Dr Joseph Barker

Profile

Dr. Joseph Barker joined the Condensed Matter Group as a Royal Society University Research Fellow in October 2018. Before this, he spent four years at Tohoku University in Japan and completed his PhD at the University of York, UK.

Dr. Barker is a theoretical and computational physicist leading a research group that explores magnetism at the atomic scale to innovate within spintronics and ultrafast magnetic materials. His work centers on creating atomistic models to uncover the mechanisms behind magnetic materials, merging fundamental physics with practical applications in device engineering.

With specialized expertise in atomistic modeling, Dr. Barker examines the behavior of magnetic materials on ultrafast timescales, researching phenomena that could lead to the next generation of data storage technologies and unconventional computation systems. His research in spintronics represents an intersection of magnetism, condensed matter physics, and future technology applications.

In his research group, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers utilize advanced computational tools to develop new theoretical models that simulate magnetic materials. The team collaborates globally with experimental and theoretical researchers, fostering an interdisciplinary environment that provides members with a solid foundation in computational physics and materials science.

Research interests

Dr. Joseph Barker’s research is centered on the theoretical and computational modeling of magnetic materials, with a strong focus on understanding their behavior at the atomistic level. His previous work has spanned a range of topics within ultrafast magnetism, spin dynamics, and spintronics, making significant contributions to the understanding of magnetic phenomena on ultrafast timescales.

A major theme of Dr. Barker’s research has been the exploration of ultrafast demagnetization and spin dynamics driven by femtosecond laser pulses, phenomena that are key to developing faster and more efficient magnetic storage technologies. He has extensively studied the role of exchange interactions in driving these ultrafast processes.

Dr. Barker has also made notable contributions to the field of spin caloritronics, investigating the interaction of heat and spin currents in magnetic systems. His work on spin Seebeck effects has provided insights into how thermal gradients can generate spin currents, with potential applications in energy harvesting and thermally-driven spintronic devices.

Additionally, his research includes the study of complex magnetic textures, such as skyrmions, and their stability under various conditions. These topologically protected structures hold promise for the next generation of magnetic memory and logic devices.

By combining advanced atomistic simulations with close collaboration with experimentalists, Dr. Barker’s work has helped to unravel the fundamental mechanisms of magnetization dynamics, driving innovation in materials design for spintronic applications.

Qualifications

• PhD - University of York
• MPhys (Hons) - University of York

Professional memberships

• Institute of Physics

Projects

<li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/2125-exploring-magnetism-and-spin-currents-in-systems-approaching-the-2d-limit">Exploring Magnetism and Spin Currents in Systems Approaching the 2D Limit</a></li>