A Model for the Magnetoimpedance Effect in Non-Symmetric Nanostructured Multilayered Films with Ferrogel Coverings

Magnetoimpedance (MI) biosensors for the detection of in-tissue incorporated magnetic nanoparticles are a subject of special interest. The possibility of the detection of the ferrogel samples mimicking the natural tissues with nanoparticles was proven previously for symmetric MI thin-film multilayers. In this work, in order to describe the MI effect in non-symmetric multilayered elements covered by ferrogel layer we propose an electromagnetic model based on a solution of the 4Maxwell equations. The approach is based on the previous calculations of the distribution of electromagnetic fields in the non-symmetric multilayers further developed for the case of the ferrogel covering. The role of the asymmetry of the film on the MI response of the multilayer–ferrogel structure is analyzed in the details. The MI field and frequency dependences, the concentration dependences of the MI for fixed frequencies and the frequency dependence of the concentration sensitivities are obtained for the detection process by both symmetric and non-symmetric MI structures.This research was funded by the University Basque Country UPV/EHU, Research Groups Funding (IT1245-19)

Magnetoimpedance in Symmetric and Non-Symmetric Nanostructured Multilayers: A Theoretical Study

Intensive studies of the magnetoimpedance (MI) effect in nanostructured multilayers provide a good phenomenological basis and theoretical description for the symmetric case when top and bottom layers of ferromagnet/conductor/ferromagnet structure have the same thickness and consist of one magnetic layer each. At the same time, there is no model to describe the MI response in multilayered films. Here, we propose the corresponding model and analyze the influence of the multilayer parameters on the field and frequency dependences of the MI. The approach is based on the calculation of the field distribution within the multilayer by means of a solution of lineralizied Maxwell equations together with the Landau-Lifshitz equation for the magnetization motion. The theoretical model developed allows one to explain qualitatively the main features of the MI effect in multilayers and could be useful for optimization of the film parameters. It might also be useful as a model case for the development of MI magnetic biosensors for magnetic biomarker detection.This research was funded by the Russian Science Foundation, grant number 18-19-00090

Giant magnetoimpedance: new electrochemical option to monitor surface effects?

Magnetoimpedance, MI, change due to surface modification of the sensitive element caused by biofluids was studied with the aim of creating a robust sensor capable of separating the chemical surface modification from the sensing process. A MI sensor prototype with an as-quenched FeCoSiB amorphous ribbon sensitive element was designed and calibrated for a frequency range of 0.5 to 10 MHz at an intensity of the current of 60 mA. Measurements as a function of the exposure time were made, first, in a regime where chemical surface modification and sensing were separated and then, in a regime where they were not separated (in a bath for fluids). The MI variation was explained by the change of the surface magnetic anisotropy. It was shown that the magnetoimpedance effect can be successfully employed as a new electrochemical option to probe the electric features of surface-modified magnetic electrodes when the biofluid, the material of the sensitive element, and the detection conditions are properly selected and synergetically adjusted.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figure

Multi-Step Magnetization Process of Gd-Co/Co/Cu/Co Thermo-Sensitive Spin Valves

Magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of the Gd-Co/Co/Cu/Co magnetic type multilayered sensitive spin valve were studied as a function of temperature. It is shown that the appearance of a non-collinear magnetic structure significantly affects the shape of the magnetoresistive hysteresis loop. The characteristic values of the critical field related to the appearance of non-collinear structure depend on the temperature of the spin valve. The obtained results can serve as a basis for the improvements of functional properties and expanding the application areas of magnetic multilayered sensitive elements of the spin valve type; for example, for precise determination of the position of the object.This work was in part supported by RFBR grant 17-02-00236-a of Russian Federation and by the ACTIMAT ELKARTEK KK-2016/00097 grant of the Basque Country Government

Nanostructured giant magneto-impedance multilayers deposited onto flexible substrates for low pressure sensing

Nanostructured FeNi-based multilayers are very suitable for use as magnetic sensors using the giant magneto-impedance effect. New fields of application can be opened with these materials deposited onto flexible substrates. In this work, we compare the performance of samples prepared onto a rigid glass substrate and onto a cyclo olefin copolymer flexible one. Although a significant reduction of the field sensitivity is found due to the increased effect of the stresses generated during preparation, the results are still satisfactory for use as magnetic field sensors in special applications. Moreover, we take advantage of the flexible nature of the substrate to evaluate the pressure dependence of the giant magneto-impedance effect. Sensitivities up to 1 Ω/Pa are found for pressures in the range of 0 to 1 Pa, demostrating the suitability of these nanostructured materials deposited onto flexible substrates to build sensitive pressure sensors

Structural and Magnetic Properties of FeNi Films and FeNi-Based Trilayers with Out-of-Plane Magnetization Component

FeNi films of different thickness and FeNi/(Fe, Co)/FeNi trilayers were prepared by magnetron sputtering deposition onto glass substrates. The permalloy films had a columnar microstructure. The detailed analysis of the magnetic properties based on the magnetic and magneto-optical measurements showed that at thicknesses exceeding a certain critical thickness, hysteresis loops acquire a specific shape and the coercive force of the films increase sharply. The possibility of the estimation of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constant using the Murayama equation for the thickness dependence of saturation field was demonstrated. The results of studies of the structural and magnetic properties of FeNi films laminated by Fe and Co spacers with different thickness are presented.This research was funded by the Russian Science Foundation (RSF), project no. 22-29-00980, https://rscf.ru/en/project/22-29-00980/ and in part by the Research Groups of the UPV-EHU

Variability of pathogenicity factors representative of the human microbiome under the influence of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles

Biomedical applications of nanoparticles require deep understanding of their interaction with normal human microflora. Previously, the toxic and mutagenic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles as well as their effect on the growth and morphology of the microflora were extensively investigated. However, the studies related to the variability of microbial pathogenicity factors induced by iron oxide nanoparticles are very limited. Meanwhile, this characteristic of microbes is genetically determined and is important for their survival and distribution in the human body. Therefore, pathogenicity factors are significant indicators of the experimental studies. In this work, the effect of the presence of Fe2O3 nanoparticles obtained by laser target evaporation (LTE) on selected enzymes that demonstrate invasion and aggression factors was evaluated for three reference strains of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. It was found that the presence of LTE Fe2O3 nanoparticles supplied in the form of water-based suspensions does not induce changes of the above-mentioned parameters

Permalloy-Based Thin Film Structures: Magnetic Properties and the Giant Magnetoimpedance Effect in the Temperature Range Important for Biomedical Applications

Permalloy-based thin film structures are excellent materials for sensor applications. Temperature dependencies of the magnetic properties and giant magneto-impedance (GMI) were studied for Fe19Ni81-based multilayered structures obtained by the ion-plasma sputtering technique. Selected temperature interval of 25 degrees C to 50 degrees C corresponds to the temperature range of functionality of many devices, including magnetic biosensors. A (Cu/FeNi)(5)/Cu/(Cu/FeNi)(5) multilayered structure with well-defined traverse magnetic anisotropy showed an increase in the GMI ratio for the total impedance and its real part with temperature increased. The maximum of the GMI of the total impedance ratio Delta Z/Z = 56% was observed at a frequency of 80 MHz, with a sensitivity of 18%/Oe, and the maximum GMI of the real part Delta R/R = 170% at a frequency of 10 MHz, with a sensitivity of 46%/Oe. As the magnetization and direct current electrical resistance vary very little with the temperature, the most probable mechanism of the unexpected increase of the GMI sensitivity is the stress relaxation mechanism associated with magnetoelastic anisotropy.This work was supported in part by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research under grants mol nr no. 16-32-50054 and by the ELKARTEK grant KK-2016/00030 of the Basque Country Government

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Ni0.8Fe0.2/Ti Nanoscale Multilayers

The influence of the thickness of the Ni0.8Fe0.2 (Permalloy, Py) layers on the structural and magnetic properties of magnetron sputtered Py/Ti multilayers was studied. The thickness of the Py layers was varied in the interval of 8 to 30 angstrom. X-ray reflectivity scans evidence the existence of a well-defined layered structure in all the samples considered, but also the presence of a complex intermixed interface. The shape of both the temperature dependence of magnetization and the hysteresis loops of the multilayered structures depends strongly on Py thickness. Magnetic and reflectivity measurements were comparatively analyzed in order to better understand the structure of the samples, and specifically, their interfaces. In particular, the presence of small superparamagnetic Py at the interfaces of the samples, especially evident in the samples with the thinnest Py layers, seems confirmed by the magnetic measurements, agreeing well with the reflectivity results.The research was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (Agreement No. 02.A03.21.0006) and by the Spanish projects MAT2014-58034-R (MINECO/AEI/FEDER, EU) and PEII-2014-042-P (JCCM/FEDER, EU)

Ball Milled Gd Flakes Subjected to Heat Treatments: Structure, Magnetic and Magnetocaloric Properties

Gd flake samples were prepared by conventional ball milling technique starting from rapidly quenched Gd ribbons and followed by vacuum annealing in different conditions. Heat treatments were conducted in a vacuum at selected temperatures up to 600 K. The structural features, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties were comparatively analyzed. The change in magnetic entropy was calculated using an experimental set of magnetic isotherms measured in a wide range of temperatures. The variations in the refrigeration capacity and the exponent of the magnetic entropy change in the external magnetic field were carefully calculated and analyzed.The research funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Ural Federal University Program of Development within the Priority-2030 Program) is gratefully acknowledged. This research was supported in part by the Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU Research Groups Funding