Spintronics with Antiferromagnets for Novel THz Applications – SANTA

The project ‘SANTA' aims at opening the fields of spintronics and magnonics to antiferromagnetic (AF) insulators. So far, antiferromagnets have not been considered as active elements in spintronic devices because of their relative insensitivity to external stimuli. The realization that spin currents can produce a magnetic torque on the AF order opens a new route towards introducing these materials in spintronics. We intend here to demonstrate that pure spin currents, strain and/or femtosecond light pulses can be used to manipulate the AF order in some well-chosen insulators. We will explore in more details dynamical properties including antiferromagnetic resonance and the propagation of AF spin waves as well as their coupling to phonons and picosecond bursts of spin currents. Our ultimate goal is to validate the use of these materials for ultra-fast spintronic components in the THz range.