Manifestation of New Interference Effects in Superconductor/Ferromagnet Spin Valve

Superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) spin valve effect theories based on the S/F proximity phenomenon assume that the superconducting transition temperature Tc of F1/F2/S or F1/S/F2 trilayers for parallel magnetizations of the F1- and F2-layers (TcP) are smaller than for the antiparallel orientations (TcAP). Here, we report for CoOx/Fe1/Cu/Fe2/In multilayered systems with varying Fe2-layer thickness the sign-changing oscillating behavior of the spin valve effect \Delta Tc=TcAP-TcP. Our measurements revealed the full direct spin valve effect with TcAP>TcP for Fe2-layer thickness dFe2<1 nm and the full inverse (TcAP=1 nm. Interference of Cooper pair wave functions reflected from both surfaces of the Fe2-layer appear as the most probable reason for the observed behavior of \Delta Tc.Comment: Accepted for publication in PR

Full spin switch effect for the superconducting current in a superconductor/ferromagnet thin film heterostructure

Superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) proximity effect theory predicts that the superconducting critical temperature of the F1/F2/S or F1/S/F2 trilayers for the parallel orientation of the F1 and F2 magnetizations is smaller than for the antiparallel one. This suggests a possibility of a controlled switching between the superconducting and normal states in the S layer. Here, using the spin switch design F1/F2/S theoretically proposed by Oh et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 71, 2376 (1997)], that comprises a ferromagnetic bilayer separated by a non-magnetic metallic spacer layer as a ferromagnetic component, and an ordinary superconductor as the second interface component, we have successfully realized a full spin switch effect for the superconducting current.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Noise-induced topological transformations of vortex solitons in optical fibers filled with a cold atomic gas

We consider the influence of optical and temperature-dependent atomic fluctuations on the formation and propagation of optical vortex solitons in dense media realized as hollow-core optical fibers filled with a cold atomic gas in presence of optical pumping. We show different perturbation-induced scenaria of complete destruction and smooth transformations of the topological characteristics of localized optical structures in hollow-core fiber. The maximum levels of optical and atomic fluctuations at which the soliton regime can be maintained has been determined. The estimates for these levels show an opportunity to observe the optical vortex solitions in the core-filling gas of the fiber for temperatures smaller than the critical temperature for Bose-Einstein condensate.Comment: 12 pages, 10 EPS figures, submitted to Physical Review

Evidence for Triplet Superconductivity in a Superconductor-Ferromagnet Spin Valve

We have studied the dependence of the superconducting (SC) transition temperature on the mutual orientation of magnetizations of Fe1 and Fe2 layers in the spin valve system CoO_x/Fe1/Cu/Fe2/Pb. We find that this dependence is nonmonotonic when passing from the parallel to the antiparallel case and reveals a distinct minimum near the orthogonal configuration. The analysis of the data in the framework of the SC triplet spin valve theory gives direct evidence for the long-range triplet superconductivity arising due to noncollinearity of the two magnetizations.Comment: 5 pages (including 4 EPS figures). Version 2: final version as published in PR

Josephson dynamics for coupled polariton modes under the atom-field interaction in the cavity

We consider a new approach to the problem of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of polaritons for atom-field interaction under the strong coupling regime in the cavity. We investigate the dynamics of two macroscopically populated polariton modes corresponding to the upper and lower branch energy states coupled via Kerr-like nonlinearity of atomic medium. We found out the dispersion relations for new type of collective excitations in the system under consideration. Various temporal regimes like linear (nonlinear) Josephson transition and/or Rabi oscillations, macroscopic quantum self-trapping (MQST) dynamics for population imbalance of polariton modes are predicted. We also examine the switching properties for time-averaged population imbalance depending on initial conditions, effective nonlinear parameter of atomic medium and kinetic energy of low-branch polaritons.Comment: 10 pages, 6 postscript figures, uses svjour.cl

Manifestation of New Interference Effects in Superconductor/Ferromagnet Spin Valve

Superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) spin valve effect theories based on the S/F proximity phenomenon assume that the superconducting transition temperature Tc of F1/F2/S or F1/S/F2 trilayers for parallel magnetizations of the F1- and F2-layers (TcP) are smaller than for the antiparallel orientations (TcAP). Here, we report for CoOx/Fe1/Cu/Fe2/In multilayered systems with varying Fe2-layer thickness the sign-changing oscillating behavior of the spin valve effect \Delta Tc=TcAP-TcP. Our measurements revealed the full direct spin valve effect with TcAP>TcP for Fe2-layer thickness dFe2<1 nm and the full inverse (TcAP<TcAP) spin valve effect for dFe2>=1 nm. Interference of Cooper pair wave functions reflected from both surfaces of the Fe2-layer appear as the most probable reason for the observed behavior of \Delta Tc.Comment: Accepted for publication in PR

Measurement of Inclusive Spin Structure Functions of the Deuteron

We report the results of a new measurement of spin structure functions of the deuteron in the region of moderate momentum transfer ($Q^2$ = 0.27 -- 1.3 (GeV/c)$^2$) and final hadronic state mass in the nucleon resonance region ($W$ = 1.08 -- 2.0 GeV). We scattered a 2.5 GeV polarized continuous electron beam at Jefferson Lab off a dynamically polarized cryogenic solid state target ($^{15}$ND$_3$) and detected the scattered electrons with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). From our data, we extract the longitudinal double spin asymmetry $A_{||}$ and the spin structure function $g_1^d$. Our data are generally in reasonable agreement with existing data from SLAC where they overlap, and they represent a substantial improvement in statistical precision. We compare our results with expectations for resonance asymmetries and extrapolated deep inelastic scaling results. Finally, we evaluate the first moment of the structure function $g_1^d$ and study its approach to both the deep inelastic limit at large $Q^2$ and to the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum rule at the real photon limit ($Q^2 \to 0$). We find that the first moment varies rapidly in the $Q^2$ range of our experiment and crosses zero at $Q^2$ between 0.5 and 0.8 (GeV/c)$^2$, indicating the importance of the $\Delta$ resonance at these momentum transfers.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, ReVTeX 4, final version as accepted by Phys. Rev.

Superconducting spintronics

The interaction between superconducting and spin-polarized orders has recently emerged as a major research field following a series of fundamental breakthroughs in charge transport in superconductor-ferromagnet heterodevices which promise new device functionality. Traditional studies which combine spintronics and superconductivity have mainly focused on the injection of spin-polarized quasiparticles into superconducting materials. However, a complete synergy between superconducting and magnetic orders turns out to be possible through the creation of spin-triplet Cooper pairs which are generated at carefully engineered superconductor interfaces with ferromagnetic materials. Currently, there is intense activity focused on identifying materials combinations which merge superconductivity and spintronics in order to enhance device functionality and performance. The results look promising: it has been shown, for example, that superconducting order can greatly enhance central effects in spintronics such as spin injection and magnetoresistance. Here, we review the experimental and theoretical advances in this field and provide an outlook for upcoming challenges related to the new concept of superconducting spintronics.J.L. was supported by the Research Council of Norway, Grants No. 205591 and 216700. J.W.A.R. was supported by the UK Royal Society and the Leverhulme Trust through an International Network Grant (IN-2013-033).This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://www.nature.com/nphys/journal/v11/n4/full/nphys3242.html

Study of polarized-e polarized-p --> e-prime p pi0 in the Delta(1232) mass region using polarization asymmetries

Measurements of the angular distributions of target and double spin asymmetries for the Delta(1232) in the exclusive channel (polarized-p polarized-e,e-prime p)pi0 obtained at Jefferson Lab in the Q2 range from 0.5 to 1.5 gev2 are presented. Results of the asymmetries are compared with the unitary isobar model, dynamical models, and the effective Lagrangian theory. Sensitivity to the different models was observed, particularly in relation to the description of background terms on which the target asymmetry depends significantly.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figure