Research GroupsNanostructured Magnetic and Energy Materials

Nanostructured Magnetic and Energy Materials

Scientific coordinator: Andrea Caneschi

 

The group is involved in the development and characterization of inorganic (metals, superconductors, oxide films) and molecular materials in thin film and solid-state form. The research is focused on studying the chemical-physical processes (magnetic, electronic, and optical) that characterize these nanostructured materials, with the goal of developing advanced applications in the fields of quantum technologies, photovoltaics, and energy transfer . The group possesses a wide range of equipment for thin film fabrication, both via wet chemistry and vapor-phase deposition, including:

• Thermal Sublimation

• Electron Sputtering

• Magnetron Sputtering
• Radio-Frequency Sputtering

Techniques for the chemical and physical characterization of surfaces and nanostructured systems in controlled environments (high and ultra-high vacuum) are also available, such as:

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

• Scanning Probe Microscopy (AFM and STM)

• X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS)

• Ultraviolet Photoemission Spectroscopy (UPS)

• Inverse Photoemission Spectroscopy (IPES)

• Low-Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED)

Furthermore, the group is internationally recognized for magnetic characterization using SQUID magnetometry and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopies, both continuous-wave and pulsed, with the capability of laser photoexcitation for studying photophysical processes in materials. In recent years, the research activity has further expanded toward the development of spintronic and photovoltaic devices, based on organic and hybrid organic-inorganic materials.