Del Atkinson is a Professor of Physics and Head of the Department of Physics at Durham University. He is an internationally recognised researcher in magnetism, spintronics and nanomagnetic materials, with research interests spanning spin transport, magnetic dynamics, domain wall motion and magnetic nanostructures. His work combines fundamental studies of magnetic phenomena with applications relevant to information storage, sensing and emerging computing technologies.

Professor Atkinson has led and contributed to several national and international research collaborations and has authored widely cited publications in magnetism and spintronics. His research has helped develop an understanding of spin-dependent phenomena and the behaviour of magnetic systems at the nanoscale, particularly in patterned magnetic structures and spintronic structures.

Alongside his research activities, Professor Atkinson has extensive experience supervising doctoral researchers and supporting the development of early-career scientists. As Head of Department, he is keen to foster a vibrant research environment and promote scientific collaborations. He is a regular invited speaker at international conferences and workshops and has contributed significantly to the magnetism and spintronics research community through both scientific research and mentoring.

Physics of magnetic thin-films and interfaces

Magnetic thin films and multilayers are central to many modern magnetism applications  and to spintronic technologies, where surfaces and interfaces often determine device performance. This talk introduces the key physical principles governing magnetic behaviour at surfaces and interfaces, and how nanoscale engineering can be used to tailor magnetic functionality.

The talk begins with an introduction to the emergence of magnetism with film thickness and surface effects on magnetism.

Several important interfacial magnetic phenomena will be introduced, including perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), exchange bias and the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (iDMI), which can stabilise chiral magnetic structures such as domain walls and skyrmions. The influence of interfaces on magnetic anisotropy, magnetisation reversal and switching processes will be illustrated using technologically important multilayer systems. The talk will also explore dynamic and transport effects arising at interfaces, including enhanced ferromagnetic damping, spin pumping and spin-current generation.

Finally, the concept of proximity-induced magnetisation (PIM) will be discussed, where nominally non-magnetic heavy metals acquire magnetic character through interfacial coupling. Experimental examples will demonstrate how interfaces influence magnetisation reversal, magnetic dynamics and spin transport.

The aim is to provide early-career researchers, and those seeking a modern introduction or refresher, with an accessible high-level overview of the key magnetic phenomena that emerge in thin-film and multilayer systems. The session will highlight how surface and interface effects can be harnessed to control magnetic functionality in contemporary spintronic devices, magnetic memory technologies and information processing.