Magnetic Properties and Fine Analysis of Low Dimensional Matter

The purpose of the course is to introduce the magnetic properties of matter also as a function of dimensionality (surface ferromagnetism and nano-magnetism) and of the experimental fine analysis methods based on radiation-matter interaction (X-rays, Soft-X-rays, neutrons, electrons). The course has both theory and experimental contents finalized to the comprehension and interpretation of data on magnetic and nano-magnetic systems. The course includes a final two-day stage in Trieste at the NFFA-IOM and Sincrotrone-Trieste. The theory of ferromagnetism is introduced discussion the Heisenberg hamiltonian, the Stoner model, the Ligand Field theory, and Molecular Field theory. The temperature dependence of the magnetization for bulk and surface ferromagnets. The spin polarization of an electron beam via Mott scattering and exchange scattering. The magnetostatics, domain walls (Bloch and Neel). Magnetization dynamics, Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. Introduction to Fine Analysis of matter: interaction of quantons and matter, sources of EM radiation, synchrotron radiation, Free Electron Laser, diffractive methods, X-ray crystallography, scanning probe microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy, angle and spin resolved, X-ray absorption and magnetic dichroism spectroscopy and magnetometry

At the end of the course the student will be able to:
-know the foundations of description of magnetic order in matter;
-know the foundations of the main theories and their domain of application;
-will understand both classical and modern experiments on magnetic properties of matter;
-will know the principles of fine analysis experiments;
-will orient in the contemporary literature on magnetism of low dimensional matter.