175 research outputs found
Polymerization in magnetic metamaterials
We numerically study a mesoscopic system consisting of magnetic nanorings in
the presence of thermal magnetization fluctuations. We find the formation of
dipolar-field-mediated ``bonds" promoting the formation of annuli clusters,
where the amount of bonds between two rings varies between zero and two. This
system resembles the formation of polymers from artificial atoms, which in our
case are the annuli and where the valency of the atom is set by the ring
multipolarity. We investigate the thermodynamic properties of the resulting
structures, and find a transition associated with the formation of the bonds.
In addition, we find that the system has a tendency to form topological
structures, with a distinct critical temperature in relation to the one for
bond formation
Nanoscale magnetophotonics
This Perspective surveys the state-of-the-art and future prospects of science
and technology employing the nanoconfined light (nanophotonics and
nanoplasmonics) in combination with magnetism. We denote this field broadly as
nanoscale magnetophotonics. We include a general introduction to the field and
describe the emerging magneto-optical effects in magnetoplasmonic and
magnetophotonic nanostructures supporting localized and propagating plasmons.
Special attention is given to magnetoplasmonic crystals with transverse
magnetization and the associated nanophotonic non-reciprocal effects, and to
magneto-optical effects in periodic arrays of nanostructures. We give also an
overview of the applications of these systems in biological and chemical
sensing, as well as in light polarization and phase control. We further review
the area of nonlinear magnetophotonics, the semiconductor spin-plasmonics, and
the general principles and applications of opto-magnetism and nano-optical
ultrafast control of magnetism and spintronics
Thermally induced magnetic relaxation in square artificial spin ice
The properties of natural and artificial assemblies of interacting elements,
ranging from Quarks to Galaxies, are at the heart of Physics. The collective
response and dynamics of such assemblies are dictated by the intrinsic
dynamical properties of the building blocks, the nature of their interactions
and topological constraints. Here we report on the relaxation dynamics of the
magnetization of artificial assemblies of mesoscopic spins. In our model
nano-magnetic system - square artificial spin ice - we are able to control the
geometrical arrangement and interaction strength between the magnetically
interacting building blocks by means of nano-lithography. Using time resolved
magnetometry we show that the relaxation process can be described using the
Kohlrausch law and that the extracted temperature dependent relaxation times of
the assemblies follow the Vogel-Fulcher law. The results provide insight into
the relaxation dynamics of mesoscopic nano-magnetic model systems, with
adjustable energy and time scales, and demonstrates that these can serve as an
ideal playground for the studies of collective dynamics and relaxations.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure
Observation of the nonlinear Wood's anomaly on periodic arrays of nickel nanodimers
Linear and nonlinear magneto-photonic properties of periodic arrays of nickel
nanodimers are governed by the interplay of the (local) optical response of
individual nanoparticles and (non-local) diffraction phenomena, with a striking
example of Wood's anomaly. Angular and magnetic-field dependencies of the
second harmonic intensity evidence Wood's anomaly when new diffraction orders
emerge. Near-infrared spectroscopic measurements performed at different optical
wavelengths and grating constants discriminate between the linear and nonlinear
excitation mechanisms of Wood's anomalies. In the nonlinear regime the Wood's
anomaly is characterized by an order-of-magnitude larger effect in intensity
redistribution between the diffracted beams, as compared to the linear case.
The nonlinear Wood's anomaly manifests itself also in the nonlinear magnetic
contrast highlighting the prospects of nonlinear magneto-photonics.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure
The impact of nanoscale compositional variation on the properties of amorphous alloys
The atomic distribution in amorphous FeZr alloys is found to be close to random, nevertheless, the composition can not be viewed as being homogenous at the nm-scale. The spatial variation of the local composition is identified as the root of the unusual magnetic properties in amorphous Fe1-xZr alloys. The findings are discussed and generalised with respect to the physical properties of amorphous and crystalline materials
The importance of the weak: Interaction modifiers in artificial spin ices
The modification of geometry and interactions in two-dimensional magnetic
nanosystems has enabled a range of studies addressing the magnetic order,
collective low-energy dynamics, and emergent magnetic properties, in e.g.
artificial spin ice structures. The common denominator of all these
investigations is the use of Ising-like mesospins as building blocks, in the
form of elongated magnetic islands. Here we introduce a new approach: single
interaction modifiers, using slave-mesospins in the form of discs, within which
the mesospin is free to rotate in the disc plane. We show that by placing these
on the vertices of square artificial spin ice arrays and varying their
diameter, it is possible to tailor the strength and the ratio of the
interaction energies. We demonstrate the existence of degenerate ice-rule
obeying states in square artificial spin ice structures, enabling the
exploration of thermal dynamics in a spin liquid manifold. Furthermore, we even
observe the emergence of flux lattices on larger length-scales, when the energy
landscape of the vertices is reversed. The work highlights the potential of a
design strategy for two-dimensional magnetic nano-architectures, through which
mixed dimensionality of mesospins can be used to promote thermally emergent
mesoscale magnetic states.Comment: 17 pages, including methods, 4 figures. Supplementary information
contains 16 pages and 15 figure
Magnetic order and energy-scale hierarchy in artificial spin ice
In order to explain and predict the properties of many physical systems, it
is essential to understand the interplay of different energy-scales. Here we
present investigations of the magnetic order in thermalised artificial spin ice
structures, with different activation energies of the interacting Ising-like
elements. We image the thermally equilibrated magnetic states of the
nano-structures using synchrotron-based magnetic microscopy. By comparing
results obtained from structures with one or two different activation energies,
we demonstrate a clear impact on the resulting magnetic order. The differences
are obtained by the analysis of the magnetic spin structure factors, in which
the role of the activation energies is manifested by distinct short-range
order. This demonstrates that artificial spin systems can serve as model
systems, allowing the definition of energy-scales by geometrical design and
providing the backdrop for understanding their interplay.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures (+ supplementary 6 pages, 4 figures
Optically Induced Ferromagnetic Order in a Ferrimagnet
The parallel or antiparallel arrangement of electron spins plays a pivotal
role in determining the properties of a physical system. To meet the demands
for innovative technological solutions, extensive efforts have been dedicated
to exploring effective methods for controlling and manipulating this
arrangement [1]. Among various techniques, ultrashort laser pulses have emerged
as an exceptionally efficient tool to influence magnetic order. Ultrafast
suppression of the magnetic order [2,3], all-optical magnetization switching
[4, 5, 6, 7], and light-induced magnetic phase transitions [8] are just a few
notable examples. However, the transient nature of light-induced changes in the
magnetic state has been a significant limitation, hindering their practical
implementation. In this study, we demonstrate that infrared ultrashort laser
pulses can induce a ferromagnetic arrangement of magnetic moments in an
amorphous TbCo alloy, a material that exhibits ferrimagnetism under equilibrium
conditions. Strikingly, the observed changes in the magnetic properties persist
for significantly longer durations than any previously reported findings. Our
results reveal that ultrashort optical pulses can generate materials with
identical chemical composition and structural state but entirely distinct
magnetic arrangements, leading to unique magnetic properties. This breakthrough
discovery marks a new era in light-driven control of matter, offering the
exciting potential to create materials with properties that were once
considered unattainable
Influence of the magnetic field on the plasmonic properties of transparent Ni anti-dot arrays
Extraordinary optical transmission is observed due to the excitation of
surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in 2-Dimensional hexagonal anti-dot patterns
of pure Ni thin films, grown on sapphire substrates. A strong enhancement of
the polar Kerr rotation is recorded at the surface plasmon related transmission
maximum. Angular resolved reflectivity measurements under an applied field,
reveal an enhancement and a shift of the normalized reflectivity difference
upon reversal of the magnetic saturation (transverse magneto-optical Kerr
effect-TMOKE). The change of the TMOKE signal clearly shows the magnetic field
modulation of the dispersion relation of SPPs launched in a 2D patterned
ferromagnetic Ni film
- …