Plasmon-Enhanced Optical Control of Altermagnetic Memory
This DPhil project explores the development of a new class of light-controlled magnetic memory based on recently discovered altermagnetic materials — a fast-moving field at the intersection of spintronics, optics, and quantum materials.
You will investigate how ultrafast pulsed lasers, enhanced by plasmonic nanostructures, can control and probe magnetic states at the nanoscale, enabling low-power, high-speed memory operations without external magnetic fields.
The student will be part of a UK–US collaboration, with the US team focusing on advanced materials synthesis, while our group at Oxford leads optical characterisation and nanoscale device development. You'll contribute to experimental studies combining nanoscale light–matter interaction, magnetic switching, and data-driven optimisation.
This is a highly interdisciplinary project offering hands-on training in:
Nanofabrication and ultrafast optics
- Nanofabrication and ultrafast optics
- Optical and electronic characterisation
- Device integration and simulation tools
The project builds on our group’s strengths in plasmonics, nano-optics, and spintronic device physics, and benefits from a newly established, fully equipped lab in Oxford following our move from Cambridge.
Our lab environment is known for being collaborative, inclusive, and well-supported, with strong mentoring and a positive track record of student experience and supervision.
We welcome applicants from physics, materials science, electrical engineering, or related backgrounds. Curiosity and motivation matter more than prior expertise — training will be provided across all relevant techniques.
