Critical magnetization and hysteresis of nanogranular films with perpendicular anisotropy

The magnetic-field dependences of the stability boundaries of the nonequilibrium magnetic states that exist in a nanogranular film with perpendicular anisotropy in tilted magnetic fields are theoretically described, and the corresponding critical magnetization is calculated. The field dependences of the critical magnetization of the film are analyzed at various ratios of the anisotropy field of particles to the maximum possible demagnetizing field of the film. In a tilted magnetic field, the magnetization reversal curves, which include hysteresis loops, are shown to consist of segments of the following three types: equilibrium stable magnetization, nonequilibrium stable magnetization, and critical type of magnetization.     

Phase states of a 2D easy-plane ferromagnet with strong inclined anisotropy

We investigate the spin states of a 2D film exhibiting easy-axis anisotropy and a strong single-ion inclined anisotropy whose axis forms a certain angle with the normal to the film surface. Such a system may have an angular ferromagnetic phase, a spatially inhomogeneous state, and a quadrupole phase, whose realization depends substantially on the inclined anisotropy and the orientation of the wavevector in the film plane.     

垂直自由层倾斜极化层自旋阀结构中的磁矩翻转和进动

在理论上研究了垂直自由层和倾斜极化层自旋阀结构中自旋转移矩驱动的磁矩翻转和进动.通过线性展开包括自旋转移矩项的Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert方程并使用稳定性分析方法,得到了包括准平行稳定态、准反平行稳定态、伸出膜面进动态以及双稳态的磁性状态相图.发现通过调节电流密度和外磁场的大小可以实现磁矩从稳定态到进动态之间的转化以及在两个稳定态之间的翻转.翻转电流随外磁场的增加而增加,并且受自旋极化方向的影响.当自旋极化方向和自由层易磁化轴方向平行时,翻转电流最小;当自旋极化方向和自由层易磁化轴方向垂直时,翻转电流最大.通过数值求解微分方程,给出了不同磁性状态磁矩随时间的演化轨迹并验证了相图的正确性.     

Removal of surface plasmon polariton eigenmodes degeneracy

The effect of the tilt angle of a metal film on the transmissivity of subwavelength holes in optically thick metal film is investigated. We found that the transmission efficiency can be highly dependent on the tilt angle. It is also found that when the input photons are not polarized along the eigenmode directions of surface plasmon polariton, a birefringent phenomenon is observed when a periodic array of subwavelength holes is tilted. Linear polarization states can be changed to elliptical polarization states, and a phase can be added between two eigenmodes. The phase is changed with the tilt angle. A model based on surface plasmon polariton eigenmodes degeneracy is presented to explain these experimental results. PACS 81.07.-b; 71.36.+c; 78.66.Bz     

Dense stripe domains in a nanocrystalline CoFeSiB thin film

We recently reported a possible antiferromagnetically coupled phase in a Co-rich CoFeSiB thin film, that had a partially nanocrystalline Co phase in an amorphous CoFeSiB matrix. Although an amorphous CoFeSiB film should show a ferromagnetic behavior, we observed an antiferromagnetic coupling associated with a nanocrystalline Co phase in the hysteresis-loop measurements of Co-rich CoFeSiB thin films. We ascribed the observed antiferromagnetic coupling to dense stripe domains consisting of periodically up and down domains perpendicular to the surface of the film. The configuration of the stripe domains was confirmed with magnetic force microscopy images. When a longitudinal magnetic field was applied, the size of the stripe domain was reduced. While for a transverse field, the domain structure became tilted and zigzagged, but no in-plane magnetic anisotropy was noted. When the magnetic field was increased to values above the saturation magnetic field, H_S = 2.5 kOe, the domain structure disappeared.     

Effect of interface anisotropy on tilted growth of eutectics: A phase field study

Interfacial energy anisotropy plays an important role in tilted growth of eutectics. However, previous studies mainly focused on the solid—solid interface energy anisotropy, and whether the solid—liquid interface energy anisotropy can significantly affect the tilted growth of eutectics still remains unclear. In this study, a multi-phase field model is employed to investigate both the effect of solid—liquid interfacial energy anisotropy and the effect of solid—solid interfacial energy anisotropy on tilted growth of eutectics. The findings reveal that both the solid—liquid interfacial energy anisotropy and the solid—solid interfacial energy anisotropy can induce the tilted growth of eutectics. The results also demonstrate that when the rotation angle is within a range of 30°—60°, the growth of tilted eutectics is governed jointly by the solid—solid interfacial energy anisotropy and the solid—liquid interfacial energy anisotropy; otherwise, it is mainly controlled by the solid—solid interfacial energy anisotropy. Further analysis shows that the unequal pinning angle at triple point caused by the adjustment of the force balance results in different solute-diffusion rates on both sides of triple point. This will further induce an asymmetrical concentration distribution along the pulling direction near the solid—liquid interface and the tilted growth of eutectics. Our findings not only shed light on the formation mechanism of tilted eutectics but also provide theoretical guidance for controlling the microstructure evolution during eutectic solidification.     

In-plane magnetic field-induced anisotropy and orientation energy of stripe phases at half-filled high Landau levels

We report on detailed Hartree–Fock calculations of the unidirectional charge density wave orientation energy induced by a tilted magnetic field. We find that for current experimental samples stripes are oriented perpendicular to the in-plane field, consistent with experiment. For wider two-dimensional electron systems we predict tilt-induced stripe states with variable anisotropy energy sign.     

Observation and theory of strong stripe domains in amorphous sputtered FeB films

Domain structures in thin sputtered amorphous FeB films are studied by means of the longitudinal Kerr effect. In addition to the irregular domain structure characteristic of soft magnetic materials, we observe in certain regions a fine equilibrium domain structure with periodicity of a few micrometers. The Kerr contrast indicates that the magnetization at the surface of the film lies partially along the stripe direction. These characteristics and the behavior in applied fields suggests that the domains are similar to type II “strong stripe domains” observed earlier in permalloy films. Extending an earlier theory by Hara, we use a stray-field-free model with tilted orthorhombic anisotropy to show that there are at least two qualitatively different strong stripe structures: type IIa with surface magnetization perpendicular to the stripes and type IIb with surface magnetization at least partially parallel to the stripes. Type IIb is favored when K_p/K₀<cos 2θ ₀ where K₀ is the anisotropy component with axis tilted by θ₀ out of the film plane, and K_p is an in-plane anisotropy perpendicular to K₀. Strong stripes in amorphous FeB appear to be type IIb while those in permalloy are usually type IIa.     

Polarization phase-shifting interferometer by rotating azo-polymer film with photo-induced optical anisotropy

A new type of phase-shifting interferometer was presented by rotating an azo-polymer film with photo-induced optical anisotropy in the light path of orthogonal polarization interferometry. By changing the angle of the optical axis of the azo-polymer film, four phase-shifted fringe patterns were obtained, from which phase difference between orthogonal polarized light could be calculated. The polarization states and the formation of the interferograms were analyzed theoretically using Jones matrix calculations and the experimental verification of the proposed method was also given. This method has a simple optical configuration which utilizes commercially available polarization devices and anisotropic azo-polymer film of low cost. The phase-shifting interferometer also demonstrates a new application of azo-polymer film.     

Specific features of spin ordering in an Ising antiferromagnet with single-ion easy-plane anisotropy

A thermodynamic analysis of spin ordering in an Ising antiferromagnet with single-ion easy-plane anisotropy is carried out. The solutions of the equations of state are analyzed, and the phase diagram is constructed. It is shown that an increase in the single-ion anisotropy constant as a result of increasing competition between single-ion anisotropy and exchange interaction brings about a crossover from the continuous phase transition to the abrupt phase transition. This is initiated by a change in the ion state populations due to single-ion anisotropy and by the freezing of ionic states with a nonzero spin projection. An increase in the single-ion anisotropy also leads to a crossover of the phase transformation between the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic states from the order-disorder to order-order type.     

Impurity effect on weak antilocalization in the topological insulator Bi2Te3

We study the weak antilocalization (WAL) effect in topological insulator Bi(2)Te(3) thin films at low temperatures. The two-dimensional WAL effect associated with surface carriers is revealed in the tilted magnetic field dependence of magnetoconductance. Our data demonstrate that the observed WAL is robust against deposition of nonmagnetic Au impurities on the surface of the thin films, but it is quenched by the deposition of magnetic Fe impurities which destroy the π Berry phase of the topological surface states. The magnetoconductance data of a 5 nm Bi(2)Te(3) film suggests that a crossover from symplectic to unitary classes is observed with the deposition of Fe impurities.     

Strain-induced modification of magnetic structure and new magnetic phases in rare-earth epitaxial films

Rare earths exhibit complex magnetic phase diagrams resulting from the competition between various contributions to the magnetic energy: exchange, anisotropy and magnetostriction. The epitaxy of a rare-earth film on a substrate induces (i) a clamping to the substrate and (ii) pseudomorphic strains. Both these effects are shown to lead to modifications of the magnetic properties in (0 0 1)Dy, (0 0 1)Tb and (1 1 0)Eu films. In Dy and Tb films, spectacular variations of the Curie temperature have been evidenced. Additionally, Tb films exhibit a new large wavelength magnetic modulation. In Eu films, one of the helical magnetic domains disappears at low temperature whereas the propagation vectors of the other helices are tilted. The link between structural and magnetic properties is underlined via magnetoelastic models. Moreover, molecular beam epitaxy permits the growth of Sm in a metastable dhcp phase. The magnetic structure of dhcp Sm has been elucidated for the first time. In this review, neutron scattering is shown to be a powerful technique to reveal the magnetic structures of rare-earth films.     

Measuring orbital angular momentum superpositions of light by mode transformation

We recently reported on a method for measuring orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of light based on the transformation of helically phased beams to tilted plane waves [Phys. Rev. Lett.105, 153601 (2010)]. Here we consider the performance of such a system for superpositions of OAM states by measuring the modal content of noninteger OAM states and beams produced by a Heaviside phase plate.     

基于菌紫质薄膜的相移器及其应用

设计了一种基于菌紫质光致各向异性的相移器,并把它用于相移干涉计量。取向随机分布的极性菌紫质分子对线偏振诱导光的选择性吸收导致分子取向分布不均匀,使其呈现宏观的各向异性,这种各向异性与诱导光的偏振特性密切相关,圆偏振光经过各向异性的菌紫质薄膜后,出射光的偏振特性完全由偏振诱导光决定。基于上述原理设计了一种新型的相移器,用琼斯矩阵法推导了基于相移器的相移干涉原理。该相移器在工作过程中不需要移动Mach-Zender干涉仪内部的任何器件,仅需要改变外部控制光路中诱导光的偏振取向就可以控制参考光的相位,有助于提高设备的抗振能力。用最小二乘法对相移干涉结果进行重建,得到了和实际相位一致的结果,验证了相移器的可行性。     

Phase transformations of the magnetic structure in film nanobridges

The magnetic structure of a plane nanobridge consisting of two ferromagnetic film electrodes connected by a nanosized crossbar of the same material is studied. Due to their magnetoresistive properties, such bridges are of considerable interest for microelectronics. Using a numerical micromagnetics method, it is shown that a domain wall is displaced from the center of the bridge crossbar as the anisotropy constant of the system decreases and reaches a critical value. A phase diagram is constructed, which makes it possible to determine the possible magnetic states of real nanobridges. The mechanism of the phase transformation is described in terms of an analytical model. This model explains the shape of the phase diagram of the nanobridge. Formally, the transformations of the magnetic structure of the nanocontact can be described in terms of the Landau theory of phase transitions in a certain range of parameters of the system.     

Phase diagram of a two-dimensional square lattice of magnetic particles with perpendicular anisotropy

The ground state of an array of small single-domain magnetic particles having perpendicular anisotropy and forming a square two-dimensional lattice is studied in the presence of a magnetic field. The stability of some basic states with respect to nonuniform perturbations is analyzed in a linear approximation, and analytical model calculations and numerical simulation are used for an analysis. The entire set of states at various anisotropy constants and magnetic fields is considered when a field is normal to the array plane. Two main classes of states are possible for an infinite system, namely, collinear and noncollinear states. For collinear states, the magnetic moments of all particles are normal to the array plane. At a sufficiently high anisotropy, a wide class of collinear states exists. At low fields, a staggered antiferromagnetic order of magnetic moments takes place. An increase in the magnetic field causes an unsaturated state, and this state transforms into a saturated (ferromagnetic) state with a parallel orientation of the magnetic moments of all particles at a sufficiently high field. At a lower anisotropy, the ground state of the system is represented by noncollinear states, which include a complex four-sublattice structure for the components of the magnetic moments in the array plane and a nonzero projection of the magnetic moments of the particles onto the field direction. A phase diagram is plotted for the states of an array of anisotropic magnetic particles in the anisotropy constant-magnetic field coordinates. For a finite array of particles, sample boundaries are shown to play a significant role, which is particularly important for noncollinear states. As a result of the effect of the boundaries at a moderate field or anisotropy, substantially heterogeneous noncollinear states with a heterogeneity size comparable with the sample size can appear in the system.     

Nonadiabatic Geometric Phase and Induced Persistent Current in Mesoscopic Square Circuit with Tilted Magnetic Field at Edges

We investigate the geometric phase produced by nonadiabatic transition of spin states at corners of mesoscopic square circuit with tilted magnetic field at its edges, From the Schrodlnger equation, the transitions of electron spin state at corners are described by the transfer matrices. The eigenenergies and eigenstates are obtained from the cyclic condition and the multiplying of the transfer matrices. We show that there exist persistent charge and spin currents in such a system due to the lift of degeneracy between the opposite moving directions in the presence of the tilted magnetic field. The dependences of eigenenergies, geometric phase, charge and spin persistent currents on the tilting angles of magnetic field are analysed.     

Tilt-induced ferromagnetic ordering in anisotropic molecular monolayers

It is shown that orientational ordering of anisotropic organic molecules with permanent magnetic dipoles in a tilted film should result in a macroscopic magnetisation in the plane of the film. The important requirement here is that the molecules are strongly biaxial, and the corresponding biaxial orientational order parameter in the tilted phase is sufficiently large. The molecules should also be characterised by a reduced symmetry of the magnetic core compared with existing “single molecular magnets". Possible symmetry groups of the molecular magnetic core, which allow for the existence of nonzero average magnetic moment, are discussed in detail. The tilt-induced ferromagnetic ordering of such molecules may be determined by nonmagnetic intermolecular interactions including, for example, quadrupole-quadrupole electrostatic interaction or dispersion interaction between molecules of particular symmetry. Magnetic intermolecular interactions are not important here, and as a result the induced ferromagnetic state may be stable in any temperature range where the corresponding tilted film is stable. These general conclusions, which form a theoretical foundation for the existence of novel fluid low-dimensional magnetic materials, are based on symmetry arguments and are supported by a simple mean-field molecular model. We also discuss how such induced ferromagnetic ordering may be observed in Langmuir-Blodgett films which seem to be the best candidates for preparing these magnetic materials.     

Electrical transport properties and laser-induced voltage effect in La0.8Ca0.2MnO3 epitaxial thin films

La_0.8Ca_0.2MnO₃ (LCMO) thin films about 200 nm thickness were grown on untilted and tilted (5°, 10° and 15°) LaAlO₃ (100) single crystal substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique. Electrical properties of the epitaxial thin films were studied by conventional four-probe technique and the anisotropic thermoelectric properties of the films grown on the tilted substrates have been investigated by laser-induced voltage (LIV) measurements. X-ray diffraction analysis and atomic force microscopy results show that the prepared LCMO thin films have a single phase and high crystalline quality. The remarkably large temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) values (above 11 %/K) are observed in the all films. TCR value reaches 18 %/K on the film grown on 10° tilted substrate. The intensity of LIV signals monotonously increases with the tilting angles, and the largest signal is 148 mV with the fast time response 229 ns for the film grown on 15° tilted substrate.     

Shearing of planar smectic C chevrons

We have theoretically investigated chevron formation in smectic C materials and the transformation of this chevron structure to a tilted layer structure as the cell is sheared. We find a series of transition temperatures at which the behaviour of the cell critically changes. As the cell is cooled from the smectic A phase past the first critical temperature there is a second order transition which forms two tilted layer states with lower energy than the smectic A bookshelf structure. Although these low energy tilted structures exist the bookshelf structure is the stable state for zero shear. However, upon further cooling this bookshelf structure becomes unstable to the formation of a chevron state. Now when the cell is sheared the chevron structure smoothly transforms into the tilted layer structure. As each further critical temperature is passed an additional multiple chevron solution is formed which although a high energy, unstable state may be observed transiently. For sufficiently low temperatures the transition from chevron to tilted layer becomes first order. This first order transition occurs as the chevron interface merges with the surface alignment region to form the tilted layer structure. Received 28 December 1998 and Received in final form 8 April 1999