Novel materials for magneto-optical applications

We propose to develop a new class of materials providing strong magneto-optical phenomena (such as strong Kerr or Faraday effect). Such material properties are required for many unique optical applications, such as magneto-optical isolators, optical switches or true half-mirrors. The design of novel materials is based on a combined theoretical approach (ab-initio calculations), materials synthesis (in both bulk and thin-film form), followed by a careful characterization (structure, magnetic properties, electronic structure, optical and magneto-optical characterization). Three different investigation directions based on intrinsic material properties will be undertaken, namely, (i) Heusler compounds with strong spin-orbit interaction, large exchange coupling and their hybridization, (ii) influence of the half-metallicity and (iii) promotion of magneto-optical phenomena in f-based materials in tetragonal structure (itinerant f-electrons or f mixed-valence systems).