Special Research Area in Kaiserslautern and Mainz will continue to be funded

Speaker of the SFB Professor Dr. Martin Aeschlimann. (Photo: Koziel/TUK)

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding the Transregio Special Research Area (SFB/TRR) "Spin+X – Spin in its collective environment" for another four years with ten million euros. It is coordinated by the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, in close collaboration with Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. A team of researchers from physics, chemistry, and engineering sciences investigates fundamental spin phenomena. These are quantum mechanical phenomena that enable magnetic properties in various materials. They are intended to be translated into applications, for example in the form of new components for memory chips.

That we can stream music and videos despite massive amounts of data or that cars can brake safely thanks to anti-lock braking systems is due to spin research. Its insights have been incorporated into the development of new technologies for many years. For example, spin research has influenced disk drive development since the beginning of the computer age and today impacts the evolution of new magnetic memory chips and sensors.

In technical terms, spin refers to the intrinsic angular momentum of a quantum particle, such as an electron or proton. "Spin is a purely quantum mechanical phenomenon and forms the basis for all magnetic phenomena," says SFB spokesperson Professor Dr. Martin Aeschlimann from the Technical University of Kaiserslautern (TUK). This is particularly interesting for fast storage of large data volumes as well as for the development of modern magnetic sensors in smartphones and automobiles.

The team in Kaiserslautern and Mainz covers the entire spectrum of spin research with its work. This ranges from fundamental physical questions to functional and technologically oriented projects, such as the development of novel components that use spin waves as information carriers to transmit data.

Furthermore, supporting young scientists is a core interest of the SFB. Through the integrated "Spin+X Graduate College," young researchers are trained both professionally and interdisciplinary. This is made possible thanks to the interdisciplinary collaboration of the different working groups at both locations.

In addition, involving students in research activities is an important pillar. To bring the topic of spin closer to the general public, targeted new techniques such as virtual and augmented reality technologies, various communication networks, and social media are used as part of the "Spin+X Outreach Project."

The special research area is closely integrated into the research initiative of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate at both sites, which aims to promote top-level research and profile-building at universities. Accordingly, the Vice President for Research and Technology of TUK, Professor Dr. Arnd Poetzsch-Heffter, is pleased: "The extension of SFB Spin+X is an outstanding success and demonstrates our research strength in the field of spin, light, and matter. Moreover, it reflects the long-standing successful collaboration with JGU Mainz in this area."

The Transregio SFB "Spin+X – Spin in its collective environment" was first approved in 2016. The second funding phase begins in January 2020. It is funded by the DFG with ten million euros. The three departments involved at TU Kaiserslautern are Physics, Chemistry, and Mechanical and Process Engineering. From Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the Institutes for Physics and for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry are involved.

Starting next year, spin research in Kaiserslautern will be consolidated in a new research building on the TUK campus, called the Laboratory for Advanced Spin Engineering, or LASE. About 100 researchers from physics, chemistry, and engineering sciences will explore spin phenomena there.

Questions answered by:

Aneta Daxinger, Linda Hofherr
Management of SFB/TRR Spin+X
Tel.: 0631 205-3576
Email: spin_gf@uni-kl.de