Effect of La doping on magnetotransport and magnetic properties of double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 system

We have investigated the magnetotransport and magnetic properties on polycrystalline samples of Sr_2−xLa_xFeMoO₆ (x=0$x=0$, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0). The magnitude of intergrain tunneling magnetoresistance with low magnetic field of 0.88 T for x=0.2$x=0.2$ and 0.4$0.4$ samples are as large as 5% and 7% at room temperature and 13% and 10% at 10 K, respectively. The increase of coercivity (_Hc$H_{\mathrm{c}}$), ratio of remanent magnetization with respect to saturation magnetization (_Mr/_Ms$M_{\mathrm{r}}/M_{\mathrm{s}}$), high saturation fields, and reduction of the saturation magnetization indicate that random disorder of spin orientation is mainly responsible for enhancement of the low-field magnetoresistance for samples with x?0.4$x?0.4$. Whereas rapid drop of _Hc$H_{\mathrm{c}}$, _Mr/_Ms$M_{\mathrm{r}}/M_{\mathrm{s}}$, _Mr$M_{\mathrm{r}}$, and saturation fields for samples with x>0.4$x>0.4$ signifies the growth of antiphase boundary, which gives rise to lower values of low-field MR.     

The role of dipolar interaction in nanocomposite permanent magnets

The effects of dipolar interactions on the magnetization behaviors and magnetic properties of the nanocomposite magnets have been studied by micromagnetic simulations. Numerical results show that the dipolar interaction plays an important role during the demagnetization process, especially in the magnets with large soft-phase content _vs$v_{\mathrm{s}}$. For the isotropic nanocomposites, the remanence enhancement can be controlled through adjustments of the grain size D   and _vs$v_{\mathrm{s}}$. However, the appearance of magnetic vortex state leads to a very low remanence in the magnets with large D   and _vs$v_{\mathrm{s}}$. The dependence of coercivity on D   and _vs$v_{\mathrm{s}}$ can be attributed to the exchange-induced magnetization reversal near the grain boundaries and the low nucleation field of soft phase, respectively. For the anisotropic nanocomposites, the reduced remanence _mr$m_{\mathrm{r}}$ is equal to 1.0$1.0$ for the magnets with small D   or with low _vs$v_{\mathrm{s}}$. However, _mr$m_{\mathrm{r}}$ decreases with increasing _vs$v_{\mathrm{s}}$ for the magnet with large D   due to the influence of dipolar interactions. The difference between the calculated coercivity _Hc$H_{\mathrm{c}}$ with and without considering dipolar interaction shows that the dipolar interaction plays a more important role during the magnetization reversal in the soft phase than that in the hard phase. The maximum calculated energy product of the isotropic nanocomposites is only about 40 MGOe due to the conflicting relation between remanence and coercivity, while that of the anisotropic nanocomposites is 112 MGOe. This reminds us that the alignment of hard grain is important to obtain high performance.     

Magnetic properties of Fe–Pt thick-film magnets prepared by RF sputtering

Thick films of L1₀ ordered Fe–Pt alloy magnet with a high maximum energy product were prepared by using a three-dimensional sputtering apparatus. With decreasing the Ar pressure from 3 to 0.6 Pa, the films annealed at 600 °C underwent a gradual phase transformation from the disordered FCC phase to the ordered FCT one. With further decreasing the pressure to 0.43 Pa, the disordered phase appeared again. The values of _Hc$H_{\mathrm{c}}$ and (_BH)max$({\mathrm{BH})}_{\max }$ were maximized to be approximately 399 kA/m and 90 kJ/m³ at 0.6 Pa of Ar pressure, respectively. While varying the input power at a stable pressure of 0.6 Pa, the as-deposited samples were dominated by the disordered phase at the applied power of 100 W RF, and the heat treatment resulted in a change to such L1₀ ordered phase. At input power higher than 120 W, both the as-deposited and annealing samples were ordered to the hard L1₀ FCT phase, and high _Hc$H_{\mathrm{c}}$ and (_BH)max$({\mathrm{BH})}_{\max }$ values of about 446 kA/m and 124 kJ/m³, respectively, were obtained on the sample deposited at the input power of 180 W.     

Non-Abelian fusion rules from an Abelian system

We demonstrate the emergence of non-Abelian fusion rules for excitations of a two dimensional lattice model built out of Abelian degrees of freedom. It can be considered as an extension of the usual toric code model on a two dimensional lattice augmented with matter fields. It consists of the usual C(Z_p)$\mathbb{C}\left({\mathbb{Z}}_p\right)$ gauge degrees of freedom living on the links together with matter degrees of freedom living on the vertices. The matter part is described by a n$n$ dimensional vector space which we call H_n$H_n$. The Z_p${\mathbb{Z}}_p$ gauge particles act on the vertex particles and thus H_n$H_n$ can be thought of as a C(Z_p)$\mathbb{C}\left({\mathbb{Z}}_p\right)$ module. An exactly solvable model is built with operators acting in this Hilbert space. The vertex excitations for this model are studied and shown to obey non-Abelian fusion rules. We will show this for specific values of n$n$ and p$p$, though we believe this feature holds for all n>p$n>p$. We will see that non-Abelian anyons of the quantum double of C(S₃)$\mathbb{C}\left(S_3\right)$ are obtained as part of the vertex excitations of the model with n=6$n=6$ and p=3$p=3$. Ising anyons are obtained in the model with n=4$n=4$ and p=2$p=2$. The n=3$n=3$ and p=2$p=2$ case is also worked out as this is the simplest model exhibiting non-Abelian fusion rules. Another common feature shared by these models is that the ground states have a higher symmetry than Z_p${\mathbb{Z}}_p$. This makes them possible candidates for realizing quantum computation.     

Study of magnetization process in ordered Fe nanowire arrays

Fe polycrystalline nanowires were electrodeposited in nanoporous anodized alumina membranes. Their magnetic properties were studied at 10 K. The behavior of the isothermal remanence _Mr$M_{\mathrm{r}}$ and the demagnetization remanence _Md$M_{\mathrm{d}}$ was determined. The corresponding ΔM$\mathrm{\Delta }M$ plot revealed the character demagnetizing of the dominant interactions. A simple analysis suggests that curling is the reversal magnetization mode in these samples. The forms of the _Mrev(_Mirr)Hi$M_{\mathrm{rev}}(M_{\mathrm{irr}}{)}_{H_{\mathrm{i}}}$ curves were different from those encountered until now, and it seems that these forms are associated with the curling reversal mode.     

Angular dependence of tunneling magnetoresistance in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 step-edge junctions

La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (LSMO) tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) junctions have been fabricated on step-edge (0 0 1) SrTiO₃ substrates with a high step-edge angle. In the measurement of magnetoresistance (MR) ratio versus external magnetic field H, butterfly-like MR curves are clearly observed. The MR(H  ) curves vary with θ$\theta$, the angle between the applied magnetic field and the current direction in the substrate plane, showing anisotropic MR properties. A much broader MR(H) response is observed for the configuration of H perpendicular to the substrate plane. Additionally, the maxima-MR field H_p almost coincides with the coercive field H_c for θ<60°$\theta <60°$ but obeys a different form from _Hc(θ)$H_{\mathrm{c}}(\theta )$. The high-field junction resistance shows an intrinsic sin²θ${\sin }^2\theta$ angular dependence, while the low-field resistance shows an extrinsic cos(4θ)$\cos (4\theta )$ angular dependence. The distinctive features are mainly due to the induced magnetization anisotropy in the artificial steps of grain boundaries.     

Surface magnetic phase transitions in films

Using a simple Landau model, we discuss the different possibilities of generating magnetic effects at a second-order transition for films. Varying the sample size d$d$ and/or surface coupling γ$\gamma$ one can decrease or increase substantially the surface critical temperature _Ts$T_{\mathrm{s}}$ and the saturation magnetization _Ms$M_{\mathrm{s}}$. In the case of γ>0$\gamma >0$, _Ms$M_{\mathrm{s}}$ and _Ts$T_{\mathrm{s}}$ decrease from the bulk values as the film thickness is reduced. These theoretical results are in nice agreement with the experimental data on superconducting _MgB2${\mathrm{MgB}}_2$ thin films. By contrast, for γ<0$\gamma <0$, an enhancement of both quantities is expected. This extraordinary transition has rarely been observed experimentally and, usually, the situation is far from being clear. We analyze a new experiment on _NiFe2O4${\mathrm{NiFe}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_4$ ultra-thin films, where a very strong enhancement of the saturation magnetization is observed.     

Fluxmetric and magnetometric demagnetizing factors for cylinders

Fluxmetric and magnetometric demagnetizing factors, _Nf$N_{\mathrm{f}}$ and _Nm$N_{\mathrm{m}}$, for cylinders along the axial direction are numerically calculated as functions of material susceptibility χ$\chi$ and the ratio γ$\gamma$ of length to diameter. The results have an accuracy better than 0.1% with respect to min(_Nf,m,1-_Nf,m)$\min (N_{\mathrm{f},\mathrm{m}},1-N_{\mathrm{f},\mathrm{m}})$ and are tabulated in the range of 0.01?γ?500$0.01?\gamma ?500$ and -1?χ<∞$-1?\chi <\infty$. _Nm$N_{\mathrm{m}}$ along the radial direction is evaluated with a lower accuracy from _Nm$N_{\mathrm{m}}$ along the axis and tabulated in the range of 0.01?γ?1$0.01?\gamma ?1$ and -1?χ<∞$-1?\chi <\infty$. Some previous results are discussed and several applications are explained based on the new results.     

Comparative study between a two-dimensional anisotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnet with easy-axis single-ion anisotropy and one with easy-axis exchange anisotropy

Generally, in literature, easy-axis single ion anisotropy and easy-axis exchange anisotropy was treated in indistinct way. In this work we propose to perform a comparative study of the effects of these two easy-axis anisotropies on the behavior of the magnetization and the critical temperature (_Tc)$(T_{\mathrm{c}})$ in the 2D classical Heisenberg antiferromagnetic model. In order to study the low-temperature thermodynamics of this model, we should consider the contribution of anisotropic spin waves, using a self-consistent harmonic approximation (SCHA) theory. We compare the predictions of SCHA with numerical simulations on L×L$L\times L$ square lattices using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, which include effects due to all thermodynamically allowed excitations. Our SCHA results are in good agreement with our MC simulations results and have shown that the strong K$K$ limit gives two different Ising-like behavior. In the exchange anisotropic case, the dependence of _Tc$T_{\mathrm{c}}$ on anisotropic parameter K$K$ becomes linear and in the single-ion anisotropic case, _Tc$T_{\mathrm{c}}$ becomes independent of K$K$. Also, using MC simulations and finite size scaling, we show that the critical exponents in the two anisotropic case are compatible with the 2D Ising values α=0.125$\alpha =0.125$ and γ=1.75$\gamma =1.75$.     

Effect of Co layer thickness on the magnetic properties of Tb30Co70/SiNx/Co thin films

The SiN_x (20 nm)/Tb₃₀Co₇₀ (90 nm)/SiN_x (5 nm)/Co (3–37 nm)/SiN_x (10 nm)/Si multilayer films are deposited on naturally oxidized Si wafer by magnetron sputtering. The saturation magnetization (M_s) of the multilayer films is increased with the thickness of high M_s ferromagnetic Co layer. The perpendicular coercivity (_Hc⊥$H_{{\mathrm{c}}^{\perp }}$) value is increased with Co layer thickness as the thickness of the Co layer is lower than 15 nm and then decreases drastically when the thickness of the Co layer further increased. The increase of the _Hc⊥$H_{{\mathrm{c}}^{\perp }}$ value is owing to the interlayer exchange effect [Li Zhang, Physica B 390 (2007) 373] between TbCo and Co layers. Co under-layer with in-plane magnetic anisotropy would pin the magnetic moment of the TbCo layer near by the Co layer and cause the value of _Hc⊥$H_{{\mathrm{c}}^{\perp }}$ to increase. However, as the Co layer is thicker than a critical thickness, the _Hc⊥$H_{{\mathrm{c}}^{\perp }}$ value of the multilayer film would decrease. Therefore, the Co layer with in-plane magnetic anisotropy and soft magnetic properties is expected to dominate the magnetic properties of the multilayer films.     

Voltage-induced modification in magnetic coercivity of patterned Co50Fe50 thin film on piezoelectric substrate

A controlled modulation of magnetic properties through the inverse piezoelectric (PE) effect was investigated by means of the magneto-optical Kerr effect magnetometry in a periodic array of ferromagnetic (FM) Co₅₀Fe₅₀ stripes patterned on a commercial PE substrate. The coercive field (_Hc)$(H_{\mathrm{c}})$ rise (up to 80% in virgin cycle and 25% in subsequent cycles) when a DC electric field (up to 75 kV/cm) is applied on the PE substrate manifests a magnetoelectric coupling between the PE substrate and adjacent FM layer. The electric field dependence of _Hc$H_{\mathrm{c}}$ resembles the shear strain response to electric field of the PE constituent. The differences in the hysteresis loops shape when the magnetic field is oriented parallel and perpendicular to the stripes, reveal the interplay of the shape and stress anisotropy of the ferromagnet. Besides the inherent difficulties on constructing, an epitaxial hybrid system is a promising candidate of future random access memories designation.     

Magnetic,dielectric and magnetoelectric properties of new family of orthorhombic multiferroic Eu1−xYxMNO3 manganites

Multiferroic ground states with a spatially modulated antiferromagnetic structure and electric polarization have been revealed in Eu_1−xY_xMnO₃ (0.2?x?0.5$0.2?x?0.5$) single crystals. While the slightly substituted (x?0.1$x?0.1$) compounds exhibited a transition from the incommensurate (IC) to the canted antiferromagnetic (CAF) state at _TCA<_TN$T_{\mathrm{CA}}<T_{\mathrm{N}}$, the transitions from IC to commensurate ferroelectric (C/FE) phase were observed at _Tlock<_TN$T_{\mathrm{lock}}<T_{\mathrm{N}}$ for x>0.2$x>0.2$. Various phase transitions were observed in the magnetic fields up to 250 kOe along a, b, c axes by magnetization, magnetostriction and electric polarization measurements which show an existence of a spontaneous electric polarization below T_lock.