13,660 research outputs found
Thermal Effects on the Magnetic Field Dependence of Spin Transfer Induced Magnetization Reversal
We have developed a self-aligned, high-yield process to fabricate CPP
(current perpendicular to the plane) magnetic sensors of sub 100 nm dimensions.
A pinned synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) is used as the reference layer which
minimizes dipole coupling to the free layer and field induced rotation of the
reference layer. We find that the critical currents for spin transfer induced
magnetization reversal of the free layer vary dramatically with relatively
small changes the in-plane magnetic field, in contrast to theoretical
predictions based on stability analysis of the Gilbert equations of
magnetization dynamics including Slonczewski-type spin-torque terms. The
discrepancy is believed due to thermal fluctuations over the time scale of the
measurements. Once thermal fluctuations are taken into account, we find good
quantitative agreement between our experimental results and numerical
simulations.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, Submitted to Appl. Phys. Lett., Comparison of
some of these results with a model described by N. Smith in cond-mat/040648
Suppression of spin-torque in current perpendicular to the plane spin-valves by addition of Dy cap layers
We demonstrate that the addition of Dy capping layers in current
perpendicular to the plane giant magneto-resistive spin-valves can increase the
critical current density beyond which spin-torque induced instabilities are
observed by about a factor of three. Current densities as high as 5e7 A/cm2 are
measured provided that the electron current flows from the free to the
reference layer. While Dy capped samples exhibit nonmagnetic 1/f noise, it is
sufficiently small to be unimportant for read head operation at practical data
rates.Comment: 13 pages (manuscript form), with 5 figures. Submitted for publicatio
Magnetic domain wall propagation in a submicron spin-valve stripe: influence of the pinned layer
The propagation of a domain wall in a submicron ferromagnetic spin-valve
stripe is investigated using giant magnetoresistance. A notch in the stripe
efficiently traps an injected wall stopping the domain propagation. The authors
show that the magnetic field at which the wall is depinned displays a
stochastic nature. Moreover, the depinning statistics are significantly
different for head to head and tail-to-tail domain walls. This is attributed to
the dipolar field generated in the vicinity of the notch by the pinned layer of
the spin-valve
Measuring the muon's anomalous magnetic moment to 0.14 ppm
The anomalous magnetic moment (g-2) of the muon was measured with a precision
of 0.54 ppm in Experiment 821 at Brookhaven National Laboratory. A difference
of 3.2 standard deviations between this experimental value and the prediction
of the Standard Model has persisted since 2004; in spite of considerable
experimental and theoretical effort, there is no consistent explanation for
this difference. This comparison hints at physics beyond the Standard Model,
but it also imposes strong constraints on those possibilities, which include
supersymmetry and extra dimensions. The collaboration is preparing to relocate
the experiment to Fermilab to continue towards a proposed precision of 0.14
ppm. This will require 20 times more recorded decays than in the previous
measurement, with corresponding improvements in the systematic uncertainties.
We describe the theoretical developments and the experimental upgrades that
provide a compelling motivation for the new measurement.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, presented at International Nuclear Physics
Conference 2010 (INPC 2010
Topological Quantum Field Theory and Seiberg-Witten Monopoles
A topological quantum field theory is introduced which reproduces the
Seiberg-Witten invariants of four-manifolds. Dimensional reduction of this
topological field theory leads to a new one in three dimensions. Its partition
function yields a three-manifold invariant, which can be regarded as the
Seiberg-Witten version of Casson's invariant. A Geometrical interpretation of
the three dimensional quantum field theory is also given.Comment: 15 pages, Latex file, no figure
Teaching approaches and student learning: Personality type and design studio
The design studio is a learning environment with a strong focus on one-to-one critique and individual feedback from tutors. This instruction and learning mode is a useful forum in which to consider tailoring approaches to teaching delivery based upon an assessment of learning preferences. The investigation reviews the two key personality assessment instruments identified by the literature review: the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-PI-R). The report concludes that the MBTI is the best option partly because there are no 'better' or 'worse' types in the MBTI, unlike the NEO-PI-R which as a trait-based instrument has at its core an in-built judgement about the relative value of some attributes.
This report has been structured in two parts: Part One, which reviews the arguments for and against the notion of learning styles and suggests that personality type might be a more useful avenue to explore in regard to improving student learning outcomes; and Part Two, which comprises the findings from a literature review on design education, learning styles, and creativity and design thinking in studio as a series of tables, including a detailed commentary about each article considered. Key ideas from the literature review have been assembled as a series of diagrams, or 'mind-maps' in Part Two of the report.
Each part of the report concludes with a list of references cited, and other resources which may be useful to this area of study
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