PhD Studentship: Spin-Polarised Scanning Probe Microscopy of Unconventional Magnets in Nottingham

This project will develop and apply spin‑polarised scanning probe microscopy to image, understand, and control magnetic order at the atomic scale in unconventional magnetic materials. Using low‑temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), the work will detect and map complex magnetic textures in emerging material classes, including two‑dimensional magnets, altermagnets, and new classes of compensated spin‑split systems.

These materials exhibit magnetic order without conventional ferromagnetism, offering new routes to functional behaviour rooted in crystal symmetry, topology, and electronic structure rather than net magnetisation. A core scientific aim is to resolve and manipulate topological magnetic textures such as vortices, merons, and domain walls at the level of individual atomic sites. Topological defects are central to modern condensed‑matter physics, underpinning phenomena ranging from superconductivity to superfluidity, yet they are rarely accessible as individual objects in real materials.

By combining spin‑polarised STM with controlled current injection, local electric fields, and temperature modulation, this project will move beyond passive imaging to actively create, annihilate, and reconfigure magnetic textures on demand. This capability will establish direct causal links between atomic‑scale structure, symmetry breaking, and emergent magnetic topology.

The project will place particular emphasis on newly discovered altermagnetic materials, which break time‑reversal symmetry while remaining magnetically compensated. These systems have generated strong international interest due to their compatibility with superconductors and topological phases, and their potential for highly scalable, low‑energy spintronic devices.

While recent studies have demonstrated nanoscale imaging of altermagnetic vortices and domains, the microscopic mechanisms governing their stability, dynamics, and interaction with defects remain largely unexplored. Atomic‑scale scanning probe measurements will directly address this gap, providing insight into the fundamental limits of altermagnetic order and its controllability.

This studentship will strengthen existing links between experimental nanoscience, magnetism, and spintronics within the School, building on Nottingham’s internationally recognised expertise in scanning probe microscopy and magnetic materials. The project will train the student in advanced experimental techniques, data analysis, and interdisciplinary problem solving at the interface of physics, materials science, and device‑relevant functionality.

Outcomes will include high‑impact publications, conference dissemination, and the development of transferable skills aligned with both academic and industrial research environments. The work aligns strongly with EPSRC strategic priorities, particularly Advanced Materials, Quantum and Emergent Phenomena, and Digital Futures. It addresses the discovery and control of novel material functionalities, supports high‑risk and high‑reward fundamental research, and contributes to the long‑term challenge of reducing energy consumption in information technologies.

At an institutional level, the project supports the University of Nottingham’s strategic focus on transformative technologies, advanced materials, and global research leadership, reinforcing the School’s role as a centre for atomic‑scale science and next‑generation magnetic technologies. By integrating local probe measurements with complementary theory and materials growth efforts, the project will also strengthen critical links throughout the School of Physics and Astronomy, while delivering sustained research excellence and creating potential for future external funding opportunities.

Please contact Dr. Brian Kiraly, Brian.Kiraly@nottingham.ac.uk for further information if you are interested in applying.