Maja Bartczak
Research project
Microscopic origin and optimization of the orbital Hall effect
Project supervisor
Prof. Ingrid Mertig
Recruitment date
01/09/2026
My name is Maja, I am 24 years old, and I was born in Poznań, Poland.
Five years ago, I moved to Groningen to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the University of Groningen, and I later decided to stay to continue with a Master’s in Physics. During my studies, I developed a strong interest in theoretical physics and fundamental interactions. Alongside my academic work, I gained computational and research experience through an internship at ESA ESTEC related to the LISA gravitational-wave mission.
I was particularly drawn to ORBIS because of its interdisciplinary and international environment, as well as its strong emphasis on collaboration. The study of orbital Hall effects strongly appeals to me because it combines theoretical modelling, computational physics, and fundamental quantum phenomena. I am especially excited by the opportunity to work with researchers from diverse backgrounds and to be part of a collaborative and motivating scientific environment.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, playing video games, and reading.
In the future, I hope to continue pursuing an academic career in physics, contribute to fundamental research, and remain involved in international scientific collaborations.
Project Description
n orbital current can be generated whenever an object has a translational and a rotational degree of freedom. The OHE is caused by an intra-atomic contribution related to orbital motion of the electrons in hybridized orbitals. However, interatomic contributions must be considered as well because they give rise to an alternative mechanism for generating orbital currents. Even wave packets consisting purely of s electrons can transport OAM if they move on a cycloidal trajectory. This motion is particularly related to edge states. In principle, the OHE can generate currents of angular momentum more efficiently than the SHE in most metals. However, so far, it has only been described as a steady-state phenomenon. In this IRP, the OHE is extended into the time domain. OAM and their currents induced by a femtosecond laser pulse will be calculated. The numerical simulations provide detailed insights into the laser-driven electron dynamics on ultrashort timescales with atomic resolution. The ultrafast OHE is consistent with the familiar pictorial representation of the static OHE with pronounced differences between physical quantities that carry OAM and those that carry charge. DC10 will consider certain scenarios of sample modification (impurities, edges, heterostructures) to optimize the effect. Although the OAM is not conserved, we will check whether conservation of partial components is valid at interfaces. A very important question must be addressed how an orbital current can be converted into a charge current.
Host institution
Martin Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) is a reference German university. As the biggest university in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, MLU cooperates with more than 200 institutions of higher education from around the world in study programmes and joint research projects.
The Quantum theory of Solid State group of the Institute of Physics started its activities in 2001, doing basic research in the field of solid state theory. Its main focus is the microscopic understanding of the electronic, magnetic, ferroelectric, and transport properties on the atomic scale. Research is dedicated to the emerging phenomena in the fields of spintronics, spinorbitronics, and orbitronics.
Planned Secondments
Academic Secondment
Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CNRS-CINaM)
Aix-Marseille, France
Aurélien Manchon
Industrial Secondment
MPhysX OÜ
Tallinn, Estonia
Thierry Valet
Registering University
Martin Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Germany