Velez Lab
HomePeopleOur LabPublicationsContact

Our Lab

Our lab is equipped with advanced tools for investigating spin-based phenomena in thin film magnetic devices. We conduct harmonic transport measurements under magnetic fields of up to 2T with 360º sample rotation capabilities. Electric field gating experiments are performed using our homemade probe station, which includes a 3D vector electromagnet. Magnetic contrast imaging can be performed in our wide-field magneto-optical Kerr effect microscope at variable temperatures, magnetic fields, and electric currents, facilitated by a custom-made cryo-chamber. We fabricate the devices in-house and collaborate for access to atomic probe microscopy, vectorial Kerr magnetometry, high-frequency spectroscopy, and low-temperature cryogenic systems.

Our 60m² lab is equipped with harmonic transport and magneto-optical characterization tools, operational under various magnetic and electric fields and temperatures. Operative systems include:



Harmonic transport setup: Utilizes a commercial ~2.0 T uniaxial electromagnet with a dc/ac current source, a 3-channel PXI voltage acquisition card, and a computer-controlled motor stage for precise sample rotation (<0.1º). The system enables exploration of spin-orbit torques, magnetotransport, magnonic effects, non-linear magnetoresistive phenomena, thermoelectric phenomena, and more.

Harmonic transport setup: Utilizes a commercial ~2.0 T uniaxial electromagnet with a dc/ac current source, a 3-channel PXI voltage acquisition card, and a computer-controlled motor stage for precise sample rotation (<0.1º). The system enables exploration of spin-orbit torques, magnetotransport, magnonic effects, non-linear magnetoresistive phenomena, thermoelectric phenomena, and more.

Vectorial field probe station: Features a 3D vector magnet (~0.5 T in-plane and ~0.3 T out-of-plane) with five microprobes for dc/ac measurements at small magnetic fields and electric field gating. Operates with a 4-channel multimeter or a combined dc/ac current source and PXI voltage acquisition card. Includes power supplies for electric field gating (4 KV voltage supply and 1100V-SMU unit).

Vectorial field probe station: Features a 3D vector magnet (~0.5 T in-plane and ~0.3 T out-of-plane) with five microprobes for dc/ac measurements at small magnetic fields and electric field gating. Operates with a 4-channel multimeter or a combined dc/ac current source and PXI voltage acquisition card. Includes power supplies for electric field gating (4 KV voltage supply and 1100V-SMU unit).

Home-made wide-field magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) setup: Provides out-of-plane magnetic contrast imaging of thin film magnetic layers. Equipped with RGB diode illumination, 20x and 50x focus objectives, a 3D motorized position stage, and a CMOS camera. Offers spatial resolution (~300 nm) and field view (~200-400 µm). Magnetic fields up to ~2kOe out-of-plane and ~1kOe in-plane can be applied, with the ability to apply current pulses during imaging experiments.

Home-made wide-field magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) setup: Provides out-of-plane magnetic contrast imaging of thin film magnetic layers. Equipped with RGB diode illumination, 20x and 50x focus objectives, a 3D motorized position stage, and a CMOS camera. Offers spatial resolution (~300 nm) and field view (~200-400 µm). Magnetic fields up to ~2kOe out-of-plane and ~1kOe in-plane can be applied, with the ability to apply current pulses during imaging experiments.