了新的自旋动力学现象和结构，这些现象和结构展示了新的功能以及相关的涨落和噪音降低，这些现象和结构在量子尺度上特别普遍。这项研究创造了新的方法和高效的模拟器，包括高性能的原子、中尺度和多尺度(原子-中尺度混合)求解器。这项研究为磁性和光学设备和系统的建模带来了新的机会。引入的多尺度框架用于解决涉及采用光学控制的磁性材料和设备的关键技术问题，例如能量辅助磁记录。该计划包括本科生和研究生教育的一个重要组成部分，通过课程和辅导，将量子力学应用于现代技术，特别是微纳磁学和电磁学。这项工作让研究生和本科生参与研究，并有助于多样化。该项目具有广泛的影响。磁学的基本量子力学模型对量子力学的一般领域及其与实际器件的关系做出了贡献。高性能方法的各个组成部分可以用于其他领域，如生物物理、化学和天体物理。所提出的多物理解算器可以与其他物理领域的解算器杂交，例如电气/机械/流体建模框架。磁记录应用有助于数据存储设备的发展，数据存储设备在现代社会中无处不在。这项工作还开发了一套教育材料，涵盖了拟议的理论、模拟框架和设备研究。

The ability to control spin dynamics is critical for enabling the operation of a host of magnetic devices. Exciting opportunities for manipulate spins are offered by directly using optical fields, as was recently demonstrated in experiments. This program introduces a comprehensive theoretical and computational framework for the characterization, modeling, and design of magnetic devices involving optical control of spin dynamics. The proposed research has a theoretical physics, computational physics, engineering, technological, and educational component. The research provides fundamental understanding of optics driven spin dynamics, such as near Curie-point switching, all-optical switching, combined optical-spin transfer torque phenomena, and optics-induced spin waves. The program identifies new spin dynamics phenomena and structures that exhibit novel functionalities and the associated fluctuations and noise reduction particularly prevalent on the quantum scale. The research creates new methods and efficient simulators, including high-performance atomistic, mesoscale, and multiscale (hybrid atomistic-mesoscale) solvers. The research spawns new opportunities for modeling magnetic and optical devices and systems. The introduced multi-scale framework is used to address critical technological problems involving magnetic materials and devices employing optical control, such as energy assisted magnetic recording. The program includes an essential component of education of undergraduates and graduates, through courses and mentoring, in application of quantum mechanics to modern technology, particularly, micro- and nano-magnetics and electromagnetics. The work involves graduate and undergraduate students in research, and contributes to diversity.The program has a range of broader impacts. The fundamental quantum mechanical models for magnetics contributes to the general field of quantum mechanics and its relation to practical devices. Various components of the high-performance methods can be used in other fields, such as biophysics, chemistry, and astrophysics. The proposed multi-physics solvers can be hybridized with solvers in other physical domains such as electrical/mechanical/fluidic modeling frameworks. The magnetic recording applications contributes to the development of data storage devices which are pervasive in modern society. The effort also develops a set of educational materials covering the proposed theory, simulation framework, and device study.