Gabriel Fernandes
Research project
Ferroelectric control of orbital transport
Project supervisor
Prof. Aurélien Manchon
Recruitment date
01/09/2026
My name is Gabriel Fernandes, and I am from Portugal. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Physics Engineering and I am currently finishing my Master’s degree in Physics at the University of Minho.
Over the past year, I worked on a project studying the interaction between 2D materials and light carrying orbital angular momentum. Through this experience, I strengthened my background in optics, condensed matter physics, and light–matter interactions, while developing a strong interest in charge transport phenomena, especially spin and orbital transport. This interest is what motivated me to apply to ORBIS. I see it as an exciting opportunity to deepen my knowledge in these topics and contribute to a field with strong scientific and technological potential, such as orbitronics.
I am especially motivated by the possibility of working in an international environment alongside researchers who are leading the field. After attending the last orbitronics conference, I was inspired not only by the research topics, but also by the collaborative, enthusiastic atmosphere and sociability within the community.
Beyond research, I am excited to experience a new culture, meet people from different backgrounds, and continue building my future in orbitronics, whether in academia or industry.
Project Description
Recent breakthroughs have shown that light metals (e.g., Ti, Zr, CuOx) can generate and transport orbital currents with remarkable efficiency, positioning Orbitronics as a promising successor to spintronics. Yet, current metallic systems lack an effective external control mechanism for tuning orbital transport.
This PhD project aims to pioneer the control of orbital currents using ferroelectricity, which naturally breaks inversion symmetry and triggers orbital Edelstein effects (OREE). You will explore novel concepts like orbital transistors and orbital tunnel junctions by:
- Developing multi-orbital tight-binding and first-principles models.
- Investigating ferroelectric control of orbital Edelstein effects at metal–ferroelectric interfaces (e.g., GeTe, SrTiO3).
- Studying the influence of ferroelectric polarization on orbital currents in tunnel junctions.
- Exploring thermally generated orbital currents via chiral phonons under temperature gradients.
This project combines condensed matter theory and materials modeling with the potential to reshape future low-dissipation elecronic devices.
Host institution
CNRS is a government-funded research organization under the administrative supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education. It is the largest fundamental research organization in Europe.
The Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM) specializes in the multidisciplinary study of nanoscience and nanomaterials with state-of-the-art equipment. Its Theory and Numerical Simulation department focuses on theoretical and numerical simulation applied to solid state physics and materials science, covering a wide range of research topics related to the properties of nanomaterials, quantum phenomena in materials and complex materials for energy.
Planned Secondments
Academic Secondment
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU)
Halle, Germany
Prof. Ingrid Mertig
Industrial Secondment
Nellow (NELLOW)
Grenoble, France
Dr. Laurent Vila
Registering University
Aix Marseille Université
France