https://www.spintec.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Plaquette_Spintec_2026.pdf
Context
The fields of nanomagnetism and spintronics are opening to 3D structures, giving rise to new fundamental effects and also creating opportunities for deep integration in microelectronics, compared with standard planar designs. New physical effects include combined surface and volume spin-transfer torques, the topology of magnetization textures, non-reciprocal magnetization dynamics etc. Prospects for applications include Perpendicular-Shape-Anisotropy magnetic random-access memories, taking the form of short vertical nanocylinders for storing information, which promise denser and more temperature-resilient memory cells. On the longer run, non-volatile and highly-dense on-chip memories based on the concept of race-track memories using domain wall moving along vertical magnetic lines has been proposed, whose development may sharply cut the on- and off-power consumption of chips. We are addressing fundamental and technological challenges to unlock the translation of these concepts into real devices, hand-in-hand with the MRAM and Theory teams at SPINTEC. In this internship we propose to investigate experimentally individual vertical magnetic 3D nanopillars, from their synthesis to nanomagnetic and spintronic characterizations. More will be discussed in the interview.
Work program & Skills acquired during internship
The candidate will be in charge of contributing to the synthesis of magnetic nanopillars, alongside several experts, involving clean-room nanofabrication and electroplating. A challenging step, part of the objectives, is to implement a tunneling magnetic junction atop of the nanopillar, required for the readout of its state. Characterization of the physical devices will be both magnetic (magnetometry, magnetic microscopies) and electrical (characterizing magnetic states through magneto-resistive effects, and conversely, with final goal to write individual pillars with the so-called spin-transfer effect). The work is conducted jointly with colleagues from the MRAM group at SPINTEC, CEA/LETI, and Micro/Nano-Magnetism group at Institut Néel, providing a quick and effective support. Besides direct monitoring, the candidate benefits from weekly meetings in a collaborative environment including experts in electric measurements, advanced magnetic microscopy, and numerical/analytical micromagnetism. The candidate will learn nanofabrication techniques, electrical measurements and magnetic imaging, as well as a deep physical understanding of nanomagnetism and spintronics, providing a solid and broad basis to start a scientific research career, which we aim to be extended with a PhD project.
- Requested background: Master 2
- Duration: 6 months
- Start period: Feb/ March 2026
- Possibility of PhD thesis : YES