28th DDc Lunch Retreat: Exploring magnets in three dimensions

When we bring magnetic nanosystems from two to three dimensions, we gain a number of opportunities – both fundamental, with new topologies of magnetic configurations – as well as applied – with higher density devices, and higher interconnectivity that is important for non-traditional computing.

In our work, we explore such three-dimensional magnetic nanostructures experimentally, developing the 3D printing of magnetic – and broader quantum material! – nanostructures, as well as tomographic techniques to image the magnetic order in three dimensions. With these new experimental capabilities, we obtain insights into the complex world of 3D spin textures, and harness nanopatterning of curved and chiral designs to control their behaviour.

This new understanding and control of topological textures in 3D magnetic systems paves the way for the next generation of technological devices. As well as controlling magnetic configuration on the nanoscale, these same concepts can be applied to a broader range of quantum materials, offering a route to explore phenomena, and control emergent behaviour, on the nanoscale.