Mössbauer studies of spin wave excitations in Fe/Ag multilayers

The magnetic properties of molecular beam epitaxially (MBE) grown FE(110)/Ag(111) heterostructures were investigated with Mössbauer spectroscopy. The Fe bilayers were fixed at 3 ML (monolayer) thickness and the Ag bilayer thickness varied from 4 ML to 20 ML. We found that as the Ag layer became thick enough (>17 ML) to magnetically isolate the Fe layers, a quasi-linear temperature dependence of the hyperfine field results due to the 2-D spin wave excitations. As the Ag layer is reduced, a dimensional crossover in the excitations is induced by the magnetic interaction between Fe layers which makesM(T) change from a two-dimensionalT relation to a three-dimensionalT ^3/2 dependence. We constructed a simple theoretical model to motivate the explanation for the experimental results and obtained approximate values for the interlayer coupling strength for various Ag bilayer thicknesses.     

Influence of Si on spin and charge density changes in bcc-iron

The influence of Si on the ⁵⁷Fe and ¹¹⁹Sn site hyperfine (hf) fields and isomer shifts has been studied for a series of Fe-Si alloys containing up to ca. 13 at% Si and ca. 0.9 at% ¹¹⁹Sn. The observed changes of the hf fields and the isomer shifts have been interpreted as reflecting spin and charge density changes, respectively. The following correlations could be established: hf field H(0,0) vs. isomer shift IS(0,0) of undisturbed atomic neighbour configurations (0,0), average hf field, H? vs. average isomer shift, $\text{IS}$; average hf field, H? vs. average number of Si atoms within the first two neighbour shells, N?. Based on the f correlations the following hf coupling constants have been determined: a) the hf coupling constant for s-like itinerant electrons are 690 kOe/s-el for Fe and 2100 kOe/s-el for Sn, b) the average hf coupling constants are 660 kOe/s-el and 2100 kOe/s-el for Fe and Sn, respectively. From the correlation between H? and N? the changes in the spin or charge densities caused be one Si atom per unit cell, η, have been deduced as follows: η(Fe)=0.17 and η(Sn)=0.03. Comparison is made with previously reported equivalent results for the Fe-Al system.     

Application of M?ssbauer spectroscopy in magnetism

An overview is provided on our recent work that applies ⁵⁷Fe M?ssbauer spectroscopy to specific problems in nanomagnetism. ⁵⁷Fe conversion electron M?ssbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) in conjunction with the ⁵⁷Fe probe layer technique as well as ⁵⁷Fe nuclear resonant scattering (NRS) were employed for the study of various nanoscale layered systems: (i) metastable fct-Fe; a strongly enhanced hyperfine magnetic field B_hf of ～39?T at 25?K was observed in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) on uncoated three-monolayers thick epitaxial face-centered tetragonal (fct) ⁵⁷Fe(110) ultrathin films grown by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) on vicinal Pd(110) substrates; this indicates the presence of enhanced Fe local moments, μ_Fe, as predicted theoretically; (ii) Fe spin structure; by applying magnetic fields, the Fe spin structure during magnetization reversal in layered (Sm–Co)/Fe exchange spring magnets and in exchange-biased Fe/MnF₂ bilayers was proven to be non-collinear and depth-dependent; (iii) ferromagnet/semiconductor interfaces for electrical spin injection; CEMS was used as a diagnostic tool for the investigation of magnetism at the buried interface of Fe electrical contacts on the clean surface of GaAs(001) and GaAs(001)-based spin light-emitting diodes (spin LED) with in-plane or out-of-plane Fe spin orientation; the measured rather large average hyperfine field of ～27?T at 295?K and the distribution of hyperfine magnetic fields, P(B_hf), provide evidence for the absence of magnetically “dead” layers and the existence of relatively large Fe moments (μ_Fe ～ 1.8?μ_B) at the ferromagnet/semiconductor interface. - Finally, a short outlook is given for potential applications of M?ssbauer spectroscopy on topical subjects of nanomagnetism/spintronics.     

The spin texture in Fe/Tb multilayers

Fe/Tb multilayers (ML) have been prepared in UHV. The layer thickness for Fe was varied from 10 to 80 Å with Tb-layer thicknesses of 3.5, 7, 14 and 26 Å. Different substrate temperatures T_s between T_s=130 K and RT have been used. The magnetic spin texture was studied by⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy from T=4.2 K to 670 K. The ferrimagnetic coupling between Fe and Tb moments was observed by Mössbauer studies in external fields up to 5 T.     

Mössbauer studies of the magnetic behavior of amorphous Mn x Sn1−x alloys

We present systematic low temperature in situ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer effect (ME) studies in vapor quenched amorphous Mn _x Sn_1?x (0.09<x<0.95) alloys between 150 and 4.2 K. It is shown that the magnetic behavior of the system is correctly displayed by the transferred magnetic hyperfine (hf) interactions detected at the¹¹⁹Sn site. Combining the results of the concentration dependence of the transferred magnetic hf field and the ordering temperature with recent ac-magnetic susceptibility data reported on this system, a complete magnetic phase diagram is proposed. The effect of an external magnetic field (up to about 3 T) on the spin correlations in the spin-glass state is also discussed.     

Contact-induced magnetism in nanostructures based on chromium with nonmagnetic metal monolayers

Magnetic ordering is studied in Cr/X (1 ML) layer structures with monatomic layers (ML) of nonmagnetic metals (X = Sn, V, Ag, Au) incorporated into a chromium matrix. The mechanism associated with a redistribution of the charge and spin densities near the Cr/X interface and through which a spin-density wave (SDW) is induced and modified in these systems is analyzed. A semiphenomenological model is considered in detail in terms of which SDW structure near a single planar nonmagnetic defect can be described qualitatively using the Ginzburg-Landau functional. The spatial SDW configuration in a [Cr(t/X(1 ML)] superlattice is calculated, and the dependences of the SDW parameters on the temperature T, type of metal X, and superlattice period t are established. Based on the results of the study, experimental Mössbauer spectroscopy data are interpreted.     

57Fe,61Ni and91Zr hyperfine field distributions in magnetic Tm-Zr amorphous alloys

Pulsed NMR measurements were performed on [Tm₁ (Tm₂)]_90+x Zr_10?x (Tm=Fe, Co, Ni) amorphous alloys utilizing a newly developed low temperature wide band probehead-preamplifier system. A 11,6 T broad⁵⁷Fe hyperfine field distribution around the average of 23.6 T together with a less intensive peak around 11 T has been found in Fe_90.6Zr_9.4, in excellent agreement with Mössbauer studies. A rather flat distribution around the average value of 14.8 T characterizes the transferred hyperfine field at the Zr sites in the same alloy. Both features provide strong evidence for a broad range of exchange interactions and variations in the spin density at the Fe sites in this material. A much narrower and symmetrical distribution at the Zr sites around 10 T in Co₉₀Zr₁₀ is evidence of the higher magnetic homogeneity of this alloy as compared to Fe₉₀Zr₁₀. In Fe₆₀Ni₃₀Zr₁₀, in addition to the⁵⁷Fe signal, a contribution from⁶¹Ni nuclei could be separated, corresponding to an average hyperfine field value of 15.3 T.     

Production of spin polarized 12N through heavy ion reactions

The structural and magnetic properties of Ho substituted BiFeO₃ (BHFO) have been investigated using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) as a function of temperature. The Mössbauer spectrum obtained at room temperature for the as-synthesized BHFO sample exhibits broadened features due to the hyperfine field distributions related to the local variation of the neighbourhood of Fe and the magnetic hyperfine splitting patterns are indicative of magnetic ordering, mostly probably screwed or slightly antiferromagnetic. The spectrum was fitted with two superimposed asymmetric sextets, with similar hyperfine magnetic fields of B_hf1 = 48.0(1) T and B_hf2 = 49.0(1) T, corresponding to rhombohedral BFO. The hyperfine fields of the magnetic components decreased systematically with increasing temperature to a ‘field distribution’ just below the Néel temperature, T_N ~ 600 K. At temperatures above 600 K, the spectral line associated with the Bi₂₅FeO₄₀ impurity phase dominates the spectra. This phase is confirmed by XRD measurements. From the temperature dependence of the site populations of the spectral components an average Debye temperature of θ _D = 240(80) K has been estimated.     

31P NMR in the ferromagnetic state of amorphous Fe75P15C10

The first observation of a metalloid site hyperfine field (hf) distribution in a ferromagnetic amorphous alloy is reported using a spin-echo NMR technique. The ³¹P nuclei in amorphous Fe₇₅P₁₅C₁₀ show a hf distribution with a maximum at about 27 kOe. The sample was prepared with Fe enriched to 99.93% in ⁵⁶Fe. A comparison of the NMR spectra on samples containing natural Fe and ⁵⁶Fe also provides the ⁵⁷Fe hf distribution whose peak value agrees with Mössbauer results.     

Temperature dependence of the hyperfine fields in NiFe2O4 and CuFe2O4 oxides

We report the temperature dependence of the magnetic properties of (Ni, Cu)Fe₂O₄ spinel oxides. Mössbauer spectra for NiFe₂O₄ at various temperatures (79 ≤?T?≤ 900 K) are well fitted by two sextets associated with ⁵⁷Fe nuclei at tetrahedral (A) and octahedral (B) sites. The Curie point T _C was deduced by zero velocity Mössbauer technique to be 873 ± 3 K. The hyperfine fields are observed to vary with temperature according to the equation $B_{\rm hf} (T)=B_{\rm hf} (0)[{1-(T/T_{\rm C})^n}]^{\beta_n}$ where n?=?1 (based on the Landau–Ginzburg theory) and n?=?2 (based on the Stoner theory). A systematic decrease of the Mössbauer spectrum shift with increasing temperature is observed.     

Mössbauer study of iron-doped lithium niobate

From Mössbauer spectra of LiNbO₃⁵⁷Fe(III) single crystals under external fields of 4.92 and 6.2 T, the crystal field and hyperfine parameters are determined. Transmission integral fits indicate a Boltzmann population of the Fe(III) electronic levels with a spin temperature equal to the sample temperature. Spectra at external fields of 0 T and 19 mT can be satisfactorily simulated using an effective spin 1/2,g-factors calculated from spin-expectation values and an internal averaged dipole field of 5.5 mT inclined 20 to thec-axis. The simulations indicate cross-relaxation between Nb and Li nuclear spins and the Fe(III) electronic spin.     

Nuclear larmor precession of the 14 keV state of57Fe in α-iron following the reaction56Fe (d,p)57Fe

The spin precession of the 14 keV state of⁵⁷Fe, excited by the⁵⁶Fe(d,p) reaction was observed in ferromagnetic Fe. The data yield a magnetic field of ? 330±4 kG and a relaxation time τ _r > 500 ns at room temperature.     

151Eu and57Fe Mössbauer effect studies of magnetic interactions in europium transition element oxides solution

The solid state solutions of europium transition element oxides Eu (Fe0.8M0.2)O₃ (M=Sc,Cr,Mn,Co) are synthesized. The X-ray diffraction of the compound shows that all the compounds possess the perovskite structures. Both the¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectra and the⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra are measured. The hyperfine magnetic field and non-axisymmetric electric field gradient are observed in the¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectrum. The⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrum shows that there are four components of hyperfine fields corresponding to four kinds of different neighbours of the Fe ion.     

Magnetic coupling in Gd(Fe6−x Cr x )Al6: A57Fe Mössbauer study

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer measurements have been made on the ternary ThMn₁₂-type intermetallic compounds Gd(Fe_6–x Cr _x )Al₆ withx=0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0, at temperatures of 4.2 and 77 K. The principal effect of the Cr substitution is to reduce the⁵⁷Fe magnetic hyperfine field at 4.2 K in this series. The analysis of the⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra is consistent with a ferromagnetic coupling between the Gd and Cr magnetic moments. These results are in agreement with previous studies by Felner et al. on GdCr₆Al₆, in which a ferromagnetic ordering withT _C=170 K was observed.On leave from Applied Acoustics Institute, Shaanxi Teachers University, Xian, PR China.     

The interaction of Fe on MgO(1 0 0) surfaces

The atomic interaction and magnetic properties of ultrathin Fe films grown on cleaved and polished MgO(1 0 0) surfaces were studied by conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy (CEMS). ⁵⁷Fe layers were deposited as probe atoms in different layer positions in 10 ML thick Fe films. Fe layers of different thicknesses were formed on polished and cleaved substrate surfaces at RT deposition. The analysis of the spectra showed no Fe-O^2- interaction in MgO/Fe interface. FeO phase formation was excluded. The Mössbauer spectrum of 5 ML ⁵⁷Fe sample showed enhanced internal magnetic field at 80 K. No interdiffusion of ⁵⁷Fe and ⁵⁶Fe atoms was observed between the layers at room temperature.     

Layer magnetization canting in 57Fe/FeSi multilayer observed by synchrotron Mössbauer reflectometry

Synchrotron Mössbauer reflectometry and CEMS results on a [⁵⁷Fe(2.55 nm)/FeSi\break(1.57 nm)]₁₀ multilayer (ML) on a Zerodur substrate are reported. CEMS spectra are satisfactorily fitted by α‐Fe and an interface layer of random α‐(Fe, Si) alloy of 20% of the ⁵⁷Fe layer thickness on both sides of the individual Fe layers. Kerr loops show a fully compensated AF magnetic layer structure. Prompt X‐ray reflectivity curves show the structural ML Bragg peak and Kiessig oscillations corresponding to a bilayer period and total film thickness of 4.12 and 41.2 nm, respectively. Grazing incidence nuclear resonant Θ–2Θ scans and time spectra (E = 14.413 keV, λ = 0.0860 nm) were recorded in different external magnetic fields (0 < B^ext < 0.95 T) perpendicular to the scattering plane. The time integral delayed nuclear Θ–2Θ scans reveal the magnetic ML period doubling. With increasing transversal external magnetic field, the antiferromagnetic ML Bragg peak disappears due to Fe layer magnetization canting, the extent of which is calculated from the fit of the time spectra and the Θ–2Θ scans using an optical approach. In a weak external field the Fe layer magnetization directions are neither parallel with nor perpendicular to the external field. We suggest that the interlayer coupling in [Fe/FeSi]₁₀ varies with the distance from the substrate and the ML consists of two magnetically distinct regions, being of ferromagnetic character near substrate and antiferromagnetic closer to the surface.     

Lattice dynamical behaviour of Fe(II) spin crossover compounds from57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy

Temperature-dependent transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to determine the Debye-Waller factors and hyperfine interaction parameters of the Fe(II) spin crossover complexes: Fe(phen)₂(NCS)₂, Fe(bipy)₂(NCS)₂ and Fe(py)₂phen(NCS)₂, and also the non-crossover system Fe(py)₄(NCS)₂. In the spin conversion systems, thef _LS is higher than thef _HS, which indicates different lattice dynamical properties at the metal sites in the¹A₁ and⁵T₂ configurations, and is discussed in relation to the metal-ligand bonding interactions in the two spin states.     

Crystallization and melting of spin-polarized<Superscript>3</Superscript>He

The melting and growth of³He crystals, spin-polarized by an external magnetic field, are different in nature depending on whether the temperature is higher or lower than the characteristic ordering temperatures in the crystal (the Neel temperatureT _N ) and in the liquid (the superfluid transition temperatureT _c ). In the high-temperature region (T≥T _N ,T _c ) the liquid which appears upon melting has a high nonequilibrium spin density. In the low-temperature region (T?T _N ,T _c ) the melting and growth are accompanied by spin supercurrents both in the liquid and in the crystal in addition to mass supercurrents in the liquid. The crystallization waves at the liquid-solid interface should exist in the low-temperature region. With increasing magnetic field the waves change in nature, because the spin currents begin to play a dominant role. The wave spectrum becomes linear with a velocity inversely proportional to the magnetic field. The attenuation of the waves at low enough temperatures is mainly due to the interaction of the moving crystal-liquid interface with thermal spin waves in the crystal. The waves could be weakly damped at temperatures below a few hundreds microkelvins.     

Magnetic order in Y6(57Fe:Mn)23H26

The ferrimagnetic compound Y₆Mn₂₃ and its hydride Y₆Mn₂₃H₂₆, both doped with 0.5%⁵⁷Fe, have been investigated using the ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer resonance and dc field magnetization measurements. For the hydride a small ⁵⁷Fe magnetic hyperfine field is observed to increase abruptly below 110 K whereas the bulk magnetization results suggest antiferromagnetic ordering at T_N≈ 180 K.     

Local magnetic properties of ultrathin ferromagnetic fcc-Fe-films on Cu(001)

Conversion electron Mössbayer spectroscopy (CEMS) on three monolayers (ML) thick metastable fcc-Fe(001) films grown epitaxially on a Cu(001) substrate under different conditions shows that these films are characterized by a distributionP(B _hf) of magnetic hyperfine fieldsB _hf. The vast majority of⁵⁷Fe nuclei experience relatively large hyperfine fields at low temperature. The temperature dependence of the most probable fieldB _peak was found to follow aT ^3/2 spin-wave law below 300 K. It is shown from the relative line intensities that preferential Fe spin orientation perpendicular to the film plane exists in films grown at 120 K, while preferential in-plane spin orientation is found for a growth temperature of 300 K. Coating a low-temperature grown Fe film by 2 ML of Cu(001) drastically reduces the hyperfine field, in contrast to the case of room-temperature grown Cu-coated films.Dedicated to Professor Ulrich Gonser on the occasion of his 70th birthday