Josephson current and π−\pi-state in ferromagnet with embedded superconducting nanoparticles

On the basis of Usadel equations we investigate superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor (S/F/S) hybrid systems which consist of superconducting nanostructures (spheres, rods) embedded in ferromagnetic metal. The oscillations of the critical current of the S/F/S Josephson junctions with the thickness of ferromagnetic spacer between superconducting electrodes are studied. We demonstrate that the $\pi$ state can be realized in such structures despite of a dispersion of the distances between different parts of the electrodes. The transitions between 0 and $\pi$ states at some thickness of ferromagnetic spacer can be triggered by temperature variation.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, Submitted to Superconductor Science and Technolog

Current-phase relation in Josephson junction coupled with a magnetic dot

The current-phase relation (CPR) for a short Josephson junction placed in the nonuniform field of a small ferromagnetic particle is studied. The effect of the particle produced on the junction appears to be strong due to the formation of the pair of oppositely directed Abrikosov vortices which pierce the thin film superconducting electrode and cause a small--scale inhomogeneity of Josephson phase difference. The induced phase difference inhomogeneity is shown to result in the nonzero fixed phase drop $\phi_0$ across the junction. The equilibrium value $\phi_0$ corresponding to the ground state of the junction depends the configuration of the vortex--antivortex pair. The possibility to tune the ground state phase difference $\phi_0$ is discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Long-range triplet proximity effect in multiply connected ferromagnet-superconductor hybrids

Applying the linearized Usadel equations, we consider the nucleation of superconductivity in multiply connected mesoscopic superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) hybrids such as a thin superconducting ring on a ferromagnet with a uniform in-plane magnetization M and a spin-active S/F interface. We demonstrate that the exchange field in F provokes a switching between superconducting states with different vorticities which may increase the critical temperature ( Tc ) of the superconductor in a magnetic field. We study the interplay between oscillations in Tc due to the Little--Parks effect and oscillations in Tc induced by the exchange field. Furthermore, we analyse the influence of long-range spin-triplet correlations on the switching between different vorticities.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Epitaxy, stoichiometry, and magnetic properties of Gd-doped EuO films on YSZ (001)

We have succeeded in preparing high-quality Gd-doped single-crystalline EuO films. Using Eu-distillation-assisted molecular beam epitaxy and a systematic variation in the Gd and oxygen deposition rates, we have been able to observe sustained layer-by-layer epitaxial growth on yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia (001). The presence of Gd helps to stabilize the layer-by-layer growth mode. We used soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Eu and Gd M4,5 edges to confirm the absence of Eu3+ contaminants and to determine the actual Gd concentration. The distillation process ensures the absence of oxygen vacancies in the films. From magnetization measurements we found the Curie temperature to increase smoothly as a function of doping from 70 K up to a maximum of 125 K. A threshold behavior was not observed for concentrations as low as 0.2%.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

FFLO states and quantum oscillations in mesoscopic superconductors and superfluid ultracold Fermi gases

We have studied the distinctive features of the Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) instability and phase transitions in two--dimensional (2D) mesoscopic superconductors placed in magnetic field of arbitrary orientation and rotating superfluid Fermi gases with imbalanced state populations. Using a generalized version of the phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau theory we have shown that the FFLO states are strongly modified by the effect of the trapping potential confining the condensate. The phenomenon of the inhomogeneous state formation is determined by the interplay of three length scales: (i) length scale of the FFLO instability; (ii) 2D system size; (iii) length scale associated with the orbital effect caused either by the Fermi condensate rotation or magnetic field component applied perpendicular to the superconducting disc. We have studied this interplay and resulting quantum oscillation effects in both superconducting and superfluid finite -- size systems with FFLO instability and described the hallmarks of the FFLO phenomenon in a restricted geometry. The finite size of the system is shown to affect strongly the conditions of the observability of switching between the states with different vorticities.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, Submitted to PR

New Cataclysmic Variable 1RXS J073346.0+261933 in Gemini

In course of the search for the optical identifications associated with ROSAT X-ray sources we have found a highly variable object with the very unusual long-term behavior, color indices and high X-ray-to-optical flux ratio. We report the archival photometric light curve from the Catalina Sky Survey, optical spectroscopy from RTT150 and time-resolved photometry from Astrotel-Caucasus telescope. The object appears to be the magnetic cataclysmic variable (polar) with orbital period of P=3.20 hr.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to Astronomy Letter

Magnetic properties of pure and Gd doped EuO probed by NMR

An Eu NMR study in the ferromagnetic phase of pure and Gd doped EuO was performed. A complete description of the NMR lineshape of pure EuO allowed for the influence of doping EuO with Gd impurities to be highlighted. The presence of a temperature dependent static magnetic inhomogeneity in Gd doped EuO was demonstrated by studying the temperature dependence of the lineshapes. The results suggest that the inhomogeneity in 0.6% Gd doped EuO is linked to colossal magnetoresistance. The measurement of the spin-lattice relaxation times as a function of temperature led to the determination of the value of the exchange integral J as a function of Gd doping. It was found that J is temperature independent and spatially homogeneous for all the samples and that its value increases abruptly with increasing Gd doping.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, to be published in Physical Review