© Universität Bielefeld
Welcome to the group Thin Films and Physics of Nanostructures!
The main goal of our experimental physics group at Bielefeld University is the understanding of the relations between the atomistic microstructure of new thin film systems and bulk materials and their physical properties. We use advanced ultra-high vacuum coating technology and crystal growth techniques for sample fabrication.
The activities of our group concentrate on new materials and devices for the spin dependent transport in thin films and nanostructures, and on magnetocaloric and thermoelectric effects in nanostructured materials. For our research we have access to highest resolution techniques such as microscopy and low temperature characterization. For applications, we use lithography to create optimized devices down to the sub-100nm scale and to enable new applications in the fields of sensors, information- and biotechnology as well as energy conversion.
Group leaders
Prof. Dr. Andreas Hütten
Magnetic materials, nanoparticles, biosensors and special alloys
Jun.-Prof.'in Dr. Luana Caron
Magnetocaloric materials and devices, nanostructured materials
Sen.-Prof. Dr. Günter Reiss
Spinelectronics, quantumtransport, sensor- and memory-devices
PD Dr. Timo Kuschel
Spin transport, spin caloritronics, magnetooptics, x-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity
Dr. Inga Ennen
In operando analytical high resolution transmission electron microscopy
Permanent staff
Aggi Windmann
team assistance
Dr. Jan Schmalhorst
Senior scientist, deposition and characterization of thin film systems, Web of Science ResearcherID
Dr. Karsten Rott
Tunneling devices, optical and e-beam lithography
Centers and Institutes
Within Bielefeld University and many external partners, the group collaborates in the following organizational structures (click on the institute's name for more/less information):
- Bielefeld Institute for Biophysics and Nanoscience
© Universität Bielefeld / BINAS The Bielefeld Institute for Biophysics and Nanoscience (BINAS) at Bielefeld University, founded in 2004, combines nanoscience and biophysics. Members are Professors Dario Anselmetti (Experimental Biophysics and Applied Nanoscience), Armin Gölzhäuser (Physics of Supramolecular Systems), Thomas Huser (Biomolecular Photonics), Günter Reiss (Thin Films and Physics of Nanostructures) and Thomas Hellweg (Physical and Biophysical Chemistry).
BINAS works interdisciplinary with scientists from biology, chemistry and from the technical faculty of Bielefeld University. Through the cooperation with the Chambers of Industry and Commerce of Ostwestfalen zu Bielefeld and Lippe zu Detmold, BINAS plays an outstanding role in the transfer of knowledge and technology, supprts companies in technological challenges, and promotes joint research and development projects. Last but not least, a dialog with society and politics on the opportunities and risks of the new research is conducted via BINAS.- Center for Spinelectronic Materials and Devices
Within the CSMD, we prepare and characterizes thin film devices with and for partners interested in spinelectronics, spincaloritronics and applications. Current research fields are magnetic tunnel junctions, that can be applied for sensing and data storage. In addition, superparamagnetic tunnel junctions promise applications as probabílistic bits in noisy neural networks. Sensoric systems for biotechnology that use the planar Hall effect to achieve ultimate sensitivity within microfluidic environments have been developed within the EU H2020 project MADIA.
- ForLab Magnetic Sensors and ForMikro spinGMI-Sensors
© Universität Bielefeld / MagSens ForLab Magnetic Sensors and ForMikro spinGMI-Sensors are funded by the BMBF within the initiative Microelectronics from Germany - Innovation Drivers of Digitalization.
- The Center ForLab MagSens is dedicated to realize new magnetic sensor systems within an exceptional and stimulating research environment. Our new equipment enables high quality thin film systems designed to enhance the performance of sensing systems.
- The joint project spinGMI aims at realizing magnetic sensors and magnetic energy harvesting devices for autonomous and highly sensitive sensors for applications in science and economy.
- Center for interdisciplinary materials research and technology development
© Universität Bielefeld / CiMT Center for interdisciplinary materials research and technology development is funded by the EU (EFRE). The strategic goal of the CiMT is to combine the complementary strengths of the Bielefeld University of Applied Science and Bielefeld University for application-oriented materials research in partnership with technologically leading companies in the region for better products and production processes. Within the CiMT, the group explores protective coatings on metals and plastics, and biofilms on surfaces.
PhD and PostDoc positions
Within our research projects, we frequently offer positions for PhD students and PostDocs.
All open positions can be found here.
Bachelor- and Masterthesis
We always have interesting topics for Bachelor- and Master-Theses within our research fields. In our group, you will learn the physics and modern techniques to prepare and investigate new materials and devices that have potential for applications. Because science is moving on every day, please contact one of the group leaders directly via email to ask for the latest opportunities for bachelor's and master's theses.
Research programmes
The group participates in the following research consortia:
- BMBF program ForLab: Center MagSens, Center of Competence for new magnetic sensor systems and devices
- BMBF program ForMikro: spinGMI sensors: Autonomous ultra-sensitive sensors for magnetic fields with energy harvesting units
- BMBF program Material Digital 2: DiProMag: Digitizing the development of magnetocaloric materials with ontologies and OTTR templates.
Teaching
The teaching activities of the group can be found in the Program of Lectures eKVV2.