Methoden

Our work group is engaged in a variety of interesting research projects like the investigation of novel magnetoresistance elements on the basis of Heusler alloys or investigations of the temporal behavior of re-magnetization processes. In the same way, we fabricate and investigate quasi one-dimensional magnetic nanostructures (nanowires), which could significantly increase the storage density of hard disks. The magnetic systems are prepared by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), i.e. the corresponding material is evaporated onto the substrate. The chemical analysis of the samples is carried out by means of Auger spectroscopy, scattering of slow electrons and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Magnetic properties can be determined with Kerr magnetometry and torsional oscillation magnetometry.

We are equipped with two scanning tunneling microscopes (STM), one STM being a low-temperature STM. With this device, it is possible to directly view surfaces at a temperature of 5 K at the atomic level.

Furthermore, tunnel current spectroscopy allows an examination of the electronic structure of samples and thus provides, inter alia, information on the chemical properties of sample surfaces. By means of spin-resolved scanning tunnel microscopy, the magnetic structure of surfaces can also be examined.