Reversible, electric-field induced magneto-tonic control of magnetism in mesoporous cobalt ferrite thin films

The magnetic properties of mesoporous cobalt ferrite films can be largely tuned by the application of an electric field using a liquid dielectric electrolyte. By applying a negative voltage, the cobalt ferrite becomes reduced, leading to an increase in saturation magnetization of 15% (M) and reduction in coercivity (H) between 5-28%, depending on the voltage applied (−10 V to −50 V). These changes are mainly non-volatile so after removal of −10 V M remains 12% higher (and H 5% smaller) than the pristine sample. All changes can then be reversed with a positive voltage to recover the initial properties even after the application of −50 V. Similar studies were done on analogous films without induced porosity and the effects were much smaller, underscoring the importance of nanoporosity in our system. The different mechanisms possibly responsible for the observed effects are discussed and we conclude that our observations are compatible with voltage-driven oxygen migration (i.e., the magneto-ionic effect)

Diffusive and ballistic current spin-polarization in magnetron-sputtered L1o-ordered epitaxial FePt

We report on the structural, magnetic, and electron transport properties of a L1o-ordered epitaxial iron-platinum alloy layer fabricated by magnetron-sputtering on a MgO(001) substrate. The film studied displayed a long range chemical order parameter of S~0.90, and hence has a very strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. In the diffusive electron transport regime, for temperatures ranging from 2 K to 258 K, we found hysteresis in the magnetoresistance mainly due to electron scattering from magnetic domain walls. At 2 K, we observed an overall domain wall magnetoresistance of about 0.5 %. By evaluating the spin current asymmetry alpha = sigma_up / sigma_down, we were able to estimate the diffusive spin current polarization. At all temperatures ranging from 2 K to 258 K, we found a diffusive spin current polarization of > 80%. To study the ballistic transport regime, we have performed point-contact Andreev-reflection measurements at 4.2 K. We obtained a value for the ballistic current spin polarization of ~42% (which compares very well with that of a polycrystalline thin film of elemental Fe). We attribute the discrepancy to a difference in the characteristic scattering times for oppositely spin-polarized electrons, such scattering times influencing the diffusive but not the ballistic current spin polarization.Comment: 22 pages, 13 figure

Metabolomics guides rational development of a simplified cell culture medium for drug screening against <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i>

n vitro culture methods underpin many experimental approaches to biology and drug discovery. The modification of established cell culture methods to make them more biologically relevant or to optimize growth is traditionally a laborious task. Emerging metabolomic technology enables the rapid evaluation of intra- and extracellular metabolites and can be applied to the rational development of cell culture media. In this study, untargeted semiquantitative and targeted quantitative metabolomic analyses of fresh and spent media revealed the major nutritional requirements for the growth of bloodstream form &lt;i&gt;Trypanosoma brucei&lt;/i&gt;. The standard culture medium (HMI11) contained unnecessarily high concentrations of 32 nutrients that were subsequently removed to make the concentrations more closely resemble those normally found in blood. Our new medium, Creek's minimal medium (CMM), supports in vitro growth equivalent to that in HMI11 and causes no significant perturbation of metabolite levels for 94% of the detected metabolome (&#60;3-fold change; α = 0.05). Importantly, improved sensitivity was observed for drug activity studies in whole-cell phenotypic screenings and in the metabolomic mode of action assays. Four-hundred-fold 50% inhibitory concentration decreases were observed for pentamidine and methotrexate, suggesting inhibition of activity by nutrients present in HMI11. CMM is suitable for routine cell culture and offers important advantages for metabolomic studies and drug activity screening

Comparative genomics of drug resistance in <i>Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense</i>

Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is one of the causative agents of human sleeping sickness, a fatal disease that is transmitted by tsetse flies and restricted to Sub-Saharan Africa. Here we investigate two independent lines of T. b. rhodesiense that have been selected with the drugs melarsoprol and pentamidine over the course of 2 years, until they exhibited stable cross-resistance to an unprecedented degree. We apply comparative genomics and transcriptomics to identify the underlying mutations. Only few mutations have become fixed during selection. Three genes were affected by mutations in both lines: the aminopurine transporter AT1, the aquaporin AQP2, and the RNA-binding protein UBP1. The melarsoprol-selected line carried a large deletion including the adenosine transporter gene AT1, whereas the pentamidine-selected line carried a heterozygous point mutation in AT1, G430R, which rendered the transporter non-functional. Both resistant lines had lost AQP2, and both lines carried the same point mutation, R131L, in the RNA-binding motif of UBP1. The finding that concomitant deletion of the known resistance genes AT1 and AQP2 in T. b. brucei failed to phenocopy the high levels of resistance of the T. b. rhodesiense mutants indicated a possible role of UBP1 in melarsoprol-pentamidine cross-resistance. However, homozygous in situ expression of UBP1-Leu(131) in T. b. brucei did not affect the sensitivity to melarsoprol or pentamidine

The basics of electron transport in spintronics : lecture notes and exercises

International audienceThis extract contains the foreword describing what is in the book, the table of content and the index of key concepts. This manuscript is intended for readers who wish to acquire a solid basis for understanding electron transport in spintronics and the fundamental principle of some associated applications. It provides the reader with sufficient initial knowledge to be able to invest further in this field of research. To this end, some of the prominent key notions still widely used in the field were selected with care, with the aim of providing a simple, concise and efficient framework. These selected notions are explained based on simple examples and analytical calculations. The usual terms and specialist jargons are clearly explained, and how subtleties complicate the phenomenon, without altering the physical understanding, is addressed without diversions. The text has grown out of lectures given to MSc level undergraduates and postgraduates. Therefore, it is designed for advanced undergraduates and postgraduates, as well as researchers and engineers, with a background in condensed matter physics and magnetism. [...

Thermally driven asymmetric responses of grains versus spin-glass related distributions of blocking temperature in exchange biased Co/IrMn bilayers

International audienceControlling ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic blocking temperatures in exchange biased based devices appears crucial for applications. The blocking temperature is ascribed to the ability of both antiferromagnetic grains and interfacial spin-glass-like phases to withstand ferromagnetic magnetization reversal. To better understand the respective contributions of grains versus spin-glass, blocking temperature distributions were measured after various thermal treatments for cobalt/iridium-manganese bilayers. The high-temperature contribution linked to antiferromagnetic grains shifts towards lower temperatures above a threshold thermal annealing. In contrast, the occurrence and evolution of training effects for the low-temperature contribution only agree with its inferred interfacial spin-glass-like origin

Effets de taille finie sur les couplages magnétostatiques et l'anisotropie d'échange dans le domaine de l'enregistrement magnétique

This thesis aims at a better understanding of finite size effects on the fundamental properties of materials used in devices related to magnetic data storage. We suggest a multilevel approach as an alternative to enhance storage densities of planar or perpendicular, continuous or patterned media. Thus the manipulation of one layer without altering the magnetic states of the others is required. The first part of the manuscript is dedicated to the study of finite size effects on magnetostatic couplings. The stacks are composed of two cobalt/platinum based ferromagnets separated by a non-magnetic layer. The replication of magnetic domain configurations in the two layers in the demagnetized state has been ascribed to inter-layer couplings. The use of field pulses results in singular replicated configurations. It allowed us to better understand the phenomenon. For patterned arrays, the replication due to intra-nanostructures couplings manifests itself by a shift of the soft layer hysteresis loop. The second part of the manuscript deals with finite size effects on the exchange bias properties of ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic bilayers, typically used in magnetoresistive read-heads. For systems with in plane anisotropy, we show that nanostructures and thin antiferromagnets are more prone to thermal activation. As a result, the exchange field can be larger or smaller in the nanostructures with respect to the continuous films depending on both the antiferromagnet thickness and temperature conditions. These results allowed us to shed light on contradictory results from the litterature. For systems with out-of-plane anisotropy, the influence of the relative orientation of the ferromagnet and antiferromagnet spins on the exchange bias properties is very critical. The imprint of ferromagnetic domains in the antiferromagnet through thermal treatments results in “double” hysteresis loops which properties can be tailored. Promising results were obtained for a better understanding of finite size effects on the out-of-plane exchange bias properties.Le sujet de cette thèse est l'étude des effets de taille finie sur les propriétés fondamentales de matériaux utilisés dans les dispositifs associés au stockage magnétique de l'information. Nous proposons l'approche multiniveaux comme alternative possible pour augmenter les densités de stockage des media planaires ou perpendiculaires, continus ou discrets. En fonctionnement, une couche doit être manipulée sans modifier l'état magnétique des autres couches. La première partie de ce mémoire est consacrée à l'étude des effets de taille finie sur les couplages magnétostatiques dans des systèmes composés de deux couches ferromagnétiques à base de cobalt/platine à anisotropie perpendiculaire, séparées par un métal non-magnétique. Pour des états désaimantés, nous avons mis en évidence la corrélation des configurations en domaines des couches, attribuée aux couplages inter-couches. Pour différentes impulsions de champs, la réplication des domaines nous a permis d'observer des états rémanents singuliers permettant de mieux comprendre le phénomène. Pour des réseaux de nanostructures, la réplication due aux couplages intra-nanostructure se manifeste par un décalage en champ du cycle d'hystérésis sur la couche de plus faible champ coercitif. Le seconde partie de ce mémoire traite des effets de taille finie sur les propriétés d'anisotropie d'échange pour des bicouches ferromagnétique/antiferromagnétique typiquement utilisées dans les têtes de lecture d'ordinateurs. Pour des systèmes à anisotropie planaire, nous avons montré que les nanostructures et les antiferromagnétiques minces sont plus sujets à l'activation thermique. Il en résulte une augmentation ou une réduction du champ d'échange pour les nanostructures par rapport aux couches continues en fonction des conditions d'épaisseur d'antiferromagnétique et de température. Ces résultats permettent de lever certaines contradictions apparentes de la littérature. Pour des couches continues à anisotropie perpendiculaire, l'orientation relative des spins du ferromagnétique et de l'antiferromagnétique influence de manière significative les propriétés d'anisotropie d'échange. L'impression des domaines du ferromagnétique dans l'antiferromagnétique, par traitements thermiques permet de générer des cycles d'hystérésis « doubles » et d'ajuster leurs propriétés magnétiques. Des premiers résultats prometteurs concernant les effets de taille finie sur les propriétés des systèmes à anisotropie perpendiculaire ont été obtenus

Effets de taille finie sur les couplages magnétostatiques et l'anisotropie d'échange dans le domaine de l'enregistrement magnétique

This thesis aims at a better understanding of finite size effects on the fundamental properties of materials used in devices related to magnetic data storage. We suggest a multilevel approach as an alternative to enhance storage densities of planar or perpendicular, continuous or patterned media. Thus the manipulation of one layer without altering the magnetic states of the others is required. The first part of the manuscript is dedicated to the study of finite size effects on magnetostatic couplings. The stacks are composed of two cobalt/platinum based ferromagnets separated by a non-magnetic layer. The replication of magnetic domain configurations in the two layers in the demagnetized state has been ascribed to inter-layer couplings. The use of field pulses results in singular replicated configurations. It allowed us to better understand the phenomenon. For patterned arrays, the replication due to intra-nanostructures couplings manifests itself by a shift of the soft layer hysteresis loop. The second part of the manuscript deals with finite size effects on the exchange bias properties of ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic bilayers, typically used in magnetoresistive read-heads. For systems with in plane anisotropy, we show that nanostructures and thin antiferromagnets are more prone to thermal activation. As a result, the exchange field can be larger or smaller in the nanostructures with respect to the continuous films depending on both the antiferromagnet thickness and temperature conditions. These results allowed us to shed light on contradictory results from the litterature. For systems with out-of-plane anisotropy, the influence of the relative orientation of the ferromagnet and antiferromagnet spins on the exchange bias properties is very critical. The imprint of ferromagnetic domains in the antiferromagnet through thermal treatments results in “double” hysteresis loops which properties can be tailored. Promising results were obtained for a better understanding of finite size effects on the out-of-plane exchange bias properties.Le sujet de cette thèse est l'étude des effets de taille finie sur les propriétés fondamentales de matériaux utilisés dans les dispositifs associés au stockage magnétique de l'information. Nous proposons l'approche multiniveaux comme alternative possible pour augmenter les densités de stockage des media planaires ou perpendiculaires, continus ou discrets. En fonctionnement, une couche doit être manipulée sans modifier l'état magnétique des autres couches. La première partie de ce mémoire est consacrée à l'étude des effets de taille finie sur les couplages magnétostatiques dans des systèmes composés de deux couches ferromagnétiques à base de cobalt/platine à anisotropie perpendiculaire, séparées par un métal non-magnétique. Pour des états désaimantés, nous avons mis en évidence la corrélation des configurations en domaines des couches, attribuée aux couplages inter-couches. Pour différentes impulsions de champs, la réplication des domaines nous a permis d'observer des états rémanents singuliers permettant de mieux comprendre le phénomène. Pour des réseaux de nanostructures, la réplication due aux couplages intra-nanostructure se manifeste par un décalage en champ du cycle d'hystérésis sur la couche de plus faible champ coercitif. Le seconde partie de ce mémoire traite des effets de taille finie sur les propriétés d'anisotropie d'échange pour des bicouches ferromagnétique/antiferromagnétique typiquement utilisées dans les têtes de lecture d'ordinateurs. Pour des systèmes à anisotropie planaire, nous avons montré que les nanostructures et les antiferromagnétiques minces sont plus sujets à l'activation thermique. Il en résulte une augmentation ou une réduction du champ d'échange pour les nanostructures par rapport aux couches continues en fonction des conditions d'épaisseur d'antiferromagnétique et de température. Ces résultats permettent de lever certaines contradictions apparentes de la littérature. Pour des couches continues à anisotropie perpendiculaire, l'orientation relative des spins du ferromagnétique et de l'antiferromagnétique influence de manière significative les propriétés d'anisotropie d'échange. L'impression des domaines du ferromagnétique dans l'antiferromagnétique, par traitements thermiques permet de générer des cycles d'hystérésis « doubles » et d'ajuster leurs propriétés magnétiques. Des premiers résultats prometteurs concernant les effets de taille finie sur les propriétés des systèmes à anisotropie perpendiculaire ont été obtenus