The  Nano-Magnetism Laboratory at National Taiwan University was founded in August, 1997.  As a vigorous research team, we make thorough inquiries into low dimensional magnetic nanostructures and spin-dependent transport.

We use numerous methods to fabricate a variety of samples, and with multiple experimental techniques, look deep into the diverse distinctive physical behaviors in low dimensional magnetic systems. Meanwhile, we also think highly of both fundamental and applied physics, and interdisciplinary studies.  

Low dimensional magnetic nanostructure attracts much interest not only due to its novel behavior in magnetic and magnetotransport properties with its reduced dimensionality, but also due to its potential application in nanodevice and nanostorage. Different approaches, such as thin film growth technique and self-assembly have been used for growing or fabricating different magnetic nanostructure, with help of analysis tools of surface magnetism including techniques of scanning probe microscope (SPM), medium energy electron diffraction (MEED), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) etc., as well as magnetic dichroism in application of synchrotron radiation. In particular, the recently developed spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM) and spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy (SP-STS) techniques provide the more efficient ways at nanometer scale to probe the spin configuration of novel ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic nanostructures such as nanoparticles assembly and magnetic organic molecule.

For researches in application of synchrotron radiation, the photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) was used to measure the magnetic anisotropy of ferromagnetic thin film. We found that the magnetic easy axis of ferromagnetic films can be switched from in-plane to perpendicular direction by the exchange coupling with adjacent Mn thin films. The discovery of such new mechanism provide new concept for the current developed perpendicular magnetic recording industry. Besides, we investigate the position-selected electronic structure of laser modified CNTs by scanning photoemission electron microscopy (SPEM) of CNTs in air and N2 environment, the modified region shows enhanced chemical shifts in carbon 1s state, respectively. The modification of electronic structure is shown to be strongly dependent on the gaseous environment.

For the current subjects, we are also trying to design various organic spin valves, and then investigate the inelastic tunneling property for the electron transport through organic molecule. We also study the magnetic and transport properties of single organic molecule by low temperature SP-STM. The theoretical study also plays an important role in this project.