Experimental observation of an enhanced anisotropic magnetoresistance in non-local configuration

We compare non-local magnetoresistance measurements in multi-terminal Ni nanostructures with corresponding local experiments. In both configurations, the measured voltages show the characteristic features of anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR). However, the magnitude of the non-local AMR signal is up to one order of magnitude larger than its local counterpart. Moreover, the non-local AMR increases with increasing degree of non-locality, i.e., with the separation between the region of the main current flow and the voltage measurement region. All experimental observations can be consistently modeled in terms of current spreading in a non-isotropic conductor. Our results show that current spreading can significantly enhance the magnetoresistance signal in non-local experiments

Evolution of structure and local magnetic fields during crystallization of HITPERM glassy alloys studied by in situ diffraction and nuclear forward scattering of synchrotron radiation

Evolution of structure and local magnetic fields in Fe1 xCox 76Mo8Cu1B15 HITPERM metallic glass ribbons with various amounts of Co x 0, 0.25, 0.5 were studied in situ using diffraction and nuclear forward scattering of synchrotron radiation. It was found that crystallization for all three glasses proceeds in two stages. In the first stage, bcc Fe,Co nanocrystals are formed, while in the second stage additional crystalline phases evolve. For all three glasses, the crystallization temperatures at the wheel side were found to be lower than at the air side of the ribbon. The crystallization temperatures were found to decrease with increasing Co content. The lattice parameters of the bcc nanocrystals decrease up to about 550 C and then increase pointing to squeezing Mo atoms out of the nanograins or to interface effects between the nanocrystals and the glassy matrix. Nuclear forward scattering enabled separate evaluation of the contributions that stem from structurally different regions within the investigated samples including the newly formed nanocrystals and the residual amorphous matrix. Even minor Co content x 0.25 has a substantial effect not only upon the magnetic behaviour of the alloy but also upon its structure. Making use of hyperfine magnetic fields, it was possible to unveil structurally diverse positions of Fe atoms that reside in a nanocrystalline lattice with different number of Co nearest neighbour

The Beagle 2 microscope

The Beagle 2 microscope provides optical images of the Martian surface at a resolution 5x higher than any other experiment currently planned. By using a novel illumination system it images in three colors and can also detect fluorescent materials

Magnetization reversal of an individual exchange biased permalloy nanotube

We investigate the magnetization reversal mechanism in an individual permalloy (Py) nanotube (NT) using a hybrid magnetometer consisting of a nanometer-scale SQUID (nanoSQUID) and a cantilever torque sensor. The Py NT is affixed to the tip of a Si cantilever and positioned in order to optimally couple its stray flux into a Nb nanoSQUID. We are thus able to measure both the NT's volume magnetization by dynamic cantilever magnetometry and its stray flux using the nanoSQUID. We observe a training effect and temperature dependence in the magnetic hysteresis, suggesting an exchange bias. We find a low blocking temperature $T_B = 18 \pm 2$ K, indicating the presence of a thin antiferromagnetic native oxide, as confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy on similar samples. Furthermore, we measure changes in the shape of the magnetic hysteresis as a function of temperature and increased training. These observations show that the presence of a thin exchange-coupled native oxide modifies the magnetization reversal process at low temperatures. Complementary information obtained via cantilever and nanoSQUID magnetometry allows us to conclude that, in the absence of exchange coupling, this reversal process is nucleated at the NT's ends and propagates along its length as predicted by theory.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

The meta-substituted isomer of TMPyP enables more effective photodynamic bacterial inactivation than para-TMPyP in vitro

Porphyrinoid-based photodynamic inactivation (PDI) provides a promising approach to treating multidrug-resistant infections. However, available agents for PDI still have optimization potential with regard to effectiveness, toxicology, chemical stability, and solubility. The currently available photosensitizer TMPyP is provided with a para substitution pattern (para-TMPyP) of the pyridinium groups and has been demonstrated to be effective for PDI of multidrug-resistant bacteria. To further improve its properties, we synthetized a structural variant of TMPyP with an isomeric substitution pattern in a meta configuration (meta-TMPyP), confirmed the correct structure by crystallographic analysis and performed a characterization with NMR-, UV/Vis-, and IR spectroscopy, photostability, and singlet oxygen generation assay. Meta-TMPyP had a hypochromic shift in absorbance (4 nm) with a 55% higher extinction coefficient and slightly improved photostability (+6.9%) compared to para-TMPyP. Despite these superior molecular properties, singlet oxygen generation was increased by only 5.4%. In contrast, PDI, based on meta-TMPyP, reduced the density of extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing and fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli by several orders of magnitude, whereby a sterilizing effect was observed after 48 min of illumination, while para-TMPyP was less effective (p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate that structural modification with meta substitution increases antibacterial properties of TMPyP in PDI

Phonon confinement and interface lattice dynamics of ultrathin high-rare earth sesquioxide films: the case of Eu₂O₃ on YSZ(001)

The spatial confinement of atoms at surfaces and interfaces significantly alters the lattice dynamics of thin films, heterostructures and multilayers. Ultrathin films with high dielectric constants (high-k) are of paramount interest for applications as gate layers in current and future integrated circuits. Here we report a lattice dynamics study of high-k Eu$_{2}$O$_{3}$ films with thicknesses of 21.3, 2.2, 1.3, and 0.8 nm deposited on YSZ(001). The Eu-partial phonon density of states (PDOS), obtained from nuclear inelastic scattering, exhibits broadening of the phonon peaks accompanied by up to a four-fold enhancement of the number of low-energy states compared to the ab initio calculated PDOS of a perfect Eu$_{2}$O$_{3}$ crystal. Our analysis demonstrates that while the former effect reflects the reduced phonon lifetimes observed in thin films due to scattering from lattice defects, the latter phenomenon arises from an ultrathin EuO layer formed between the thin Eu$_{2}$O$_{3}$ film and the YSZ(001) substrate. Thus, our work uncovers another potential source of vibrational anomalies in thin films and multilayers, which has to be cautiously considered

The microscope for the Beagle 2 lander on ESA's Mars Express

The microscope for the Beagle 2 lander on Mars Express will provide 4 µm per pixel images of rock and soil samples. The instrument is described and test results are presented

Dynamics of Metal Centers Monitored by Nuclear Inelastic Scattering

Nuclear inelastic scattering of synchrotron radiation has been used now since 10 years as a tool for vibrational spectroscopy. This method has turned out especially useful in case of large molecules that contain a M\"ossbauer active metal center. Recent applications to iron-sulfur proteins, to iron(II) spin crossover complexes and to tin-DNA complexes are discussed. Special emphasis is given to the combination of nuclear inelastic scattering and density functional calculations

Nuclear charge radii of molybdenum fission fragments

AbstractRadioisotopes of molybdenum have been studied using laser spectroscopy techniques at the IGISOL facility, University of Jyväskylä. Differences in nuclear charge radii have been determined for neutron deficient isotopes 90,91Mo and neutron rich isotopes 102–106,108Mo (and all stable isotopes). A smooth transition in the mean square charge radii is observed as the neutron number increases with no sudden shape change observed in the region around N=60. As N increases, the nuclear deformation appears to go beyond a maximum and a fall off at N=66 is observed. The magnetic moments of the odd isotopes 91,103,105Mo are also determined