The growing demand for energy-efficient, high-density and high-speed memory technologies poses a major challenge for modern materials science. Addressing this challenge requires approaches that go beyond device miniaturization, exploiting novel physical mechanisms enabling ultrafast, low-power information processing. The spin and orbital degrees of freedom of electrons play a central role, governing emergent phenomena such as magnetism and spin–orbit-coupling-driven transport that underpin spintronic and orbitronic device concepts. While macroscopic studies have established their technological relevance, a microscopic understanding of how spin and orbital dynamics evolve locally—particularly at the nano- to atomic scale—remains limited. The primary objective of this project is to establish high-resolution magnetic imaging using advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Central to this effort is the development of electron energy-loss magnetic chiral dichroism (EMCD) toward atomic-resolution measurements, which will be applied to functional material systems such as altermagnets. Complementary TEM-based techniques, including Lorentz TEM, differential phase contrast (DPC), and electron holography, together with theoretical simulations, will be employed to validate and interpret the experimental findings. The project will be carried out by an interdisciplinary team of electron microscopists and materials scientists. This proposal aligns strongly with the research landscape of CEITEC, which is internationally recognized for excellence in nanoscale characterization and functional materials research. CEITEC’s state-of-the-art TEM infrastructure and emphasis on correlative approaches provide an ideal environment for the successful implementation of the project. The work will enable a two-way transfer of knowledge between the host having expertise in spintronics and magnetic materials and the fellow having expertise in magnetic imaging using TEM.

Keywords
TEM, STEM, EMCD, atomic resolution, magnetic moments, orbitronics, altermagnet

Z886968

English

Ali Hasan, Ph.D. - principal person responsible
Uhlíř Vojtěch, Ing., Ph.D. - fellow researcher

Nanomagnetism and spintronics
- responsible department (15.6.2026 - not assigned)
Nanomagnetism and spintronics
- beneficiary (15.6.2026 - not assigned)

Responsibility: Ali Hasan, Ph.D.