Spintronics
European School of
Orbital Physics
in Solids
About the school
Orbital degrees of freedom play a central role in the electronic, magnetic and topological properties of solids. Beyond their equilibrium manifestations, their generation and manipulation out of equilibrium open possibilities for transporting, converting and controlling angular momentum, in close connection with concepts developed in spintronics.
The European School of Orbital Physics in Solids will introduce PhD students and early-career researchers to the fundamental concepts and recent developments in this area. It is particularly aimed at students entering the field, including those for whom the school will provide a first formal introduction to spin and orbital physics in solids.
Over three days, the courses will establish the essential background in spintronics and orbital angular momentum before progressing to orbital transport, conversion and torque. Theoretical and experimental perspectives will be combined to connect the microscopic physics of orbital degrees of freedom with their manifestations in materials and heterostructures.
The lectures will be organized as pedagogical courses, with each lecturer developing a clearly defined subject over one or more sessions. Time will also be reserved for questions and informal scientific exchange.
- Dates
- 1–3 March 2027
- Venue
- INL, Braga
- Format
- In person, full attendance
- Applications
- 1 Nov – 1 Dec 2026
- Registration fee
- None
Lecturers
Biographies
Orbital physics
Paul M. Haney
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA
Orbital transport
Hyun-Woo Lee
POSTECH, South Korea
Orbital torque
Kyung-Jin Lee
KAIST, South Korea
Experimental orbitronics
Pietro Gambardella
ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Orbital magnetism
Di Xiao
University of Washington and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), USA
AI-assisted research
Camilo Chacon
Apeiron AgentsProgramme
From the foundations of spintronics to orbital transport, conversion and torque, with a practical course on AI-assisted research on the last day.
Day 1
Monday 1 March
- 09:00–10:30Spintronics ITomáš Jungwirth
- 10:30–11:00Coffee break
- 11:00–12:30Spintronics IITomáš Jungwirth
- 12:30–14:30Welcome lunch and table introductions
- 14:30–16:00Orbital physics IPaul M. Haney
- 16:00–16:30Coffee break
- 16:30–17:30Orbital magnetism and Berry phaseDi Xiao
Day 2
Tuesday 2 March
- 09:00–10:30Orbital physics IIPaul M. Haney
- 10:30–11:00Coffee break
- 11:00–12:30Orbital transport IHyun-Woo Lee
- 12:30–14:30Lunch
- 14:30–16:00Orbital transport IIHyun-Woo Lee
- 16:00Poster session and happy hour
Day 3
Wednesday 3 March
- 09:00–10:30Orbital conversion and torqueKyung-Jin Lee
- 10:30–11:00Coffee break
- 11:00–12:30Experimental orbitronicsPietro Gambardella
- 12:30–14:00Lunch
- 14:00–16:30AI-assisted research and scientific agentsCamilo Chacon
- 16:30End of school
Target audience
The school is primarily intended for master’s students, PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers interested in orbital physics, spintronics, quantum materials and related areas of condensed-matter physics. It will be particularly suitable for early-stage PhD students and researchers entering the field.
Participants are expected to have a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and solid-state physics. Some familiarity with magnetism or spintronics will be helpful, but is not required.
Participation
The school will be held in person and the number of places is limited. There is no registration fee, and lunch and coffee breaks will be provided throughout the three days.
As the lecture courses are designed to form a coherent programme, selected participants will be expected to attend the school in full.
Financial support
A limited number of accommodation grants will be available for selected participants based at institutions in Europe. Candidates wishing to apply for this support should submit a short motivation letter and a CV as part of their application.
Apply
Places are limited, and participants are selected from the applications received. Applications are submitted through EventKey.
To apply for an accommodation grant, include a short motivation letter and a CV with your application.
Apply on EventKey- Applications open
- 1 November 2026
- Applications close
- 1 December 2026
- School
- 1–3 March 2027
- Registration fee
- None
Venue
The school will take place at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) in Braga, Portugal. INL is an international research organization dedicated to science and technology at the nanoscale, with research activities covering areas such as quantum materials, nanofabrication and nanoelectronics. INL was founded by the governments of Portugal and Spain under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research and deploy and articulate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. It aims to become the worldwide hub for nanotechnology, addressing society’s grand challenges.
Braga is a historic and lively university city in northern Portugal. It is one of Portugal’s largest cities and one of the youngest in Europe. Rich in history and culture, it is best known for Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an ideal destination for those looking for a compact historical city.
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n
4715-330 Braga, Portugal
Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n
4715-330 Braga, Portugal
Practical info
Getting to Braga
Braga is 40 minutes by car from Porto International Airport and 60 minutes from Vigo International Airport. It is also 5 minutes from the A3 motorway and within easy reach of the Atlantic Ocean.
- By car
- Braga is served by five highways: north (A3), south (A3, and A1 from Lisbon), east (A11 and A7) and west (A28).
- By bus
- GetBus, approx. €9 one way Flixbus, approx. €3 one way Rede Expressos, approx. €4 one way
- By taxi or Uber
- Available in front of the airport arrivals, approx. €60 one way.
- By train
- Trains arrive daily from cities in Portugal and Spain. To reach Porto train station from the airport, take the Metro do Porto from the airport station.
Accommodation
INL has agreements with several hotels in Braga that offer reduced rates to event participants. Rates and booking details for the school will be confirmed.
Close to INL
- Meliá Braga Hotel & Spa
- Holiday Inn Braga
- B&B Hotel Braga Lamaçães
City centre
- Vila Galé Collection Braga
- Burgus Hotel
- Mercure Braga Centro
- Hotel Moon & Sun
- Porta Nova Collection House
- Hotel Dona Sofia
Bom Jesus
- Hotel do Parque
Organizers and contact
Scientific organization
Tatiana G. RappoportInternational Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Portugal
Aurélien ManchonCentre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), Aix-Marseille Université, France
Local organization
INL Conference and Events TeamInternational Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Braga, Portugal
Acknowledgements
