Effect of CoSi2 buffer layer on structure and magnetic properties of Co films grown on Si（001） substrate

Buffer layer provides an opportunity to enhance the quality of ultrathin magnetic films.In this paper,Co films with different thickness of Co Si2buffer layers were grown on Si(001)substrates.In order to investigate morphology,structure,and magnetic properties of films,scanning tunneling microscope(STM),low energy electron diffraction(LEED),high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM),and surface magneto-optical Kerr effect(SMOKE)were used.The results show that the crystal quality and magnetic anisotropies of the Co films are strongly affected by the thickness of Co Si2buffer layers.Few Co Si2monolayers can prevent the interdiffusion of Si substrate and Co film and enhance the Co film quality.Furthermore,the in-plane magnetic anisotropy of Co film with optimal buffer layer shows four-fold symmetry and exhibits the two-jumps of magnetization reversal process,which is the typical phenomenon in cubic(001)films.     

Microstructural and electromagnetic properties of MnO2 coated nickel particles with submicron size

Nickel particles with submicron size are prepared by using the solvothermal method. These spheres are then coated with a layer of MnO2 using the soft chemical method. The microstructure is characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Energy x-ray dispersive spectrometry and high-resolution images show that the granular composites have a classical core/shell structure with an MnO2 superficial layer,no more than 10 nm in thickness. The hysteresis measurements indicate that these submicron-size Ni composite powders have small remanence and moderate coercivity. The electromagnetic properties of the powders measured by a vector network analyzer in a frequency range of 2-18 GHz are also reported in detail.     

Structures and magnetic anisotropy of β-Mn2V2O7 crystals synthesized by the molten salt method

β-Mn2V2O7 crystals with strip shape are successfully prepared by the molten salt method in a closed crucible,and are characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM),selected area of electron diffraction (SAED) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).The results indicate that the sample is of the β-Mn2V2O7 crystal with monoclinic symmetry,level natural cleavage facets and directional growth.Magnetic properties are measured by vibration sample magnetometry (VSM) at room temperature,and the magnetic hysteresis loop indicates that the β-Mn2V2O7 has anti-ferromagnetic properties with low coercive force and remnant magnetization.The magnetic measurement results in different directions exhibit that the β-Mn2V2O7 has magnetic anisotropy,which is due to the fact that the magnetic interaction energy of the β-Mn2V2O7 is lowest only when the electron configuration is in a certain direction.     

The electron transport characters in a nanostructure with the periodic magnetic-electric barriers

This paper detailedly studies the transmission probability, the spin polarization and the conductance of the ballistic electron in a nanostructure with the periodic magnetic-electric barriers. These observable quantities are found to be strongly dependent not only on the magnetic configuration, the incident electron energy and the incident wave vector, but also on the number of the periodic magnetic-electric barriers. The transmission coefficient and the spin polarization show a periodic pattern with the increase of the separation between two adjacent magnetic fields, and the resonance splitting increases as the number of periods increases. Surprisingly, it is found that a polarization can be achieved by spin-dependent resonant tunnelling in this structure, although the average magnetic field of the structure is zero.     

Magnetic properties of a Pt/Co₂ FeAl/MgO structure with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

Microstructures and magnetic properties of Ta/Pt/Co 2 FeAl(CFA)/MgO multilayers are studied to understand perpendicular magnetic anisotropy(PMA) of half-metallic full-Heusler alloy films.PMA is realized in a 2.5-nm CFA film with B2-ordered structure observed by a high resolution transmission electron microscope.It is demonstrated that a high quality interface between the ferromagnetic layer and oxide layer is not essential for PMA.The conversions between in-plane anisotropy and PMA are investigated to study the dependence of magnetic moment on temperature.At the intersection points,the decreasing slope of the saturation magnetization(M s) changes because of the conversions.The dependence of M s on the annealing temperature and MgO thickness is also studied.     

Synthesis, structure and antiferromagnetic behaviour of brannerite MnV2O6

Brannerite MnV 2 O 6 with plate-like shape is successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method.Its crystal structure and morphology are investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscope (TEM),high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and select area electronic diffraction (SAED).The results show that the brannerite MnV 2 O 6 with monoclinic structure has a uniform plate-like shape with a diameter of about 5-8 μm and a thickness of about 500 nm.SAED patterns further confirm the structure of the brannerite MnV 2 O 6 and the single crystalline character of the plate crystal.Magnetic properties are measured by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) in a temperature range of 2-300 K under a magnetic field of 1 T.The magnetic measurement results indicate that the material undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition with a N’eel temperature of 17 K.Above 50 K,the inverse susceptibility is fitted well to the Curie-Weiss law with a calculated moment of 5.98 μ B.Finally,the origin of antiferromagnetic behaviour in the brannerite MnV 2 O 6 is explained by means of Anderson model.     

Magnetic behaviour investigation on symmetric spin valves of Co／Cu／NiFe and NiFe／Cu／Co

In this paper,we have obtained and investigated the magnetic behaviours of the ferromagnetic layer in the symmetric spin valves of Co/Cu/NiFe and NiFe/Cu/Co by measuring with a vibrating sample magnetometer and analysing in terms of the multi-domain Ising models.It has been found that some magnetic layer can have quite different magnetic behaviours in different structures of spin valves,depending on the properties of the under-layer.In our investigation,we have found that the magnetic behaviour of a Co layer depends mainly on the magnetization of the under-layer,whereas this is not the case for the NiFe layer.     

Effect of Mn-doping on the growth mechanism and electromagnetic properties of chrysanthemum-like ZnO nanowire clusters

Chrysanthemum-like ZnO nanowire clusters with different Mn-doping concentrations are prepared by a hydrothermal process. The microstructure, morphology and electromagnetic properties are characterized by x-ray diffractometer high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), a field emission environment scanning electron microscope (FEESEM) and a microwave vector network analyser respectively. The experimental results indicate that the as-prepared products are Mn-doped ZnO single crystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite structure, that the growth habit changes due to Mn-doping and that a good magnetic loss property is found in the Mn-doped ZnO products, and the average magnetic loss tangent tanδ_m is up to 0.170099 for 3% Mn-doping, while the dielectric loss tangent tanδ_e is weakened, owing to the fact that ions Mn^{2 +} enter the crystal lattice of ZnO.     

Synthesis of large-scale GaN nanowires by ammoniating Ga2O3 films on Co layer deposited on Si（111） substrates

A mass of GaN nanowires has been successfully synthesized on Si（111） substrates by magnetron sputtering through ammoniating Ga2O3/Co films at 950℃. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscope and Fourier transformed infrared spectra are used to characterize the samples. The results demonstrate that the nanowires are of single-crystal GaN with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and possess relatively smooth surfaces. The growth mechanism of GaN nanowires is also discussed.     

Effect of Crucibles on Qualities of Self-Seeded Aluminium Nitride Crystals Grown by Sublimation

Self-seeded aluminium nitride （AlN） crystals are grown in tungsten and hot pressed boron nitride （HPBN） crucibles with different shapes by a sublimation method. The qualities of the AlN crystals are characterized by high-resolution transmission electronic microscopy （HRTEM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and Micro-Rarnan spectroscopy. The results indicate that the better quality crystals can be collected in conical tungsten crucible.     

Magnetic Tunnel Junctions with MgO／Al-O Composite Barriers

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with structures of Ta(5 nm)/Cu(30nm)/Ta(5 nm)/Ni79Fe21 (5 nm)/Ir22Mn78 (12 nm)/Co62Fe20B18 (4 nm)/MgO(d)/Al(0.8 nm)-oxide/Co62Fe20B18 (6 nm)/Cu(30 nm)/Ta(5 nm) on a thermally oxidized Si wafer substrate were fabricated by magnetron sputtering and photolithographic patterning method. The tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) and the bias dependence of TMR at room temperature for the MTJs with different thickness d of MgO are investigated. TMR values of over 50% as high as those of the MTJs with pure Al-O barrier and the TMR-voltage curve asymmetries, which vary with the increase of d, are observed in the MTJs with hybrid barriers after annealing at 265℃ for an hour. The dependences of TMR, resistance and coercivity of the MTJs with composite barriers on temperature are also investigated.     

ZnO nanorod arrays with tunable size and field emission properties on an ITO substrate achieved by an electrodeposition method

In the present work,vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays with tunable size are successfully synthesized on nonseeded ITO glass substrates by a simple electrodeposition method.The effect of growth conditions on the phase,morphology,and orientation of the products are studied in detail by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).It is observed that the as-prepared nanostructures exhibit a preferred orientation along c axis,and the size and density of the ZnO nanorod can be controlled by changing the concentration of ZnCl2.Field emission properties of the as-synthesized samples with different diameters are also studied,and the results show that the nanorod arrays with a smaller diameter and appropriate rod density exhibit better emission properties.The ZnO nanorod arrays show a potential application in field emitters.     

Magnetic Properties of Co-Doped TiO2 Films Grown on TiN Buffered Silicon Substrates

Co-doped TiO2 thin films are grown on TiN buffered silicon substrates by the pulsed laser deposition method and then hydrogenated. Transmission electron microscopy and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements have shown that the TiN buffer layer can suffer a 400℃ deposition temperature and prevent the growth of silicon dioxide on silicon. After that, the room temperature ferromagnetism behaviors are observed in the hydrogenated samples, which are measured by the alternating gradient magnetometer. X- ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption fine structure measurements have revealed the existence of cobalt clusters. According to the material analysis, the magnetic behavior after hydrogenation is suggested to be induced by the enhancement of cobalt dusters.     

Magnetic properties of a Pt/Co2FeAl/MgO structure with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

Microstructures and magnetic properties of Ta/Pt/Co 2 FeAl（CFA）/MgO multilayers are studied to understand perpendicular magnetic anisotropy（PMA） of half-metallic full-Heusler alloy films.PMA is realized in a 2.5-nm CFA film with B2-ordered structure observed by a high resolution transmission electron microscope.It is demonstrated that a high quality interface between the ferromagnetic layer and oxide layer is not essential for PMA.The conversions between in-plane anisotropy and PMA are investigated to study the dependence of magnetic moment on temperature.At the intersection points,the decreasing slope of the saturation magnetization（M s） changes because of the conversions.The dependence of M s on the annealing temperature and MgO thickness is also studied.     

Structural,magnetic properties,and electronic structure of hexagonal FeCoSn compound

The structural, magnetic properties, and electronic structures of hexagonal Fe Co Sn compounds with as-annealed bulk and ribbon states were investigated by x-ray powder diffraction(XRD), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), transmission electron microscope(TEM), scanning electron microscope(SEM), magnetic measurements, and first-principles calculations. Results indicate that both states of FeCoSn show an Ni_2In-type hexagonal structure with a small amount of FeCo-rich secondary phase. The Curie temperatures are located at 257 K and 229 K, respectively. The corresponding magnetizations are 2.57 μB/f.u. and 2.94 μB/f.u. at 5 K with a field of 50 kOe(1 Oe = 79.5775 A·m~(-1)). The orbital hybridizations between 3 d elements are analyzed from the distribution of density of states(DOS), showing that Fe atoms carry the main magnetic moments and determine the electronic structure around Fermi level. A peak of DOS at Fermi level accounts for the presence of the FeCo-rich secondary phase. The Ni_2In-type hexagonal FeCoSn compound can be used during the isostructural alloying for tuning phase transitions.     

Interlayer Coupling in Co/Ti/（Gd-Co）/Ti Artificial Layered Ferrimagnet

The magnetic properties and the structure of [Co/Ti/Gd0.36 Co0.64/Ti]4/Co multilayers are investigated by means of torque magnetometer, vibrating sample magnetometer and transverse magneto-optic Kerr effect （TMOKE） measurements and the atomic force microscopy. Due to interlayer exchange interaction, Co and Gd-Co layers form a macroscopic ferrimagnetic system. The change in the sign of the TMOKE hysteresis loops near the compensation temperature and field induced magnetic phase transitions are found. The latter can be characterized by a critical field which shows a linear variation with the temperature. The magnetic properties of these multilayers from many points of view are similar to those of bulk ferrimagnets.     

Effect of polyacrylamide on morphology and electromagnetic properties of chrysanthemum-like ZnO particles

Through hydrothermal process, the chrysanthemum-like ZnO particles are prepared with zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(CH₃COO)₂\cdot 2H₂O) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) used as main resources under the different concentrations of surfactant polyacrylamide (PAM). The microstructure, morphology and the electromagnetic properties of the as-prepared products are characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission environment scanning electron microscope (FEESEM) and microwave vector network analyzer, respectively. The experimental results indicate that the as-prepared products are ZnO single crystalline with hexagona wurtzite structure, that the values of slenderness ratio L_d are different in different PAM concentrations, and that the good magnetic loss property is found in the ZnO products, and the average magnetic loss tangent tanδ_u increases with PAM concentration increasing, while the dielectric loss tangent tanδ _e decreases.     

Photoluminescence Properties of Silicon Nanowires and Carbon Nanotube—Silicon Nanowire Composite Arrays

Composite arrays of multi-wall carbon nanotubes(MWNTs)and silicon nanowires(SiNWs) are fabricated by means of the chemical vapour deposition method in porous anodic aluminium oxide(AAO) templates.The results of the scanning electron microscopy.high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.and transmission electron microscopy have shown that SiNWs are successful nested or filled in the hollow cavities of synthesized MWNT arrays in AAO templates to form MWNT-SiNW composite arrays.The photoluminescence(PL) intensity degradation and a blueshift of PL peak position,usually created from the chemical instability of the SiNW surfaces,are decreased and eliminated clearly in the composite arrays.The composite arrays of MWNTs-SiNWs exhibit more enhanced intensity and stability of PL performance than the SiNW arrays deposited in AAO templates.     

Structure, room-temperature magnetic and optical properties of Mn-doped TiO2 nano powders prepared by the sol-gel process

TiO 2 nano powders with Mn concentration of 0 at%-12 at% were synthesized by the sol-gel process,and were annealed at 500 C and 800 C in air for 2 hrs.X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements indicate that the Mn-TiO 2 nano powders with Mn concentration of 1 at% and 2 at% annealed at 500 and 800 C are of pure anatase and rutile,respectively.The scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations reveal that the crystal grain size increases with the annealing temperature,and the high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigations further indicate that the samples are well crystallized,confirming that Mn has doped into the TiO 2 crystal lattice effectively.The room temperature ferromagnetism,which could be explained within the scope of the bound magnetic polaron (BMP) theory,is detected in the Mn-TiO 2 samples with Mn concentration of 2 at%,and the magnetization of the powders annealed at 500 C is stronger than that of the sample treated at 800 C.The UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectra results demonstrate that the absorption of the TiO 2 powders could be enlarged by the enhanced trapped electron absorption caused by Mn doping.     

Effects of Processing Parameters on Microstructure and Properties of Nanoscale ZrC/ZrB2 Multilayered Coatings

ZrC/ZrB2 multilayered coatings with bilayer periods of 3.5-40nm are synthesized by rf magnetron sputtering. Analyses of x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and nanoindentation indicate that multilayered coatings possess much higher hardness and greater fracture resistance than monolithic ZrC and ZrB2 coatings. A maximum hardness （41.TCPa） and a critical fracture load （73.7mN） are observed in the multilayer with A = 32 nm deposited at the substrate bias -40 V. Higher residual stress built in the ZrC layer can be released by periodic insertion of ZrB2 into the ZrC layer. A clear multilayered structure with mixed ZrB2（001）, ZrB2 （002） and ZrC （111） orientations should be responsible for the enhanced mechanical properties.