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At least 865 records · Page 48

Influence of dislocations and twin walls in BaTiO 3 on the voltage-controlled switching of perpendicular magnetization

In this work, we investigate the influence of dislocations and twin walls in BaTiO 3 on its ferroelectric response and the resulting effect on the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of a strain-coupled [Co\Ni] n film. A dense twinned structure in conjunction with a high dislocation density significantly reduces the converse piezoelectric effect of BaTiO 3 by hindering the propagation of newly nucleated domains with an applied electric field. This, in turn, results in a modest reduction of the PMA of the ferromagnetic layer. On the other hand, the ferroelectric polarization reorients from [100] to [001] direction in a dislocation-free BaTiO 3 , inducing the maximum achievable in-plane compressive strain of 1.1%. A large fraction of this uniaxial strain is transferred to the magnetoelastically coupled ferromagnetic layers whose magnetization switches to in plane via the inverse magnetostriction effect. This work reveals the critical role of the interplay between twin walls and dislocations within a ferroelectric substrate in the performance of multiferroic heterostructures and provides insight into the development of highly energy-efficient magnetoelectric devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nearly incompressible magnetohydrodynamics, pseudosound, and solar wind fluctuations

The results of previous investigations of low Mach number MHD density fluctuations and associated dynamical structure of nearly compressible polytropic MHD are reviewed. The recipe for computing 'pseudosound' density fluctuations is generalized to give rise to formulas expressing the density spectrum in terms of the incompressible field variables in homogeneous MHD turbulence with arbitrary rotational symmetry and with arbitrary magnetic and cross helicity spectra. The known observational consequences of the polytropic theory are summarized and several tests of the theory using Voyager data are presented. Finally, compressible two-dimensional MHD simulation results are presented which appear to have a direct bearing on interpretation of the observations.

Matthaeus, William H.↗

Study of Magnetic Field and Turbulence in the TeV Halo around the Monogem Pulsar

Magnetic fields are ubiquitous in the interstellar medium, including extended objects such as supernova remnants and diffuse halos around pulsars. Its turbulent characteristics govern the diffusion of cosmic rays and the multiwavelength emission from pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe). However, the geometry and turbulence nature of the magnetic fields in the ambient region of PWN is still unknown. Recent gamma-ray observations from HAWC and synchrotron observations suggest a highly suppressed diffusion coefficient compared to the mean interstellar value. In this study, we present the first direct observational evidence of the orientation of the mean magnetic field and turbulent characteristics by employing a recently developed statistical parameter "Y turb " in the extended halo around the Monogem pulsar. Our study points to two possible scenarios: nearly aligned toward the line of sight (LOS) with compressible modes dominance or high inclination angle toward the LOS and characterized by Alfvénic turbulence. The first scenario appears consistent with other observational signatures. Furthermore, we report that the magnetic field has an observed correlation length of approximately 3 ± 0.6 pc in the Monogem halo. Our study highlights the pivotal role of magnetic field and turbulence in unraveling the physical processes in TeV halos and cosmic-ray transport.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Manipulating the metal-to-insulator transition and magnetic properties in manganite thin films via epitaxial strain

Strain engineering of epitaxial transition metal oxide heterostructures offers an intriguing opportunity to control electronic structures by modifying the interplay between spin, charge, orbital, and lattice degrees of freedom. Here, we demonstrate that the electronic structure, magnetic and transport properties of La 0.9 Ba 0.1 MnO 3 thin films can be effectively controlled by epitaxial strain. Spectroscopic studies and first-principles calculations reveal that the orbital occupancy in Mn eg orbitals can be switched from the d 3z 2 -r 2 orbital to the d x 2 -y 2 orbital by varying the strain from compressive to tensile. Further, the change of orbital occupancy associated with Mn 3d-O 2p hybridization leads to dramatic modulation of the magnetic and electronic properties of strained La 0.9 Ba 0.1 MnO 3 thin films. Under moderate tensile strain, an emergent ferromagnetic insulating state with an enhanced ferromagnetic Curie temperature of 215 K is achieved. These findings not only deepen our understanding of electronic structures, magnetic and transport properties in the La 0.9 Ba 0.1 MnO 3 system, but also demonstrate the use of epitaxial strain as an effective knob to tune the electronic structures and related physical properties for potential spintronic device applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The nonlinear breakup of the sun's toroidal field

There are good reasons for believing that the sun has a strong toroidal magnetic field in the stably stratified region of convective overshoot sandwiched between the radiative zone and convective zone proper. The magnetic field in this region is modeled by studying the behavior of a layer of uniform field embedded in a subadiabatic atmosphere. Since the field can support extra mass, such a configuration is top-heavy, and instabilities of the Rayleigh-Taylor type can occur. Numerical integration of the two-dimensional compressible MHD equations makes it possible to follow the evolution of this instability into the nonlinear regime. The initial buoyancy-driven instability of the magnetic field gives rise to strong shearing motions, thereby exciting secondary Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities which wrap the gas into regions of intense vorticity. The somewhat surprising subsequent motions are determined primarily by the strong interactions between vortices.

Hughes, D. W.↗

Scalable subsurface inverse modeling of huge data sets with an application to tracer concentration breakthrough data from magnetic resonance imaging

When characterizing subsurface properties is crucial for reliable and cost-effective groundwater supply management and contaminant remediation. With recent advances in sensor technology, large volumes of hydro-geophysical and geochemical data can be obtained to achieve high-resolution images of subsurface properties. However, characterization with such a large amount of information requires prohibitive computational costs associated with “big data” processing and numerous large-scale numerical simulations. To tackle such difficulties, the Principal Component Geostatistical Approach (PCGA) has been proposed as a “Jacobian-free” inversion method that requires much smaller forward simulation runs for each iteration than the number of unknown parameters and measurements needed in the traditional inversion methods. PCGA can be conveniently linked to any multi-physics simulation software with independent parallel executions. In our paper, we extend PCGA to handle a large number of measurements (e.g. 106 or more) by constructing a fast preconditioner whose computational cost scales linearly with the data size. For illustration, we characterize the heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity (K) distribution in a laboratory-scale 3-D sand box using about 6 million transient tracer concentration measurements obtained using magnetic resonance imaging. Since each individual observation has little information on the K distribution, the data was compressed by the zero-th temporal moment of breakthrough curves, which is equivalent to the mean travel time under the experimental setting. Moreover, only about 2,000 forward simulations in total were required to obtain the best estimate with corresponding estimation uncertainty, and the estimated K field captured key patterns of the original packing design, showing the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed method. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Giant enhancement of the magnetocaloric response in Ni–Co–Mn–Ti by rapid solidification

Magnetocaloric refrigeration is a solid-state cooling approach that assures high energy efficiency and low environmental impact. It remains uncompetitive with conventional vapor-compression technologies due to lack of high-performing materials that exhibit large magnetocaloric effects in low magnetic fields. In this work we report a game-changing enhancement of the magnetocaloric response in a transition-metal-based Ni–Co–Mn–Ti. Mechanically and chemically stable rapidly solidified ribbons exhibit magnetic entropy changes as high as ~27J·kg –1 K –1 for a moderate field change of 2T, comparable to or larger than the best known materials for near-room temperature applications. The ribbons can be easily manufactured in large quantities and the transition temperature can be adjusted by varying Co concentration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Enhanced conductivity at orthorhombic–rhombohedral phase boundaries in BiFeO 3 thin films

Enhanced properties in modern functional materials can often be found at structural transition regions, such as morphotropic phase boundaries (MPB), owing to the coexistence of multiple phases with nearly equivalent energies. Strain-engineered MPBs have emerged in epitaxially grown BiFeO 3 (BFO) thin films by precisely tailoring a compressive misfit strain, leading to numerous intriguing phenomena, such as a massive piezoelectric response, magnetoelectric coupling, interfacial magnetism and electronic conduction. Recently, an orthorhombic–rhombohedral (O–R) phase boundary has also been found in tensile-strained BFO. In this study, we characterise the crystal structure and electronic properties of the two competing O and R phases using X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscope and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). We observe the temperature evolution of R and O domains and find that the domain boundaries are highly conductive. Temperature-dependent measurements reveal that the conductivity is thermally activated for R–O boundaries. STEM observations point to structurally wide boundaries, significantly wider than in other systems. Furthermore, we reveal a strong correlation between the highly conductive domain boundaries and structural material properties. These findings provide a pathway to use phase boundaries in this system for novel nanoelectronic applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Hybrid simulations of a parallel collisionless shock in the large plasma device

We present two-dimensional hybrid kinetic/magnetohydrodynamic simulations of planned laser-ablation experiments in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD). Our results, based on parameters which have been validated in previous experiments, show that a parallel collisionless shock can begin forming within the available space. Carbon-debris ions that stream along the magnetic- eld direction with a blow-o speed of four times the Alfv en velocity excite strong magnetic uctuations, eventually transfering part of their kinetic energy to the surrounding hydrogen ions. This acceleration and compression of the background plasma creates a shock front, which satis es the Rankine{Hugoniot conditions and can therefore propagate on its own. Furthermore, we analyze the upstream turbulence and show that it is dominated by the right-hand resonant instability.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Strain engineering of the charge and spin-orbital interactions in Sr2IrO4

In the high spin–orbit-coupled Sr 2 IrO 4 , the high sensitivity of the ground state to the details of the local lattice structure shows a large potential for the manipulation of the functional properties by inducing local lattice distortions. We use epitaxial strain to modify the Ir–O bond geometry in Sr 2 IrO 4 and perform momentum-dependent resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) at the metal and at the ligand sites to unveil the response of the low-energy elementary excitations. Furthermore, we observe that the pseudospin-wave dispersion for tensile-strained Sr 2 IrO 4 films displays large softening along the [h,0] direction, while along the [h,h] direction it shows hardening. This evolution reveals a renormalization of the magnetic interactions caused by a strain-driven cross-over from anisotropic to isotropic interactions between the magnetic moments. Moreover, we detect dispersive electron–hole pair excitations which shift to lower (higher) energies upon compressive (tensile) strain, manifesting a reduction (increase) in the size of the charge gap. This behavior shows an intimate coupling between charge excitations and lattice distortions in Sr 2 IrO 4 , originating from the modified hopping elements between the t 2g orbitals. Our work highlights the central role played by the lattice degrees of freedom in determining both the pseudospin and charge excitations of Sr 2 IrO 4 and provides valuable information toward the control of the ground state of complex oxides in the presence of high spin–orbit coupling.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Plasma physical parameters along CME-driven shocks. II. Observation–simulation comparison

In this work, we compare the spatial distribution of the plasma parameters along the 1999 June 11 coronal mass ejection (CME)-driven shock front with the results obtained from a CME-like event simulated with the FLIPMHD3D code, based on the FLIP-MHD particle-in-cell method. The observational data are retrieved from the combination of white-light coronagraphic data (for the upstream values) and the application of the Rankine–Hugoniot equations (for the downstream values). The comparison shows a higher compression ratio X and Alfvénic Mach number M{sub A} at the shock nose, and a stronger magnetic field deflection d toward the flanks, in agreement with observations. Then, we compare the spatial distribution of M{sub A} with the profiles obtained from the solutions of the shock adiabatic equation relating M{sub A}, X, and θ{sub Bn} (the angle between the upstream magnetic field and the shock front normal) for the special cases of parallel and perpendicular shock, and with a semi-empirical expression for a generically oblique shock. The semi-empirical curve approximates the actual values of M{sub A} very well, if the effects of a non-negligible shock thickness δ{sub sh} and plasma-to magnetic pressure ratio β{sub u} are taken into account throughout the computation. Moreover, the simulated shock turns out to be supercritical at the nose and sub-critical at the flanks. Finally, we develop a new one-dimensional Lagrangian ideal MHD method based on the GrAALE code, to simulate the ion-electron temperature decoupling due to the shock transit. Two models are used, a simple solar wind model and a variable-γ model. Both produce results in agreement with observations, the second one being capable of introducing the physics responsible for the additional electron heating due to secondary effects (collisions, Alfvén waves, etc.).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Mitigation of plasma–wall interactions with low-Z powders in DIII-D high confinement plasmas

Experiments with low-Z powder injection in DIII-D high confinement discharges demonstrated increased divertor dissipation and detachment while maintaining good core energy confinement. Lithium (Li), boron (B), and boron nitride (BN) powders were injected in H-mode plasmas (I p = 1 MA, B t = 2 T, P NB = 6 MW, < n e > = 3.6–5.0 · 10 19 m –3 ) into the upper small-angle slot divertor for 2 s intervals at constant rates of 3–204 mg s –1 . The multi-species BN powders at a rate of 54 mg s –1 showed the most substantial increase in divertor neutral compression by more than an order of magnitude and lasting detachment with minor degradation of the stored magnetic energy W mhd by 5%. Rates of 204 mg s –1 of boron nitride powder further reduce edge localized mode-fluxes on the divertor but also cause a drop in confinement performance by 24% due to the onset of an n = 2 tearing mode. The application of powders also showed a substantial improvement of wall conditions manifesting in reduced wall fueling source and intrinsic carbon and oxygen content in response to the cumulative injection of non-recycling materials. Furthermore, the results suggest that low-Z powder injection, including mixed element compounds, is a promising new core-edge compatible technique that simultaneously enables divertor detachment and improves wall conditions during high confinement operation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Multiscale Pressure-Balanced Structures in Three-dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

Observations of solar wind turbulence indicate the existence of multiscale pressure-balanced structures (PBSs) in the solar wind. In this work, we conduct a numerical simulation to investigate multiscale PBSs and in particular their formation in compressive magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. By the use of the higher-order Godunov code Athena, a driven compressible turbulence with an imposed uniform guide field is simulated. The simulation results show that both the magnetic pressure and the thermal pressure exhibit a turbulent spectrum with a Kolmogorov-like power law, and that in many regions of the simulation domain they are anticorrelated. The computed wavelet cross-coherence spectra of the magnetic pressure and the thermal pressure, as well as their space series, indicate the existence of multiscale PBSs, with the small PBSs being embedded in the large ones. These multiscale PBSs are likely to be related to the highly oblique-propagating slow-mode waves, as the traced multiscale PBS is found to be traveling in a certain direction at a speed consistent with that predicted theoretically for a slow-mode wave propagating in the same direction.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The SO2 atmosphere and ionosphere of Io - Ion chemistry, atmospheric escape, and models corresponding to the Pioneer 10 radio occultation measurements

Some numerical models of the SO2 atmosphere and ionosphere of Io at the time of the Pioneer 10 fly-by are calculated. It is shown that the formation of the observed ionosphere in the downstream direction may have required the precipitation of electrons, and that solar EUV radiation alone cannot account for it. In a comparison with Pioneer 10 radio occultation measurements, an electron impact in the range 500-800 eV was found to agree with Pioneer 10 radio occultation data for a SO2 atmosphere with a surface density of 4 x 10 to the 10th per cu cm. The relatively narrow energy range and flux required for incident electrons suggests that a fraction of a torus plasma compresses the ionosphere. It is pointed out on the basis of the model calculations that a weak magnetic field may be associated with Io.

Kumar, S.↗

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves observed in the plasma depletion layer

Observations from AMPTE/CCE in the earth's magnetosheath on October 5, 1984 are presented to illustrate 0.1 - 4.0 Hz magnetic field pulsations in the subsolar plasma depletion layer (PDL) for northward sheath field during a magnetospheric compression. The PDL is unambiguously identified by comparing CCE data with data from IRM in the upstream solar wind. Pulsations in the PDL are dominated by transverse waves with F/F(H+) 1.0 or less and a slot in spectral power at F/F(H+) = 0.5. The upper branch is left hand polarized while the lower branch is linearly polarized. In the sheath the proton temperature anisotropy is about 0.6 but it is about 1.7 in the PDL during wave occurrence. The properties and correlation of waves with increased anisotropy indicate that they are electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves.

Anderson, B. J.↗

ISEE 3 plasmoid and TCR observations during an extended interval of substorm activity

On April 9-11, 1983, the ISEE 3 spacecraft was continuously located within the earth's magnetotail for more than 36 hours at downstream distances of X = -76 to -80 R(e). During this span of time, 12 major intervals of substorm activity were observed in the AL index with good ISEE 3 telemetry coverage for 11 of them. In addition, there were two small substorms outside of these intervals, both with complete observations in the distant tail. This unusual ISEE 3 data set provides a unique opportunity to test the predictions of the near-earth neutral line model. In particular, the hypothesis that energy stored in the tail lobes during the growth phase is later dissipated, in part, through the release of one or more plasmoids following expansion phase onset is examined. Clear growth phase enhancements in the lobe magnetic field intensity preceded the onsets of nine of the substorms. Plasmoids, or their lobe signatures, traveling compression regions (TCRs), were observed at ISEE 3 in association with all 11 of the major substorm intervals for which there were ISEE observations, as well as for the two small substorms. No plasmoids or TCRs were observed in the absence of substorm activity. If these ISEE 3 observations are representative, then the release of plasmoids down the tail may be a feature common to all substorms.

Slavin, J. A.↗

What is the Relationship between the Solar Wind and Storms/Substorms?

The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) carried past the Earth by the solar wind has long been known to be the principal quantity that controls geomagnetic storms and substorms. Intervals of strong southward IMF with durations of at least a significant fraction of a day produce storms, while more typical, shorter intervals of less-intense southward fields produce substorms. The strong, long-duration southward fields are generally associated with coronal mass ejections and magnetic clouds or else they are produced by interplanetary dynamics initiated by fast solar wind flows that compress preexisting southward fields. Smaller, short-duration southward fields that occur on most days are related to long period waves, turbulence, or random variations in the IMF. Southward IMF enhances dayside reconnection between the IMF and the Earth's dipole with the reconnected field lines supplementing open field lines of the geomagnetic tail and producing an expanded polar cap and increased tail energy. Although the frequent storage of solar wind energy and its release during substorms is the most common mode of solar wind/magnetosphere interaction, under certain circumstances, steady southward IMF seems to produce intervals of relatively steady magnetosphere convection without substorms. During these latter times, the inner magnetosphere remains in a stressed tail-like state while the more distant magnetotail has larger northward field and more dipolar-like field lines. Recent evidence suggests that enhanced magnetosphere particle densities associated with enhanced solar wind densities allow more particles to be accelerated for the ring current, thus creating larger storms.

Fairfield, D. H.↗

The Physics of Molecular Shocks in Star-Forming Regions

Molecular shocks are produced by the impact of the supersonic infall of gas and dust onto protostars and by the interaction of the supersonic outflow from the protostar with the circumstellar material. Infalling gas creates an accretion shock around the circumstellar disk which emits a unique infrared spectrum and which processes the interstellar dust as it enters the disk. The winds and jets from protostars also impact the disk, the infalling material, and the ambient molecular cloud core creating shocks whose spectrum and morphology diagnose the mass loss processes of the protostar and the orientation and structure of the star forming system. We discuss the physics of these shocks, the model spectra derived from theoretical models, and comparisons with observations of H2O masers, H2 emission, as well as other shocks tracers. We show the strong effect of magnetic fields on molecular shock structure, and elucidate the chemical changes induced by the shock heating and compression.

Hollenbach, David↗