Critical current density and vortex dynamics in uranium irradiated Co-doped BaFe2As2

We report the effect of defects introduced by heavy-ion irradiation with 2.6 GeV uranium ions at several matching fields in single crystalline Ba(Fe_0.925Co_0.075)₂As₂. The suppression rate of T_c at lower matching fields is larger than that at higher matching fields. The critical current density calculated from magnetic hysteresis loop is enhanced up to 4.1 × 10⁶ A/cm² at 2 K. Clear dips in magnetic hysteresis loops near zero field are observed at high matching fields. Field dependence of normalized relaxation rate is suppressed, and the relationship between the dip and the relaxation rate is discussed.     

In situ magneto-optical Kerr effect study of uncovered Fe films on ZnSe(0 0 1)

The magnetic properties of uncovered Fe/ZnSe/GaAs(1 0 0) ultrathin films have been determined in situ by magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE). Fe films up to 10 monolayers (ML) thick were deposited on c(2×2) Zn-rich ZnSe/GaAs(0 0 1) surfaces at 180 °C. We have studied the thickness dependence of the in-plane lattice parameter of the Fe films and of the MOKE hysteresis loops in the longitudinal geometry, at 150 K, under magnetic fields up to 0.1 T applied along the [1 1 0] and [1-1 0] directions of the ZnSe(0 0 1). Reflection high energy electron diffraction show that in the low thickness regime the Fe films present an in-plane structural anisotropy characterized by an expansion along the [1 1 0] direction. Hysteretic loops were obtained only starting from ∼5 ML Fe. We found the onset of an uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with [1 1 0] magnetic easy axis at 7 ML Fe.     

Magnetic behaviour of arrays of Ni nanowires by electrodeposition into self-aligned titania nanotubes

Arrays of Ni nanowires electrodeposited into self-aligned and randomly disordered titania nanotube arrays grown by anodization process are investigated by X-ray diffraction, SEM, rf-GDOES and VSM magnetometry. The titania nanotube outer diameter is about 160 nm, wall thickness ranging from 60 to 70 nm and 300 nm in depth. The so-obtained Ni nanowires reach above 100 nm diameter and 240 nm length, giving rise to coercive fields of 98 and 200 Oe in the perpendicular or parallel to the nanowires axis hysteresis loops, respectively. The formation of magnetic vortex domain states is also discussed.     

AC losses and transverse resistivity in filamentary MgB2 tape with Ti barriers

We measured and analyzed AC losses of MgB₂ tape with 19 filaments surrounded by Ti barriers and embedded in copper stabilization, exposed to external magnetic field with frequencies from 30 mHz up to 1.4 Hz and amplitudes up to 0.8 T at 4.2 K. Using the measured frequency dependence of the total AC losses we determined the contribution of hysteresis and coupling losses. The transverse resistivity determined from the coupling losses is considerably higher than that corresponding to the resistivity of copper stabilization before the tape processing due to diffusion of Ti. From the measured penetration field critical current densities were determined using results of theories for circular as well as rectangular filaments.     

Ferromagnetism in Zn1−xCrxTe (x = 0.05, 0.15) films grown on GaAs(1 0 0) substrate

Zn_1−xCr_xTe (x = 0.05, 0.15) films were grown on GaAs(1 0 0) substrate by thermal evaporation method. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the presence of ZnCrTe phase without any secondary phase. The surface was analyzed by high resolution magnetic force microscope and profile measurements showed orientation of magnetic domains in the range of 0.5–2 nm with increase of Cr content. Magnetic moment–magnetic field measurements showed a characteristic hysteresis loop even at room temperature. The Curie temperature was estimated to be greater than 300 K. From the electron spin resonance spectra, the valence state of Cr in ZnTe was found to be +2 with d² electronic configuration. Hall effect study was done at room temperature and the result showed the presence of p-type charge carriers and hole concentration was found to increase from 5.95 × 10¹² to 6.7 × 10¹² m⁻³ when Cr content increases. We deduce the origin of ferromagnetic behavior based on the observed experimental results.     

Preparation of magnetic FeCo nanoparticles by coprecipitation route

Magnetic FeCo nanoparticles with high saturation magnetization (M_s = 148 emu/g) at 15 kOe were prepared by a coprecipitation route. The value of M_s for FeCo nanoparticles depends on the ratio of Fe to Co components. The size of the nanoparticles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, and morphology of the nanoparticles was obtained by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images. The crystal structure of the nanoparticles dependent on annealing was characterized by X-ray diffraction data. The magnetic properties were characterized by saturation magnetization from a hysteresis loop by VSM.     

Magnetization patterns simulations of Fe,Ni, Co,and permalloy individual nanomagnets

Hysteresis loop behaviours are studied in circular, triangular and Reuleaux's triangle (RT) of Fe, Co, Ni, and permalloy nanomagnets using micromagnetic simulations. The size and morphology of the nanomagnets are analyzed for three different thickness (10, 20, and 40 nm). For the triangle and RT shapes, our results reveal that for all magnetic material considered and in the low thickness (10 nm) the hysteresis prefer to be open, showing important coercive fields and remanence. However, when the thickness is increased (40 nm) almost all hysteresis loops are closed. Finally, the different mechanism of the magnetization reversal are investigated by monitoring the spin configuration as a function of the applied magnetic field.     

Magnetic phase transitions in the Nd(Mn0.9Me0.1)O3 (Me=Al, Fe, Cr, Zn) perovskites

It is shown that perovskite NdMnO₃ is a weak ferromagnet with an anomalous magnetization behavior due to Nd sublattice contribution. Ferromagnetic component drastically increases whereas T_N slightly decreases when a part of manganese ions is replaced with Cr, Al, Fe, Zn. It is suggested that the Mn³⁺–O–Mn³⁺ superexchange interaction changes a sign in the microdomains enriched with Me=Cr, Al, Fe, Zn ions due to removing static Jahn–Teller distortions. All these substituted perovskites show a sharp drop of the magnetization as temperature decreases. A large temperature hysteresis indicates first-order phase transition. Below this transition neodymium magnetic moments orient opposite to a moment of manganese magnetic sublattice. It is supposed that this phase transition results from a change of the ground state of Nd ions.     

Magnetic properties of marine tertiary tephra investigated over a wide temperature range

We report on a detailed investigation of the magnetic properties of tertiary tephra as a function of temperature and magnetic field, over a wide temperature. The tertiary tephra were chosen from two marine sites in the South Indian Ocean. The measurements were made using the electron spin resonance (ESR) technique in the temperature range 4–1100 K and a SQUID magnetometer at temperatures from 4 to 300 K.We show that the magnetic properties of the studied ashes are mainly due to two contributions, a ferrimagnetic one and a paramagnetic one. At moderate magnetic fields, B<1 T, in the large temperature interval, 20 K<T<1000 K, the magnetic response is dominated by the ferrimagnetic component present in the ashes. The experimental data concerning the hysteresis cycles and the Curie temperatures allow us to suggest that (titano-)magnetite and a haematite-like phase could be responsible for the observed ferrimagnetic behaviour. In addition, by electron microscopy investigations, two types of morphologies containing Fe ions have been detected: vitreous splinters, in which embedded crystallised nanoparticles (60–200 nm) are present, and smectite flakes which are crystallised and in which the Fe concentration is higher than in the splinters. We speculate that the ferrimagnetic contribution is due to the nanoparticles and the paramagnetic one results from lamellar flake-like particles.     

Structural,magnetic and electrical transport properties in cold-drawn thin Fe-rich wires

Microstructural (X-ray diffraction), magnetic properties (hysteresis loop), electrical resistivity, magneto-impedance and stress impedance effects have been investigated in cold-drawn Fe_77.5B₁₅Si_7.5 amorphous wire. Initial amorphous wire (obtained by the in-rotating-water technique) with diameter of 125 μm was submitted to cold-drawn process decreasing the diameter to 50 μm. Such cold-drawn wire was treated by current annealing (currents of 190, 210, 220 and 230 mA during times between 1 and 45 min) for tailoring the magnetic and electrical transport properties. A qualitative analysis of the magnetoimpedance and stress impedance effects is given by considering the influence of the magnetoelastic anisotropy and frequency of the AC driving electrical current on the circular permeability.     

Magnetic behaviour of nanocrystalline Ni–Cu ferrite and the effect of irradiation by 100 MeV Ni ions

The effects of 100 MeV Ni ion irradiation on magnetic properties of nanoparticles of Ni_0.8Cu_0.2Fe₂O₄ with average particle sizes of 40 Å and 60 Å, synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method have been studied. The spinel cubic structures were confirmed by XRD. The average particle size estimated by XRD and by Langevin function fitting are in good agreement for both the pristine and irradiated samples. The blocking temperature increases with particle size and does not change after irradiation. On irradiation by 100 MeV Ni ions, significant changes in the hysteresis loop features are observed, which may be attributed to formation of cluster of defects in the nanocrystalline samples due to swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation. It is also found that SHI irradiation produces more dominant changes in the hysteresis loop of smaller particle size of 40 Å as compared to that of 60 Å.     

Critical properties of superconducting Ba1−xKxFe2As2

Magnetisation and magneto-resistance measurements have been carried out on superconducting Ba_1?xK_xFe₂As₂ samples with x = 0.40 and 0.50. From high field magnetization hysteresis measurements carried out in fields up to 16 T at 4.2 K and 20 K, the critical current density has been evaluated using the Bean critical state model. The J_C determined from the high field data is >10⁴ A/cm² at 4.2 K and 5 T. The superconducting transitions were also measured resistively in increasing applied magnetic fields up to 12 T. From the variation of the T_C onset with applied field, dH_C2/dT at T_C was obtained to be ?7.708 T/K and ?5.57 T/K in the samples with x = 0.40 and 0.50.     

Magnetic domain structure in small diameter magnetic nanowire arrays

Fe_0.3Co_0.7 alloy nanowire arrays were prepared by ac electrodepositing Fe²⁺ and Co²⁺ into a porous anodic aluminum oxide (PAO) template with diameter about 50 nm. The surface of the samples were polished by 100 nm diamond particle then chemical polishing to give a very smooth surface (below ±10 nm/μm²). The morphology properties were characterized by SEM and AFM. The bulk magnetic properties and domain structure of nanowire arrays were investigated by VSM and MFM respectively. We found that such alloy arrays showed strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with easy axis parallel to nanowire arrays. Each nanowire was in single domain structure with several opposite single domains surrounding it. Additionally, we investigated the domain structure with a variable external magnetic field applied parallel to the nanowire arrays. The MFM results showed a good agreement with our magnetic hysteresis loop.     

Structural origin of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Ni–W thin films

The magnetic properties and microstructure of electrodeposited Ni–W thin films (0–11.7 at% W in composition) were studied. The film structures were divided into three regions: an FCC nanocrystalline phase (0–2 at% W), a transition region from FCC nanocrystalline to amorphous phase (2–7 at% W), and an amorphous phase (>7 at% W). In the transition region, (4–5 at% W) films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) were found. The saturation magnetization, magnetic anisotropy field, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and perpendicular coercivity for a typical Ni–W film (4.5 at% W) were 420 kA/m, 451 kA/m, 230 kJ/m and 113 kA/m, respectively. The microstructure of Ni–W films with PMA is composed of isolated columnar crystalline grains (27–36 nm) with the FCC phase surrounded by the Ni–W amorphous phase. The appearance of the interface between the magnetic core of Ni crystalline grains and the Ni–W non-magnetic boundary layer seems to be the driving mechanism for the appearance of PMA. The origin of PMA in Ni–W films is mainly attributed to the magnetoelastic anisotropy associated with in-plane internal stress and positive magnetostriction. The secondary source of PMA is believed to be the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of 〈1 1 1〉 columnar grains and its shape magnetic anisotropy. It is concluded that Ni–W electrodeposited films (4–5 at% W) may be applicable for perpendicular magnetic recording media.     

Magnetic fluid thermochemotherapy of murine tumors

Four series of water-based dextran-ferrite (DF) magnetic fluids (MFs) containing Melphalan (MP) were prepared. Their saturation magnetization (M_s) was from 0.8 to 7.8 kA/m; specific power absorption rates were 240 W/g Fe. After nine courses of magnetic fluid thermochemotherapy with MP containing DF MF (M_s 7.5 kA/m, pH 6.6, ζ+15 mV) at 44–46 °C for 30 min in an AC magnetic field (0.88 MHz, 9.3 kA/m, 0.3 kW), complete P388 tumor regression was seen in 30% of BDF₁ mice. Furthermore, a life span increase of 180% was achieved.     

Structural and magnetic properties of BCC Fe/Co (0 0 1) superlattices

In thin layered Fe/Co (0 0 1), grown on MgO (0 0 1), both Fe and Co crystallize in the body-centered cubic (BCC) structure, as seen in a series of superlattices where the layer thickness of the components is varied from two to twelve atomic monolayers. These superlattices have novel magnetic properties as observed by magnetization and polarized neutron reflectivity measurements. There is a significant enhancement of the magnetic moments of both Fe and Co at the interfaces. Furthermore, the easy axis of the system changes from [1 0 0] for films of low cobalt content to [1 1 0] for a Co content exceeding 33%. No indication of a uniaxial anisotropy component is found in any of the samples. The first anisotropy constant (K₁) of BCC Co is found to be negative with an estimated magnitude of 110 kJ/m³ at 10 K. In all cases, the magnetic moments of Fe and Co have parallel alignment.     

Observation of reversed hysteresis loops and negative coercivity in CoFeAlO magnetic thin films

The magnetic and magneto-optical properties of CoFeAlO thin films fabricated by the RF magnetron reactive sputtering technique have been studied via vibrating sample magnetometer and the magneto-optical Kerr effect. It is found that, along the hard magnetization direction, the magnetic hysteresis loop is reversed and the coercive force is negative. This phenomenon can qualitatively be interpreted within the framework of the proposed two-layers model. It was also found that when as-deposited CoFeAlO thin films were annealed in vacuum (2×10⁻⁷ Torr) at a temperature of 180 °C for 2 h, the negative coercivity disappeared. The relationship between the magnetic and microstructural behaviors of the thin films is discussed.     

Enhanced mangnetoelectric voltage in multiferroic particulate Ni0.83Co0.15Cu0.02Fe1.9O4−δ/PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 composites – dielectric,piezoelectric and magnetic properties

Multiferroic particulate composites of Ni_0.83Co_0.15Cu_0.02Fe_1.9O_4−δ– NCCF and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) were prepared conventional ceramic method. The generic formulae x NCCF + (1−x) PZT where x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mole fractions. The presence of two phases in multiferroic was confirmed with XRD technique. The dielectric constant and loss tangent were studied as a function of frequency (100 Hz to 1 M Hz) and temperature (30–500 °C). The piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ were also studied on these particulate composites. The hysteresis behaviour was studied to understand the magnetic properties such as saturation magnetization (Ms) and magnetic moment (μ_B). The static magnetoelectric (ME) voltage coefficient was measured as a function of dc magnetic bias field. A high value of ME output (3151 mV/Oe.cm) was obtained in the composite containing 50% highly magnetostrictive ferrite component NCCF – 50% highly piezoelectric ferroelectric component PZT. These multiferroic particulate composites are used as phase shifters, magnetic sensors, cables etc.     

Effects of Ni buffer layer on giant magnetoresistance in Co/Cu/Co sandwich

In order to increase the sensitivity of Co/Cu/Co sandwiches, different thickness Ni layers were used as buffer layer. It was found that in the Co 55 Å/Cu 35 Å/Co 55 Å sandwiches with different thickness Ni buffer layers, MR ratios between 3.5% and 5.6% could be obtained, and the coercive forces were about 12 Oe. Hence, the maximum field sensitivity could be enhanced to about 1%/Oe. Further investigation from the results of atomic force microscopy showed the improvement of the interfacial flatness in the sandwiches with Ni buffer layer. The microstructure observed by high-resolution electron microscope demonstrated the different structure of the two Co layers in the Ni buffered sandwich, which directly determined the small saturation field of the sandwich. This was confirmed by the magnetic behaviors of the two Co layers calculated from the experimental hysteresis loops. All these showed that the usage of a Ni buffer layer could result in interfacial improvement, different crystalline structure, and small saturation field in the Co/Cu/Co sandwich. These enhanced the electron spin scattering at the Co–Cu interfaces and finally enlarged the giant magnetoresistance and the sensitivity in the sandwich.     

Magnetic transitions in Cu2−xSe below room temperature

We have measured the magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, magnetoresistivity and Hall effect of nonstoichiometric cuprous selenide between 5 and 350 K. Our results show that below 170 K Cu_2−xSe is a mixture of diamagnetic Cu_1.995Se and paramagnetic Cu₃Se₂. The phase diagram of the Cu–Se system, in which 170 K represents the eutectic isotherm, governs the relative content of the two phases. For the Cu₃Se₂ phase a transition to an antiferromagnetic state is observed at about 50 K, with the corresponding Weiss temperature Θ=120 K. On heating above 170 K Cu_2−xSe becomes completely diamagnetic, but the transformation is slow and strongly time dependent. The complicated magnetic behaviour is ascribed to a broad temperature hysteresis of the process.