Ami E. Berkowitz

Ami E. Berkowitz is a Research Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and affiliated with the Center for Memory and Recording Research (CMRR). He joined UCSD in 1986 as an Endowed Chair Professor and has since led pioneering research in magnetic materials, particularly thin films, fine particles, and nanostructured systems for magnetic recording and storage applications.

• Ph.D. in Physics, University of Pennsylvania, 1953
• Former positions: Franklin Institute, IBM, General Electric R&D Center

Dr. Berkowitz's research centers on the synthesis, characterization, and optimization of magnetic materials. His group has made significant contributions to the development of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) materials, magneto-impedance effects, antiferromagnetic oxides for biasing, and spark erosion as a method for producing nanoparticles. Key research areas include exchange anisotropy, spin-dependent tunneling, surface effects in nanoparticles, and the development of rare-earth-free permanent magnets. His work bridges fundamental physics with practical applications in data storage and energy technologies.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong focus on exchange bias phenomena, core-shell nanostructures, magnetic moment behavior at interfaces, and the synthesis of functional nanoparticles using spark erosion. These works span disciplines including condensed matter physics, materials science, and nanotechnology, with recurring subfields such as interface magnetism, magnetic hysteresis, neutron reflectometry, and microstructure-property relationships.

Scientific honors include:

• Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society (1997)
• Two-time Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE Magnetics Society

Dr. Berkowitz has advised numerous Ph.D. students whose work covers topics such as metal/oxide multilayers, exchange anisotropy, spin tunneling, and nanoparticle synthesis. His research has been supported by extensive collaborations and has led to significant advancements in magnetic materials for both storage and energy applications. He has also contributed to the field through editorial work, including co-editing Magnetism and Metallurgy. His lab emphasizes advanced characterization techniques to understand and optimize magnetic properties at the nanoscale.

Notable research groups and collaborations include work with the Center for Memory and Recording Research (CMRR), the Materials Science and Engineering community at UCSD, and interdisciplinary teams focused on clean energy materials and magnetic sensors.