3D printing of magnetic and superconducting nanostructures: a new platform to investigate three-dimensional effects at the nanoscale

Abstract

The expansion of nanotechnology into three dimensions offers exciting opportunities to uncover new physical phenomena and paves the way for the development of advanced 3D devices for future computing technologies. However, the transition to 3D poses significant challenges, necessitating the adoption of cutting-edge nanofabrication techniques that go beyond conventional lithography. In this talk, I will present our pioneering work on nanoscale 3D printing using focused electron-beam-induced deposition. This innovative platform, developed by our team, enables the precise fabrication of arbitrary 3D nano-geometries for the first time. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for experimental investigations of novel effects arising from the transition to three-dimensionality, particularly in fields such as nanomagnetism and superconductivity. I will showcase several examples of 3D nano-devices where these new effects have been observed. These include the creation of complex topological spin textures and defects, the emergence of topological stray fields in free space, the controlled motion of domain walls driven by strong 3D geometric gradients, unconventional magnetotransport effects stemming from intricate demagnetizing fields, and the reconfigurability of superconducting vortex circuits. Additionally, I will discuss complementary characterization and computational tools developed by our group, such as Dark-field magneto-optics, and explore the potential applications of 3D nanostructures in fields like spintronics, magnonics, and fluxonics.