Synopsis:
Magnetic nano-objects can range from single atoms to large clusters or nanostructures, displaying a variety of physical effects and being under intensive investigation for applications in nanotechnology, from magnetic circuit elements for spintronics to qubits for quantum computing. The main goal of this lecture is to introduce the fundamental quantum-mechanical principles governing the physics of such magnetic nano-objects, combining simple theoretical models with recent experimental and computational advances, in order to give the student a broad understanding of this area of research.

Topics:
Experimental investigation of magnetic nano-objects: the scanning tunnelling microscope
Understanding a single magnetic impurity: the Anderson model
Interaction between magnetic impurities and their environment: scattering theory
Long-range effects: Friedel oscillations and Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interactions
A bridge to spintronics: spin-orbit coupling and the Rashba model, magnetic effects
A bridge to materials simulations: density functional theory and multiple scattering theory
A bridge to quantum computing: spin excitations and spin coherence in magnetic nano-objects

Please write an email if you would like to attend the lecture: samir.lounis@uni-due.de