Dr Denis Koltsov

Lecturer in Micro and Nanotechnology

Denis Koltsov is a Lecturer and a Course Director of MSc in Micro and NanoTechnology at Lancaster University Department of Engineering. His expertise lies in the field of nanomagnetism and nanotechnology in general. In 1998 he has obtained his undergraduate degree in Physics from University of Cambridge (UK). He has completed his Ph.D. dissertation at the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge (UK) in 2002. He worked at Cambridge Nanoscience Centre till the end of 2004.

His recently finished research project involved a construction of low temperature Scanning Tunnelling microscope (STM). The main aim is to use the STM for magnetic imaging using spin-dependent tunneling. The advantage of the spin-polarised STM is its high spatial resolution. Atomic and molecular magnetism can be studied using this powerful technique.

Denis is involved in research in nanomagnetism. His dissertation "Nanometre and Nanosecond Scale Properties of Ferromagnets" has extended the study of nanomagnetism from nanometer spatial confinement properties of ferromagnets to the dynamics of ferromagnetic objects in microwave frequency regimes. Below is a brief outline of his main research interests.

Vortex magnetisation configuration in Permalloy circular nanomagnet

Micromagntics
Numerical simulations of magnetic properties of nanometre length-scale ferromagnets lie at the heart of nanomagnetism. Particular interest represent the effects of shape , size and mutual interaction of nanomagnets made out of isotropic ferromagnetic material such as Permalloy (Ni₈₀Fe₂₀). Static and dynamic (OOMMF) approaches are used in comparison with experimental data.

Electron beam written passage from Encyclopaedia Britannica

Nanofabrication
Magnetic nanostructures are routinely fabricated by means of high resolution electron beam lithography, electron beam evaporation and lift-off. Resolution of this fabrication technique has been demonstrated in the past to be ~7nm and our current report quotes a ~2nm gap-width between fabricated electrodes.

Smith Chart

Microwave Test and Measurement
Current increase in data processing and data storage rates require high operational frequency designs of magnetoelectronic devices. Microwave circuit design techniques allow the development of novel broadband measuring tools and high speed devices. As a result the approach can be used to study time-dependent phenomena in magnetism of reduced dimensionality.

Hysteresis loop

Magnetometry
The ability to measure the magnetisation reversal in nanomagnets or magnetic thin films forms the basis of Denis’ experimental investigations. Experience with MOKE , AGFM and broadband inductive magnetometry covers nanometre and nanosecond scale properties of ferromagnets.

Denis Koltsov is the director of MSc program at Lancaster University Department of Engineering. The new (1 year) MSc in Micro and NanoTechnology - Engineering, Management and Society will run starting from October 2006. This MSc course has a modular structure with 6 compulsory modules:

MSc in Micro and NanoTechnology - Engineering, Management and Society

MSc Resources

A4 MSc Poster (667K)

MSc in Micro and NanoTechnology - Engineering, Management and Society (Official website)

Course Content Survey