SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
It has been established that peculiar properties of the antiferromagnetic state of CuCrO{sub 2} can be explained naturally using the Dzyaloshinskii-Landau theory of magnetic phase transitions.
Magnetic topological materials have recently emerged as a promising platform for studying quantum geometry by the nonlinear transport in thin film devices. In this work, an antiferromagnetic (AFM) semiconductor EuSc₂Te₄ as the first bulk crystal that exhibits quantum geometry-driven nonlinear transport is reported. This material crystallizes into an orthorhombic lattice with AFM order below 5.2 K and a bandgap of less than 50 meV. The calculated band structure aligns with the angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy spectrum. The AFM order preserves combined space-time inversion symmetry but breaks both spatial inversion and time-reversal symmetry, leading to the nonlinear Hall effect (NLHE). Nonlinear Hall voltage measured in bulk crystals appears at zero field, peaks near the spin-flop transition as the field increases, and then diminishes as the spin moments align into a ferromagnetic order. This field dependence, along with the scaling analysis of the nonlinear Hall conductivity, suggests that the NLHE of EuSc₂Te₄ involves contributions from quantum metric, in addition to extrinsic contributions, such as spin scattering and junction effects. Furthermore, this NLHE is found to have the functionality of broadband frequency mixing, indicating its potential applications in electronics. This work reveals a new avenue for studying magnetism-induced nonlinear transport in magnetic materials.
Magneto-optical excitations in antiferromagnetic d systems can originate from a multiplicity of light-spin and spin-spin interactions, as the light and spin degrees of freedom can be entangled. This is exemplified in van der Waals systems with attendant strong anisotropy between in-plane and out-of-plane directions, such as MnPS 3 and NiPS 3 films studied here. The rich interplay between the magnetic ordering and sub-bandgap optical transitions poses a challenge to resolve the mechanisms driving spin-entangled optical transitions, as well as the single-particle bandgap itself. Here, a high-fidelity ab initio theory is applied to find a realistic estimation of the bandgap by elucidating the atom- and orbital-resolved contributions to the fundamental sub-bands. It is further demonstrated that the spin-entangled excitations, observable as photoluminescence and absorption resonances, originate from an on-site spin-flip transition confined to a magnetic atom (Mn or Ni). The evolution of the spin-flip transition in a magnetic field is used to deduce the effective exchange coupling and anisotropy constants.
Manipulation of antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials as active elements provides a crucial combination of electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties for spintronics. This study shows how the spin current generated in heavy metal is induced by spin‐orbit torque into an adjacent AFM insulator. The bulk unpinned spins of the AFM layer drive a spin current that is transmitted to the top ferromagnet. This mechanism allows the electrical control of the exchange bias, coercive field, and blocking temperature of the system. Further support is provided by a model calculation that quantitatively describes the effect of the spin current injection into the AFM.
We present electronic, magnetic, thermoelectric, and thermodynamic properties of half-Heusler HoPdAs and HoPdGe materials in stable α-phase. They crystallize in cubic MgAgAs-type structure. The stable phase is found to be antiferromagnetic in comparison to the other magnetic and nonmagnetic states. The electronic structure calculations display the metallic behavior in both spin states. The effect of pressure and temperature on unit cell volume, thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity, and Grüneisen parameter have also been analyzed using the quasi-harmonic Debye model. The alloys present a high absolute Seebeck coefficient with a value of 203.26 μV/K for HoPdAs and 53.19 μV/K for HoPdGe at room temperature.
Skyrmions are considered as topologically protected magnetic textures; they are covering a large area of applications. In this work, we studied using micromagnetic simulations the emergence of skyrmions in a nanodisk stacked in a FM/NM/FM multilayer system. We show how the skyrmion is formed through the antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange coupling (IEC). We also show the impact of the IEC on skyrmion size in both layers. We try as a conclusion to identify the range of IEC where skyrmions could exist in such systems.
Boundary conditions for order parameters at an interface between ferromagnetic (FM) and two-sublattice antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials are obtained in the continuous medium approximation similarly to the approach which allows one to take into account the finite thickness of the FM/FM interface, which is much less than spin wavelength. Three order parameters are considered inside an interface of finite thickness with the magnetization M of FM, magnetizations of both sublattices M{sub 1} and M{sub 2} of AFM. The uniform and non-uniform exchange between all order parameters are taken into account to the interface energy. Using these boundary conditions, the excitation of a surface evanescent spin wave is considered in AFM when the spin wave in FM falls onto this interface. The coefficients and the phases of transmission and reflection of spin wave through the FM/AFM interface are derived.
The phase diagrams and magnetization curves of antiferromagnetic nanoparticle and ladder-type system are investigated by using the effective-field theory with correlations. They have exhibited some characteristic features, such as the reentrant phenomena, when a finite transverse field h is applied and even when h = 0.0.
We consider randomly distributed mixtures of bonds of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic type in a two-dimensional square lattice with probability 1−p and p, respectively, according to an i.i.d. random variable. We study minimizers of the corresponding nearest-neighbour spin energy on large domains in ℤ{sup 2}. We prove that there exists p{sub 0} such that for p≤p{sub 0} such minimizers are characterized by a majority phase; i.e., they take identically the value 1 or − 1 except for small disconnected sets. A deterministic analogue is also proved.
We perform a stability analysis of an isolated atomic-sized antiferromagnetic skyrmion (AFM-Sk), formed on the superior layer of a magnetic bilayer. The coupling between both square lattices acts as an effective staggered magnetic field that stabilizes the AFM-Sk and reduces its radius. A suitable anisotropy constant of the bottom layer material keeps it close to the homogeneous AFM state. We compare the energy of the AFM-Sk with the energy of the AFM ground state. In addition, an estimation of the energy barrier that protects the skyrmion from being destabilized is provided and its value determined to be in the order of ∼300 K. The remarkable reduction in the skyrmion radius towards atomic size and avoiding an external magnetic field are key points in order to increase our ability to manipulate AFM-Sk on skyrmionic devices. Our calculations provide an insight into novel ways to create and manipulate AFM-Sk at the atomic scale.
Here we investigate the change of magnetism and electronic structure across the antiferromagnetic (AFM)-ferromagnetic (FM) transition of Ni-doped FeRh epitaxial thin films by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES). The Rh L edge XMCD results indicate that the remnant FM phase at low temperature possesses smaller Rh moment than the normal FM phase which can undergo AFM-FM transition. The HAXPES results confirm an increase of Rh 4d density of state at the Fermi level and a possible "well-screened" state at the Ni 2p photoemission in the FM phase. FM fluctuation of the inter-site Fe-Fe exchange coupling within the AFM phase can be interpreted from the temperature dependence of the Fe 2p HAXPES results.
Artificial multiferroic heterostructures have recently attracted much interests due to the demonstrated magnetoelectric coupling (MEC) and unique functionalities, promising a tantalizing perspective of novel applications in next-generation electronic, memory, sensor, and energy harvesting technologies. Herein, we report a two-step magnetization reversal in PbZr 0.52 Ti 0.48 O 3 /La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 (PZT/LSMO) superlattices, which originates from the strongly entangled strain-, ferroelectric (FE)-polarization-, and exchange-dependent effects. Specifically, the preferential occupancy of the in-plane Mn d x 2 -y 2 orbitals is triggered via the collective effects of the large tensile strain and FE polarization, giving rise to an interfacial antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer with strong AFM anisotropy. The strong spin exchange coupling between the AFM layer and the adjacent ferromagnetic (FM) layer facilitates the magnetic stratification of the FM layer, leading to two coercivities, i.e., two-step magnetization reversal. Meanwhile, a sizeable exchange bias (EB) field is induced. The emerged two-step magnetization reversal concomitant with the pronounced EB phenomenon should be a signature of an enhanced MEC in PZT/LSMO superlattices. Finally, our results will stimulate further interests in multiferroic superlattices in applications of multiferroic-based devices.
Weyl semimetal thin films with excellent crystalline quality are of great interest for antiferromagnetic spintronics. Mn 3 Sn is one Weyl semimetal with great properties and promise for exciting science and applications. It has proven very challenging, however, to grow Mn 3 Sn thin films with smooth surfaces, negligible strain, and excellent crystallinity. In this work, we discuss the successful preparation of epitaxial Mn 3 Sn (0001)-oriented thin films via molecular beam epitaxial growth on c -plane wurtzite GaN which was grown by MBE on Al 2 O 3 (0001). We present the reflection high energy electron diffraction analysis along with x-ray diffraction in order to demonstrate the crystalline quality of the film, and we give atomic models to explain the epitaxial orientation relationships between the crystal lattices of the substrate, GaN layer, and Mn 3 Sn layer. Importantly, we discuss the film lattice parameters as compared to expected values, demonstrating negligible strain both in-plane and out-of-plane . Atomic force microscopy reveals an epitaxial columnar growth mode characterized by flat-top-mesa islands, while scanning tunneling microscopy shows the atomically smooth surfaces of the mesa-top structures. Finally, Rutherford backscattering informs the stoichiometry of the film as well as the layer thicknesses.
Herein we report on temperature-dependent soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements utilizing linearly polarized synchrotron radiation to probe magnetic phase transitions in iron-rich Fe 1+y Te (y ≈ 0.12). X-ray magnetic linear dichroism (XMLD) signals, which sense magnetic ordering processes at surfaces, start to increase monotonically below the Néel temperature T N = 57 K. This increase is due to a progressive bicollinear antiferromagnetic (AFM) alignment of Fe spins of the monoclinic Fe 1+y Te parent phase. This AFM alignment was achieved by a [1 0 0]-oriented biasing field favoring a single-domain state during cooling across T N . Our specific heat and magnetization measurements confirm the bulk character of this AFM phase transition. On longer time scales, however, we observe that the field-biased AFM state is highly unstable even at the lowest temperature of T = 3 K. After switching off the biasing field, the XMLD signal decays exponentially with a time constant τ = 1506 s. The initial XMLD signal is restored only upon repeating a cycle consisting of heating and field-cooling through T N . We explain the time effect by a gradual formation of a multi-domain state with 90° rotated AFM domains, promoted by structural disorder, facilitating the motion of twin-domains. Significant disorder in our Fe 1+y Te sample is evident from our X-ray diffraction and specific heat data. The stability of magnetic phases in Fe-chalcogenides is an important material property, since the Fe(Te 1-x Se x ) phase diagram shows magnetism intimately connected with superconductivity.
A sanderite ferrous sulfate FeSO{sub 4}·2H{sub 2}O has been synthesized by the hydro/solvothermal method. Its crystal structure (Pccn, a=6.3160 Å, b=7.7550 Å, c=8.9880 Å, V=440.2 Å{sup 3}, Z=4) can be regarded as the condensation of alternately corner-shared FeO{sub 4}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2} octahedra and SO{sub 4} tetrahedra with a similar topology of PtS. By structural comparison with the known hydrated ferrous sulfates, the structural relation among them has been noted and discussed in detail. A variable temperature magnetic study shows a spin-canted long-range antiferromagnetic ordering in the low temperature regime, which might result from a possible phase transition during the cooling from the high temperature. - Graphical abstract: As a new number of ferrous sulfates, sanderite FeSO{sub 4}·2H{sub 2}O has been synthesized under hydro/solvothermal conditions, which exhibits a similar topology of PtS. - Highlights: • Sanderite ferrous sulfate has been synthesized. • The topology of its structure is similar to that of PtS. • A structural relation between these hydrated ferrous sulfates is discovered.
Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • The substitution of Cr for Mn in BiMnFe{sub 2}O{sub 6} is possible by the solution–gel method. • The BiCr{sub x}Mn{sub 1−x}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 6} solid solution is obtained for the x values up to 0.3. • Increasing Cr content lowers the temperature of the antiferromagnetic ordering. - Abstract: We report the Cr{sup 3+} for Mn{sup 3+} substitution in the BiMnFe{sub 2}O{sub 6} structure. The BiCr{sub x}Mn{sub 1−x}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 6} solid solution is obtained by the solution–gel synthesis technique for the x values up to 0.3. The crystal structure investigation using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that the compounds retain the parent BiMnFe{sub 2}O{sub 6} structure (for x = 0.3, a = 5.02010(6)Å, b = 7.06594(7)Å, c = 12.6174(1)Å, S.G. Pbcm, R{sub I} = 0.036, R{sub P} = 0.011) with only a slight decrease in the cell parameters associated with the Cr{sup 3+} for Mn{sup 3+} substitution. Magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest strong similarities in the magnetic behavior of BiCr{sub x}Mn{sub 1−x}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 6} (x = 0.2; 0.3) and parent BiMnFe{sub 2}O{sub 6}. Only T{sub N} slightly decreases upon Cr doping that indicates a very subtle influence of Cr{sup 3+} cations on the magnetic properties at the available substitution rates.
Quantum magnetism is one of the most active fields for exploring exotic phases and phase transitions. The recently synthesized Na 2 BaCo(PO 4 ) 2 (NBCP) is an ideal material incarnation of the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ easy-axis triangular lattice antiferromagnet (TLAF). Experimental evidence shows that NBCP hosts the spin supersolid state with a giant magnetocaloric effect. Theory further predicts that magnetic fields can drive NBCP through Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) and other richer quantum phase transitions. However, detecting these transitions is challenging, as they onset at ultralow temperatures near 60 mK and require high magnetization sensitivity. Using a newly developed gradient force magnetometer in a dilution refrigerator, we mapped the magnetic susceptibility phase diagram down to 30 mK. Our results provide a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of BKT melting of spin supersolidity and several field-tunable quantum phase transitions, which establish NBCP as a model platform for frustrated magnetism and highlight potential applications of its giant magnetocaloric effects.
Here the magnetic properties of β-Ce at low temperature have been studied through ac susceptibility measurements under hydrostatic He-gas pressure up to 4.5 kbar. The Néel temperature, T N = 12.7 K at 58 bar, initially increases with pressure at the rate d T N / dP = +0.32 ± 0.05 K/kbar. After releasing pressure from 4.5 to 0.06 kbar at 40 K, the magnetic susceptibility anomaly associated with the antiferromagnetic transition is markedly reduced. Surprisingly, T N also shifts from 12.7 to 14 K. Both effects likely arise from an irreversible β → α transition under pressure.