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At least 1,117 records · Page 62

Orientational transitions in ferromagnetic liquid crystals with bistable coupling between colloidal particles and the matrix

We study the orientational response of a ferromagnetic liquid crystal that is induced by magnetic and electric fields. A modified form of the energy of the orientational interaction between magnetic impurity particles and the liquid crystal matrix that leads to bistable coupling is considered. It is shown that apart from magnetic impurity segregation, first-order orientational transitions can be due to the bistability of the potential of the orientational coupling between the director and the magnetization. The ranges of material parameters that lead to optical bistability are determined. The possibility of first-order orientational transitions is analyzed for the optical phase difference between the ordinary and extraordinary light rays transmitted through a ferronematic cell. It is shown that an electric field applied in the given geometry considerably enhances the magneto-orientational response of the ferronematic.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Spin-filter tunneling in superconducting mesa structures with a ferromagnetic manganite interlayer

We have studied the current transport and magnetism in epitaxial hybrid superconducting mesa structures consisting of a cuprate superconductor and superconducting niobium with a manganite LaMnO{sub 3} (LMO) interlayer. We have shown experimentally using magnetic resonance that the magnetization, magnetic anisotropy parameters, and transition temperature to the ferromagnetic state of the interlayer of the structures are analogous to those of an autonomous LMO film grown on a neodymium gallate substrate. The estimate of the barrier height obtained from the dependence of the characteristic resistance of mesa structures on the interlayer thickness has shown the barrier height variation with the thickness in the range of 5–30 mV. The temperature dependences of the conductivity of the mesa structure in the range between superconducting transition temperatures of the superconductors can be described in the theory taking into account the d-wave nature of the superconductivity for one of the electrodes and the spin-filtering of carriers passing through the tunnel interlayer. Spin-filtering is confirmed by the tunnel magnetoresistance and the high sensitivity of mesa structures to a weak external magnetic field in a voltage interval smaller than the gap of niobium.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Modification of the Ferromagnetic Properties of Si{sub 1–x}Mn{sub x} Thin Films Synthesized by Pulsed Laser Deposition with a Variation in the Buffer-Gas Pressure

A series of thin films of Si{sub 1–x}Mn{sub x} alloys with a thickness from 50 to 100 nm grown by pulsed laser deposition on an Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} substrate in vacuum and in an argon atmosphere is investigated. The significant effect of the buffer-gas pressure in the sputtering chamber on the structural and magnetic homogeneity of the obtained films is shown. The conditions for the formation of a ferromagnetic phase with a high Curie temperature (>300 K) in the samples are studied. With the use of the Langmuir probe method, the threshold of ablation of a MnSi target by second harmonic radiation (λ = 532 nm) of a Nd:YAG Q-switch laser is determined. The time-of-flight curves for the plume ions are obtained with a change in the energy density at the target and argon pressure in the sputtering chamber. A nonmonotonic dependence of the probe time-of-flight signal amplitude on the argon pressure is established for high-energy particles of the plume.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Pinning of domain walls in two-layer ferromagnetic nanowire with scattering fields of nanoparticles

The results of a micromagnetic simulation of the pinning-depinning processes of a domain wall (DW) in a rectangular ferromagnetic nanowire (NW) consisting of two magnetic layers with scattering fields of two rectangular two-layer nanoparticles (NPs) located on NW opposite sides and oriented perpendicular to its axis are presented. The features of magnetization reversal of this system in the external magnetic field are studied depending on direction of the magnetic moments of the nanoparticle layers. The value of the depinning field in such a system depends essentially on mutual orientation of NP magnetic moments and NW magnetization. The possibility to realize a magnetic logic cell performing the “conjunction” operation of ternary logic is discussed.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Spectral ellipsometry as a method for characterization of nanosized films with ferromagnetic layers

Nanosized films with ferromagnetic layers are widely used in nanoelectronics, sensor systems and telecommunications. Their properties may strongly differ from those of bulk materials that is on account of interfaces, intermediate layers and diffusion. In the present work, spectral ellipsometry and magnetooptical methods are adapted for characterization of the optical parameters and magnetization processes in two- and three-layer Cr/NiFe, Al/NiFe and Cr(Al)/Ge/NiFe films onto a sitall substrate for various thicknesses of Cr and Al layers. At a layer thickness below 20 nm, the complex refractive coefficients depend pronouncedly on the thickness. In two-layer films, remagnetization changes weakly over a thickness of the top layer, but the coercive force in three-layer films increases by more than twice upon remagnetization, while increasing the top layer thickness from 4 to 20 nm.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Ferromagnets, a new anomaly, instantons, and (noninvertible) continuous translations

We discuss a large class of classical field theories with continuous translation symmetry. In the quantum theory, a new anomaly explicitly breaks this translation symmetry to a discrete symmetry. Furthermore, this discrete translation symmetry is extended by a d – 2-form global symmetry. All these theories can be described as U(1) gauge theories where Gauss law states that the system has nonzero charge density. Special cases of such systems can be phrased as theories with a compact phase space. Examples are ferromagnets and lattices in the lowest Landau level. In some cases, the broken continuous translation symmetry can be resurrected as a noninvertible symmetry. We clarify the relation between the discrete translation symmetry of the continuum theory and the discrete translation symmetry of an underlying lattice model. Our treatment unifies, clarifies, and extends earlier works on the same subject.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Electron Density Determination, Bonding and Properties of Tetragonal Ferromagnetic Intermetallics

The project developed quantitative convergent-beam electron diffraction (QCBED) methods by energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) and used them in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the electron density distribution in metallic and intermetallic phases with different cubic and non-cubic crystal structures that comprise elements with d-electron shells. The experimental methods developed here focus on the bonding charge distribution as one of the quantum mechanical characteristics central for understanding of intrinsic properties and validation of DFT calculations. Multiple structure and temperature factors have been measured simultaneously from nano-scale volumes of high-quality crystal with sufficient accuracy and precision for comparison with electron density distribution calculations by DFT. The often anisotropic temperature factors for the different atoms and atom sites in chemically ordered phases can differ significantly from those known for relevant pure element crystals due to bonding effects. Thus they have been measured from the same crystal volumes from which the structure factors have been determined. The ferromagnetic ordered intermetallic phases FePd and FePt are selected as model systems for 3d-4d and 3d-5d electron interactions, while the intermetallic phases NiAl and TiAl are used to probe 3d-3p electron interactions. Additionally, pure transition metal elements with d-electrons have been studied. FCC metals exhibit well defined delocalized bonding charge in tetrahedral sites, while less directional, more distributed bonding charge attains in BCC metals. Agreement between DFT calculated and QCBED results degrades as d-electron levels fill in the elements, and for intermetallics as d-d interactions become prominent over p-d interactions. Utilizing the LDA+U approach enabled inclusion of onsite Coulomb-repulsion effects in DFT calculations, which can afford improved agreements with QCBED results. This implies that onsite Coulomb repulsion effects become non-negligible as the d-orbitals fill. The use of now easily measured low-order structure factors as an additional experimental metric in validation of DFT calculation of electronic structures of crystals offers potential to capture better both total energy related properties and details of the interatomic bonding in system with d-electron orbital contributions. This effort advanced the state of the art in quantitative TEM experimentation, provides original experimental data uniquely suited for new validation approaches of DFT calculations of d-electron affected transition metals and intermetallics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Investigating the Role of Ferromagnetic Materials on the Casimir Force & Investigation of the Van Der Waals/Casimir Force with Graphene

Duration of award was from 4/15/10-4/14/15. In this grant period our contributions to the field of VdW/Casimir forces are 24 refereed publications in journals such as Physical Review Letters (4) [1-4], Physical Review B (10) [5-14], Physical Review D (2) [15,16], Applied Physics Letters (1) [17], Review of Scientific Instruments (1) [18] and the International Journal of Modern Physics A (5) [19-23] and B(1) (invited review article [24]). We presented 2 plenary conference talks, 3 lectures at the Pan American School on Frontiers in Casimir Physics, 2 conferences, 1 colloquium and 11 APS talks. If publications are restricted to only those with direct connection to the aims proposed in the prior grant period, then it will be a total of 12: Physical Review Letters (3) [2-4], Physical Review B (6) [6-8,12,13,25], Review of Scientific Instruments (1) [18], International Journal of Modern Physics A (1) [19] and B(1) [169]. A brief aggregated description of the directly connected accomplishments is below. The following topics are detailed: dispersion force measurements with graphene, dispersion force from ferromagnetic metals, conclusion on role of electrostatic patches, UV radiation induced modification of the Casimir force, low temperature measurement of the Casimir force, and Casimir force from thin fluctuating membranes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum Hall ferromagnetic transition in a Ge 2D hole system

When two Landau levels are brought into energy degeneracy, interesting phases and phase transitions can occur. For single-layer 2D electrons, a quantum Hall ferromagnetic transition (QHFT) occurs when Landau levels with opposite spins are made degenerate by an in-plane magnetic field, which enhances the Zeeman splitting but keeps the cyclotron energy constant. At the QHFT, the 2D electron system breaks up into magnetic domains with opposite spins, and a resistance spike is observed as electrons move through the domain wall loops. An alternative way to enhance the ratio of Zeeman splitting to the cyclotron energy, which is proportional to m*g*, is to reduce the carrier density (p). Here we report the observation of a QHFT at ν = 2 in a Ge 2D hole system through modulating p without any in-plane magnetic field. We also report the effects of an in-plane magnetic field to this QHFT.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Interface-Driven Chiral Magnetism in Ultrathin Metallic Ferromagnets: Towards Skyrmion Spintronics

Magnetic skyrmions are localized chiral magnetic textures in the form of nanoscale vortices or bubbles that are topologically protected from being ‘unwound’. Their topological nature gives rise to rich behaviors including ordered lattice formation, emergent electrodynamics and robust current-driven displacement at remarkably low current densities. However, magnetic skyrmions have so far been restricted to just a few materials and observed only at low temperatures, limiting the experimental accessibility and technological application of these unique topological objects. This project aimed to realize magnetic skyrmions at room temperature in a new class of engineered chiral ferromagnets that exploit broken mirror symmetry at interfaces to generate helical magnetic order. Ultrathin magnetic heterostructures were engineered and patterned into laterally-confined nanostructures in which skyrmions were stabilized, manipulated, and detected for the first time under ambient conditions. Static and dynamic properties were examined using advanced x-ray imaging to provide a fundamental understanding of topological magnetic phases. The interactions between magnetic skyrmions and electron charge and spin currents were studied to identify fundamental new physics and enable device applications. These experimental studies, supported by detailed modeling, will help launch a new subfield of skyrmion-based spintronics in which individual skyrmions can be used to encode, store, and transport information in high-performance, low power memory and logic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Maximum Interior Voltage and Magnetic Field Penetration Through a Ferromagnetic Layer

This report examines the problem of magnetic penetration of a conductive layer, including nonlinear ferromagnetic layers, excited by an electric current filament. The electric current filament is, for example, a nearby wire excited by a lightning strike. The internal electric field and external magnetic field are determined. Numerical results are compared to various analytical approximations to help understand the physics involved in the penetration.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Ultrafast perturbation of magnetic domains by optical pumping in a ferromagnetic multilayer

Ultrafast optical pumping of systems with spatially nonuniform magnetic textures is known to cause far-from-equilibrium spin transport effects, such as the broadening of domain-walls. Here, we study the dynamics of labyrinth domain networks in ferromagnetic CoFe/Ni multilayers subject to a femtosecond optical pump and find an ultrafast domain dilation by 6% within 1.6 ps. This surprising result is based on the unambiguous determination of a harmonically-related shift of ultrafast magnetic X-ray diffraction for the first- and third-order rings. Domain dilation is plausible from conservation of momentum arguments, whereby inelastic scattering from a hot, quasi-ballistic, radial current transfers momentum to the magnetic domains. Our results suggest a potentially rich variety of unexpected physical phenomena associated with far-from-equilibrium inelastic electron-magnon scattering processes in the presence of spin textures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Efficient Optical Control of Magnon Dynamics in van der Waals Ferromagnets

Optical control of magnons in two-dimensional (2D) materials promises new functionalities for spintronics and magnonics in atomically thin devices. Here, we report control of magnon dynamics, using laser polarization, in a ferromagnetic van der Waals (vdW) material, Fe 3.6 Co 1.4 GeTe 2 . The magnon amplitude, frequency, and lifetime are controlled and monitored by time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy. We show substantial (over 25%) and continuous modulation of magnon dynamics as a function of incident laser polarization. Our results suggest that the modification of the effective demagnetization field and magnetic anisotropy by the pump laser pulses with different polarizations is due to anisotropic optical absorption. This implies that pump laser pulses modify the local spin environment, which enables the launch of magnons with tunable dynamics. Our first-principles calculations confirm the anisotropic optical absorption of different crystal orientations. Our findings suggest a new route for the development of opto-spintronic or opto-magnonic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Room temperature ferromagnetic gadolinium silicide nanoparticles

A particle usable as T 1 and T 2 contrast agents is provided. The particle is a gadolinium silicide (Gd 5 Si 4 ) particle that is ferromagnetic at temperatures up to 290 K and is less than 2 .mu.m in diameter. An MRI contrast agent that includes a plurality of gadolinium silicide (Gd.sub.5Si.sub.4) particles that are less than 1 .mu.m in diameter is also provided. A method for creating gadolinium silicide (Gd 5 Si 4 ) particles is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a Gd 5 Si 4 bulk alloy; grinding the Gd 5 Si 4 bulk alloy into a powder; and milling the Gd 5 Si 4 bulk alloy powder for a time of approximately 20 minutes or less.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ferromagnetic particles as ultra-sensitive non-linear response labels for magnetic particles imaging (MPI) and sensing applications

A significant enhancement of detection capabilities of the room temperature MPQ is seen using optical lithography-defined, ferromagnetic iron-nickel alloy microdisks. Irreversible transitions between strongly non-collinear (vortex) and a collinear single domain states, driven by an ac magnetic field, translate into a nonlinear magnetic response that enables ultrasensitive detection of material at relatively small magnetic fields.

Novosad, Valentine↗

Ferromagnetic particles as ultra-sensitive non-linear response labels for magnetic particles imaging (MPI) and sensing applications

A significant enhancement of detection capabilities of the room temperature MPQ is seen using optical lithography-defined, ferromagnetic iron-nickel alloy microdisks. Irreversible transitions between strongly non-collinear (vortex) and a collinear single domain states, driven by an ac magnetic field, translate into a nonlinear magnetic response that enables ultrasensitive detection of material at relatively small magnetic fields.

Novosad, Valentine↗

Perfect spin-valley filter controlled by electric field in ferromagnetic silicene

The spin-valley currents in silicene-based normal/sublattice-dependent ferromagnetic/normal junction are investigated. Unlike that in graphene, the pseudo Dirac mass in silicene is generated by spin-orbit interaction and tunable by applying electric or exchange fields into it. This is due to silicon-based honeycomb lattice having buckled structure. As a result, it is found that the junction leads to currents perfectly split into four groups, spin up (down) in k- and k{sup ′}-valleys, when applying different values of the electric field, considered as a perfect spin-valley polarization (PSVP) for electronic application. The PSVP is due to the interplay of spin-valley-dependent Dirac mass and chemical potential in the barrier. The PSVP also occurs only for the energy comparable to the spin-orbit energy gap. This work reveals potential of silicene for spinvalleytronics applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗