Critical dynamics of magnets

We review our current understanding of the critical dynamics of magnets above and below the transition temperature with focus on the effects due to the dipole-dipole interaction present in all real magnets. Significant progress in our understanding of real ferromagnets in the vicinity of the critical point has been made in the last decade through improved experimental techniques and theoretical advances in taking into account realistic spin-spin interactions. We start our review with a discussion of the theoretical results for the critical dynamics based on recent renormalization group, mode coupling and spin-wave theories. A detailed comparison is made of the theory with experimental results obtained by different measuring techniques, such as neutron scattering, hyperfine interaction, muon spin resonance, electron spin resonance, and magnetic relaxation, in various materials. Furthermore we discuss the effects of dipolar interaction on the critical dynamics of three-dimensional isotropic antiferromagnets and uniaxial ferromagnets. Special attention is also paid to a discussion of the consequences of dipolar anisotropies on the existence of magnetic order and the spin-wave spectrum in two-dimensional ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. We close our review with a formulation of critical dynamics in terms of nonlinear Langevin equations.     

Electron spin resonance signal of Luttinger liquids and single-wall carbon nanotubes

A comprehensive theory of electron spin resonance (ESR) for a Luttinger liquid state of correlated metals is presented. The ESR measurables such as the signal intensity and the linewidth are calculated in the framework of Luttinger liquid theory with broken spin rotational symmetry as a function of magnetic field and temperature. We obtain a significant temperature dependent homogeneous line broadening which is related to the spin-symmetry breaking and the electron-electron interaction. The result crosses over smoothly to the ESR of itinerant electrons in the noninteracting limit. These findings explain the absence of the long-sought ESR signal of itinerant electrons in single-wall carbon nanotubes when considering realistic experimental conditions.     

Die Rotation des Elektronenspins beim ebenen Tunnelprozeß mit überlagertem homogenem Magnetfeld

Measurements of the spin polarization of field emitted electrons from various ferromagnetic (Gd, Ni, Fe) and nonferromagnetic metals (W) show a steady increase of the angle? _s between momentum and electron spin with increasing external magnetic field (spin rotation). This effect is refered to the coupling between the magnetic moment of the electron and the strong electric field in the potential barrier at the emitter surface during the tunneling process. A formal application of the equation of spin motion derived by Bargmann, Michel and Telegdi for an electron moving in homogeneous electromagnetic fields delivers a quantitative agreement with the experimental results.     

Recent progress in the theory of itinerant electron magnetism

A review is given of recent theoretical investigations toward unified understanding of magnetism in narrow-band electron systems. It is emphasized that the classical controversy between the itinerant and localized models have been resolved into a more general and well-defined problem of spin density fluctuations in a general sense. The local moment picture is a limiting form of general spin fluctuations; and in its opposite limit we have weakly ferro- and antiferromagnetic metals. As an approach from the latter limit, the self-consistent renormalization theory of spin fluctuations is shown to have been quite successful in explaining and predicting a number of qualitatively new physical properties of this class of materials. More recent theoretical studies of spin fluctuations from a general point of view interpolating between the above-mentioned two limits seem to lead to a unified picture of magnetism in narrow-band electron systems including 3d transition metals and magnetic compounds.     

Spectrum and relaxation of longwavelength magnons in disordered ferromagnetic metals

In the framework of the spin operator diagram technique the spectrum and relaxation frequency of longwavelength magnons in disordered ferromagnetic metals described by s-d(f)-exchange model are considered. The damping and the stiffness constant renormalization of Goldstone magnon mode due to combined magnon-electron-atomic inhomogeneity scattering process are calculated. The comparison of results obtained with available experimental data on spin wave resonance linewidths is carried out.     

Surface and interface magnons: Magnetic structures near the surface

After a short review of the recent experimental data in the study of static and dynamic properties of magnetism in finite samples with attention to the surface effect, a theoretical treatment of the surface effect is presented. Different experiments are concerned: magnetization measurements, Mössbauer analysis, spin polarized photoemission, low energy electron diffraction, spin wave resonance and Brillouin scattering of spin waves. The choice of a typical Hamiltonian consistent with the experimental results is carefully made, with either a quite local surface perturbation leading to a discrete treatment or a quasi-continuous surface perturbation leading to a continuum treatment. Then the ground state of this spin Hamiltonian is derived in both cases with evidence for a surface of interface magnetic rearrangement with standard conditions. The first excited states, i.e. the one-magnon eigenstates are then derived in a quite general way, which allows non-uniformities in the sample. Several simple cases are completely treated, with, for instance, the study of the magnetic decoupling of the different parts of coupled thin films. These results enable us to discuss the temperature effects, and by means of a Tyablikov-Bogoliubov renormalization technique, high temperatures are correctly studied, including the Curie transitions. Now a careful investigation of the experimental situation compared to these theoretical results is given, with attention to new effects such as spin wave polarization and to a surface classification with evidence for “hard” and “soft” surface different behavior.     

自旋轨道耦合系统中的自旋流与自旋霍尔效应

作为自旋电子学的重要研究内容,如何在固态系统中产生、操控以及探测自旋流引起了研究人员的广泛兴趣。基于自旋轨道耦合的自旋霍尔效应为在非磁性半导体中产生自旋流提供了一种有效途径。然而,在具有自旋轨道耦合的系统中,自旋流并不守恒。如何理解这点并恰当地表述相应的连续性方程,成为自旋输运研究的基本问题之一。本文主要综述自旋轨道耦合系统中自旋流与自旋霍尔效应方面的研究进展。引入SU(2)规范势后,自旋流满足协变形式的连续性方程,该方程保证了SU(2)Kubo公式在不同规范固定下的自洽性。利用SU(2)场强张量,可以直接得到自旋密度和自旋流在SU(2)外场中受到的自旋力,该力在只有U(1)磁场时对应于Stern-Gerlach力。由于依赖杂质散射的外在自旋霍尔效应很难被利用,内在自旋霍尔效应的概念被提出:在非磁半导体中,U(1)电场会诱导出自旋流并导致系统边缘处的自旋积累。自旋霍尔效应已经在半导体和金属材料中被观察到。虽然在干净的二维电子气中自旋霍尔电导率是一普适常数e/8π,但杂质对它的影响却引起了人们的高度关注。通过引入退相干效应,自旋霍尔效应中杂质效应的一些令人困惑的理论结果,则得到清晰的解释。此外,本文还将介绍具有层间隧穿的双层二维电子气中的自旋输运现象。在能量简并点附近,自旋霍尔电导率和隧穿自旋电导率均会出现共振现象。当两层间的杂质势强度存在差异时,隧穿自旋电导率随门压的变化曲线呈现出非对称性,显示出自旋二极管效应。     

自旋轨道耦合系统中的自旋流与自旋霍尔效应

作为自旋电子学的重要研究内容,如何在固态系统中产生、操控以及探测自旋流引起了研究人员的广泛兴趣.基于自旋轨道耦合的自旋霍尔效应为在非磁性半导体中产生自旋流提供了一种有效途径.然而,在具有自旋轨道耦合的系统中,自旋流并不守恒.如何理解这点并恰当地表述相应的连续性方程,成为自旋输运研究的基本问题之一.本文主要综述自旋轨道耦合系统中自旋流与自旋霍尔效应方面的研究进展.引入SU(2)规范势后,自旋流满足协变形式的连续性方程,该方程保证了SU(2)Kubo公式在不同规范固定下的自洽性.利用SU(2)场强张量,可以直接得到自旋密度和自旋流在SU(2)外场中受到的白旋力,该力在只有U(1)磁场时对应于Stern-Gerlach力.由于依赖杂质散射的外在自旋霍尔效应很难被利用,内在自旋霍尔效应的概念被提出:在非磁半导体中,U(1)电场会诱导出自旋流并导致系统边缘处的自旋积累.自旋霍尔效应已经在半导体和金属材料中被观察到.虽然在干净的二维电子气中自旋霍尔电导率是一普适常数e/8π,但杂质对它的影响却引起了人们的高度关注.通过引入退相干效应,自旋霍尔效应中杂质效应的一些令人困惑的理论结果,则得到清晰的解释.此外,本文还将介绍具有层间隧穿的双层二维电子气中的自旋输运现象.在能量简并点附近,自旋霍尔电导率和隧穿白旋电导率均会出现共振现象.当两层间的杂质势强度存在差异时,隧穿自旋电导率随门压的变化曲线呈现出非对称性,显示出自旋二极管效应.     

Investigation of electronic transitions in semiconductors with pulsed electrically detected magnetic resonance

A short review is given on pulsed electrically detected magnetic resonance (pulsed EDMR), a highly sensitive method for the investigation of spin-dependent transport and recombination mechanisms in semiconductors. Pulsed EDMR is based on the transient detection of spin-dependent recombination in a coherent time domain by means of the photoconductivity response after the application of a short electron spin resonance (ESR) pulse. Pulsed EDMR is about 8 to 9 orders of magnitude more sensitive than ESR and highly selective and it gives access to quantitative information such as transition probabilities for the electronic states involved. The theoretical and experimental foundations of the time-domain measurement of spin-dependent charge carrier recombination with pulsed EDMR are given and experimental results are discussed.     

Radio frequencies in EPR: Conventional and advanced use

This mini-review focuses on various aspects of the application of radio frequency (rf) irradiation in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The development of the electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) technique is briefly described, and we highlight the use of circularly polarized rf fields and pulse ENDOR methodology in one- and two-dimensional experiments. The capability of pulse ENDOR at Q-band is illustrated with interesting experimental examples. Electron spin echo envelope modulation effects induced by an rf field in liquid samples demonstrate another role which rf fields can play. Technical achievements in the design of ENDOR resonators are illustrated by the example of a bridged loop-gap resonator. Finally, the influence of longitudinal rf fields on the dynamics of EPR transitions is explained using a dressed spin resonance treatment.     

电阻式核磁共振测量的最新进展

电阻式核磁共振(RDNMR)测量是1988年由德国马普所的von Klitzing研究小组针对GaAs二维电子气中少量核自旋的探测而提出的一种具有超高灵敏度的实验技术. 目前, RDNMR已经成为研究单层或双层GaAs二维电子气核自旋和电子自旋特性的重要手段. 由于为实现电阻式核磁共振测量所建立的动态核极化方法强烈依赖于GaAs特有的材料属性, 至今这一技术一直没有扩展应用到其他半导体低维系统中. 最近,本研究小组发展了一种动态核极化新方法,成功实现了对典型窄带半导体锑化铟(InSb) 二维电子气的电阻式核磁共振测量.本文在介绍电阻式核磁共振测量工作原理及已建立的典型动态核极化方法的基础上,着重讨论所提出的动态核极化新方法的机理、 实验结果以及对今后研究的展望.     

Magnetic domains in non-ferromagnetic metals: The non-linear de Haas-van Alphen effect

This review is devoted to an exposition of the principles of the physics of magnetic domains in non-ferromagnetic metals and diamagnetic phase transitions, which lead to the formation of the so-called Condon domains during magnetic oscillations in a three-dimensional electron gas. One of the goals of the review is to provide a deeper insight into the nature of this instability of the electron gas in normal metals and improve the understanding of this type of non-spin magnetism. We discuss theoretical aspects of the physics underlying magnetic ordering of conduction electrons in bulk metals and in thin films, and describe the behaviour of the susceptibility, thermal expansion, specific heat, compressibility, sound velocity, magnetic induction bifurcation, the order parameter, domain formation, wetting of domain walls, nucleation and kinetics of diamagnetic phase transitions. In the vicinity of diamagnetic phase transitions the results obtained coincide with those following from the Landau theory of phase transitions. The existence of the critical sample size for the diamagnetic phase transition in thin films is considered. We place special emphasis on the problem of the order of diamagnetic phase transitions. The survey is partly motivated as complementary to the recent review by G. Solt and V. Egorov describing the experimental situation in the field. Contents PAGE 1. Introduction 386 2. Diamagnetic phase transitions and Condon domains 390 2.1. Shoenberg's and Condon's consideration of the phenomena 390 2.2. Phase diagrams for one de Haas-van Alphen cycle 395 3. Critical phenomena at second-order diamagnetic phase transitions in three-dimensional metals 397 3.1. Introduction 397 3.2. Order parameter and susceptibility 397 3.3. Specific heat jump 403 3.4. Phase diagrams 407 3.5. Finite-size effects 410 3.6. Compressibility, thermal expansion and sound velocity 414 4. Condon domains and resonance methods of their investigation 417 4.1. Introduction 417 4.2. Nuclear magnetic resonance and Condon domains 418 4.3. Muon spin resonance spectroscopy and Condon domains 420 4.4. Critical exponents at diamagnetic phase transitions in silver and beryllium 426 4.5. Helicon resonance and Condon domains 428 4.6. Critical dynamics of the diamagnetic phase transition in aluminium 430 5. First-order diamagnetic phase transitions 431 5.1. Introduction 431 5.2. Domain formation 433 5.3. Kinetics 436 5.4. Wetting 441 5.5. Nucleation 442 5.6. Order of diamagnetic phase transitions 444 5.7. Hysteresis and Condon domains 445 6. Summary 446 7. Some open issues 448 Acknowledgements 450 References 451     

Longitudinally modulated ENDOR spectroscopy. Lineshape and signal dependence on relaxation times

A novel technique, named longitudinally modulated electron nuclear double resonance (LOMENDOR), is reported. The lineshape of the signal is studied as a function of the relaxation times of the spin system under study and as a function of the microwave and radiofrequency field strengths. Analytical expressions of the line intensity and width are obtained at low saturation factors. The experimental setup is described and the results are compared with theory. The application of LOMENDOR for the direct measurement of relaxation times is discussed in detail.     

准一维半导体量子点中电偶极自旋共振的物理机理

半导体量子点中的电子自旋具有较长相干时间以及可扩展性的特点, 在近十几年来引起了人们的广泛兴趣. 人们常常利用电子自旋共振技术来对单个自旋进行操纵. 这样不但需要一个静磁场来使电子产生赛曼劈裂, 同时还需要一个与之垂直的局域振荡磁场. 但是, 在实验上产生足够强且具有固定频率的局域磁场是比较困难的. 后来人们发现, 局域的振荡电场也可以操纵单个电子自旋, 也就是所谓的电偶极自旋共振. 众所周知, 自旋只有自旋磁矩, 不会与电场有任何直接的相互作用. 所以, 电偶极自旋共振的发生必须依赖于某些媒质. 这些媒质包括：量子点材料中的自旋轨道耦合作用, 量子点中的局域磁场梯度, 以及量子点中电子自旋与核自旋的超精细相互作用. 这些媒质能诱导出自旋与电场之间间接的相互作用, 从而外电场操纵单个电子自旋得以实现. 本文总结归纳了目前半导体量子点系统中发生电偶极自旋共振的三种主要物理机理.     

Electron and nuclear spin dynamics in antiferromagnetic molecular rings

We study theoretically the spin dynamics of antiferromagnetic molecular rings, such as the ferric wheel Fe10. For a single nuclear or impurity spin coupled to one of the electron spins of the ring, we calculate nuclear and electronic spin correlation functions and show that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques can be used to detect coherent tunneling of the Néel vector in these rings. The location of the NMR/ESR resonances gives the tunnel splitting and its linewidth an upper bound on the decoherence rate of the electron spin dynamics. We illustrate the experimental feasibility of our proposal with estimates for Fe10 molecules.     

Contact electrification

If two materials are brought into contact and then separated they are found to be charged; this is the phenomenon of ‘contact electrification’. The subject falls naturally into three divisions—electrification of metals by metals; of insulators by metals; and of insulators by insulators. The first of these is well understood; charge transfer between metals is such as to bring the two Fermi levels into coincidence. The second division, electrification of insulators by metals, has been much studied recently and takes up the main part of our review; our understanding remains imperfect, chiefly because of lack of knowledge about the relevant electron states in insulators. Electrification of insulators by insulators has not been studied so extensively, but there is evidence that an understanding of the metal/insulator case will lead to an understanding of the insulator/insulator case as well.     

Microwave Spin Frequency Comb Memory Protocol Controlled by Gradient Magnetic Pulses

We have demonstrated a combination of frequency comb spin-echo protocol in a conventional microwave pulsed electron spin resonance spectrometer with gradient pulses of the external magnetic field applied for on-demand retrieval of signal microwave pulses at the required moments of time. A natural high-finesse periodic structure was used as a carrier of stored information. The structure is made out of hyperfine lines of electron spin resonance of tetracyanoethylene anion radicals in toluene at room temperature. Herein, we have also observed that using the pulses of gradient magnetic field can increase the memory capacity. The experimental results demonstrated promising opportunities for controlling electron nuclear spin coherence, which could be useful for implementation of broadband microwave or optical-microwave noise free quantum memory protocols.     

Solid-state quantum computation—a new direction for nanotechnology

We review current proposals for six types of solid-state quantum computers. We discuss the general requirements for solid-state quantum computers and describe proposals which employ superconducting junctions, electron orbitals in quantum dots, electron spin resonance, nuclear spins of impurity atoms, and nuclear spins in a crystal lattice. We also describe our proposed nuclear spin quantum computer based on magnetic resonance force microscopy. Finally, we describe our numerical method for modeling quantum transformations with a large number (up to 1000) of qubits.