Generation of coherent spin-wave modes in Yttrium Iron Garnet microdiscs by spin-orbit torque

Spin-orbit effects [1-4] have the potential of radically changing the field of spintronics by allowing transfer of spin angular momentum to a whole new class of materials. In a seminal letter to Nature [5], Kajiwara et al. showed that by depositing Platinum (Pt, a normal metal) on top of a 1.3 $\mu$m thick Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG, a magnetic insulator), one could effectively transfer spin angular momentum through the interface between these two different materials. The outstanding feature was the detection of auto-oscillation of the YIG when enough dc current was passed in the Pt. This finding has created a great excitement in the community for two reasons: first, one could control electronically the damping of insulators, which can offer improved properties compared to metals, and here YIG has the lowest damping known in nature; second, the damping compensation could be achieved on very large objects, a particularly relevant point for the field of magnonics [6,7] whose aim is to use spin-waves as carriers of information. However, the degree of coherence of the observed auto-oscillations has not been addressed in ref. [5]. In this work, we emphasize the key role of quasi-degenerate spin-wave modes, which increase the threshold current. This requires to reduce both the thickness and lateral size in order to reach full damping compensation [8] , and we show clear evidence of coherent spin-orbit torque induced auto-oscillation in micron-sized YIG discs of thickness 20 nm

Why is Asari (=Manila) clam Ruditapes philippinarum fitness poor in Arcachon Bay: A meta-analysis to answer?

00000 ; International audience ; Asari (= Manila) clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, is the second bivalve mollusc in terms of production in the world and, in many coastal areas, can beget important socio-economic issues. In Europe, this species was introduced after 1973. In Arcachon Bay, after a decade of aquaculture attempt, Asari clam rapidly constituted neo-naturalized population which is now fished. However, recent studies emphasized the decline of population and individual performances. In the framework of a national project (REPAMEP), some elements of fitness, stressors and responses in Arcachon bay were measured and compared to international data (41 publications, 9 countries). The condition index (CI=flesh weight/shell weight) was the lowest among all compared sites. Variation in average Chla concentration explained 30% of variation of CI among different areas. Among potential diseases, perkinsosis was particularly prevalent in Arcachon Bay, with high abundance, and Asari clams underwent Brown Muscle Disease, a pathology strictly restricted to this lagoon. Overall element contamination was relatively low, although arsenic, cobalt, nickel and chromium displayed higher values than in other ecosystems where Asari clam is exploited. Finally, total hemocyte count (THC) of Asari clam in Arcachon Bay, related to the immune system activity, exhibited values that were also under what is generally observed elsewhere. In conclusion, this study, with all reserves due to heterogeneity of available data, suggest that the particularly low fitness of Asari clam in Arcachon Bay is due to poor trophic condition, high prevalence and intensity of a disease (perkinsosis), moderate inorganic contamination, and poor efficiency of the immune system

Manipulation de la synchronisation mutuelle dans une paire d'oscillateurs à transfert de spin

Spin torque oscillators have driven interest among other electronic microwaveoscillators notably for their high nonlinearity and agility. However although the fundamentalprinciples of those systems are well-understood, these are limited to the realisationof prototypes due to their poor performances in terms of emitted power and linewidth.One strategy to deal with those limitations consists in mutually synchronising several suchoscillators, which would increase the oscillating volume, thereby improving these characteristics and allowing the realisation of more complex structures. Despite the fact thatthe fundamental principle has been demonstrated, its implication are still far from beingperfectly understood. In this perspective we study the minimalistic network consisting ina pair of spin torque oscillators mutually coupled via their magneto-dipolar interaction.The originality of this work lies in the introduction of a microstrip antenna, which enablesthe generation a microwave signal and acts as a third "ideal" oscillator to probe the richdynamics of this system, which displays fundamental as well as applicative interests.Les oscillateurs à transfert de spin se distinguent des autres oscillateurs électroniqueshyperfréquences notamment par leurs grandes non-linéarité et agilité en fréquence.Cependant quoi que les principes fondamentaux de ces systèmes soient bien compris,leurs performances en termes de puissance de sortie et de largeur de raie en limitent lesapplications au stade de prototype. Pour y remédier, une des stratégies est celle de lasynchronisation mutuelle, qui devrait améliorer les caractéristiques de ces systèmes enaugmentant le volume oscillant, mais aussi permettre la réalisation de structures pluscomplexes. Bien que le mécanisme fondamental a été démontré, toutes ses implicationsne sont pas encore parfaitement comprises. C’est dans cette perspective que nous étudionsle réseau minimal d’oscillateurs non-linéaires constitué par une paire d’oscillateursà transfert de spin mutuellement couplés via leur rayonnement dipolaire. L’originalitéde ce travail réside dans l’introduction d’une antenne, qui peut générer un signal hyperfréquence et agir comme troisième oscillateur "idéal" pour explorer la riche dynamique du système, qui présente des intérêts aussi bien fondamentaux qu’applicatifs

Manipulation of the mutual synchronisation in a pair of spin-torque oscillators

Les oscillateurs à transfert de spin se distinguent des autres oscillateurs électroniqueshyperfréquences notamment par leurs grandes non-linéarité et agilité en fréquence.Cependant quoi que les principes fondamentaux de ces systèmes soient bien compris,leurs performances en termes de puissance de sortie et de largeur de raie en limitent lesapplications au stade de prototype. Pour y remédier, une des stratégies est celle de lasynchronisation mutuelle, qui devrait améliorer les caractéristiques de ces systèmes enaugmentant le volume oscillant, mais aussi permettre la réalisation de structures pluscomplexes. Bien que le mécanisme fondamental a été démontré, toutes ses implicationsne sont pas encore parfaitement comprises. C’est dans cette perspective que nous étudionsle réseau minimal d’oscillateurs non-linéaires constitué par une paire d’oscillateursà transfert de spin mutuellement couplés via leur rayonnement dipolaire. L’originalitéde ce travail réside dans l’introduction d’une antenne, qui peut générer un signal hyperfréquence et agir comme troisième oscillateur "idéal" pour explorer la riche dynamique du système, qui présente des intérêts aussi bien fondamentaux qu’applicatifs.Spin torque oscillators have driven interest among other electronic microwaveoscillators notably for their high nonlinearity and agility. However although the fundamentalprinciples of those systems are well-understood, these are limited to the realisationof prototypes due to their poor performances in terms of emitted power and linewidth.One strategy to deal with those limitations consists in mutually synchronising several suchoscillators, which would increase the oscillating volume, thereby improving these characteristics and allowing the realisation of more complex structures. Despite the fact thatthe fundamental principle has been demonstrated, its implication are still far from beingperfectly understood. In this perspective we study the minimalistic network consisting ina pair of spin torque oscillators mutually coupled via their magneto-dipolar interaction.The originality of this work lies in the introduction of a microstrip antenna, which enablesthe generation a microwave signal and acts as a third "ideal" oscillator to probe the richdynamics of this system, which displays fundamental as well as applicative interests

Spatio-temporal patterns of perkinsosis in the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum from Arcachon Bay (SW France)

Pathogens belonging to the genus Perkinsus infect many bivalve molluscan species around the world, including the Manila clam Ruditapes phihppinarum. We investigated the spatial distribution of this parasite at 34 stations throughout Arcachon Bay (SW France). Prevalence of perkinsosis was 93% and mean infection abundance was 96 x 10(3) cells g(-1) wet gill. Lowest mean abundances were found close to the Leyre River mouth and a significant negative correlation was observed between mean abundance and salinity. Perkinsosis was rare at the oceanic site where salinities and other environmental parameters were stable. A second aim of this study was to survey perkinsosis during annual cycles at 4 sites within Arcachon Bay. Prevalence and intensities (+/-SE) of the disease were high, on average between 70 and 100%, and 130 x 10(3) +/- 6.7 x 10(3) cells g(-1) wet gill. No seasonal cycle was evident. Clams were infected at 9 mm shell length and infection increased with clam size. The third objective was to determine the disinfection and infection kinetics through a 21 mo reciprocal transplantation between a nearly Perkinsus sp.-free area and a highly affected site. Disinfection appeared to be a very slow process and was similar at the site with favorable conditions for Perkinsus sp. as at the site with unfavorable conditions. Conversely, infection acquisition appeared to be episodic with spatially defined areas. Consequently, the overall lack of a clear seasonal infection pattern is interpreted as the combination of episodic infection events and slow disinfection kinetics

Brown muscle disease (BMD), an emergent pathology affecting Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Arcachon Bay (SW France)

We describe an emerging pathology, brown muscle disease (BMD), which specifically affects the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Arcachon Bay (France). BMD induces a transformation of the posterior adductor muscle, which becomes infused by conchiolin and calcified, reducing the ability of clams to bury. The disease affects both types of muscular tissue, with striated muscle becoming affected to a higher degree than smooth muscle. Two indices were created to quantify the symptoms: the Muscle Print Index, used for empty and live shells, and the Final Disease Index, utilized for live clams only. Histological sections were made and observed under light microscopy to examine the muscular damage and to investigate a causal agent. Sections revealed an important inflammatory response with a large invasion of hemocytes into tissues and a heavy necrosis of muscular fibers. Additionally, molecular biology analyses were carried out to search for bacteria and protozoan agents using generic primers. In both histological and molecular assays, bacteria and protozoans were discounted. We monitored 4 sites scattered around the bay over 2 yr. The mean prevalence was < 12% without seasonal variation in 3 sites against 30% and a winter peak in 1 site. The latter site was accurately surveyed and revealed that clams at the sediment surface (abnormal position) were affected 3 times more frequently than buried clams (normal position)

Selective control of vortex polarities by microwave field in two robustly synchronized spin-torque nano-oscillators

International audienceManipulating operation states of coupled spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs), including their synchronization, is essential for applications such as complex oscillator networks. In this work we experimentally demonstrate selective control of two coupled vortex STNOs through microwave-assisted switching of their vortex core polarities. First, the two oscillators are shown to synchronize due to dipolar interaction in a broad frequency range tuned by external biasing field. Coherent output is demonstrated along with strong linewidth reduction. Then, we show individual vortex polarity control of each oscillator, which leads to synchronization/desynchronization due to accompanied frequency shift. Our methods can be easily extended to multiple-element coupled oscillator networks

The Manila clam population in Arcachon Bay (SW France): Can it be kept sustainable?

ACLInternational audienceno abstrac

Stable isotopes changes in the adductor muscle of diseased bivalve <I>Ruditapes philippinarum</I>

International audienceIn this article, we show how a disease could bias stable isotope analyzes of trophic networks and propose a strategy in the choice of tissues to be analyzed. In the past few years, a new pathology (brown muscle disease or BMD) affecting the posterior adductor muscle of Ruditapes philippinarum has emerged in Arcachon Bay. BMD induces a necrosis of muscle tissues which become infused by conchiolin and hence calcified. As muscle of mollusks are often used for trophic food webs studies through stable isotopic analyzes, this work investigated the effect of BMD on carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of anterior and posterior adductor muscles of clams collected in February and August 2007. Infected clams displayed a lower condition index and a posterior adductor muscle δ13C enrichment of 1.2‰ in February and 0.7‰ in August. δ15N of posterior muscles was however not affected by the disease. Anterior muscle of diseased clams remained healthy and displayed the same isotopic signature as both posterior and anterior muscular tissues of healthy clam. Acidification significantly depleted δ13C in posterior muscles of infected clams, suggesting calcification, contrary to anterior muscles of infected clam and to both muscles of healthy clams, where no effect was observed. An X-ray diffractometry analysis confirmed the presence of CaCO3 (aragonite). Trophic food web studies relying on stable isotope ratios should utilize only healthy animals or anterior adductor muscles when expertise in mollusk pathology is lacking

Probing Phase Coupling Between Two Spin-Torque Nano-Oscillators with an External Source

Phase coupling between auto-oscillators is central for achieving coherent responses such as synchronization. Here we present an experimental approach to probe it in the case of two dipolarly coupled spin-torque vortex nano-oscillators using an external microwave field. By phase locking one oscillator to the external source, we observe frequency pulling on the second oscillator. From coupled phase equations we show analytically that this frequency pulling results from concerted actions of oscillator-oscillator and sourceoscillator couplings. The analysis allows us to determine the strength and phase shift of coupling between two oscillators, yielding important information for the implementation of large interacting oscillator networks