The Group

Our group investigates magnetic phenomena in materials with novel structural and electronic properties. In particular, we are interested in the question of how the microscopic interplay of atomic properties, bonding, and size effects determines the macroscopic magnetic and transport behavior of thin films and nanostructures. At the moment, we focus on the study of multilayer metal, metal/oxide, and metal/semiconductor interfaces with strong spin-orbit coupling as well as on single atoms and single molecule magnets. Experiments in our group are based on materials and nanostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy or sputter deposition, and the following characterization techniques: scanning probe and electron microscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray magnetic dichroism, magneto-optic Kerr effect, and magnetotransport measurements.