Magnetic Domain Structure of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin-films probed at variable temperature with Scanning Electron Microscopy with Polarization Analysis

The domain configuration of 50 nm thick La0.7SrMnO3 films has been directly investigated using scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis (SEMPA), with magnetic contrast obtained without the requirement for prior surface preparation. The large scale domain structure reflects a primarily four-fold anisotropy, with a small uniaxial component, consistent with magneto-optic Kerr effect measurements. We also determine the domain transition profile and find it to be in agreement with previous estimates of the domain wall width in this material. The temperature dependence of the image contrast is investigated and compared to superconducting-quantum interference device magnetometry data. A faster decrease in the SEMPA contrast is revealed, which can be explained by the technique's extreme surface sensitivity, allowing us to selectively probe the surface spin polarization which due to the double exchange mechanism exhibits a distinctly different temperature dependence than the bulk magnetization

Ultrabroadband single-cycle terahertz pulses with peak fields of 300 kV cm−1^{-1} from a metallic spintronic emitter

To explore the capabilities of metallic spintronic thin-film stacks as a source of intense and broadband terahertz electromagnetic fields, we excite a W/CoFeB/Pt trilayer on a large-area glass substrate (diameter of 7.5 cm) by a femtosecond laser pulse (energy 5.5 mJ, duration 40 fs, wavelength 800 nm). After focusing, the emitted terahertz pulse is measured to have a duration of 230 fs, a peak field of 300 kV cm$^{-1}$ and an energy of 5 nJ. In particular, the waveform exhibits a gapless spectrum extending from 1 to 10 THz at 10% of amplitude maximum, thereby facilitating nonlinear control over matter in this difficult-to-reach frequency range and on the sub-picosecond time scale.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Thermal conductance of thin film YIG determined using Bayesian statistics

Thin film YIG (Y$_3$Fe$_5$O$_{12}$) is a prototypical material for experiments on thermally generated pure spin currents and the spin Seebeck effect. The 3-omega method is an established technique to measure the cross-plane thermal conductance of thin films, but can not be used in YIG/GGG (Ga$_3$Gd$_5$O$_{12}$) systems in its standard form. We use two-dimensional modeling of heat transport and introduce a technique based on Bayesian statistics to evaluate measurement data taken from the 3-omega method. Our analysis method allows us to study materials systems that have not been accessible with the conventionally used 3-omega analysis. Temperature dependent thermal conductance data of thin film YIG are of major importance for experiments in the field of spin-caloritronics. Here we show data between room temperature and 10 K for films covering a wide thickness range as well as the magnetic field effect on the thermal conductance between 10 K and 50 K

Tunable steady-state domain wall oscillator with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

We theoretically study domain wall oscillations upon the injection of a dc current through a geometrically constrained wire with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The oscillation frequency spectrum can be tuned by the injected current density, but additionally by the application of an external magnetic field independent of the power. The results of analytical calculations are supported by micromagnetic simulations based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. The simple concept of our localized steady-state oscillator might prove useful as a nanoscale microwave generator with possible applications in telecommunication or for rf-assisted writing in magnetic hard drives.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Giant Spin Seebeck Effect through an Interface Organic Semiconductor

Interfacing an organic semiconductor C60 with a non-magnetic metallic thin film (Cu or Pt) has created a novel heterostructure that is ferromagnetic at ambient temperature, while its interface with a magnetic metal (Fe or Co) can tune the anisotropic magnetic surface property of the material. Here, we demonstrate that sandwiching C60 in between a magnetic insulator (Y3Fe5O12: YIG) and a non-magnetic, strong spin-orbit metal (Pt) promotes highly efficient spin current transport via the thermally driven spin Seebeck effect (SSE). Experiments and first principles calculations consistently show that the presence of C60 reduces significantly the conductivity mismatch between YIG and Pt and the surface perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of YIG, giving rise to enhanced spin mixing conductance across YIG/C60/Pt interfaces. As a result, a 600% increase in the SSE voltage (VLSSE) has been realized in YIG/C60/Pt relative to YIG/Pt. Temperature-dependent SSE voltage measurements on YIG/C60/Pt with varying C60 layer thicknesses also show an exponential increase in VLSSE at low temperatures below 200 K, resembling the temperature evolution of spin diffusion length of C60. Our study emphasizes the important roles of the magnetic anisotropy and the spin diffusion length of the intermediate layer in the SSE in YIG/C60/Pt structures, providing a new pathway for developing novel spin-caloric materials