Tailoring Magnetic Properties of Iron by Non-Equilibrium Interstitial Engineering in Thin Films (C01)

• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis ; Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 443703006

It has been predicted that soft magnetic iron can be transformed into a material with high magnetocrystalline anisotropy by tetragonalisation. This tetragonalisation can in principle be achieved by interstitial atoms such as B, C and N, but their solubility in Fe is extremely limited. By applying new non-equilibrium methods during thin film growth, the limits of the tetragonalisation achieved so far are to be pushed into ranges that are also relevant for applications. The project will develop a precise understanding of the causes of magnetic anisotropy in close cooperation with materials modelling and establish interstitial defect control experimentally.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1487: Iron, upgraded!
• Major Instrumentation: Low-temperature manipulator
• Instrumentation Group: 0920 Atom- und Molekularstrahl-Apparaturen
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Darmstadt
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Lambert Alff