Computational design and optimization of novel multiferroics, Nicola Spaldin, UCSB, DMR-0312407

1. Computational design and optimization of novel multiferroics, Nicola Spaldin, UCSB, DMR-0312407 • The development of room temperature ferromagnetic semiconductors is essential for continued progress in the emerging technology of spintronics • Oxide-based diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) are of tremendous current interest following experimental reports of high-temperature ferromagnetism [1] • The origin of ferromagnetism in such materials is not well understood • Janisch and Spaldin performed a systematic computational study of the effects of Co arrangement and local defects on the ferromagnetism in Co-doped TiO2 [2] • They showed that the ferromagnetism is intrinsic, and explained why it is stronger in TiO2 than in other DMSs • Based on their results, they proposed other semiconductor hosts for experimental exploration [2] R. Janisch and N.A. Spaldin, Understanding ferromagnetism in Co-doped TiO2 anatase from first principles, in preparation [1] R. Janisch, P. Gopal and N.A. Spaldin, Oxide-based diluted magnetic semiconductors; current status of the field, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter. 17, R657 (2005)

2. Spaldin organized the 2005 International Center for Materials Research Summer School on First Principles Computations for Condensed Matter and Nanoscience Over 50 students from around the world worked with more than 15 teachers during the 2-week long school A web-site: http://www.icmr.ucsb.edu/programs/firstprinciples.html was established with lecture notes, reading material, and a comprehensive set of computer-based self study tutorials, developed for the workshop