Surface magnetoelectric effect in ferromagnetic metal films

A surface magnetoelectric effect is revealed by density-functional calculations that are applied to ferromagnetic Fe(001), Ni(001), and Co(0001) films in the presence of an external electric field. The effect originates from spin-dependent screening of the electric field which leads to notable changes in the surface magnetization and the surface magnetocrystalline anisotropy. These results are of considerable interest in the area of electrically controlled magnetism and magnetoelectric phenomena.     

First observation of nonreciprocal X-Ray gyrotropy

We report the first observation of a nonreciprocal x-ray linear dichroism caused by the time-reversal odd, real part zeta of the complex gyrotropy tensor zeta(*) which is dominated by electric dipole-electric quadrupole E1E2 interference terms. A nonreciprocal transverse anisotropy was observed in the low temperature insulating phase of a Cr doped V2O3 Mott crystal when a single antiferromagnetic domain was grown by magnetoelectric annealing along the hexagonal c axis. This new element (edge) specific spectroscopy could nicely complement x-ray magnetic circular dichroism which is silent for antiferromagnetic materials.     

复合多铁链的磁电耦合行为与外场调控

对含有界面磁电耦合的有限长铁电-铁磁多铁链体系进行了研究,基于矢量离散化思想,构建了描述其磁电性质的微观海森伯模型.利用传递矩阵方法获得了磁化强度、电极化强度、磁电化率等关键热力学量的解析表达式,重点探讨了界面磁电耦合、外场以及单离子各向异性对体系磁电耦合行为的影响和调控.研究结果表明,界面磁电耦合对体系的磁化强度和电极化强度均起促进作用.电场驱动下的电致磁电化率具有更强的磁电关联效应,预示着外电场能够有效地调控体系的磁性行为.而在磁致磁电化率中观察到的低温峰主要源于外磁场的诱导.此外,在高电场作用下体系比热容还呈现出有趣的三峰结构,这种三峰结构是自旋态的热激发以及电偶极矩的电场和温度共同激发导致的.     

Direct measurement of poloidal long-wavelength E x B flows in the HT-7 tokamak

The poloidal long-wavelength E x B time-varying flows were directly measured using a forked Langmuir probe in the HT-7 tokamak. Low-frequency (<10 kHz) E x B flows were observed at the plasma edge, which possess many of the characteristics of zonal flows, including a poloidal long-wavelength (k(theta)rho(i) approximately 0) and narrow radial extent (k(r)rho(i) approximately 0.1). The cross bicoherence of turbulent Reynolds stress indicates the existence of nonlinear three-wave coupling processes and the generation of low-frequency E x B flows. The estimated flow-shearing rate is of the same order of magnitude as the turbulence decorrelation rate and may thus regulate the fluctuation level and thereby the turbulence-driven transport.     

The magnetic and dielectric properties of multiferroic Sr- substituted Zn2-Y hexagonal ferrites

The magnetic and dielectric properties of Sr-substituted Zn2-Y hexagonal ferrites （Ba2-x SrxZn2Fe12O22, 1.0 〈 x ≤ 1.5） are studied in this paper. Sr substitution will lead to the variation of cation occupation, which influences both the magnetic and electric properties. As Sr content x rises from 1.0 to 1.5, magnetic hysteresis loop gets wider gradually and the permeability drops rapidly due to the transformation from ferrimagnetic to antiferromagnetic phase. Moreover, permittivity rises with increasing Sr content. Under a certain external magnetic field, the phase transition of helical spin structure of Ba0.5Srl.5Zn2Fe12O22 at about 295 K seems to open a possibility for the room-temperature ferroelectricity induced by magnetic field. But its low resistivity prevents the observation of ferroelectric and magnetoelectric properties at room-temperature.     

准2-2型磁电多层复合材料的磁电性能

用带底座的Pb（Zr,Ti）O₃薄片阵列作为压电相,Terfenol-D粉末与树脂的混合物作为磁致伸缩相,灌注复合得到准2-2型磁电多层三相复合材料.研究了这种准2-2型多层结构在不同偏置磁场和不同角度下的磁电效应.其面内相互垂直的两个方向磁电电压系数分别在0.15和0.225 T磁场下达到峰值,低频下分别为1.62×10⁵ V·m^-1T^-1和1.75×10⁵ V·m^-1T^-1;而在垂直于面内方向,低频下磁电系数仅有1.3×10⁴ V·m^-1T^-1,体现出显著的磁电各向异性.这种准2-2型磁电多层复合材料具有较好的交流磁场灵敏度,在谐振频率下可以探测到10^-9 T的交流磁场的变化.进行合适的设计和排列,可以探测空间磁场的大小和方向,有望应用于磁场传感器等领域. 关键词： 磁电效应 多铁性 多层复合材料     

Sm3（F3,Co,Mn）29 compounds：promising materials for permanent magnets

The outstanding hard-magnetic properties are reported of Sm_3Fe_{28.1-x}Co_xMo_{0.9} compounds with x=12, 14, 16. In this alloy system, only a small amount of Mo is needed to stabilize the 3:29 structure so that the magnetic properties are not seriously affected by the presence of this nonmagnetic element. Substitution of Co for Fe leads to a significant increase of the magnetic anisotropy, and for x≥14 the easy magnetization direction changes from easy plane to the easy axis. In this alloy system, the compound Sm_3Fe_{12.1}Co_{16}Mo_{0.9} is a very promising candidate for permanent magnet applications. Its room temperature saturation magnetization (μ_0M_s=1.5 T) and anisotropy field (B_{an}=6.5 T) are comparable to the values for Nd_2Fe_{14}B (μ_0M_s=1.6 T and B_{an}=7 T). However, the Curie temperature of Sm_3Fe_{12.1}Co_{16}Mo_{0.9} is 1020 K, which is appreciably higher than that for Nd_2Fe_{14}B (T_C=588 K).     

Magnetoelectric effects in multiferroic Y-type hexaferrites Ba_(0.3)Sr_(1.7)Co_xMg_(2-x)Fe_(12)O_(22)

Y-type hexaferrites with tunable conical magnetic structures are promising single-phase multiferroics that exhibit large magnetoelectric effects. We have investigated the influence of Co substitution on the magnetoelectric properties in the Y-type hexaferrites Ba(0.3)Sr(1.7)CoxMg(2-x)Fe(12)O(22)(x = 0.0, 0.4, 1.0, 1.6). The spin-induced electric polarization can be reversed by applying a low magnetic field for all the samples. The magnetoelectric phase diagrams of BaBa(0.3)Sr(1.7)CoxMg(2-x)Fe(12)O(22) are obtained based on the measurements of magnetic field dependence of dielectric constant at selected temperatures. It is found that the substitution of Co ions can preserve the ferroelectric phase up to a higher temperature, and thus is beneficial for achieving single-phase multiferroics at room temperature.     

Dynamic magnetoelectric effects in bulk and layered composites of cobalt zinc ferrite and lead zirconate titanate

Low-frequency magnetoelectric (ME) coupling is investigated in bulk samples and multilayers of cobalt zinc ferrite, Co_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x=0–0.6), and lead zirconate titanate. In bulk samples, the transverse and longitudinal couplings are weak and of equal magnitude. A substantial strengthening of ME interactions is evident in layered structures, with the ME voltage coefficient a factor of 10–30 higher than in bulk samples. Important findings of our studies of layered composites are as follows. (i) The transverse coupling is stronger than the longitudinal coupling. (ii) The strength of ME interactions is dependent on Zn substitution, with a maximum for x=0.4. (iii) A weak coupling exists at the ferromagnetic-piezoelectric interface, as revealed by an analysis of the volume and static magnetic field dependence of ME voltage coefficients. (iv) The interface coupling k increases with Zn substitution and the k versus x profile shows a maximum centered at x=0.4. (v) The Zn-assisted enhancement can be attributed to efficient magneto-mechanical coupling in the ferrite. PACS 75.80.+q; 75.50.Gg;75.60.-d;77.65.-j;77.65.Ly;77.84.Dy     

Multiferroism in the dielectric function of CuO

The multiferroic properties of bulk CuO are manifested in the dielectric function which can be triggered by an external magnetic field h and by the temperature T. Within a microscopic model and a Green's function technique we have calculated the dielectric function \varepsilon ({\bf k};T,\;h). At the magnetic phase transition temperature T_{{\rm N}2} the dielectric function offers a pronounced anomaly. This kink disappears when the magnetic field is enhanced and \varepsilon ({\bf k};T,\;h) decreases with increasing h ‐field. Both properties are indications for a strong magnetoelectric coupling in this material. The observation of multiferroism in CuO within an analytical approach is achieved by considering frustration and a linear magnetoelectric coupling. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Ferroelectric control of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the Fe/BaTiO(3)(001) interface

Density-functional calculations are employed to investigate the effect of ferroelectric polarization of BaTiO(3) on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the Fe /BaTiO(3)(001) interface. It is found that the interface magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy changes from 1.33 to 1.02 erg cm (-2) when the ferroelectric polarization is reversed. This strong magnetoelectric coupling is explained in terms of the changing population of the Fe 3d orbitals at the Fe/BaTiO(3) interface driven by polarization reversal. Our results indicate that the electronically assisted magnetoelectric effects at the ferromagnetic/ferroelectric interfaces may be a viable alternative to the strain mediated coupling in related heterostructures and the electric field-induced effects on the interface magnetic anisotropy in ferromagnet/dielectric structures.     

New class of magnetoresistance oscillations: interaction of a two-dimensional electron gas with leaky interface phonons

We report on a new class of magnetoresistance oscillations observed in a high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in GaAs-Al(x)Ga(1--x)As heterostructures. Appearing in a weak magnetic field ( B < 0.3 T) and only in a narrow temperature range ( 2 K < T < 9 K), these oscillations are periodic in 1/B with a frequency proportional to the electron Fermi wave vector, k(F). We interpret the effect as a magnetophonon resonance of the 2DEG with leaky interface-acoustic phonon modes carrying a wave vector q = 2k(F). Calculations show a few branches of such modes existing on the GaAs-Al(x)Ga(1--)xAs interface, and their velocities are in quantitative agreement with the observation.     

Measuring E and B fields in laser-produced plasmas with monoenergetic proton radiography

Electromagnetic (E/B) fields generated by the interaction with plasmas of long-pulse, low-intensity laser beams relevant to inertial confinement fusion have been measured for the first time using novel monoenergetic proton radiography methods. High-resolution, time-gated radiography images of a plastic foil driven by a 10(14) W/cm(2) laser implied B fields of approximately 0.5 MG and E fields of approximately 1.5 x 10(8) V/m. Simulations of these experiments with LASNEX+LSP have been performed and are in overall (though not exact) agreement with the data both for field strengths and for spatial distributions; this is the first direct experimental test of the laser-generated B-field package in LASNEX. The experiments also demonstrated that laser phase plates substantially reduce medium-scale chaotic field structure.     

Optics of magnetoelectric media in the presence of a magnetic field and a spatial dispersion of the dielectric permittivity

Influence of an external magnetic field and a spatial dispersion of the dielectric permittivity on the irreversibility of waves in magnetoelectric media is considered. Features of the azimuth inhomogeneity at the simultaneous anisotropy of the dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability in these media are studied.     

Ionic liquid gating control of magnetic anisotropy in Ni0.81Fe0.19 thin films

Voltage control magnetism is one of the most energy efficient pathway towards magnetoelectric (ME) device. Ionic liquid gating (ILG) method has already shown impressive manipulation power at the IL/electrode interface to influence the structure, orbital as well as spin of the electrode materials. As key material in anisotropy magnetoresistance sensor and spin valve heterostructure, the permalloy Ni_0.81Fe_0.19 was utilized as the electrode to investigate the ILG induced magnetic anisotropy change. In this work, we realized magnetic anisotropy control in Au/[DEME]⁺[TFSI]^-/Ni_0.81Fe_0.19 (2.5 nm)/Ta heterostructure via ILG caused electrostatic doping. This is evidenced in situ reversible ferromagnetic field (H_r) shift with electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer. Aiming at the question whether the charge accumulation at the ionic liquid interface is the main control mechanism at low voltage, we carefully tested the relationship between the change of resonance field and the amount of surface charge. It was found that these two had a good linear relationship between −1 V and +1 V. Defining the linear parameter as A whose value is 28.7 mT m²/Col. Unlike previously reported chemical regulation of Co, this article used ionic liquids to physically regulate NiFe, which has not been studied in the previous ionic liquid regulation. And NiFe has a narrower resonance line width for easy reference to microwave devices. In addition, It also has a stronger ferromagnetic signal than Co, which can be more easily detected as a sensor device. Therefore, this system is more promising. The ILG control NiFe may lead to a new kind of magnetoelectric sensor devices and path a new way to low energy consumption spintronics.     

Magnetoelectric effect in garnet films with the induced magnetic anisotropy in a nonuniform electric field

The mechanism underlying the strong magnetoelectric effect in epitaxial films of magnetic garnet is proposed. This mechanism is not related to the existence of the electrically charged domain walls. It results from the effect of a nonuniform electric field on the induced magnetic anisotropy and depends on the crystallographic orientation of the films.     

Magnetotransport properties in magnetic nanotubes studied using Monte Carlo simulations

The dependences of the magnetoelectric transport properties of nanotubes on the temperature, diameter and anisotropy were simulated using the Monte Carlo method, the Heisenberg model and the Drude formula. The simulations included the effects of an external magnetic field, magnetocrystalline anisotropy and nearest neighbor interactions. Two types of nanotubes with different unit cells (square and hexagonal) were implemented. The influence of the nanotube geometry was also analyzed. A smaller dependence of the resistivity on the nanotube diameter and magnetocrystalline anisotropy was observed for the square unit cell nanotubes compared to the results obtained for the hexagonal unit cell nanotubes. Furthermore, lower fluctuations in the resistivity were observed in the former. In contrast, an external magnetic field had a greater influence on the resistivity of the square unit cell nanotubes than for the hexagonal unit cell nanotubes.     

Magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy in YCo4B compound

Easy and hard magnetization curves of YCo₄B compound have been measured in the temperature range from 1.5 to 300 K. It was found that the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy field decreases with decreasing temperature, and the magnetic anisotropy changes from the easy c-axis to the easy cone at approximately 150 K. The easy and hard magnetization curves did not cross up to 6 T. High field susceptibility of the compound for magnetic field parallel to the alignment direction seems different from that for a field perpendicular to the alignment direction. A jump was observed along the easy magnetization curve at 1.5 and 77 K. The critical field of the jump is about 1.5 T at 1.5 K and 1.2 T at 77 K. The jump was shown to be reversible at 1.5 K by down hill measurement.     

Electric-field control of nonvolatile magnetization in Co40Fe40B20/Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))(0.7)Ti(0.3)O3 structure at room temperature

We report a large and nonvolatile bipolar-electric-field-controlled magnetization at room temperature in a Co(40)Fe(40)B(20)/Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))(0.7)Ti(0.3)O(3) structure, which exhibits an electric-field-controlled looplike magnetization. Investigations on the ferroelectric domains and crystal structures with in situ electric fields reveal that the effect is related to the combined action of 109° ferroelastic domain switching and the absence of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in Co(40)Fe(40)B(20). This work provides a route to realize large and nonvolatile magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature and is significant for applications.     

A phenomenological theory for polarization flop in spiral multiferroic TbMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A phenomenological Landau theory has been used to explain magnetic field-driven polarization flop in TbMnO ₃. The Néel wall-like magnetic structure in spiral multiferroics induces a space-dependent internal magnetic field which exerts a torque on spins to rotate bc-spiral to ab-spiral. The external magnetic field is argued to be competing with easy axis anisotropy and the system stabilizes when anisotropy is minimum. With the help of Landau free energy with DM magnetoelectric coupling and a general ansatz for magnetization, the phenomenon of polarization flop has been explained. Relation between T_flop and critical magnetic field has been established and found to be in good agreement with the experiment. This could be an indication that anisotropy of the system is temperature- and magnetic field-dependent.