Two-dimensional behavior of the sublattice magnetization in three-dimensional Ising antiferromagnets

A three-dimensional layered Ising-Antiferromagnet with a ferromagnetic intra-layer coupling to z neighbors, zJ > 0, and an antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling to z' neighbors, z'J' < 0, is investigated by Monte Carlo simulations on a hexagonal lattice. The physical nature of the anomalous temperature bahavior of the sublattice magnetizations, which is found for certain values of r=zJ/z'J' and z' in magnetic fields is explained in terms of successive phase transitions. They take place on the ferromagnetic 2-dimensional spin-down sublattice at T = T_c^{2d}, smeared by a finite stabilizing molecular field, and on both antiferromagnetically coupled sublattices at T_c^{3d} > T_c^{2d}.Comment: 8 pages (TeX), 6 figures (eps), submitted to World Scientific: Proceedings SDHS'99 Duisbur

Models for the magnetic ac susceptibility of granular superferromagnetic CoFe/Al2_2O3_3

The magnetization and magnetic ac susceptibility, $\chi = \chi' - i \chi''$, of superferromagnetic systems are studied by numerical simulations. The Cole-Cole plot, $\chi''$ vs. $\chi'$, is used as a tool for classifying magnetic systems by their dynamical behavior. The simulations of the magnetization hysteresis and the ac susceptibility are performed with two approaches for a driven domain wall in random media. The studies are motivated by recent experimental results on the interacting nanoparticle system Co$_{80}$Fe$_{20}$/Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ showing superferromagnetic behavior. Its Cole-Cole plot indicates domain wall motion dynamics similarly to a disordered ferromagnet, including pinning and sliding motion. With our models we can successfully reproduce the features found in the experimental Cole-Cole plots.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

Superparamagnetic nanoparticle ensembles

Magnetic single-domain nanoparticles constitute an important model system in magnetism. In particular ensembles of superparamagnetic nanoparticles can exhibit a rich variety of different behaviors depending on the inter-particle interactions. Starting from isolated single-domain ferro- or ferrimagnetic nanoparticles the magnetization behavior of both non-interacting and interacting particle-ensembles is reviewed. A particular focus is drawn onto the relaxation time of the system. In case of interacting nanoparticles the usual Neel-Brown relaxation law becomes modified. With increasing interactions modified superparamagnetism, spin glass behavior and superferromagnetism is encountered.Comment: Corrected formula: Eq. (1

Interaction effects and transport properties of Pt capped Co nanoparticles

We studied the magnetic and transport properties of Co nanoparticles (NPs) being capped with varying amounts of Pt. Beside field and temperature dependent magnetization measurements we performed delta-M measurements to study the magnetic interactions between the Co NPs. We observe a transition from demagnetizing towards magnetizing interactions between the particles for an increasing amount of Pt capping. Resistivity measurements show a crossover from giant magnetoresistance towards anisotropic magnetoresistance

Domain wall propagation in Permalloy nanowires with a thickness gradient

The domain wall nucleation and motion processes in Permalloy nanowires with a thickness gradient along the nanowire axis have been studied. Nanowires with widths, w = 250 nm to 3 um and a base thickness of t = 10 nm were fabricated by electron-beam lithography. The magnetization hysteresis loops measured on individual nanowires are compared to corresponding nanowires without a thickness gradient. The Hc vs. t/w curves of wires with and without a thickness gradient are discussed and compared to micromagnetic simulations. We find a metastability regime at values of w, where a transformation from transverse to vortex domain wall type is expected

Fingerprinting the magnetic behavior of antiferromagnetic nanostructures using remanent magnetization curves

Antiferromagnetic (AF) nanostructures from Co3O4, CoO and Cr2O3 were prepared by the nanocasting method and were characterized magnetometrically. The field and temperature dependent magnetization data suggests that the nanostructures consist of a core-shell structure. The core behaves as a regular antiferromagnet and the shell as a two-dimensional diluted antiferromagnet in a field (2d DAFF) as previously shown on Co3O4 nanowires [Benitez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 097206 (2008)]. Here we present a more general picture on three different material systems, i.e. Co3O4, CoO and Cr2O3. In particular we consider the thermoremanent (TRM) and the isothermoremanent (IRM) magnetization curves as "fingerprints" in order to identify the irreversible magnetization contribution originating from the shells. The TRM/IRM fingerprints are compared to those of superparamagnetic systems, superspin glasses and 3d DAFFs. We demonstrate that TRM/IRM vs. H plots are generally useful fingerprints to identify irreversible magnetization contributions encountered in particular in nanomagnets.Comment: submitted to PR

Magnetic phase diagram of the diluted metamagnet Fe\u3csub\u3e0.95\u3c/sub\u3eMg\u3csub\u3e0.05\u3c/sub\u3eBr\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e

The axial magnetic phase diagram of the antiferromagnet Fe0.95Mg0.05Br2 is studied by specific heat, superconducting quantum interference device, and Faraday rotation techniques. The diamagnetic impurities give rise to random-field criticality along the second-order phase line Hc(T) between TN=13.1 K and a multicritical point at Tm≈5 K, and to a spin-flop line between Tm and the critical end-point temperature Te≈3.5 K. The phase line H1(T)c(T) ending at Tm is probably due to symmetric nondiagonal exchange

Magnetic properties and spin structure of MnO single crystal and powder

Zero field cooled (ZFC)/Field Cooled (FC) magnetization curves of a bulk MnO single crystal show a peculiar peak at low temperatures (~40K) similar to the low temperature peak observed in MnO nanoparticles. In order to investigate the origin of this peak, the spin structure of a MnO single crystal has been studied and compared with a single phase powder sample using magnetometry and polarized neutron scattering. Both magnetometry and polarized neutron diffraction results confirm the antiferromagnetic (AF) phase transition at the N\'eel temperature T_N of 118K, in both powder and single crystal form. However, the low temperature peak in the ZFC/FC magnetization curves is not observed in single phase MnO powder. To better understand the observed behavior, ac susceptibility measurements have been employed. We conclude that the clear peak in the magnetic signal from the single crystal originates from a small amount of ferrimagnetic (FiM) Mn2O3 or Mn3O4 impurities, which is grown at the interfaces between MnO crystal twins