Jean-Pierre BUCHER

Jean-Pierre BUCHER is a Professor at the University of Strasbourg, where he heads the Research Group "Scanning probes for Nanomagnetism" at the IPCMS (Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg). He is also a Senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France, recognizing his significant contributions to research and teaching in nanomagnetism and molecular electronics.

BUCHER received his PhD from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) for his study by spin-echo-NMR of quantum size effects and adsorbate induced modifications in Pt nanoclusters. His academic journey includes a two-year Fellowship for Advanced Researcher from the Swiss National Science Foundation at the University of Virginia, research positions at KFA-Jülich in Germany, and EPFL before becoming a full professor at Université Louis Pasteur (now part of University of Strasbourg) in 1994.

His research focuses on magnetotransport in STM junctions in the spin-polarized configuration (SP-STM), where atoms and molecules are addressed on an individual basis to study and control magnetic properties at the atomic scale. He has made pioneering contributions to the field of nanomagnetism, particularly in the study of magnetic clusters, single molecule magnets, and quantum size effects. His work bridges fundamental physics with potential applications in spintronics and quantum information processing.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on single molecule magnets, particularly TbPc2 complexes, and their behavior on metal substrates. His research increasingly incorporates molecular dynamics simulations alongside experimental work, exploring self-assembly processes, magnetic bistability, and quantum spin phenomena at the nanoscale. The interdisciplinary nature of his work spans condensed matter physics, surface science, and molecular electronics.

His scientific achievements have been recognized through several prestigious awards:

• Senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France
• Reward of scientific excellence
• Fellowship for Advanced Researcher of the Swiss National Science Foundation (1989)
• United States Patent on "High density magnetic recording medium" (Patent Number: 5,830,588, Nov. 3, 1998)

BUCHER has directed and co-directed nineteen PhD theses, mentoring the next generation of scientists in nanomagnetism and surface science. His research has been supported by numerous international projects including QUSTEC – Quantum Science and Technologies at the European Campus, iJURC research program of Institute for Chemical Research (Kyoto University), LabEx NIE, Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) "SPINMAP", and various European Framework Programs.

At IPCMS, he is responsible for instrumental platforms serving 150 researchers across 15 nodes, and specifically coordinates the SINGLEMO platform dedicated to the magnetic spectroscopy of single objects, particularly molecule magnets. His laboratory combines advanced scanning probe techniques with molecular synthesis and theoretical modeling to explore quantum magnetic phenomena at the atomic scale.