In the search for low power operation of microelectronic devices, spin-based solutions have attracted undeniable increasing interest due to their intrinsic magnetic nonvolatility. The ability to electrically manipulate the magnetic order using spin-orbit interaction, associated with the recent emergence of topological spintronics with its promise of highly efficient charge-to-spin conversion in solid state, offer alluring opportunities in terms of system design. Although the related technology is still at its infancy, this thesis intends to contribute to this engaging field by investigating the nature of the charge and spin transport in spin-orbit coupled and topological systems using quantum transport methods. We identified three promising building blocks for next-generation technology, three classes of systems that possibly enhance the spin and charge transport efficiency: (i)- topological insulators, (ii)- spin-orbit coupled magnonic systems, (iii)- topological magnetic textures (skyrmions and 3Q magnetic state). Chapter 2 reviews the basics and essential concepts used throughout the thesis: the spin-orbit coupling, the mathematical notion of topology and its importance in condensed matter physics, then topological magnetism and a zest of magnonics. In Chapter 3, we study the spin-orbit torques at the magnetized interfaces of 3D topological insulators. We demonstrated that their peculiar form, compared to other spin-orbit torques, have important repercussions in terms of magnetization reversal, charge pumping and anisotropic damping. In Chapter 4, we showed that the interplay between magnon current jm and magnetization m in homogeneous ferromagnets with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction, produces a field-like torque as well as a damping-like torque. These DM torques mediated by spin wave can tilt the imeaveraged magnetization direction and are similar to Rashba torques for electronic systems. Moreover, the DM torque is more efficient when magnons are thermally driven. Chapters 5 and 6 carry throughout tight-binding studies on the topological charge-spin transport in two-dimensional lattices with ferromagnetic skyrmions and 3Q magnetic structure. We use the Landauer-Buttiker formalism and evaluate the robustness of the topological signals. For the 3Q state, a spin-polarized quantum anomalous Hall state with chiral edge modes, unaffected by deformation and disorder, is reachable in zero net magnetization. We finish with concluding remarks and perspectives.

This paper is predicated on determining the effectiveness of angles-only initial orbit determination (IOD) methods when limited observational data is available for low-Earth orbit (LEO) rocket body debris. The analysis will be conducted with data obtained from Lockheed Martin Space’s Space Object Tracking (SpOT) facility, focusing on their observational data from 2018 that contains tracking of rocket body debris for less than one minute per overhead pass. After the IOD accuracies are better understood, a feasibility study will follow that investigates the possibility of cataloguing LEO orbital debris from a single optical observation facility with similar observational capabilities as that of the SpOT facility. The IOD accuracy analysis will investigate nine different rocket bodies, with a total of 50 orbital passes of data included in the research. Three main IOD approaches will be tested for each data set to determine the best method in achieving high levels of IOD accuracy: a traditional three-point method, an iterative method, and an assumed-circular orbit method. Application of the iterative approach results in increased accuracy for the resultant initial orbit determination as compared to the three-point IOD method, and an assumed-circular orbit assumption allows for a further increase in accuracy, especially for observed objects in near-circular orbits. The feasibility of cataloguing debris from a singular optical facility shows promise, as subsequent target acquisition after an object’s initial observation is determined to be achievable under the correct circumstances. By choosing a correct telescope pointing angle based on the IOD results from one pass of data, an observed rocket body debris object would pass through the field of view of SpOT’s spotter scope (0.7-degrees) during its next overhead pass for two different test cases. An increase field of view would increase both the likelihood of acquiring the target object and the amount of time the object is visible by the telescope.

Low Earth orbit represents a valuable limited natural resource. Of particular interest are sun-synchronous orbits; it is estimated that approximately 44% of low Earth satellites are sun-synchronous. A previously developed sun-synchronous orbit slot architecture is considered. An in-depth analysis of the relative motion between satellites and their corresponding slots is performed. The long-term evolution of Earth's orbital environment is modeled by a set of coupled ordinary differential equations. A metric for quantifying the benefit, if any, of implementing a sun-synchronous architecture is developed. The results indicate that the proposed slot architecture would reduce the frequency of collisions between satellites in sun-synchronous orbits.

Throughout the history of interplanetary space travel, the Newtonian dynamics of the two-body problem have been used to design orbital trajectories to traverse the solar system. That is, that a spacecraft orbits only one large celestial body at a time. These dynamics have produced impressive interplanetary trajectories utilizing numerous gravity assists, such as those of Voyager, Cassini, Rosetta and countless others. But these missions required large amounts of delta-v for their maneuvers and therefore large amounts of fuel mass. As we desire to travel farther and more extensively in space, these two-body dynamics lead to impossibly high delta-v values, and missions become infeasible due to the massive amounts of fuel that they would need to carry. In the last few decades a new dynamical system has been researched in order to find new ways of designing mission trajectories: the N-body problem. This utilizes the gravitational acceleration from multiple celestial bodies on a spacecraft, and can lead to unconventional, but very useful trajectories. The goal of this thesis is to use the dynamics of the Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CRTBP) to design interplanetary transfer trajectories. This method of modelling orbital dynamics takes into account the gravitational acceleration of two celestial bodies acting on a spacecraft, rather than just one. The invariant manifolds of halo orbits about Sun-planet Lagrange points are used to aid in the transfer from one planet to another, and can lead into orbital insertion about the destination planet or flyby trajectories to get to another planet. This work uses this method of dynamics to test transfers from Earth to both Jupiter and Saturn, and compares delta-v and time of flight values to traditional transfer methods. Using the CRTBP can lead to reduced delta-v amounts for completing the same missions as two-body dynamics would. The aim of this work is to research if using manifolds for interplanetary transfers could be superior for some high delta-v missions, as it could drastically reduce the required delta-v for maneuvers. With this method it could be possible to visit more distant destinations, or carry more mass of scientific payloads, due to the reduced fuel requirements. Results of this research showed that using manifolds to aid in interplanetary transfers can reduce the delta-v of both departure from Earth and arrival at a destination planet. For transfers to Jupiter the delta-v for the interplanetary transfer was reduced by 4.12 km/s compared to starting and ending in orbits about the planets. For a transfer to Saturn the delta-v required for the interplanetary transfer was reduced by 6.77 km/s. These delta-v savings are significant and show that utilizing manifolds can lead to lower energy interplanetary transfer trajectories, and have the potential to be useful for high delta-v missions.

In the past two decades, the interest in materials with strong spin-orbit coupling has attracted substantial attention because of the novel physical mechanisms they display and their potential for applications. The interface displaying large spin-orbit coupling has been recognized as a powerful platform to investigate the spin transport in ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and non-magnetic materials, as well as their interfaces. Besides its rich physics, the related applications are also worth studying. The current-induced spin-orbit-torque arising from angular momentum transfer from the lattice to the spin system has substantial potential in recent state-of-art spin-orbit torque magnetic random access memory. In this dissertation, we have been interested in better understanding and characterizing the spin-orbit torque and spin Hall transport in various heterostructures of interest. We used the second harmonic method to determine the magnitude of the spin currents generation and transmission in Cu-Au alloy and Ir-Mn compound, respectively. We also characterized the device performance in selected heterostructures displaying either perpendicular MgO-based tunnel magnetoresistance or unusual surface states. Finally, we used these properties to approach spin-orbit torque magnetic random access memory through designing, fabricating, and characterizing the devices that focused on current-induced spin-orbit-torque magnetization switching.

The spin of an electron often misleadingly interpreted as the classical rotationof a particle. The quantum spin distinguishes itself from classicalrotation by possessing quantized states and can be detected by its magneticmoment. The properties of spin and its collective behavior with otherfundamental properties are fascinating in basic sciences. In many aspectsit offers scope for designing new materials by manipulating the ensemblesof spin. In recent years attention towards high density storage devices hasdriven the attention to the fundamental level were quantum physics rules.To understand better design of molecule based storage materials, studies onspin degrees of freedom and their coupling properties can not be neglected. To account for many body effect of two or more electrons consistent withrelativity, an approximation like the Breit Hamiltonian(BH) is used in modernquantum chemical calculations, which is successful in explaining the splitin the spectra and corresponding properties associated with it. Often differenttactics are involved for a specific level of computations. For example themulti-configurational practice is different from the functional based calculations,and it depends on the size of the system to choose between resourcesand accuracy. As the coupling terms offers extra burden of calculating theintegrals it is literally challenging. One can readily employ approximations as it suits best for the applicationoriented device computations. The possible methods available in the literatureare presented in chapter 2. The theoretical implementations of couplingfor the multi-reference and density functional method are discussed in detail.The multi-reference method precedes the density functional methodin terms of accuracy and generalizations, however it is inefficient in dealingvery large systems involving many transition elements, which is vital formolecule based magnets as they often possess open shell manifolds. On theother hand existing density functional method exercise perturbations techniqueswhich is extremely specialized for a specific system - highly coupledspins. The importance of spin-spin coupling(SSC) in organic radical-Oxyallyl(OXA)was systematically studied with different basis sets and compared with asimilar isoelectronic radical(TMM). The method of spin-spin coupling implementationsare also emphasized. Similar coupling studies were carriedivout for the species HCP and NCN along with spin-orbit coupling(SOC).The splitting of the triplet states are in good agreement with experiments / QC 20110210

Understanding and improving ionospheric models is important for both military and civilian purposes. This understanding improves prediction of radio propagation used for communication and GPS navigation. Various space-borne instruments, such as retarding potential analyzers (RPAs) and ion traps are routinely flown in low earth orbit (LEO) to provide data for seeding/improve ionospheric models. This thesis describes and characterizes a new ion source that can be used to test and calibrate these space-borne instruments inside a laboratory vacuum chamber. Hot filaments are used to thermionically emit electrons inside the source. These electrons collisionally ionize neutral particles inside the source. Guided by ion-optics simulations, the ion and the electron trajectories inside the source are controlled to provide the required ion beams. A detailed description of the control electronics and the embedded controller for electron emission is discussed within. Using the custom made electronics, the source is able to provide an ion beam with current densities and mean energy comparable to the conditions in LEO. / Master of Science

One of the most remarkable achievements of modern condensed matter physics is the discovery of topological phases of matter. Materials in a non-trivial topological phase or the topological insulators can be distinguished by their unique electronic and transport properties which are indifferent to different types of perturbations and thus open new routes towards the dissipationless transport. Explaining their properties requires proper involvement of relativistic approach as well as topological analysis. Among different classes of topological insulators, the Z2 topological insulators have drawn special attention due to their strong spin-orbit coupling which makes them a promising candidate for spintronics application, especially for magnetic memory devices. Due to their inherent strong spin-orbit coupling, they provide an efficient way to manipulate electronic spin with an applied electric field via spin orbit torque. The topological insulators have been found to be far more superior in manipulating the magnetic order parameter of a ferromagnet compared to the conventional heavy metals like platinum or tantalum. Another milestone in magnetic memory devices is marked by the introduction of antiferromagnetic memory devices which has not drawn any attention for long time as they cannot be controlled by an applied magnetic field. Recently it has been found that in case of a non-centrosymmetric antiferromagnet, the magnetic order parameter can be manipulated by with spin-orbit torque which also have been verified experimentally. The advantages of antiferromagnetic devices over ferromagnetic devices are that they allow faster switching speed and they are immune to an external magneticfield which are two highly solicited properties for next generation spintronic devices. This thesis is focused on understanding the transport properties in topologically nontrivial materials and their interface with different magnetic material. We use simplified continuum model as well as tight binding models to capture the salient features of these systems. Using non-equilibrium Green's function we explore their transport properties as well as spin-charge conversion mechanism. Our finding would provide a better understanding of these new class of materials and thus would be instrumental to discover new mechanisms to manipulate their properties.

On-orbit targeting, guidance, and navigation relies on state vector propagation algorithms that must strike a balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. To better understand this balance, the relative position accuracy and computational requirements of numerical and analytical propagation methods are analyzed for a variety of orbits. For numerical propagation, several differential equation formulations (Cowell, Encke-time, Encke-beta, and Equinoctial Elements) are compared over a range of integration step sizes for a given set of perturbations and numerical integration methods. This comparison is repeated for two numerical integrators: a Runge-Kutta 4th order and a NLZD4/4. For analytical propagation, SGP4, which relies on mean orbital elements, is compared for element sets averaged with different amounts of orbit data.

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