PIF2025 - Spin-driven phenomena in frustrated magnets for a sustainable data-centric society - (PID2024-159457OB-C22)

SPIN4DATA encompasses concepts and methods in the rapidly evolving area of functional materials for information technologies. The huge magnetic couplings of some ferrites make them excellent candidates for addressing current IT challenges. We focus on ferrite families with magnetic frustration and unique properties at ambient temperatures. First, the RBa(Cu2+1-xM2+x)FeO5 compounds present spiral magnetic orders that can induce ferroelectric responses. Such multiferroics could offer an exceptional step forward for storing information with magnetic spirals (associating the binary 1/0 states in computer memories to their chirality). The epsilon-MxFe2-xO3, presents very high magnetic anisotropies and is a magnetoelectric multiferroic. SPIN4DATA will establish the complex phase diagrams of these ferrites, and understand the microscopic origin of their unusual properties, to gain control of room-temperature multiferroic responses. The PhD work involves materials synthesis and advanced characterization techniques at international large-scale facilities, which is a rather unique asset. The selected fellow will follow the Materials Science PhD program at UAB, co-supervised by Prof. Jose Luis Garcia Muñoz and Dr. Martí Gich. She/he will participate in experiments at large-scale facilities, attending international and national conferences