Exchange bias and asymmetric hysteresis loops from a microscopic model of core/shell nanoparticles

We present Monte Carlo simulations of hysteresis loops of a model of a magnetic nanoparticle with a ferromagnetic core and an antiferromegnetic shell with varying values of the core/shell interface exchange coupling which aim to clarify the microscopic origin of exchange bias observed experimentally. We have found loops shifts in the field direction as well as displacements along the magnetization axis that increase in magnitude when increasing the interfacial exchange coupling. Ovelap functions computed from the spin configurations along the loops have been computed to explain the origin and magnitude of these features microscopically.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures. To be presented at the 3rd JEMS 2006, San Sebastian (Spain), June 26-30th 2006; Exchange Bias Symposium. More information at this web page: http://hermes.ffn.ub.es/oscar/Articles.htm

Uncompensated magnetization and exchange-bias field in La0.7_{0.7}Sr0.3_{0.3}MnO3_3/YMnO3_3 bilayers: The influence of the ferromagnetic layer

We studied the magnetic behavior of bilayers of multiferroic and nominally antiferromagnetic o-YMnO$_3$ (375~nm thick) and ferromagnetic La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_3$ and La$_{0.67}$Ca$_{0.33}$MnO$_3$ ($8 \ldots 225~$nm), in particular the vertical magnetization shift $M_E$ and exchange bias field $H_E$ for different thickness and magnetic dilution of the ferromagnetic layer at different temperatures and cooling fields. We have found very large $M_E$ shifts equivalent to up to 100\% of the saturation value of the o-YMO layer alone. The overall behavior indicates that the properties of the ferromagnetic layer contribute substantially to the $M_E$ shift and that this does not correlate straightforwardly with the measured exchange bias field $H_E$.Comment: 10 figures, 8 page

Comment on: "Revealing common artifacts due to ferromagnetic inclusions in highly oriented pyrolytic graphite", by M. Sepioni, R.R. Nair, I.-Ling Tsai, A.K. Geim and I.V. Grigorieva, EPL 97 (2012) 47001

This comment addresses several issues in the paper by Sepioni et al., where it is stated that the ferromagnetism in pristine highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) reported by several groups in the previous years is most likely due to impurity contamination. In this comment, clear arguments are given why this statement is not justified. Furthermore, it is pointed out, that there are already measurements using element-sensitive microscopic techniques, e.g. X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) that directly proved the intrinsic origin of the ferromagnetism in graphite, also in pristine HOPG.Comment: 1, 0 figures, 9 reference

Direct Observation of Large Amplitude Spin Excitations Localized in a Spin-Transfer Nanocontact

We report the direct observation of large amplitude spin-excitations localized in a spin-transfer nanocontact using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy. Experiments were conducted using a nanocontact to an ultrathin ferromagnetic multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Element resolved x-ray magnetic circular dichroism images show an abrupt onset of spin excitations at a threshold current that are localized beneath the nanocontact, with average spin precession cone angles of 25{\deg} at the contact center. The results strongly suggest that we have observed a localized magnetic soliton.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

The role of hydrogen in room-temperature ferromagnetism at graphite surfaces

We present a x-ray dichroism study of graphite surfaces that addresses the origin and magnitude of ferromagnetism in metal-free carbon. We find that, in addition to carbon $\pi$ states, also hydrogen-mediated electronic states exhibit a net spin polarization with significant magnetic remanence at room temperature. The observed magnetism is restricted to the top $\approx$10 nm of the irradiated sample where the actual magnetization reaches $\simeq 15$ emu/g at room temperature. We prove that the ferromagnetism found in metal-free untreated graphite is intrinsic and has a similar origin as the one found in proton bombarded graphite.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, submitted to New Journal of Physic

π\pi-Electron Ferromagnetism in Metal Free Carbon Probed by Soft X-Ray Dichroism

Elemental carbon represents a fundamental building block of matter and the possibility of ferromagnetic order in carbon attracted widespread attention. However, the origin of magnetic order in such a light element is only poorly understood and has puzzled researchers. We present a spectromicroscopy study at room temperature of proton irradiated metal free carbon using the elemental and chemical specificity of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). We demonstrate that the magnetic order in the investigated system originates only from the carbon $\pi$-electron system.Comment: 10 pages 3 color figure

Direct visualization of dynamic magnetic coupling in a Co/Py bilayer with picosecond and nanometer resolution

We present a combination of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) with spatially and time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy in a scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM-FMR). The transverse high frequency component of the resonantly excited magnetization is measured with element-specifity in a Permalloy (Py) disk - Cobalt (Co) stripe bilayer microstructure. STXM-FMR mappings are snapshots of the local magnetization-precession with nm spatial resolution and ps temporal resolution. We directly observe the transfer of angular momentum from Py to Co and vice versa at their respective element-specific resonances. A third resonance could be observed in our experiments, which is identified as a coupled resonance of Py and Co.Comment: Version submitted to Physical Review Applied with updated author list and supplemental information (Ancillary file

X-Ray Detection of Transient Magnetic Moments Induced by a Spin Current in Cu

We have used a MHz lock-in x-ray spectro-microscopy technique to directly detect changes of magnetic moments in Cu due to spin injection from an adjacent Co layer. The elemental and chemical specificity of x-rays allows us to distinguish two spin current induced effects. We detect the creation of transient magnetic moments of $3\times 10^{-5}$ $\mu_\mathrm{B}$ on Cu atoms within the bulk of the 28 nm thick Cu film due to spin-accumulation. The moment value is compared to predictions by Mott's two current model. We also observe that the hybridization induced existing magnetic moments on Cu interface atoms are transiently increased by about 10% or $4\times 10^{-3}$ $\mu_\mathrm{B}$. This reveals the dominance of spin-torque alignment over Joule heat induced disorder of the interfacial Cu moments during current flow