Polarized neutron reflectometry of Fe/Cr/Gd superlattices

The magnetic structure of Fe/Cr/Gd superlattices is investigated using complementary methods of SQUID magnetometry and polarized neutron reflectometry. The complex magnetic behavior of the given system is caused by exchange interaction between the 3d (Fe) and 4f (Gd) layers of the ferromagnetic metals through the Cr antiferromagnetic spacer layer. It is found that a nonuniform profile of magnetization forms within the Gd layers under the influence of this interlayer interaction.     

Magnetic phase evolution in Fe substituted GdBaCo2O5.5

Magnetization and magneto-resistance experiments have been carried out on well characterized samples of the GdBaCo_2−xFe_xO_5.5 series. Zero field cooled magnetization measurements in the low concentration Fe samples suggest, that the low temperature anti-ferromagnetic phase transforms sequentially to several ferromagnetic phases, before transforming to a paramagnetic state with increase in temperature. The anti-ferromagnetic to the first ferromagnetic phase transition is associated with a large negative magneto-resistance for Fe fractions upto x=0.075. Isothermal magnetization measurements in the ferromagnetic like region of the samples, suggests the presence of mixtures of two ferromagnetic phases. Similar measurements performed at low temperatures where anti-ferromagnetic-like phase is stabilised suggest the presence of a mixture of anti-ferromagnetic and ferromagnetic phases. Magnetization and magneto-resistance are seen to collapse for Fe fractions, x>0.1. Based on these studies a plausible scenario of the evolution of magnetism with Fe substitution in GdBaCo₂O_5.5, is suggested.     

Study of the local susceptibility in the Fe: Au system

Mössbauer effect measurements of the Fe: $\text{Au}$ system are reported which yield the local susceptibility of the Fe ions. At high temperatures (T ? 10°K) a Curie Weiss law with θ₁ = 9.8°K is observed, whereas at low temperatures the Curie Weiss temperature is θ₂ = 0.45°K. In both temperature regimes the local susceptibility is a linear function of the total susceptibility. In addition below 4°K the local magnetization is a linear function of the total magnetization up to external fields of 60 kG.     

Swift ion irradiations of Fe/Fe/Si trilayers

We report here on changes in magnetism and microstructure when implanting, at 92 or 300 K, up to 5 × 10¹⁵ Au²⁶⁺-ions cm⁻² of 350 MeV into ^natFe(45 nm)/⁵⁷Fe(20 nm)/Si trilayers. This choice of ions and energy allowed to test the irradiation effects in the regime of pure electronic stopping. The samples were analysed before and after irradiation by Rutherford back-scattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, and magneto-optical Kerr effect. Up to 1 × 10¹⁵ ions cm⁻², there was interface broadening at a mixing rate of Δσ²/Φ = 55(5) nm⁴, followed by full Fe-Si inter-diffusion. The Mössbauer spectra revealed fractions of α-Fe and amorphous ferromagnetic and paramagnetic iron silicides, but no crystalline Fe-Si phase. The magnetic remanence in the as-deposited Fe-layer showed small components of uniaxial and four-fold magnetization. For increasing ion fluence, the component with four-fold symmetry grew at the expense of the uniaxial component. For the highest fluences, an isotropic magnetization was found.     

Magnetization process of Fe layers in Fe/Nd multilayered films investigated by57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy

The magnetization process of Fe and Nd layers at 5K in Fe/Nd multilayered films with strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is elucidated from a comparison of⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra in the presence of the external field applied parallel to the film plane with total magnetization. At zero external field, the film has a magnetic multi-domain structure. The Nd layer moment is perpendicular to the film plane and the Fe layer moment points in the out-of-plane direction. The Fe layer moment monotonically rotates to the in-plane direction with increasing external field parallel to the film plane, while the Nd layer moment is oriented to the film normal direction up to the external field of 10kOe, above which the Nd layer moment gradually turns to the direction of the external field.     

Polarized neutron reflectometry of the influence of Fe/Si,Fe/FeSi2 and Au/Fe interfaces on the magnetic properties of epitaxial Fe films

The magnetic and structural properties of epitaxial Fe films grown on Si(1 1 1) are investigated by polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) at room temperature. The influence of different types of interfaces, Fe/Si, Fe/FeSi₂ and Au/Fe on the magnetic properties of Fe films deposited by molecular beam epitaxy onto Si(1 1 1) are characterized. We observe a drastic reduction of the magnetic moment in the entire Fe film deposited directly on the silicon substrate essentially due to strong Si interdiffusion throughout the whole Fe layer thickness. The use of a silicide FeSi₂ template layer stops the interdiffusion and the value of the magnetic moment of the deposited Fe layer is close to its bulk value. We also evidence the asymmetric nature of the interfaces, Si/Fe and Fe/Si interfaces are magnetically very different. Finally, we show that the use of Au leads to an enhancement of the magnetization at the interface.     

FMR investigation of magnetic anisotropies in Fe/Au superlattices

Fe(xML)/Au(xML) superlattices (1⩽x⩽4, ML: monatomic layer thickness) have been investigated by the ferromagnetic resonance method at room temperature. It has been confirmed that out-of-plane anisotropy field H_u shows oscillatory behavior as a function of Fe layer thickness with a period of 1 ML as reported previously from magnetization measurements. In addition, we have found that the in-plane fourfold anisotropy field H₂ oscillates in a similar manner. The easy magnetization axis for x⩾2.25 is Fe [1 1 0] in contrast with the case of bulk Fe, and the values of H₂ show maxima for x=2.5 and 3.5, suggesting that the atomic steps at interfaces are formed along the Fe [1 1 0] direction. Furthermore, the interface roughness for x=non-integer causes wide distributions of H_u and H₂ compared to those for x=integer with flat interfaces.     

Magnetic properties of fcc (Co95Fe5)1-xAlx ribbons

Rapidly quenched (Co₉₅Fe₅)_1-xAl_x ribbons are investigated by X‐ray diffraction, magnetization, and Mössbauer effect measurements. A single fcc phase is obtained for all ribbons x ? 10 at.%. The lattice constant increases linearly with x and is discussed in connection with magnetic moment. The influence of Al substitution on both magnetization and Fe‐atom hyperfine field (H) is studied. At 296 K, the magnetization decreases linearly while H drops nonlinearly as x increases. Al substitution leads to substantial differences in iron hyperfine fields in bcc and fcc systems. Fe moment is perturbed differently by Al substitution in fcc (Co₉₅Fe₅)_1-xAl_x and bcc Fe–Al systems.     

Magnetic properties and static-dynamic magnetostrictive characteristics for SmFe2/Fe exchange-coupled multilayers

Giant magnetostrictive SmFe₂/Fe exchange-coupled multilayers were fabricated by ion beam sputtering deposition on glass substrates. The effects of SmFe₂/Fe exchange coupling action and vacuum annealing on soft-magnetic property and static-dynamic magnetostrictive characteristics of SmFe₂/Fe multilayers were investigated. The results showed that the soft-magnetic, static-dynamic magnetostrictive characteristics were greatly improved by SmFe₂/Fe exchange coupling action and proper vacuum annealing treatment temperature. Compared with that of SmFe₂ single film, the coercivity in the direction of easy magnetization axis for SmFe₂/Fe exchange-coupled multilayers exhibited a greater decrease. Better soft-magnetic properties were achieved (H_c=2.54 kA/m, M_s=120.38 emu/g, and M_r/M_s=0.21) after vacuum annealing at certain temperature. The magnetostrictive coefficient for SmFe₂/Fe exchange-coupled multilayers was about 135 ppm at 16 kA/m magnetic field. At first order resonant frequency (99.2 Hz), the amplitude peak-peak value for the as-deposited SmFe₂/Fe exchange-coupled multilayers was 46 μm. After the vacuum annealing treatment at 250 °C, the amplitude peak-peak value increased to 650 μm.     

Effects of magnetic anisotropy and exchange in Tm2Fe17

Neutron diffraction experiments have been carried out to study the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of two (2b and 2d) Tm sublattices and four (4f, 6g, 12j, and 12k) Fe sublattices in ferrimagnetic compound Tm₂Fe₁₇ (space group P6₃/mmc). We have determined the temperature dependence of the magnitude and orientation of magnetization for each of the thulium and iron sublattices in the range (10?C300) K. A spontaneous rotation (at about 90 K) of the Tm and Fe sublattice magnetizations from the c-axis to the basal plane is accompanied by a drastic change in the magnetization magnitude, signifying a large magnetization anisotropy. Both Tm sublattices exhibit an easy-axis type of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The Fe sublattices manifest both the uniaxial and planar anisotropy types. The sublattice formed by Fe atoms at the 4f position reveals the largest planar anisotropy constant. The Fe atoms at the 12j position show a uniaxial anisotropy. We find that the inelastic neutron scattering spectra measured below and above the spin-reorientation transition are remarkably different.     

Size effects and magnetization of (Fe/Si)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> multilayer film nanostructures

The temperature dependence of the magnetization of (Fe/Si) _n multilayer films with nanometer layers is investigated. The films are prepared through thermal evaporation under ultrahigh vacuum onto Si(100) and Si(111) single-crystal substrates. It is revealed that the thickness of individual iron layers in (Fe/Si) _n multilayer films affects the magnetization and its temperature dependence. The inference is made that this dependence is associated with the formation of a chemical interface at the Fe-Si boundaries. The characteristics of the chemical interface in the (Fe/Si) _n films are estimated.     

Structure and magnetic properties of Fe/Cu multilayered films

Mutually insoluble Fe/Cu multilayered films prepared by a dc-magnetron sputtering system with a rotating substrate-holder have been studied. The periodicity of the multilayers was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The results of magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy at 300 and 77 K show that the samples with the Fe layer thinner than 9 Å exhibit superparamagnetism. The temperature dependence of the spontaneous magnetization follows Bloch's law for all samples, with the spin-wave temperature coefficient B inversely proportional to the thickness of the Fe layer. The results of torque measurements show that the magnetization is normal to the film plane for the samples with the Fe layer thinner than 6 Å.     

The effect of Fe doping on structural, magnetic and electrical transport properties of CaMn1−xFexO3 (x=0-0.35)

A comprehensive study of the effect of Fe doping on CaMnO₃ is carried out by means of experiments on the structural, transport conduction, and magnetic properties of CaMn_1−xFe_xO₃ (0≤x≤0.35). With a sol-gel process for sample preparation, Fe is substituted for Mn up to x=0.35. This substitution substantially brings out the lattice expansion and gradually suppresses the antiferromagnetism. For x=0.08 and 0.10 in particular, the magnetization curves with a field-cooled mode under the field of 1 kOe behave as those of a ferrimagnetic-like system and present low-temperature negative magnetization. For x≥0.15, the negative magnetization phenomenon disappears, and a ferromagnetic component coexists with an antiferromagnetic one, but the antiferromagnetic interaction still dominates in these compounds. Electrical transport measurements show insulating behavior for all compositions. Fe doping, even at a level as low as x=0.02, can cause a marked resistivity increase in the temperature range studied. Further increasing the Fe content causes the resistivity to gradually decrease due to the increasing carrier presence.     

Magnetic properties and Fe NMR studies of U-type hexaferrites

U-type hexaferrites with compositions Ba₄Me₂Fe₃₆O₆₀ (Me=Cu, Fe, Co, Mn and Mg) have been synthesized and characterized by magnetization measurements and zero field ⁵⁷Fe nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The NMR spectra show resonance peaks corresponding to different crystallographic sites of iron (tetrahedral, octahedral and trigonal bipyramidal) with integral intensities according to their site multiplicity. In comparison with the NMR spectrum of M-type barium hexaferrite the intensities of some of the peaks arising due to iron sublattices (f_IV, a and b sites) are different, though there is no difference in peak positions indicating the same local hyperfine field strength at Fe nuclei. The maximum saturation magnetization at room temperature was found in Cu₂U (70 emu/g) and Fe₂U (67 emu/g). The Curie temperatures, saturation magnetizations and coercitivities for the U-type hexaferrites are given.     

Pd/Fe和PdFe/Fe多层膜中的振荡行为

采用磁控溅射法制备了Pd/Fe和Pd_1-xFe_x/Fe多层膜.利用变换梯度磁强计测量了样品的M_s.发现层间耦合是铁磁性的,M_s具有长程振荡,周期为4ML.振荡的相位和周期在Pd_0.966Fe_0.034/Fe和Fd_0.944Fe_0.056/Fe系统中保持不变.就Pd/Fe多层膜中是否存在内层的Pd负极化和长程的铁磁耦合振荡进行了讨论,并分析了不同计算结果以及理论计算与实验结果之间存在差异的原因. 关键词：     

Improvement in magnetic properties of La substituted BaFe12O19 particles prepared with an unusually low Fe/Ba molar ratio

In this study, effect of lanthanum substitution on the phase composition, lattice parameters and magnetic properties of barium hexaferrite has been studied in samples synthesized in ammonium nitrate melt. Samples, prepared with different lanthanum amount and having various initial Fe/(Ba+La) ratios in between 12 and 2 {(Ba_1−xLa_x)·n Fe₂O₃, where 0≤x≤1 and 1≤n≤6)}, are sintered at temperatures from 800 to 1200 °C. The lattice parameters, both a and c, decreases with increasing La amount which results in a decrease of the unit cell volume. The scanning electron microscope micrographs show that the pure and La-substituted sample with x=0.3, both calcinated at 1000 °C, have grain sizes smaller than 1 μm. The coercivities of the La-substituted samples increase with increasing La amount and reaches to a maximum value of 5.73 kOe, when x=0.3. Sintering at higher temperatures (above 1000 °C) decreases the coercivity, resembling a transition from single to multi-domain behavior of the particles, while saturation magnetization of the samples continues to increase due to the increasing grain size. Magnetization measurements of the samples prepared with different Fe/(Ba+La) molar ratios, n's, revealed that the specific saturation magnetization slightly increases with decreasing n, while coercivities fluctuates around 5.5 kOe. However, a sharp increase in the saturation magnetization has been observed in the sample having n=1 and washed in HCl. It was measured as 59.2 emu/g at 15 kOe, which is higher than that of the pure sample (57.5 emu/g). Thus, the magnetic parameters are optimized in the sample Ba_0.7La_0.3Fe₁₂O₁₉ so as to maximize both coercivity and specific saturation magnetization in the HCl-washed sample synthesized by starting with an unusually low Fe/(Ba+La) molar ratio of 2 (or n=1).     

Local magnetic states and hyperfine interactions in Fe/Ti magnetic superlattices

Multilayer Fe/Ti films are synthesized by deposition in a Penning discharge. Measurements are made of thhe static hysteresis loops and Mössbauer spectra on Fe⁵⁷ nuclei. The hyperfine magnetic field distribution functions are calculated. It is established that the spontaneous magnetization of Fe/Ti magnetic superlattices undergoes very strong oscillations as a function of the Ti layer thickness. Three groups of peaks are noted in the hyperfine field distribution functions, corresponding to three nonequivalent states of the Fe ions, in one of which these ions do not have a characteristic magnetic moment. These results also agree with measurements of the temperature dependence of the magnetization in weak magnetic fields. For some Ti interlayer thicknesses the saturation magnetization scaled to the Fe content is much higher than the saturation magnetization of bulk Fe.     

Magnetism and structure of hexagonal Fe in Fe/Ru superlattices

Mössbauer spectroscopy is applied to study the magnetism and the local structure of Fe/Ru superlattices. Fe Layers show hcp structure, isomorphous with Ru. A well-defined symmetry is observed at Fe sites, withV _zz along thec axis. The Fe/Ru interfaces are non-magnetic over the two first layers, but a large moment (2μ_B/Fe) exists beyond. Magnetic coupling between neighbouring Fe Layers is observed at small spacing, i.e. for Ru thickness lower than 13 Å typically.     

Enhanced ferromagnetic properties of Fe+N codoped TiO2 anatase

The undoped, Fe-doped, N-doped and Fe+N codoped titanium dioxide (TiO₂) samples were synthesized. Detailed analysis shows that all the samples are pure anatase with the shape of a nanorod, and N and Fe ions are incorporated into the TiO₂ lattice. For all the samples, the saturation magnetization at room temperature is in the order of the Fe+N codoped TiO₂>N-doped TiO₂>Fe-doped TiO₂>undoped TiO₂. Upon N doping, enhanced ferromagnetic properties were observed. The N content in Fe+N codoped TiO₂ is about two times as large as that in the N-doped TiO₂, which may account for the largest saturation magnetization observed in Fe+N codoped TiO₂. It is suggested that metal ion and N codoping may provide a new approach for increasing the saturation magnetization in TiO₂-based dilute magnetic semiconductors.