1. Demonstrate superior switching performance of orbitronic memory

‍OBELIX will demonstrate the successful implementation of orbital currents in original devices relevant to information technology. These orbital currents will be engineered inexisting spin-orbitronic devices to amplify the torques and thus boost the devices’ performance (TRL3), and implemented in three devices solely based on orbitronics, without any heavy metal: an orbital torque memory outperforming SOT-MRAM (TRL3), targeting a critical current of 15 MA/cm² and an energy consumption in the fJ range, an electrically controlled orbital switch for programmable logic and a vortex-beam controlled THz emitter (TRL2). We will demonstrate that orbital-based devices can outperform standard spin-based ones and open avenues to novel classes of scarce metal-free components.

2. Reveal efficient orbital transport in light metal heterostructures

‍Our program aims to spearhead the harnessing of novel physical effects involving the electron’s orbital angular momentum. We will:

1. Identify promising materials for orbital-to-charge conversion using theoretical and numerical modeling,
2. Design various types of metallic heterostructures to demonstrate long-range orbital transport and large interconversion rates,
3. Developing novel experimental techniques enabling the electrical and optical probe of orbital currents, including optical pumping of orbital currents, setting Europe at the forefront of research in this innovative field.

3. Materials’ benchmarking and optimization for orbital transport

‍We will perform asystematic characterization of orbital transport parameters (orbital conductivity and relaxation length, orbital-charge conversion rate, orbital polariz ability…) in a wide range of materials (light metals, oxide interfaces,2D materials...) to establish optimal materials. This extensive list, crucial to promote orbitronics across disciplines, will be available to the whole community via the project’s website and open access publications, and will serve as a benchmark to accelerate the development of orbitronics experiments and devices.

4. Contribute to the public awareness concerning critical materials in microelectronics

‍Beyond the research scope of orbitronics, OBELIX will contribute to the growing efforts to enhance the public level of understanding of the issues related to critical materials in the field of microelectronics and information technologies. We will develop:

1. Short pedagogical videos targeting non-experts,
2. Organize events with industrial partners‍
3. Contribute to the development of critical materials studies in the scientific community.