Spin dynamics of a Mn atom in a semiconductor quantum dot under resonant optical excitation

We analyze the spin dynamics of an individual magnetic atom (Mn) inserted in a II-VI semiconductor quantum dot under resonant optical excitation. In addition to standard optical pumping expected for a resonant excitation, we show that for particular conditions of laser detuning and excitation intensity, the spin population can be trapped in the state which is resonantly excited. This effect is modeled considering the coherent spin dynamics of the coupled electronic and nuclear spin of the Mn atom optically dressed by a resonant laser field. This spin population trapping mechanism is controlled by the combined effect of the coupling with the laser field and the coherent interaction between the different Mn spin states induced by an anisotropy of the strain in the plane of the quantum dot

Optical control of the spin state of two Mn atoms in a quantum dot

We report on the optical spectroscopy of the spin of two magnetic atoms (Mn) embedded in an individual quantum dot interacting with either a single electron, a single exciton and single trion. As a result of their interaction to a common entity, the Mn spins become correlated. The dynamics of this process is probed by time resolved spectroscopy, that permits to determine the optical orientation time in the range of a few tens of $ns$. In addition, we show that the energy of the collective spin states of the two Mn atoms can be tuned through the optical Stark effect induced by a resonant laser field

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

Ferromagnetic resonance in systems with competing uniaxial and cubic anisotropies

We develop a model for ferromagnetic resonance in systems with competing uniaxial and cubic anisotropies. This model applies to (i) magnetic materials with both uniaxial and cubic anisotropies, and (ii) magnetic nanoparticles with effective core and surface anisotropies; We numerically compute the resonance frequency as a function of the field and the resonance field as a function of the direction of the applied field for an arbitrary ratio of cubic-to-uniaxial anisotropy. We also provide some approximate analytical expressions in the case of weak cubic anisotropy. We propose a method that uses these expressions for estimating the uniaxial and cubic anisotropy constants, and for determining the relative orientation of the cubic anisotropy axes with respect to the crystal principle axes. This method is applicable to the analysis of experimental data of resonance type measurements for which we give a worked example of an iron thin film with mixed anisotropy.Comment: 7 pages, 3 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

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

Spinodal nanodecomposition in magnetically doped semiconductors

This review presents the recent progress in computational materials design, experimental realization, and control methods of spinodal nanodecomposition under three- and two-dimensional crystal-growth conditions in spintronic materials, such as magnetically doped semiconductors. The computational description of nanodecomposition, performed by combining first-principles calculations with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, is discussed together with extensive electron microscopy, synchrotron radiation, scanning probe, and ion beam methods that have been employed to visualize binodal and spinodal nanodecomposition (chemical phase separation) as well as nanoprecipitation (crystallographic phase separation) in a range of semiconductor compounds with a concentration of transition metal (TM) impurities beyond the solubility limit. The role of growth conditions, co-doping by shallow impurities, kinetic barriers, and surface reactions in controlling the aggregation of magnetic cations is highlighted. According to theoretical simulations and experimental results the TM-rich regions appear either in the form of nanodots (the {\em dairiseki} phase) or nanocolumns (the {\em konbu} phase) buried in the host semiconductor. Particular attention is paid to Mn-doped group III arsenides and antimonides, TM-doped group III nitrides, Mn- and Fe-doped Ge, and Cr-doped group II chalcogenides, in which ferromagnetic features persisting up to above room temperature correlate with the presence of nanodecomposition and account for the application-relevant magneto-optical and magnetotransport properties of these compounds. Finally, it is pointed out that spinodal nanodecomposition can be viewed as a new class of bottom-up approach to nanofabrication.Comment: 72 pages, 79 figure

Quantitative analysis of shadow X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism Photo-Emission Electron Microscopy

Shadow X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism Photo-Emission Electron Microscopy (XMCD-PEEM) is a recent technique, in which the photon intensity in the shadow of an object lying on a surface, may be used to gather information about the three-dimensional magnetization texture inside the object. Our purpose here is to lay the basis of a quantitative analysis of this technique. We first discuss the principle and implementation of a method to simulate the contrast expected from an arbitrary micromagnetic state. Text book examples and successful comparison with experiments are then given. Instrumental settings are finally discussed, having an impact on the contrast and spatial resolution : photon energy, microscope extraction voltage and plane of focus, microscope background level, electric-field related distortion of three-dimensional objects, Fresnel diffraction or photon scattering

Automatic detection and plotting of the road network from aerial images

Image analysis, in the field of cartography, is not limited only to object recognition, but also includes the precise computation of object geometric shapes . Our approach, for automatic extraction ofroad networkfor use in cartography, involves two distinct steps. Step one, recognition, extracts a topologically correct exhaustive graph of the network and step two, geometric shape extraction, computes all centerlines for the complete road network with good quality results both in accuracy and in cartographic representation . For object recognition, we have developed a road following algorithm based on the minimization of a cost function which evaluates the homogeneity . For geometric shape computation, we propose a method based on the calculation of a well balanced position of road sections with respect to a set of constraints : internal constraints - derived from a knowledge of road-shape characteristics - and external constraints-which force the connection between sets of well known points.L'analyse d'image, dans le domaine cartographique, ne se réduit pas à la reconnaissance des objets mais nécessite d'extraire leur géométrie avec une grande précision. Nous nous orientons, pour l'extraction automatique du réseau routier à des fins cartographiques, vers une approche où ces deux phases ― détection et restitution ― seraient distinctes: la phase de détection ayant pour but d'extraire un graphe exhaustif du réseau avec une topologie exacte et la phase de restitution ayant en charge le calcul de la géométrie de l'axe des routes en apportant à l'ensemble du réseau détecté une précision suffisante et une bonne représentation cartographique. Pour la détection, nous avons développé un algorithme de suivi de route basé sur l'optimisation d'un critère d'homogénéité directionnelle. Pour la phase de restitution, nous préconisons une méthode basée sur la recherche de la position d'équilibre des tronçons de route soumis à des contraintes internes ― basées sur la connaissance de la forme générale des routes ― et externes ― basées sur la connaissance de la géométrie exacte de certains points de passage de la route

Strain and correlation of self-organized Ge_(1-x)Mn_x nanocolumns embedded in Ge (001)

We report on the structural properties of Ge_(1-x)Mn_x layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy. In these layers, nanocolumns with a high Mn content are embedded in an almost-pure Ge matrix. We have used grazing-incidence X-ray scattering, atomic force and transmission electron microscopy to study the structural properties of the columns. We demonstrate how the elastic deformation of the matrix (as calculated using atomistic simulations) around the columns, as well as the average inter-column distance can account for the shape of the diffusion around Bragg peaks.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure