Electrons in matter possess various quantum degrees of freedom, among which the orbital angular momentum which features the self-rotation of the electron wave packet. In recent years, it was discovered that orbital currents can be used to convey information very efficiently. Most importantly, they can be generated in light metals that are cheap and abundant on Earth, thereby opening entirely new paths for their exploitation in competitive electronic components.
The EU-funded OBELIX project aims at advancing the physics of “orbitronics” and launching an entirely new technology based on the electronic orbital degree of freedom.
OBELIX will drive the development new families of electronic components, from memories to sensors and logic, and THz emitters and radio-frequency nano-oscillators free from scarce heavy metals. This technology has the potential not only to outperform existing devices but also to be strategically resilient and environmentally responsible.
Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) integrates two teams. The group of M. Kläui applies new methods to study and manipulate spin transport in nanostructures and uses these for microelectronic devices. In OBELIX, Kläui’s group will bring its expertise in materials growth and characterization, non-local spin transport and (spin-)orbit torque characterization. Mokrousov’s theory group explores a wide range of spin-orbitronics effects from microscopic theory with a particular emphasis on ab-initio description. In OBELIX, Mokrousov’s group will bring its pioneering expertise in the field of orbitronics and will be involved in WP1 and WP2 by realizing realistic modelling of orbital torque and orbital pumping in heterostructures using ab initio approaches. Kläui will co-lead WP1, Orbital engineering of spin-to-charge conversion, with MLU, and co-lead WP4 with AN. Mokrousov will co-lead WP2 with CNRS.
In Martin Luther University (MLU), Mertig’s group conducts basic research in the field of solid-state theory, focusing on the microscopic understanding of electronic, magnetic, and ferroelectric properties at the nanoscale. In recent years, Mertig’s group has developed extensive collaboration with Bibes at Laboratoire Albert Fert on spin and orbital transportat oxide interfaces. In OBELIX, MLU will lead WP1with JGU and will bring its expertise in relativistic and geometric effects for transversal transport coefficients based on spin- and orbital degrees of freedom in oxide heterostructures.
In University of Uppsala (UU), Oppeneer’sgroup has world-leading expertise in theory and numerical calculation of ultrafast, optically induced magnetic polarizations and currents. In OBELIX, UU will bring its expertise in the theoretical modeling of light-matter interaction and, in particular, of the angular momentum transfer between light and electrons. UU will co-lead WP3with CEA.
IMAGINE OPTIC (IO) is a French SME with very strong knowledge in wavefront sensing and wavefront control from infrared light to hard Xrays, including OAM characterization based on wavefront measurements. They will provide the technological bricks needed to characterize precisely an optical beam carrying spin and orbital angular momentum. IO will be involved in WP3 and WP4.
CEA integrates three teams. LIDYL has a strong and internationally recognized expertise in strong field physics, ultrafast laser-matter interactions and shaping and control of ultrashort pulses in the extreme UV domain. It will bring its expertise in strong field laser interactions in condensed matter and contribute to WP3, Optical and Electrical Interconversion of angular momentum. SPEC is internationally recognized for its seminal contributions to spin-orbitronics and antiferromagnetic spintronics. It brings its expertise in time-resolved optical magnetic imaging. The combination of LYDIL and SPEC’s skills will be acrucial asset to the optical probe and excitation of non equilibrium OAM. SPEC will lead WP3. Finally, GMT will bring its long experience in the realistic modeling of electronic, magnetic and transport properties of surfaces interfaces using tools ranging from DFT to tight-binding codes. GMT will be involved in WP2 to quantify orbital transport parameters theoretically.
THALES GROUP is a French multinational company that develops and manufactures electrical systems, devices and equipment for the aerospace, defence, transportation and security sectors. They will conduct characterization and performance assessment of the orbital THZ emitter designed in WP4, Paving the way to applications, co-led with JGU (Kläui). They will accelerate the transformation of this new technology into acommercial product by participating to the design of the THz technology and connect OBELIX to the market.
CNRS integrates two teams. CNRS/CINaM, a joint lab between Aix-Marseille University (CNRS-affiliated entity)and CNRS, has pioneered theoretical development in spin-orbitronics and will bring its expertise in quantum transport modeling of using quantum kinetics and phenomenological Boltzmann transport adapted to orbital currents. The second node CNRS-Laboratoire Albert Fert, a joint lab between CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay and THALES company,is a world leader in experimental spintronics from transport measurement, spin torque dynamics and related devices. It will bring its outstanding expertise in spin-to-charge conversion, spin pumping, nano-oscillators based on current-generated torques, and 2D Rashba systems in ultra-thin metallic layers and oxide interfaces. Laboratoire AlbertFert will be involved in all work packages and co-lead WP2, Pure Orbitronics: from materials to devices,with JGU.
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