Entry requirements

120 credits in science/engineering. Attended course in Solid State Physics I or introduction to Materials Engineering.

English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in English ("English 6").

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to: 

• qualitatively analyze different materials based on their magnetic properties and explain the relationship between magnetic properties and exchange interaction, magnetic anisotropy, and material defects,
• explain the basic principles governing exchange interaction, magnetic anisotropy, magnetostriction, and perform calculations based on those principles,
• describe different types of magnetic properties depend on material, temperature, and size,
• describe the uses of magnetic materials,
• distinguish between the properties of hard and soft magnetic materials and how those properties are used for different applications,
• evaluate the importance, possibilities, and limitations of magnetic materials in magnetic memory and spintronics applications.

Content

Definitions of common terms used in magnetism: units, principles behind common measurement techniques. Atomic origin of magnetism, magnetic exchange interaction, ferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism. Phenomena in strongly magnetic substances - magnetic anisotropy and magnetostriction. Magnetic domains and domain wall motion. Material-, temperature-, and size-dependent phenomena, described from bulk to nanometer size. Commercial magnetic materials and their applications (soft and hard magnets, spintronics, magnetic information storage, magnetoresistance in thin film structures, sensors, and memory elements in computers).

Instruction

Lectures, small projects in groups, laboratory work, and problem-solving sessions.

Assessment

Written exam a(4 credits). Laboratory work and project assignment (written project report) (1 credit).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university