Torque magnetometry of an amorphous-alumina/strontium-titanate interface

We report torque magnetometry measurements of an oxide heterostructure consisting of an amorphous Al2O3 thin film grown on a crystalline SrTiO3 substrate (a-AO/STO) by atomic layer deposition. We find a torque response that resembles previous studies of crystalline LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) heterointerfaces, consistent with strongly anisotropic magnetic ordering in the plane of the interface. Unlike crystalline LAO, amorphous Al2O3 is nonpolar, indicating that planar magnetism at an oxide interface is possible without the strong internal electric fields generated within the polarization catastrophe model. We discuss our results in the context of current theoretical efforts to explain magnetism in crystalline LAO/STO.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Using a smartphone acceleration sensor to study uniform and uniformly accelerated circular motions

The acceleration sensor of a smartphone is used for the study of the uniform and uniformly accelerated circular motions in two experiments. Data collected from both experiments are used for obtaining the angular velocity and the angular acceleration, respectively. Results obtained with the acceleration sensor are shown to be in good agreement with alternative methods, like using video recordings of both experiments and a physical model of the second experiment.Castro-Palacio, JC.; Velazquez, L.; Gómez-Tejedor, JA.; Manjón Herrera, FJ.; Monsoriu Serra, JA. (2014). Using a smartphone acceleration sensor to study uniform and uniformly accelerated circular motions. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Fisica. 36(2):2315-2315. doi:10.1590/S1806-11172014000200015S2315231536