Influence of annealing parameters on the ferromagnetic properties of optimally passivated (Ga,Mn)As epilayers

The influence of annealing parameters - temperature and time - on the magnetic properties of As-capped (Ga,Mn)As epitaxial thin films have been investigated. The dependence of the transition temperature (Tc) on annealing time marks out two regions. The Tc peak behavior, characteristic of the first region, is more pronounced for thick samples, while for the second (`saturated') region the effect of the annealing time is more pronounced for thin samples. A right choice of the passivation medium, growth conditions along with optimal annealing parameters routinely yield Tc-values of ~ 150 K and above, regardless of the thickness of the epilayers.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Simulations of magnetic microstructure in thin film elements used for programmable motion of magnetic particles

The results of two-dimensional micromagnetic modeling of magnetization patterns in Permalloy ellipses under the influence of rotating constant-amplitude magnetic fields are discussed. Ellipses of two different lateral sizes have been studied, 0.5m x 1.5m and 1m x 3m. The amplitude of the rotating magnetic field was varied between simulations with the condition that it must be large enough to saturate or nearly saturate the ellipse with the field applied along the long axis of the ellipse. For the smaller ellipse size it is found that the magnetization pattern forms an S state and the direction of the net magnetization lags behind the direction of the applied field. At a critical angle of the rotating magnetic field the direction of the magnetization switches by a large angle to a new S state. Both the critical angle and the angle interval of the switch depend on field amplitude. For this new state, it is instead the applied field direction that lags behind the magnetization direction. The transient magnetization patterns correspond to multi-domain patterns including two vortices, but this state never exists for the equilibrated magnetization patterns. The behavior of the larger ellipse in rotating field is different. With the field applied along the long-axis of the ellipse, the magnetization of the ellipse is nearly saturated with a vortex close to each apex of the ellipse. As the field is rotated, this magnetization pattern remains and the net-magnetization direction lags behind the direction of the field until for a certain angle of the applied field an equilibrium multi-domain state is created. Comparisons are made with corresponding experimental results obtained by performing in-field magnetic force microscopy on Permalloy ellipses

Coherence and modality of driven interlayer-coupled magnetic vortices

The high-frequency dynamics of mode-coupled magnetic vortices have generated great interest for spintronic technologies, such as spin-torque nano-oscillators. While the spectroscopic characteristics of vortex oscillators have been reported, direct imaging of driven coupled magnetic quasi-particles is essential to the fundamental understanding of the dynamics involved. Here, we present the first direct imaging study of driven interlayer coaxial vortices in the dipolar- and indirect exchange-coupled regimes. Employing in situ high-frequency excitation with Lorentz microscopy, we directly observe the steady-state orbital amplitudes in real space with sub-5nm spatial resolution. We discuss the unique frequency response of dipolar- and exchange-coupled vortex motion, wherein mode splitting and locking demonstrates large variations in coherent motion, as well as detail the resultant orbital amplitudes. This provides critical insights of the fundamental features of collective vortex-based microwave generators, such as their steady-state amplitudes, tunability and mode-coupled motion. © 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited

Symmetry breaking of magnetic vortices before annihilation

Magnetic vortices in nanoscopic ferromagnetic elements can be treated as solitons that exhibit static and dynamic stability even above room temperature, making them promising for technological applications. Although their properties at low energy configurations have been well studied, the properties of solitons undergoing structural breakdown are poorly understood. Here, we destabilize the soliton through Zeeman and demagnetization interactions and investigate the symmetry breaking of the magnetic vortex state. Using high-resolution Lorentz imaging and numerical simulations, we observe phase transitions of the core from the characteristic point-like structure into distinct extended asymmetric states differentiated by the polarity. The deformations start at intermediate displacements and are traced until the point of annihilation at the disc\u27s edge. We discuss the use of these asymmetric states as a method to determine the core polarity for in-plane magnetic imaging techniques

The speciation of niobium in the oxide layer of an irradiated Low-Tin ZIRLO nuclear material

In this study the oxidation state of niobium, within the oxide layer of a low-tin ZIRLO1 irradiated in a nuclear reactor, is examined using synchrotron. The unique set up allows simultaneous acquisition of X-ray florescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) maps. A gradual oxidation and evolution of niobium is observed and quantified which is then compared with the information on the distribution of oxide phases revealed by XRD. The results are discussed with the aim to better understand the hydrogen uptake mechanism for this material, particularly the cause of the increased resistance to hydrogen uptake seen in niobium containing alloys