The role of short exchange length in the magnetization processes of L10-ordered FePt perpendicular media

A three-dimensional micromagnetic model with non-uniform grain size distribution has been built up to study the magnetization process in FePt L1₀ perpendicular media. A 3D model of a single FePt magnetic grain is also set up for comparison. The high magneto-crystalline anisotropy K_u results in a short exchange length l_ex in FePt nanograins. Therefore a magnetic grain is divided into smaller grids on the order of l_ex. The simulated perpendicular and longitudinal loops are consistent with experiments, and it is explained why the measured perpendicular H_c is relatively smaller compared with the saturation field of the longitudinal loop in the FePt perpendicular medium.     

Dielectric and magnetic properties of Bi1−xYxFeO3 ceramics

Y doped BiFeO₃ polycrystalline ceramics were prepared by sol–gel method. Crystal structure examined by X-ray diffraction indicates that the samples were single-phase and crystallize in rhombohedral structure. An anomaly in the dielectric constant and dielectric loss in the vicinity of the antiferromagnetic Neel temperature (T_N) was observed. Saturated magnetization loops were observed for all sample with saturated magnetization M_s=0.678 emu/g and remnant magnetization M_r=0.084 emu/g for x=0.3.     

Transition De Phase Metamagnetique Du Bromure Ferreux

In a magnetic field parallel to the magnetization axis of an antiferromagnetic Fe Br₂ single crystal, a caracteristic metamagnetic behaviour is observed. The transition from an antiferromagnetic phase to a paramagnetic phase is studied by help of magnetization measurements in a steady field (H < 60 kOe). The measurement precision has allowed a detailed study of the magnetization isotherms, caracteristic of a first order magnetization phase transition (T < T_c = 4, 7 K) and of a second order phase transition (T_c < T < T_N = 14, 2 K).We have observed an original phase diagram. In a certain temperature and field range, the ordered phase is stable on the high temperature side of the transition point. Some theoretical studies in an Ising model, or in the hypothesis of a strong magnetoelastic coupling forecast the existence of such a magnetic phase diagram.At present, we proceed to a theoretical study, in a molecular field approximation, of the magnetic phase diagram of compounds similar to Fe Br₂ where we take into account the relative values of parameters J₁, J₂ and D associated with ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions and crystalline anisotropy.     

Features of magnetization reversal in trilayer nanostructures

The process of magnetization reversal in an ultrathin magnetic trilayer is analyzed. It is shown that the shape of magnetization hysteresis loops and the giant magnetoresistance essentially depend on the relative magnitudes of magnetic parameters of the top and bottom layers. Hysteresis loops are found for characteristic relative magnitudes of the parameters. Analysis is performed of the dependence of the shape of hysteresis loops on the magnitude of interlayer exchange. A phase diagram is constructed, which determines the regions of existence of characteristic hysteresis loops for different relative magnitudes of the uniaxial anisotropy constant and exchange constant J ₁.     

Electrical,structural, magnetic and transport properties of Zn2BaFe16O27 doped with Cu

Series of polycrystalline samples of Zn_2−xCu_xBaFe₁₆O₂₇ were prepared by usual ceramic methods, where x=0.0, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.4. X-ray analysis done at room temperature using CoK_α with λ=1.790 Å confirms the presence of W-type hexaferrite phase structure. Saturation magnetization and hysteresis loops curves measurements at room temperature were studied as a function of Cu²⁺ substitution. It can be seen that the Cu²⁺ content slightly decreases the saturation magnetization from 25 to 20 emu g⁻¹; all hysteresis loops are closed, which indicates low anisotropy field and low saturation magnetization field. The dc conductivity and thermoelectric power were measured in a range from room temperature up to T=750 K for all samples. The thermoelectric power decreases on increasing Cu²⁺ content, and the conductivity increases with temperature. The value of the charge-carrier concentration increases by increasing the temperature and Cu²⁺ content.     

Magnetic behaviour of arrays of nickel nanowires with small diameter

Arrays of nickel nanowires have been fabricated within a template of porous alumina by electrochemical deposition. Measurements of magnetic hysteresis loops were performed at room temperature with a vibrating sample magnetometer. Coercivity and squareness of the arrays are closely related to l/D and diameter of the nanowires, and the angle θ between the normal line of the alumina surface and the applied magnetic field. For the same diameter of 10 nm, the coercivity and squareness increase remarkably with l/D when the l/D is less than 100. The diameter and angle θ dependences of coercivity do not follow the relationships of curling, fanning or coherent rotation mode of magnetization while thermal activation for magnetization reversal becomes remarkable for the arrays of Ni nanowires with the diameter less than 18 nm but the same l/D of 50. The coercivity of the arrays with the magnetic field perpendicular to the film surface is linear with D^−3/2 of Ni nanowires. From the fitting line, the critical diameter for superparamagnetism at room temperature and pure coercivity for such Ni nanowire arrays are found to be 6 nm and 1200 Oe respectively.     

Effect of illumination on magnetization and microwave absorption of La1−xCaxMnO3 (x<0.2) films

Light-induced changes of the hysteresis loops of magnetization and microwave absorption are investigated in low-doped La_1−xCa_xMnO₃ (x<0.2) thin films. The width of the hysteresis loops decreases clearly under illumination with visible or near-infrared light at temperatures below 50 K. The microwave conductivity has a minimum value at magnetic fields corresponding to the magnetization reversal and is shifted towards weaker fields under illumination. These effects show complex nonexponential time evolution and dependence on strength of the magnetic field. The results can be explained by assuming that small ferromagnetic metallic regions exist within the insulating ferromagnetic phase of the sample, and that these regions are expanded by optically induced charge transfer between Jahn–Teller split e_g states of neighboring Mn³⁺ ions. Decrease of the Mn³⁺ XPS core level spectrum is observed in the samples under illumination with a HeNe laser.     

Magnetic properties of amorphous Ge–Fe thin films

Thin films of Ge_100−xFe_x (x in at%) alloys, fabricated by thermal co-evaporation, have an amorphous structure at compositions x<∼40, although an unidentified crystalline phase with an FCC symmetry also exists at low Fe content. Magnetization versus temperature curves show that saturation magnetization is non-zero (1 to 2.5 emu/cm³) and remains nearly unchanged up to the highest measured temperature of 350 K. Magnetic hysteresis loops at room temperature show a typical ferromagnetic shape, complete saturation occurring by 1–2 kOe. These results may indicate ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature. No definite tendency is observed in the compositional dependence of saturation magnetization.     

Magnetization reversal in Co x (PZT)100 − x ferromagnet-ferroelectric nanogranulated composites

The process of magnetization reversal in Co _x (PZT)_{100 − x} composites is studied experimentally. At room temperature, the ferromagnetic state in as-prepared samples is found to arise only if the composite contains more than 60 at % of the metal phase. The concentration dependences of the coercive force and remanent magnetization derived from magnetic hysteresis loops are discussed in terms of the random anisotropy model.     

Structural and some magnetic properties of manganese-substituted lithium ferrites

The structural and magnetic properties of Mn-substituted lithium ferrites having the general formula Li_0.5−0.5xMn_xFe_2.5−0.5xO₄ (where x=0.0–1.0) prepared by the standard ceramic technique have been studied. Single phase cubic structure is confirmed by X-ray diffractometer. This result demonstrates that the samples are homogeneous, and the sharp peaks reveal that the samples are in crystalline form. The lattice parameter ‘a’ and average grain diameter ‘D’ increase with increasing Mn²⁺ ion substitution. The saturation magnetization and the experimental magnetic moment are found to increase with manganese up to x=0.5 and then tends to decrease for x>0.5. The increase in magnetic moment with manganese is attributed to Neel's two sublattice model according to which the magnetic moment is the vector sum of lattice magnetic moment. The decrease in magnetization for x>0.5 obeys the Yafet–Kittel (Y–K) model. The increase in Y–K angles for x≥0.5 indicates the increased favor for triangle spin arrangements on B-sites. This suggests the existence of canted spin structure in the ferrite system with higher content of Mn. Hystersis loops were measured. The initial permeability μ_i was measured as a function of temperature.     

Dependence of the anhysteretic magnetization on the demagnetization factor

A method is presented to measure the dependence of the anhysteretic magnetization curve (the anhysteretic magnetization as a function of the internal field after degaussing) on the demagnetization factor N without physically varying N. The relation between the Preisach distribution and the N dependence of the anhysteretic magnetization curve is discussed in a way that is very close to the work of Bertotti. Classes of (moving) Preisach models are identified for which the anhysteretic magnetization curve is independent of the demagnetization factor. It is proven that the anhysteretic magnetization increases with N at fixed internal field, if the Preisach distribution decreases monotonically with increasing H_cent, the internal field value of a Preisach domain. It is shown that the Moving Preisach model may lead to a negative anhysteretic permeability.     

Current-voltage dependencies of heterogeneous semiconductor systems

Computed current-voltage (J–V) dependencies of heterogeneous (powder) semiconductor systems reveal an anomalous dependence between the constant-voltage current J and the uncompensated donor (acceptor) concentration N. Over a range of N(N₁ < n < N₂) of approximately one decade, J decreases by as much as four decades with increasing N. For N > N₂, the grain Schottky barrier thickness d is less than the grain half-width l/2, the grain surface potential V_s is almost independent of N and the J–V dependence is superlinear. For N₁ < N < N₂, d > l/2, V_s decreases linearly with N, J increases strongly with decreasing N and the J–V dependence is superlinear. For N < N₁, d > l/2. V_s ? V_th ( = kT/q) and J ∝ NV. The phenomenon is used to account for some observed J–V dependencies with column II-chalcogenide and ZnO powder semiconductor systems (electro-optic displays, electrophotographic receptors and heterogeneous catalysts).     

Phase structure and critical behavior of multi-Higgs U(1) lattice gauge theory in three dimensions

We study the three-dimensional (3D) compact U(1) lattice gauge theory coupled with N-flavor Higgs fields by means of the Monte Carlo simulations. This model is relevant to multi-component superconductors, antiferromagnetic spin systems in easy plane, inflational cosmology, etc. It is known that there is no phase transition in the N = 1 model. For N = 2, we found that the system has a second-order phase transition line in the c₂ (gauge coupling)-c₁ (Higgs coupling) plane, which separates the confinement phase and the Higgs phase. Numerical results suggest that the phase transition belongs to the universality class of the 3D XY model as the previous works by Babaev et al. and Smiseth et al. suggested. For N = 3, we found that there exists a critical line similar to that in the N = 2 model, but the critical line is separated into two parts; one for c₂<c_2tc=2.4±0.1 with first-order transitions, and the other for c_2tc<c₂ with second-order transitions, indicating the existence of a tricritical point. We verified that similar phase diagram appears for the N = 4 and N = 5 systems. We also studied the case of anistropic Higgs coupling in the N = 3 model and found that there appear two second-order phase transitions or a single second-order transition and a crossover depending on the values of the anisotropic Higgs couplings. This result indicates that an “enhancement” of phase transition occurs when multiple phase transitions coincide at a certain point in the parameter space.     

Effect of surface orientation and thickness on the magnetization of anisotropic FCC ferromagnetic films

The dependence on temperature of the layer magnetization of a Heisenberg ferromagnetic ultrathin film in presence of magnetocrystalline single-ion anisotropy was theoretically investigated in the framework of a Green's function approach using the random phase approximation (RPA). The effect of surface orientation and of film thickness N on the Curie temperature T_C was carefully investigated in the case of face centered cubic (FCC) films: the steepest increase of T_C(N) was found in the case of the FCC(1 1 1) orientation and the smoothest in the FCC(1 1 0) one. Our results for T_C(N) were successfully fitted by a finite-size scaling relation [T_C(∞)−T_C(N)]/T_C(N)=(N/N₀)^−λ, giving a shift exponent λ≃1.5, irrespectively of the surface orientation. Finally, the temperature evolution of the magnetization profile was analyzed, as well as its limiting shape at T_C.     

Effect of Cu-Cr co-substitution on magnetic properties of nanocrystalline magnesium ferrite

This study deals with the temperature and composition dependence of magnetization and magnetic anisotropy of Cu²⁺-Cr³⁺ co-substituted magnesium ferrite, Mg_1−xCu_xCr_xFe_2−xO₄ (x=0.0-0.5). The synthesized materials are characterized using thermo gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, Mössbauer spectrometer, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer and vibrating sample magnetometer. The M-H loops measured up to 50 kOe at 300, 200 and 100 K, revealed narrow hysteresis curves with a coercive field and saturation magnetization varying for different compositions. The high field regimes of these loops are modeled using the Law of Approach to saturation to extract anisotropy information and saturation magnetization. Both the saturation magnetization and the anisotropy constant are observed to increase with the decrease in temperature while decrease with the Cu-Cr co-substituents for all the samples. Explanation of the observed behavior is proposed in terms of the preference of the co-substituent ions of Cu²⁺ and Cr³⁺ and their predominant choice to substitute into the octahedral sites of the cubic spinel lattice.     

Temperature and composition dependence of magnetic properties of cobalt–chromium co-substituted magnesium ferrite nanomaterials

The temperature and composition dependence of magnetic properties of Co–Cr co-substituted magnesium ferrite, Mg_1−xCo_xCr_xFe_2−xO₄ (x=0.0–0.5), prepared by novel polyethylene glycol assisted microemulsion method, are studied. The synthesized materials are characterized by the Mössbauer spectrometer and standard magnetic measurements. Major hysteresis loops are measured up to the magnetic field of 50 kOe at 300, 200 and 100 K. The high field regimes of these loops are modeled using the Law of Approach to saturation to determine the first-order cubic anisotropy coefficient and saturation magnetization. Both the saturation magnetization and the anisotropy coefficient are observed to increase with the decrease in temperature for all Co–Cr co-substitution levels. Also, both the saturation magnetization and the anisotropy coefficient achieved maximum value at x=0.3 and x=0.2, respectively. Explanation of the observed behavior is proposed in terms of the site occupancy of the co-substituent, Co²⁺ and Cr³⁺ in the cubic spinel lattice.     

Magnetic properties of electron-doped Y1−xCexMnO3 compounds

Cerium-doped Y_1−xCe_xMnO₃ compounds have been prepared in single-phase form for x=0 to 0.10. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns could be analyzed by using P6₃cm space group. Temperature variations of ac susceptibility and magnetization measurements show that these Ce-doped materials exhibit weak ferromagnetic transition. The observed ferromagnetic transition is attributed to the double exchange ferromagnetic interaction between Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺ ions due to electron doping. The M–H loops exhibit hysteresis along with linear contribution and were analyzed based on bound magnetic polaron (BMP) model. Increase in saturation magnetization and decrease in BMP concentrations have been observed with increase in Ce doping.     

Magnetic properties and magnetic structures of Sr3−xCaxRu2O7

We have measured magnetization curves and powder neutron diffraction of double-layered Ruddlesden-Popper type ruthenate Sr_3−xCa_xRu₂O₇ (x=1.5, 2.0 and 3.0). The field dependence of the magnetization revealed that the transition field of metamagnetic transition along the b-axis shifted to lower fields and that the transition became broad with increasing Sr content. The slope of the magnetization curve also increased with increasing Sr content below the metamagnetic transition. These results indicate that an itinerant component is partly introduced by the Sr substitution. From the magnetic reflection, on cooling below T_N, an additional reflection was observed at (0 0 1) for each x, and the amplitude increased with decreasing temperature. The observed diffraction patterns are very similar to those of Ca₃Ru₂O₇. We conclude that the magnetic structure of the antiferromagnetic ordered phase is basically the same structure with that of Ca₃Ru₂O₇.