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At least 1,351 records · Page 75
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Domain state exchange bias in a single layer FeRh thin film formed via low energy ion implantation

Modern spintronics relies heavily on the exchange bias effect to pin the orientation of ferromagnetic layers in magnetic tunnel junctions. The current implementations of exchange bias in magnetic tunnel junctions employ pristine interfaces between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic layers. Here we reveal an interfacial exchange bias introduced by a single-step, low-energy ion implantation process in a single layer FeRh thin film. Both 1 keV He + ions and 5 keV Fe + were investigated, their energy selected to ensure the ions would stop within the FeRh film. The ions reduce the metamagnetic transition temperature through defect generation to form a surface layer with ferromagnetic ordering. Temperature dependent magnetism measurements reveal a room temperature exchange bias between the ferromagnetic surface and the antiferromagnetic bulk of ~41 Oe in 5 keV Fe + implanted samples and ~36 Oe for 1 keV He + implanted samples. We directly scrutinize this exchange bias effect in magnetic depth profiles obtained by polarized neutron reflectometry which clearly show a pinned ferromagnetic layer adjacent to the disordered layer created by low energy Fe + ion implantation. These results reveal a novel method to implement exchange bias in an antiferromagnetic layer that can have direct application in the field of spintronics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

C sp 2 –H/F bond activation and borylation with iron

Reduction of [K 2 {( tBu pyrr 2 pyr)Fe} 2 (μ-N 2 )] (1) with two equiv. of KC 8 in the presence of crown-ether 18-C-6 yields the N 2 adduct [{K(18-C-6)} 2 ( tBu pyrr 2 pyr)Fe(N 2 )] (2). Complex 2 heterolytically splits the C sp 2 –H bond of benzene to form [{K(18-C-6)}( tBu pyrr 2 pyr)Fe(C 6 H 5 )] (3), whereby usage of a diboron B 2 pin 2 promotes hydride elimination to form the salt [K(18-C-6)HB 2 Pin 2 ] (4). Similarly, 3 can also be formed by cleavage of the C–F bond of fluorobenzene. Reaction of 3 with ClBcat yields [K(18-C-6)(thf) 2 ][( tBu pyrr 2 pyr)FeCl] (5) and PhBcat and the former can be reduced to 2 to complete a synthetic cycle for heterolytic benzene C–H activation and borylation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

O{sub 2} rotational temperature measurements in an atmospheric air microdischarge by radar resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization

Nonintrusive spatially resolved rotational temperature measurements in an atmospheric air microdischarge are presented. The measurements were based on coherent microwave Rayleigh scattering (Radar) from resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization of molecular oxygen. The open air DC microdischarge source operated in a stable 'normal-glow' mode and pin-to-pin electrodes spaced 1.3 mm apart. The second harmonic of a tunable dye laser beam was focused between the two electrodes and scanned between 286 and 288 nm. Coherent microwave Rayleigh scattering was used to collect the two-photon rotational spectra of O{sub 2} at C{sup 3}{Pi}(v = 2) Leftwards-Arrow X{sup 3}{Sigma}(v Prime = 0) transitions. The Boltzmann plots from analyses of the O{sub 2} rotational lines determined local rotational temperatures at various axial locations between the electrodes. The molecular oxygen rotational temperature varied from {approx}1150 K to {approx}1350 K within the discharge area. The measurements had an accuracy of {approx}{+-}50 K.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Doubling the critical current density of high temperature superconducting coated conductors through proton irradiation

The in-field critical current of commercial YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} coated conductors can be substantially enhanced by post-fabrication irradiation with 4 MeV protons. Irradiation to a fluence of 8 × 10{sup 16} p/cm{sup 2} induces a near doubling of the critical current in fields of 6 T || c at a temperature of 27 K, a field and temperature range of interest for applications, such as rotating machinery. A mixed pinning landscape of preexisting precipitates and twin boundaries and small, finely dispersed irradiation induced defects may account for the improved vortex pinning in high magnetic fields. Our data indicate that there is significant head-room for further enhancements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Analytical approximations for spiral waves

We propose a non-perturbative attempt to solve the kinematic equations for spiral waves in excitable media. From the eikonal equation for the wave front we derive an implicit analytical relation between rotation frequency Ω and core radius R{sub 0}. For free, rigidly rotating spiral waves our analytical prediction is in good agreement with numerical solutions of the linear eikonal equation not only for very large but also for intermediate and small values of the core radius. An equivalent Ω(R{sub +}) dependence improves the result by Keener and Tyson for spiral waves pinned to a circular defect of radius R{sub +} with Neumann boundaries at the periphery. Simultaneously, analytical approximations for the shape of free and pinned spirals are given. We discuss the reasons why the ansatz fails to correctly describe the dependence of the rotation frequency on the excitability of the medium.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of quantum dot position and background doping on the performance of quantum dot enhanced GaAs solar cells

The effect of the position of InAs quantum dots (QD) within the intrinsic region of pin-GaAs solar cells is reported. Simulations suggest placing the QDs in regions of reduced recombination enables a recovery of open-circuit voltage (V{sub OC}). Devices with the QDs placed in the center and near the doped regions of a pin-GaAs solar cell were experimentally investigated. While the V{sub OC} of the emitter-shifted device was degraded, the center and base-shifted devices exhibited V{sub OC} comparable to the baseline structure. This asymmetry is attributed to background doping which modifies the recombination profile and must be considered when optimizing QD placement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Microstructural and crystallographic imperfections of MgB{sub 2} superconducting wire and their correlation with the critical current density

A comprehensive study of the effects of structural imperfections in MgB{sub 2} superconducting wire has been conducted. As the sintering temperature becomes lower, the structural imperfections of the MgB{sub 2} material are increased, as reflected by detailed X-ray refinement and the normal state resistivity. The crystalline imperfections, caused by lattice disorder, directly affect the impurity scattering between the π and σ bands of MgB{sub 2}, resulting in a larger upper critical field. In addition, low sintering temperature keeps the grain size small, which leads to a strong enhancement of pinning, and thereby, enhanced critical current density. Owing to both the impurity scattering and the grain boundary pinning, the critical current density, irreversibility field, and upper critical field are enhanced. Residual voids or porosities obviously remain in the MgB{sub 2}, however, even at low sintering temperature, and thus block current transport paths.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Dynamics of a nanodroplet under a transmission electron microscope

We investigate the cyclical stick-slip motion of water nanodroplets on a hydrophilic substrate viewed with and stimulated by a transmission electron microscope. Using a continuum long wave theory, we show how the electrostatic stress imposed by non-uniform charge distribution causes a pinned convex drop to deform into a toroidal shape, with the shape characterized by the competition between the electrostatic stress and the surface tension of the drop, as well as the charge density distribution which follows a Poisson equation. A horizontal gradient in the charge density creates a lateral driving force, which when sufficiently large, overcomes the pinning induced by surface heterogeneities in the substrate disjoining pressure, causing the drop to slide on the substrate via a cyclical stick-slip motion. Our model predicts step-like dynamics in drop displacement and surface area jumps, qualitatively consistent with experimental observations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effects of TiO{sub 2} addition and electron irradiation on superconducting and mechanical properties of Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8} (Bi-2212) superconductor

Titanium Oxide (TiO{sub 2}) compounds having very high melting point with lower heat capacity, is an excellent candidate for reinforcement of brittle materials such as superconductor ceramics. In addition to high melting point, the TiO{sub 2} is also capable of establishing flux pinning centers in bismuth-based superconductors such as the Bi-2212. To further enhance the flux pinning properties, irradiation is one of the techniques that can be used to re-create the required point defects. In this study, the effects of TiO{sub 2} addition and electron irradiation on Bi-2212 superconductor were studied. TiO{sub 2} added Bi-2212 superconductor samples with 5%, 10% and 15% weight percentage addition respectively, were prepared using the conventional solid-state reaction method. The samples were irradiated with electron beam with radiation dose of 100 KGray. Characterization was performed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The transition temperature (T{sub c}) and the critical current density (J{sub c}) of the samples were also measured. The XRD patterns for all the samples show well-defined peaks all of which could be indexed on the basis of a Bi-2212 phase structure. In addition, the XRD patterns indicate that electron irradiation did not change the structure of Bi-2212 superconducting phase. Results of SEM micrographs show disorientation in the texture of the microstructure for samples that are subjected to electron irradiation. The grains are seen to align randomly with higher degree of orientation. With regard to TiO{sub 2} additions, only small TiO{sub 2} addition sustained the superconducting properties upon irradiation. Addition of more than 5% weight percentage of TiO{sub 2} degrades the superconducting properties of the irradiated samples. Formation of weak-links may result in higher grain boundaries orientation within the superconducting grains and thus deteriorates the inter-grains connectivity and resulted in lower T{sub c} and degradation of J{sub c}. The strength of the superconductor reduced significantly when subjected to electron irradiation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Exchange bias beyond the superparamagnetic blocking temperature of the antiferromagnet in a Ni-NiO nanoparticulate system

We report magnetic and exchange bias studies on Ni-NiO nanoparticulate systems synthesized by a two-step process, namely, chemical reduction of a Ni salt followed by air annealing of the dried precipitate in the temperature range 400–550 °C. Size of Ni and NiO crystallites as estimated from X–ray diffraction line broadening ranges between 10.5–13.5 nm and 2.3–4 nm, respectively. The magneto-thermal plots (M-T) of these bi-magnetic samples show a well developed peak in the vicinity of 130 K. This has been identified as the superparamagnetic blocking temperature “T{sub B}” of NiO. Interestingly, all samples exhibit exchange bias even above their respective NiO blocking temperatures, right up to 300 K, the maximum temperature of measurement. This is in contrast to previous reports since exchange bias requires the antiferromagnetic NiO to have a stable direction of its moment in order to pin the ferromagnet (Ni) magnetization, whereas such stability is unlikely above T{sub B} since the NiO is superparamagnetic, its moment flipping under thermal activation. Our observation is elucidated by taking into account the core-shell morphology of the Ni-NiO nanoparticles whereby clustering of some of these nanoparticles connects their NiO shells to form extended continuous regions of NiO, which because of their large size remain blocked at T > T{sub B}, with thermally stable spins capable of pinning the Ni cores and giving rise to exchange bias. The investigated samples may thus be envisaged as being constituted of both isolated core-shell Ni-NiO nanoparticles as well as clustered ones, with T{sub B} denoting the blocking temperature of the NiO shell of the isolated particles.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Structure and magnetic properties of low-temperature phase Mn-Bi nanosheets with ultra-high coercivity and significant anisotropy

The microstructure, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of low-temperature phase (LTP) Mn-Bi nanosheets, prepared by surfactant assistant high-energy ball milling (SA-HEBM) with oleylamine and oleic acid as the surfactant, were examined with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer, respectively. Effect of ball-milling time on the coercivity of LTP Mn-Bi nanosheets was systematically investigated. Results show that the high energy ball milling time from tens of minutes to several hours results in the coercivity increase of Mn-Bi powders and peak values of 14.3 kOe around 10 h. LTP Mn-Bi nanosheets are characterized by an average thickness of tens of nanometers, an average diameter of ∼1.5 μm, and possess a relatively large aspect ratio, an ultra-high room temperature coercivity of 22.3 kOe, a significant geometrical and magnetic anisotropy, and a strong (00l) crystal texture. Magnetization and demagnetization behaviors reveal that wall pinning is the dominant coercivity mechanism in these LTP Mn-Bi nanosheets. The ultrafine grain refinement introduced by the SA-HEBM process contribute to the ultra-high coercivity of LTP Mn-Bi nanosheets and a large number of defects put a powerful pinning effect on the magnetic domain movement, simultaneously. Further magnetic measurement at 437 K shows that a high coercivity of 17.8 kOe and a strong positive temperature coefficient of coercivity existed in the bonded permanent magnet made by LTP Mn-Bi nanosheets.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Connectivity and critical current density of in-situ processed MgB{sub 2} superconductors: Effect of excess Mg and non-carbon based additives

In a sequel to our previous paper (J. Appl. Phys. 113, 036908 (2013)), where we reported comprehensive analysis of inter-grain connectivity (A{sub F}), pinning, percolation threshold (P{sub c}), and anisotropy (γ) in a series of ex-situ processed MgB{sub 2}, we address the same issues in in-situ processed samples. MgB{sub 2} samples with stoichiometric composition, excess Mg (5 wt. %) and further 3 wt. % addition of various non-carbon based additives like nano-Ag, nano-Ni, and YBCO are synthesised by the in-situ route. Detailed investigations of X-ray diffraction, magnetization (M), and resistivity (ρ) as a function of temperature (T) and field (B) in the range 5–300 K and 0–8 T are carried out in all the samples. The resistive superconducting onset T{sub con} ∼ 38.6 ± 0.3 K and offset (where ρ goes to zero) T{sub c0} ∼ 38.1 ± 0.3 K of the samples stay nearly unchanged. The inter-grain connectivity (A{sub F}) of the samples varies between 11%–20%. All the additives result in a critical current density (J{sub c}) higher than the stoichiometric MgB{sub 2} sample, where the highest values (e.g., J{sub c}(1 T, 5 K) ∼ 1.2 × 10{sup 9} A/m{sup 2}) are observed for the sample with 5 wt. % excess Mg. The major findings based on quantitative analysis of ρ (T, B) and J{sub c} (B, T) data in all the samples are: (1) along with previously studied ex-situ samples, the J{sub c}(A{sub F}) shows a significant increase at A{sub F} ∼ 7%; (2) the irreversibility lines lie lower than the characteristic T{sub c0}(B) lines in the B-T phase diagram; (3) a universal core pinning (δl- and/or δT{sub c}- type) mechanism is revealed in the entire T range 5–30 K; and (4) typical values of P{sub c} ∼ 0.57 ± 0.04 is indicative of weak link networks.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electrodynamics of superconducting pnictide superlattices

It was recently shown that superlattices where layers of the 8% Co-doped BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2} superconducting pnictide are intercalated with non superconducting ultrathin layers of either SrTiO{sub 3} or of oxygen-rich BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}, can be used to control flux pinning, thereby increasing critical fields and currents, without significantly affecting the critical temperature of the pristine superconducting material. However, little is known about the electron properties of these systems. Here, we investigate the electrodynamics of these superconducting pnictide superlattices in the normal and superconducting state by using infrared reflectivity, from THz to visible range. We find that multigap structure of these superlattices is preserved, whereas some significant changes are observed in their electronic structure with respect to those of the original pnictide. Our results suggest that possible attempts to further increase the flux pinning may lead to a breakdown of the pnictide superconducting properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Magnetization jumps and exchange bias induced by a partially disordered antiferromagnetic state in (FeTiO{sub 3}){sub 0.9}-(Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 0.1}

Magnetization jumps (MJs) and the exchange bias (EB) effect are simultaneously observed in the mixed-spin oxide (FeTiO{sub 3}){sub 0.9}-(Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 0.1} at 2.0 K. Dc and ac susceptibility measurements confirm a reentrant spin glass phase with a partially disordered antiferromagnetic (PDA) state below the irreversibility temperature (T{sub ir} = 60 K). Antiferromagnetic (AFM) Fe{sup 3+} clusters are nested in AFM Fe{sup 2+} lattices forming a triangular lattice, in which 2/3 of the magnetic moments order antiferromagnetically with each other leaving the remaining 1/3 “confused.” This geometric frustration in the triangular lattice leads to a PDA state that is the ground state of the AFM triangular configuration. The PDA state, in the presence of a critical trigger field, evolves into a ferromagnetic (FM) state, and induces the AFM spins of the Fe{sup 2+} ions to enter a FM state, resulting in the MJs. Meanwhile, the FM spins of Fe{sup 2+} can serve as the pinned phase, and the AFM spins of Fe{sup 3+} can serve as the pinning phase, resulting in the EB effect. Thus, we point out that the PDA state is very likely to be at the origin of the MJs and the EB effect.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Interface boundary conditions for dynamic magnetization and spin wave dynamics in a ferromagnetic layer with the interface Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

In this work, we derive the interface exchange boundary conditions for the classical linear dynamics of magnetization in ferromagnetic layers with the interface Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (IDMI). We show that IDMI leads to pinning of dynamic magnetization at the interface. An unusual peculiarity of the IDMI-based pinning is that its scales as the spin-wave wave number. We incorporate these boundary conditions into an existing numerical model for the dynamics of the Damon-Eshbach spin wave in ferromagnetic films. IDMI affects the dispersion and the frequency non-reciprocity of the travelling Damon-Eshbach spin wave. For a broad range of film thicknesses L and wave numbers, the results of the numerical simulations of the spin wave dispersion are in a good agreement with a simple analytical expression, which shows that the contribution of IDMI to the dispersion scales as 1/L, similarly to the effect of other types of interfacial anisotropy. Suggestions to experimentalists how to detect the presence of IDMI in a spin wave experiment are given.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

In-situ observation of domain wall motion in Pb(In{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} crystals

Various domain structures, including wave-like domains, mixed needle-like and laminar domains, typical embedded 90° and 180° domains, have been observed in unpoled rhombohedral, monoclinic, and tetragonal Pb(In{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} (PIN-PMN-PT) crystals by polarizing light microscope; while in poled tetragonal crystals, the parallel 180° domains were reversed and only vertical 90° domain walls were observed. For 0.24PIN-0.42PMN-0.34PT crystals with morphotropic phase boundary composition, the domain wall motion was in-situ observed as a function of applied electric field along crystallographic [100] direction. With increasing the electric field from 0 to 12 kV/cm, the rhombohedral (R) domains were found to change to monoclinic (M) domains and then to tetragonal (T) domains. The electric field-induced phase transition was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction and the temperature-dependent dielectric behavior.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Atomic-scale investigation of point defects and hydrogen-solute atmospheres on the edge dislocation mobility in alpha iron

In this study, we present atomistic mechanisms of 1/2 [111](11{sup ¯}0) edge dislocation interactions with point defects (hydrogen and vacancies) and hydrogen solute atmospheres in body centered cubic (bcc) iron. In metals such as iron, increases in hydrogen concentration can increase dislocation mobility and/or cleavage-type decohesion. Here, we first investigate the dislocation mobility in the presence of various point defects, i.e., change in the frictional stress as the edge dislocation interacts with (a) vacancy, (b) substitutional hydrogen, (c) one substitutional and one interstitial hydrogen, (d) interstitial hydrogen, (e) vacancy and interstitial hydrogen, and (f) two interstitial hydrogen. Second, we examine the role of a hydrogen-solute atmosphere on the rate of local dislocation velocity. The edge dislocation simulation with a vacancy in the compression side of the dislocation and an interstitial hydrogen atom at the tension side exhibit the strongest mechanical response, suggesting a higher potential barrier and hence, the higher frictional stress (i.e., ∼83% higher than the pure iron Peierls stress). In the case of a dislocation interacting with a vacancy on the compressive side, the vacancy binds with the edge dislocation, resulting in an increase in the friction stress of about 28% when compared with the Peierls stress of an edge dislocation in pure iron. Furthermore, as the applied strain increases, the vacancy migrates through a dislocation transportation mechanism by attaining a velocity of the same order as the dislocation velocity. For the case of the edge dislocation interacting with interstitial hydrogen on the tension side, the hydrogen atom jumps through one layer perpendicular to the glide plane during the pinning-unpinning process. Finally, our simulation of dislocation interactions with hydrogen show first an increase in the local dislocation velocity followed by a pinning of the dislocation core in the atmosphere, resulting in resistance to dislocation motion as the dislocation moves though the hydrogen-solute atmospheres. With this systematic, atomistic study of the edge dislocation with various point defects, we show significant increase in obstacle strengths in addition to an increase in the local dislocation velocity during interaction with solute atmospheres. The results have implications for constitutive development and modeling of the hydrogen effect on dislocation mobility and deformation in metals.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

First-principles study of structural, electronic, vibrational, dielectric and elastic properties of tetragonal Ba₂YTaO₆

We report first-principles study of structural, electronic, vibrational, dielectric, and elastic properties of Ba₂YTaO₆, a pinning material in high temperature superconductors (HTS), by using density functional theory. By using different exchange-correlation potentials, the accuracy of the calculated lattice constants of Ba₂YTaO₆ has been achieved with GGA-RPBE, since many important physical quantities crucially depend on change in volume. We have calculated the electronic band structure dispersion, total and partial density of states to study the band gap origin and found that Ba₂YTaO₆ is an insulator with a direct band gap of 3.50 eV. From Mulliken population and charge density studies, we conclude that Ba₂YTaO₆ have a mixed ionic-covalent character. Moreover, the vibrational properties, born effective charges, and the dielectric permittivity tensor have been calculated using linear response method. Vibrational spectrum determined through our calculations agrees well with the observed Raman spectrum, and allows assignment of symmetry labels to modes. We perform a detailed analysis of the contribution of the various infrared-active modes to the static dielectric constant to explain its anisotropy, while electronic dielectric tensor of Ba₂YTaO₆ is nearly isotropic, and found that static dielectric constant is in good agreement with experimental value. The six independent elastic constants were calculated and found that tetragonal Ba₂YTaO₆ is mechanically stable. Other elastic properties, including bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and elastic anisotropy ratios are also investigated and found that Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus of Ba₂YTaO₆ are similar to that of other pinning materials in HTS.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗