65 research outputs found
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Reference shape effects on Fourier transform holography
Soft-x-ray holography which utilizes an optics mask fabricated in direct contact with the sample, is a widely applied x-ray microscopy method, in particular, for investigating magnetic samples. The optics mask splits the x-ray beam into a reference wave and a wave to illuminate the sample. The reconstruction quality in such a Fourier-transform holography experiment depends primarily on the characteristics of the reference wave, typically emerging from a small, high-aspect-ratio pinhole in the mask. In this paper, we study two commonly used reference geometries and investigate how their 3D structure affects the reconstruction within an x-ray Fourier holography experiment. Insight into these effects is obtained by imaging the exit waves from reference pinholes via high-resolution coherent diffraction imaging combined with three-dimensional multislice simulations of the x-ray propagation through the reference pinhole. The results were used to simulate Fourier-transform holography experiments to determine the spatial resolution and precise location of the reconstruction plane for different reference geometries. Based on our findings, we discuss the properties of the reference pinholes with view on application in soft-x-ray holography experiments
Monolithic focused reference beam x-ray holography
Fourier transform holography is a highly efficient and robust imaging method, suitable for single-shot imaging at coherent X-ray sources. In its common implementation, the image contrast is limited by the reference signal generated by a small pinhole aperture. Increased pinhole diameters improve the signal, whereas the resolution is diminished. Here we report a new concept to decouple the spatial resolution from the image contrast by employing a Fresnel zone plate to provide the reference beam. Superimposed on-axis images of distinct foci are separated with a novel algorithm. Our method is insensitive to mechanical drift or vibrations and allows for long integration times common at low-flux facilities like high harmonic generation sources. The application of monolithic focused reference beams improves the efficiency of high-resolution X-ray Fourier transform holography beyond all present approaches and paves the path towards sub-10 nm single-shot X-ray imaging
Submillisievert chest CT in patients with COVID-19 - experiences of a German Level-I center
Purpose:
Computed tomography (CT) is used for initial diagnosis and therapy monitoring of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As patients of all ages are affected, radiation dose is a concern. While follow-up CT examinations lead to high cumulative radiation doses, the ALARA principle states that the applied dose should be as low as possible while maintaining adequate image quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate parameter settings for two commonly used CT scanners to ensure sufficient image quality/diagnostic confidence at a submillisievert dose.
Materials and methods:
We retrospectively analyzed 36 proven COVID-19 cases examined on two different scanners. Image quality was evaluated objectively as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)/contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) measurement and subjectively by two experienced, independent readers using 3-point Likert scales. CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP) were extracted from dose reports, and effective dose was calculated.
Results:
With the tested parameter settings we achieved effective doses below 1 mSv (median 0.5 mSv, IQR: 0.2 mSv, range: 0.3−0.9 mSv) in all 36 patients. Thirty-four patients had typical COVID-19 findings. Both readers were confident regarding the typical COVID-19 CT-characteristics in all cases (3 ± 0). Objective image quality parameters were: SNRnormal lung: 17.0 ± 5.9, CNRGGO/normal lung: 7.5 ± 5.0, and CNRconsolidation/normal lung: 15.3 ± 6.1.
Conclusion:
With the tested parameters, we achieved applied doses in the submillisievert range, on two different CT scanners without sacrificing diagnostic confidence regarding COVID-19 findings
Accurate extraction of anisotropic spin–orbit torques from harmonic measurements
One of the most powerful ways to manipulate spins in nanometer scale devices is by converting a charge current to a spin current via spin orbit coupling. The resulting spin orbit torques SOTs have been investigated and utilized extensively in the past decade. Quantitatively, however, SOTs may exhibit a non trivial angular dependence which is not well explored. Here, we develop a nested iterative analysis to determine the magnitude of SOTs from harmonic Hall measurements. This updated method largely improves the fit quality in the full magnetic field range and accurately retrieves even higher order, anisotropic spin orbit torque coeficients. The numerical implementation of our algorithm is fast, robust, and designed for easy integration into existing analysis schemes. We verify our code using simulated data with and without anisotropic SOTs. Accurately quantifying higher order SOT terms can be especially useful for modeling non uniform magnetic textures such as domain walls and skyrmions and current induced magnetization switching characteristic
Skyrmion Hall Effect Revealed by Direct Time-Resolved X-Ray Microscopy
Magnetic skyrmions are highly promising candidates for future spintronic
applications such as skyrmion racetrack memories and logic devices. They
exhibit exotic and complex dynamics governed by topology and are less
influenced by defects, such as edge roughness, than conventionally used domain
walls. In particular, their finite topological charge leads to a predicted
"skyrmion Hall effect", in which current-driven skyrmions acquire a transverse
velocity component analogous to charged particles in the conventional Hall
effect. Here, we present nanoscale pump-probe imaging that for the first time
reveals the real-time dynamics of skyrmions driven by current-induced spin
orbit torque (SOT). We find that skyrmions move at a well-defined angle
{\Theta}_{SH} that can exceed 30{\deg} with respect to the current flow, but in
contrast to theoretical expectations, {\Theta}_{SH} increases linearly with
velocity up to at least 100 m/s. We explain our observation based on internal
mode excitations in combination with a field-like SOT, showing that one must go
beyond the usual rigid skyrmion description to unravel the dynamics.Comment: pdf document arxiv_v1.1. 24 pages (incl. 9 figures and supplementary
information
Field-free deterministic ultra fast creation of skyrmions by spin orbit torques
Magnetic skyrmions are currently the most promising option to realize
current-driven magnetic shift registers. A variety of concepts to create
skyrmions were proposed and demonstrated. However, none of the reported
experiments show controlled creation of single skyrmions using integrated
designs. Here, we demonstrate that skyrmions can be generated deterministically
on subnanosecond timescales in magnetic racetracks at artificial or natural
defects using spin orbit torque (SOT) pulses. The mechanism is largely similar
to SOT-induced switching of uniformly magnetized elements, but due to the
effect of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI), external fields are not
required. Our observations provide a simple and reliable means for skyrmion
writing that can be readily integrated into racetrack devices
A Magnon Scattering Platform
Scattering experiments have revolutionized our understanding of nature.
Examples include the discovery of the nucleus, crystallography, and the
discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. Scattering techniques differ by
the type of the particles used, the interaction these particles have with
target materials and the range of wavelengths used. Here, we demonstrate a new
2-dimensional table-top scattering platform for exploring magnetic properties
of materials on mesoscopic length scales. Long lived, coherent magnonic
excitations are generated in a thin film of YIG and scattered off a magnetic
target deposited on its surface. The scattered waves are then recorded using a
scanning NV center magnetometer that allows sub-wavelength imaging and
operation under conditions ranging from cryogenic to ambient environment. While
most scattering platforms measure only the intensity of the scattered waves,
our imaging method allows for spatial determination of both amplitude and phase
of the scattered waves thereby allowing for a systematic reconstruction of the
target scattering potential. Our experimental results are consistent with
theoretical predictions for such a geometry and reveal several unusual features
of the magnetic response of the target, including suppression near the target
edges and gradient in the direction perpendicular to the direction of surface
wave propagation. Our results establish magnon scattering experiments as a new
platform for studying correlated many-body systems
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Coherent correlation imaging for resolving fluctuating states of matter
Fluctuations and stochastic transitions are ubiquitous in nanometre-scale systems, especially in the presence of disorder. However, their direct observation has so far been impeded by a seemingly fundamental, signal-limited compromise between spatial and temporal resolution. Here we develop coherent correlation imaging (CCI) to overcome this dilemma. Our method begins by classifying recorded camera frames in Fourier space. Contrast and spatial resolution emerge by averaging selectively over same-state frames. Temporal resolution down to the acquisition time of a single frame arises independently from an exceptionally low misclassification rate, which we achieve by combining a correlation-based similarity metric1,2 with a modified, iterative hierarchical clustering algorithm3,4. We apply CCI to study previously inaccessible magnetic fluctuations in a highly degenerate magnetic stripe domain state with nanometre-scale resolution. We uncover an intricate network of transitions between more than 30 discrete states. Our spatiotemporal data enable us to reconstruct the pinning energy landscape and to thereby explain the dynamics observed on a microscopic level. CCI massively expands the potential of emerging high-coherence X-ray sources and paves the way for addressing large fundamental questions such as the contribution of pinning5–8 and topology9–12 in phase transitions and the role of spin and charge order fluctuations in high-temperature superconductivity13,14
Dynamics and inertia of skyrmionic spin structures
Skyrmions are topologically protected winding vector fields characterized by a spherical topology. Magnetic skyrmions can arise as the result of the interplay of various interactions, including exchange, dipolar and anisotropy energy in the case of magnetic bubbles and an additional Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in the case of chiral skyrmions. Whereas the static and low-frequency dynamics of skyrmions are already well under control, their gigahertz dynamical behaviour has not been directly observed in real space. Here, we image the gigahertz gyrotropic eigenmode dynamics of a single magnetic bubble and use its trajectory to experimentally confirm its skyrmion topology. The particular trajectory points to the presence of strong inertia, with a mass much larger than predicted by existing theories. This mass is endowed by the topological confinement of the skyrmion and the energy associated with its size change. It is thereby expected to be found in all skyrmionic structures in magnetic systems and beyond. Our experiments demonstrate that the mass term plays a key role in describing skyrmion dynamics.
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