Abstract
Three-dimensional grayscale control of magnetism and superconductivity via phase nanoengineering
Searching for new methodologies for tailoring the physical properties of materials at the nanoscale is of crucial importance both for the discovery of new phenomena, and for harnessing their potential in applications. Here, we discuss the direct control of the physical properties of condensed matter systems using highly localized heating from a nanoscopic probe and focused light [1-5], for producing controlled phase changes, which in turn lead to finely tunable magnetic, electronic and optical properties. In this framework, we discuss applications in the fields of nanomagnetism, magnonics and nanoelectronics with quantum materials.
1) Spin textures in metallic magnetic films, such as magnetic domain walls and skyrmions, are extremely promising to build unconventional computing systems. We create reversible, grayscale magnetic energy landscapes, demonstrating novel magnetization states such as “Moiré spin textures”, and storing stable and “invisible” magnetic information within the material.
2) Ferrimagnetic insulating garnets such as Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) are key across spintronics and photonics, due to their exceptional magnetic and magneto-optical properties. We show that by irradiating single-crystal YIG films with a focused UV laser, we drive a giant enhancement of the magnetic anisotropy, with three-dimensional capability. We demonstrate a fine tuning of the spin-wave band structure, realizing proof-of-principle 3D magnonic devices.
3) Lastly, we demonstrate the local tuning of the superconducting properties of the High-Temperature Superconductor YBCO. Cryogenic transport measurements show locally tunable critical temperature and current density, paving the way to direct-write superconducting circuitry.
[1] V Levati, et al., accepted in Nat. Commun. (2025) (arXiv:2409.17722)
[2] D. Girardi et al., Nat. Commun. 15, 3057 (2024)
[3] V. Levati, et al., Adv. Mater. Technol. 8, 2300166 (2023).
[4] E. Albisetti et al., Nat. Rev. Methods Primers 2, 32 (2022).
[5] E. Albisetti et al., Nat. Nanotechnol. 11, 545 (2016).
Biography
Edoardo is Associate Professor in the Department of Physics of Politecnico di Milano and PI in the PhyND research group. He obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from Politecnico di Milano, visiting Georgia Institute of Technology-Atlanta as graduate student. He was a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global postdoctoral fellow at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center and New York University-New York. Since 2021, he is PI of the ERC Starting Grant B3YOND. His main research interests are in developing advanced methodologies for tailoring at the nanoscale the physical properties of condensed matter systems, to realize new materials and devices where complex phenomena give rise to enhanced functionalities.