Terahertz Spintronics: toward Terahertz Spin-based Devices

THz spintronics is a novel research field that combines magnetism and spintronic with ultrafast optics. Although ultrafast demagnetization of ferromagnetic materials at picosecond timescale has been first observed already three decades ago, recent years have seen the rapid development of THz spintronic devices stemming from ground breaking studies. Many studies pushed the GHz limits of standard spintronic devices to the THz range by investigating new materials and spin-orbit interactions at ultrafast time scale. Especially, the development of broadband and high power spintronic THz emitters based on simple nanometer thin ferromagnetic / heavy metal bilayers holds the prospect to extend the THz field and widen its applications that has long while been limited to niches for astronomers and spectroscopists.

In the last years, the numerous improvements made in material research (such as on topological insulators and antiferromagnetic materials), interface quality and device engineering have been central to both explore spin-based physics at THz frequencies and investigate to new concepts of spin based THz devices. These cover the full THz block chain (broad and narrowband THz generation and detection, together with control of radiation properties such as polarization and ellipticity) as well as new approaches for THz imaging and encoding THz information. The widespread interest and progress in spin-based THz physics and devices continues to accelerate requiring joint efforts from magnetism, optics and engineering research communities. This workshop will bring together world-leading scientists from these broad range of communities, generating further collaborations and developmentsin this emerging field.

For videos of the talks and further information, please visit the workshop home page.

Young Research Leaders Group Workshop: Recent advances in non-equilibrium and magnetic phenomena

In nature, all the most interesting phenomena are non-equilibrium processes, whether it be star explosions, hurricanes or electrons flowing in metals. In recent decades, the invention of new theoretical tools combined with considerable gains in computational power have enabled physicists to investigate and understand increasingly sophisticated non-equilibrium systems.
Magnetic systems provide an excellent playground for investigating non-equilibrium phenomena. Spins couple effectively to temperature gradients, oscillating magnetic fields, charge and heat currents, or laser pulses. This gives rise to phenomena like magnon BEC, the ultrafast switching of magnetic domains, novel types of phase transitions, or rapidly moving magnetic skyrmions and domain walls.
At the same time, the language of quantum magnetism can also be used to describe completely different kinds of systems, for example ultracold atoms in cavities or the qubits of quantum computers. These systems provide new ideas and challenges to the field of non-equilibrium magnetism, e.g., on the role of dissipation, measurement and entanglement.

By bringing together young researchers from both magnetism and more broad non-equilibrium topics with theoretical and experimental backgrounds we hope to learn about each others’ areas of expertise and build future collaborations to advance these fields. Science benefits from diversity, open communication, and different perspectives, and special care has been taken to make this event inclusive and gender-balanced.

For videos of the talks and further information, please visit the workshop home page.

Non-equilibrium Quantum Materials Design

Quantum materials driven out of equilibrium by strong electric fields exhibit phenomena that challenge our physical understanding of solids and could be implemented in future device technologies. Examples include photo- and current-induced transitions to metastable hidden phases, the ultrafast optical manipulation of ferroelectricity and magnetism, light-induced superconductivity, and the creation of photon-dressed topological states. While much progress has been made in characterizing these effects, turning them into real-world functionalities requires stabilizing them at high temperature, on long time scales, and with minimal input power. These challenges are inherently of a materials nature. The focus of this workshop is to bring together experts in quantum materials synthesis (single crystals, thin films, vdW heterostructures) with experimentalists and theorists investigating non-equilibrium phenomena to spark a new generation of non-equilibrium quantum materials design – that is, to create quantum materials that are specifically designed for their out-of-equilibrium response to optical and electrical perturbations. The long-term goal is to create a feedback loop between materials synthesis, experimental characterization and theory for non-equilibrium physics, similar to the successful strategies employed in equilibrium quantum materials design.

For videos of the talks and further information, please visit the workshop home page.

Quantum Spinoptics

The conference aims at the interdisciplinary experiment of bringing together experts from solid state and quantum optics, in order to foster dialogue at the interface of the two communities. The goal is to plant the seed of a novel hybrid research area, where solid state systems are treated on the same footing as AMO driven-dissipative platforms, and, viceversa, where quantum optics can be reshaped by using concepts from spintronics, magnetism and the physics of correlated materials.We invite and encourage the contribution of selected speakers advancing the frontiers of any of the following fields:(i) dynamical phase transitions in driven-dissipative atomic or spin ensembles, ranging from traditional AMO platforms to spintronics and solid state devices;
(ii) quantum optics-inspired pumping schemes applied to condensed matter models;
(iii) correlated emission and dissipative engineering to build entangled states, and shape novel sub- and superradiant phenomena;
(iv) noise sensing and engineering in light-matter interfaces and NV/color centers.

For videos of the talks and further information, please visit the workshop home page.

Altermagnetism: Emerging Opportunities in a New Magnetic Phase

This workshop focuses on the emerging magnetic material class of altermagnets. This recently discovered magnetic phase is separate from the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases that we are used to. The new altermagnetic class shows compensated magnetic ordering and alternating spin-polarization in both the direct and momentum space, with a d-wave (or higher even-parity wave) symmetry. Altermagnets span a large range of materials from insulators to superconductors, and exhibit properties characteristic of ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and other unique properties that neither of the two previously known classes have.

The novel properties of altermagnets have links to many fields of research, such as spintronics, ultra-fast photo-magnetism, neuromorphics, multiferroics, magnonics, topological matter, or superconductivity. The workshop brings together junior and senior scientists from diverse research fields to explore this fascinating newly discovered magnetic phase.

For videos of the talks and further information, please visit the workshop home page.