Start of funding 01.07.2005

Surface Ferromagnetic Nanostructures Synthesized by Ion Implantation

PD Dr. Helmut Karl
University of Augsburg
Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik IV

Dr. Michael Nastasi
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Ion-Solid Interaction and Interface Engineering Team



In this project dense-packed, isotope pure or enriched nanoclusters of Pd and combinations of 4d-elements will be synthesized by high fluence ion implantation and ion beam mixing in different matrices like C, Si, SiO2 and Si3N4. Nanoscale Pd clusters exhibit surface ferromagnetism. On this basis, novel functional material concepts that use surface ferromagnetism and electrical transport in the regime of percolated-isolated nanoclusters can be developed. The high local supersaturation of the implanted material is mandatory for the formation of dense-packed burried nanoclusters and only attainable by ion implantation techniques. We will focus on ion beam synthesis and nanocluster-matrix interface effects on surface ferromagnetic, magnetic and electrical properties in these heterogenous systems.