Formation and shaping of magnetic nanoclusters in oxides, using ion implantation

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Carsten Ronning
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 189694715

Within this project we will train in particular South African M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in high quality research by bringing them into in an internationally respected research collaboration where they will work alongside their German fellow students and have access to high quality research mentoring and supervision. Furthermore, we will investigate the conditions required to synthesize magnetic nano-clusters by ion implantation of Fe and Co in oxides. The formation of the nano-clusters in the host matrices will be studied as functions of annealing temperature, implantation fluence, substrates, and co-doping. Specific manipulation of the shape of the clusters will be achieved using subsequent irradiation with swift heavy ions. Complementary structural (TEM, XRD) and magnetic characterization (VSM, MOKE, Mößbauer) of the prepared samples will finally lead to a deep understanding of (a) the formation mechanism and (b) the correlation between structure and magnetic properties of the embedded nanoclusters.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: South Africa
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Krishanlal Bharuth-Ram