Simulations of Complex Order in Thin-Film Magnetic Systems

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The main purpose of my research is to gain a deeper understanding of complex magnetic materials for nano-device applications which can facilitate improvements in their functionality. From the enhancement of high-temperature superconductivity to enabling terabytes of data storage through computer hard-drive sensors devices, fundamental understanding of magnetic structures and materials has led to radical new insights and technological innovations in recent decades. New magnetic materials continue to be discovered and investigations of their basic properties will provide a path for their applications in future technologies. Through extensive computer modeling, we will reveal novel magnetic phases arising from newly characterized crystal structures that are relevant to nano-scale magnetoresitive-based sensors. These represent avenues of research which bridge fundamental and applied physics. Our work will provide a microscopic (atomic-spin level) understanding of exchange pinning in hard-drive spin-valve magnetic sensor technology which has eluded researchers for the past twenty years. This understanding will facilitate methods to improve sensor stability and performance.