457 research outputs found
Dynamic binding of driven interfaces in coupled ultrathin ferromagnetic layers
We demonstrate experimentally dynamic interface binding in a system
consisting of two coupled ferromagnetic layers. While domain walls in each
layer have different velocity-field responses, for two broad ranges of the
driving field, H, walls in the two layers are bound and move at a common
velocity. The bound states have their own velocity-field response and arise
when the isolated wall velocities in each layer are close, a condition which
always occurs as H->0. Several features of the bound states are reproduced
using a one dimensional model, illustrating their general nature.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Physical Review Letter
Magnetic domain structure and dynamics in interacting ferromagnetic stacks with perpendicular anisotropy
The time and field dependence of the magnetic domain structure at
magnetization reversal were investigated by Kerr microscopy in interacting
ferromagnetic Co/Pt multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy. Large local
inhomogeneous magnetostatic fields favor mirroring domain structures and domain
decoration by rings of opposite magnetization. The long range nature of these
magnetostatic interactions gives rise to ultra-slow dynamics even in zero
applied field, i.e. it affects the long time domain stability. Due to this
additionnal interaction field, the magnetization reversal under short magnetic
field pulses differs markedly from the well-known slow dynamic behavior.
Namely, in high field, the magnetization of the coupled harder layer has been
observed to reverse more rapidly by domain wall motion than the softer layer
alone.Comment: 42 pages including 17 figures. submitted to JA
Model of bound interface dynamics for coupled magnetic domain walls
A domain wall in a ferromagnetic system will move under the action of an
external magnetic field. Ultrathin Co layers sandwiched between Pt have been
shown to be a suitable experimental realization of a weakly disordered 2D
medium in which to study the dynamics of 1D interfaces (magnetic domain walls).
The behavior of these systems is encapsulated in the velocity-field response
v(H) of the domain walls. In a recent paper [P.J. Metaxas et al., Phys. Rev.
Lett. 104, 237206 (2010)] we studied the effect of ferromagnetic coupling
between two such ultrathin layers, each exhibiting different v(H)
characteristics. The main result was the existence of bound states over
finite-width field ranges, wherein walls in the two layers moved together at
the same speed. Here, we discuss in detail the theory of domain wall dynamics
in coupled systems. In particular, we show that a bound creep state is expected
for vanishing H and we give the analytical, parameter free expression for its
velocity which agrees well with experimental results.Comment: 9 page
Spin Pumping and Inverse Spin Hall Effect in Platinum: The Essential Role of Spin-Memory Loss at Metallic Interfaces
Through combined ferromagnetic resonance, spin-pumping and inverse spin Hall
effect experiments in Co|Pt bilayers and Co|Cu|Pt trilayers, we demonstrate
consistent values of spin diffusion length
nm and of spin Hall angle for Pt. Our
data and model emphasize on the partial depolarization of the spin current at
each interface due to spin-memory loss. Our model reconciles the previously
published spin Hall angle values and explains the different scaling lengths for
the ferromagnetic damping and the spin Hall effect induced voltage.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures (main text) and 8 pages supplementary. Published
with small modifications in Phys. Rev. Let
Spin injection in Silicon at zero magnetic field
In this letter, we show efficient electrical spin injection into a SiGe based
\textit{p-i-n} light emitting diode from the remanent state of a
perpendicularly magnetized ferromagnetic contact. Electron spin injection is
carried out through an alumina tunnel barrier from a Co/Pt thin film exhibiting
a strong out-of-plane anisotropy. The electrons spin polarization is then
analysed through the circular polarization of emitted light. All the light
polarization measurements are performed without an external applied magnetic
field \textit{i.e.} in remanent magnetic states. The light polarization as a
function of the magnetic field closely traces the out-of-plane magnetization of
the Co/Pt injector. We could achieve a circular polarization degree of the
emitted light of 3 % at 5 K. Moreover this light polarization remains almost
constant at least up to 200 K.Comment: accepted in AP
Exchange bias in GeMn nanocolumns: the role of surface oxidation
We report on the exchange biasing of self-assembled ferromagnetic GeMn
nanocolumns by GeMn-oxide caps. The x-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis of
this surface oxide shows a multiplet fine structure that is typical of the Mn2+
valence state in MnO. A magnetization hysteresis shift |HE|~100 Oe and a
coercivity enhancement of about 70 Oe have been obtained upon cooling (300-5 K)
in a magnetic field as low as 0.25 T. This exchange bias is attributed to the
interface coupling between the ferromagnetic nanocolumns and the
antiferromagnetic MnO-like caps. The effect enhancement is achieved by
depositing a MnO layer on the GeMn nanocolumns.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
Structure and magnetism of self-organized Ge(1-x)Mn(x) nano-columns
We report on the structural and magnetic properties of thin Ge(1-x)Mn(x)films
grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on Ge(001) substrates at temperatures
(Tg) ranging from 80deg C to 200deg C, with average Mn contents between 1 % and
11 %. Their crystalline structure, morphology and composition have been
investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron energy loss
spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. In the whole range of growth temperatures
and Mn concentrations, we observed the formation of manganese rich
nanostructures embedded in a nearly pure germanium matrix. Growth temperature
mostly determines the structural properties of Mn-rich nanostructures. For low
growth temperatures (below 120deg C), we evidenced a two-dimensional spinodal
decomposition resulting in the formation of vertical one-dimensional
nanostructures (nanocolumns). Moreover we show in this paper the influence of
growth parameters (Tg and Mn content) on this decomposition i.e. on nanocolumns
size and density. For temperatures higher than 180deg C, we observed the
formation of Ge3Mn5 clusters. For intermediate growth temperatures nanocolumns
and nanoclusters coexist. Combining high resolution TEM and superconducting
quantum interference device magnetometry, we could evidence at least four
different magnetic phases in Ge(1-x)Mn(x) films: (i) paramagnetic diluted Mn
atoms in the germanium matrix, (ii) superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic low-Tc
nanocolumns (120 K 400 K) and
(iv) Ge3Mn5 clusters.Comment: 10 pages 2 colonnes revTex formatte
Aging dynamics of non-linear elastic interfaces: the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation
In this work, the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang
equation in (1+1) dimensions is studied by means of numerical simulations,
focussing on the two-times evolution of an interface in the absence of any
disordered environment. This work shows that even in this simple case, a rich
aging behavior develops. A multiplicative aging scenario for the two-times
roughness of the system is observed, characterized by the same growth exponent
as in the stationary regime. The analysis permits the identification of the
relevant growing correlation length, accounting for the important scaling
variables in the system. The distribution function of the two-times roughness
is also computed and described in terms of a generalized scaling relation.
These results give good insight into the glassy dynamics of the important case
of a non-linear elastic line in a disordered medium.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure
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