Tuning giant magnetoimpedance response of Fe75.5Si13.5B7Nb3Cu1 amorphous ribbon by laser ablation

An easy method of tuning the response of maximum magnetoimpedance (MI) ratio in Fe_75.5Si_13.5B₇Nb₃Cu₁ amorphous ribbons was investigated by laser ablation. In order to obtain different GMI peak positions, the stripes were ablated by laser with different separations on the surface layer of the ribbon. When the stripes were parallel (or perpendicular) to the applied magnetic field, the peak location of maximum MI ratio would drift to larger (or smaller) external field. And the shift was correlated with the spaces between stripes. The applied fields corresponding to the minimum and maximum values of peak location are 13 Oe and 49 Oe at the frequency of 15 MHz, respectively. The phenomenon can be explained by the anisotropy field induced by demagnetizing field after the laser ablation.     

Low temperature study of micrometric powder of melted Fe50Mn10Al40 alloy

Melted Fe₅₀Mn₁₀Al₄₀ alloy powder with particle size less than 40 μm was characterized at room temperature by XRD, SEM and XPS; and at low temperatures by Mössbauer spectrometry, ac susceptibility, and magnetization analysis. The results show that the sample is BCC ferromagnetic but with a big contribution of paramagnetic sites, and presents super-paramagnetic and re-entrant spin-glass phases with critical temperatures of 265 and 35 K, respectively. The presence of the different phases detected is due to the disordered character of the sample and the competitive magnetic interactions. The obtained values of the saturation magnetization and the coercive field as a function of temperature present a behavior which indicates a ferromagnetic phase. However, the behavior of the FC curve and that of the coercive field as a function of temperature suggest that the dipolar magnetic interaction between particles contributes to the internal magnetic field in the same way as was reported for nanoparticulate powders.     

Strange anisotropy in amorphous metals

The spin orientation in ferromagnetic amorphous Fe₈₃P₅C₁₂ in an external magnetic field, H_ext, applied perpendicular to the ribbon sample has been determined by magnetoresistance measurements and by the angular dependence of the hyperfine interaction. In small fields, H_ext ? 4 kOe, the spins tend to orient themselves perpendicular to H_ext due to the influence of the demagnetizing field and in large fields, H_ext ≈ 50 kOe, a complete alignment was not obtained.     

Magnetization processes in the narrow domain structures of amorphous ferromagnetic alloys

The magnetization processes within the narrow domain laminae of amorphous ferromagnetic alloys have been investigated by means of the magneto-optical Kerr effect. Changes of the domain width of the closure domains by a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the laminae have been determined for the alloys Fe₈₀B₂₀ and Fe₄₀Ni₄₀P₁₄B₆. These results are compared with theoretical calculations, assuming that wall displacements within the closure domains and rotations of the magnetization in the bulk domains take place simultaneously and a stray field free domain structure is developed. It turned out, that the closure domain structure on the surface of the sample vanishes at the same magnetic field where magnetic saturation is approached.     

Electromagneto-optical effect in ferromagnetic/piezoelectric structure

The electromagneto-optical (EMO) effect as a magneto-electric response for ferromagnetic/piezoelectric (yttrium iron garnets/lead zirconate titanate) structure by applying an external electrical field was registered by using an optical polarimetry method. EMO characterization (α _EMO) was carried out as a function of the variable electric field, static electric field and static magnetic field, which were applied perpendicular to the sample plane. The EMO effect for the structure investigated went up by a factor of approximately ten compared to separate ferromagnetic phase.     

Study of magnetic properties of Pd<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.05</Subscript> alloy using polarized muons and neutrons

The Pd_1?x Fe _x )_0.95Mn_0.05 alloy with random competing interaction was studied by measuring the muon spin relaxation in an external transverse magnetic field and in a zero magnetic field. Using the measured temperature dependence of the dynamic relaxation rate λ and the characteristics of the distribution of local static fields, the phase states of the sample under study are refined. In particular, it is shown that the ferromagnetic and spin-glass states coexist simultaneously in the sample below 25 K. Combined studies of the sample using the μSR and neutron depolarization methods made it possible to determine the size of magnetic inhomogeneities to be 2–6 μm in the temperature range 5–40 K.     

Exchange bias tuned by cooling field in La0.2Ca0.8MnO3 nanoparticles

We report the magnetic properties in the nanosized charge ordering manganite La_0.2Ca_0.8MnO₃ with an average particle size ～50 nm. The sample exhibits ferromagnetism at low temperatures. The exchange bias phenomenon is observed when the sample is cooled down in an external magnetic field. Moreover, the exchange bias field is dependent on the cooling field and shows a maximum of ～520 Oe under a cooling field ～5 kOe. The exchange bias effect can be attributed to the exchange coupling between the ferromagnetic shell and antiferromagnetic core. The decrease of exchange bias field in high cooling field can be attributed to the growth of ferromagnetic component under high cooling field.     

Modification of magnetic anisotropy in metallic glasses using high-energy ion beam irradiation

Heavy ion irradiation in the electronic stopping power region induces macroscopic dimensional change in metallic glasses and introduces magnetic anisotropy in some magnetic materials. The present work is on the irradiation study of ferromagnetic metallic glasses, where both dimensional change and modification of magnetic anisotropy are expected. Magnetic anisotropy was measured using Mössbauer spectroscopy of virgin and irradiated Fe₄₀Ni₄₀B₂₀ and Fe₄₀Ni₃₈Mo₄B₁₈ metallic glass ribbons. 90 MeV ¹²⁷I beam was used for the irradiations. Irradiation doses were 5×10¹³ and 7.5×10¹³ ions/cm². The relative intensity ratios D ₂₃ of the second and third lines of the Mössbauer spectra were measured to determine the magnetic anisotropy. The virgin samples of both the materials display in-plane magnetic anisotropy, i.e., the spins are oriented parallel to the ribbon plane. Irradiation is found to cause reduction in magnetic anisotropy. Near-complete randomization of magnetic moments is observed at high irradiation doses. Correlation is found between the residual stresses introduced by ion irradiation and the change in magnetic anisotropy.     

Effect of oxygen non-stoichiometry on the antiferromagnet-ferromagnet transition in Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3−δ(δ≤0.12)

A decrease in the oxygen content in Nd_0.5Ca_0.5MnO_3?δ down to γ≤0.12 is shown to bring about a strong decrease in the magnetic field inducing a transition from the antiferromagnetic charge-ordered to the ferromagnetic charge-disordered state. The ferromagnetic phase in a Nd_0.5Ca_0.5MnO_2.92 sample is stable in the absence of an external magnetic field. A further increase in the content of oxygen vacancies stabilizes the antiferromagnetic charge-disordered state.     

Half-metallicity modulation of zigzag BC2N nanoribbons by transverse electric fields: A first principles study

We performed density functional theory calculations to investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of H-terminated zigzag BC₂N nanoribbons (ZBC₂NNRs) with the atoms arranged as B-C-N-C along zigzag lines. The ribbons can be classified into three groups according to the profiles of band structures and edge atoms: BN-BN, CC-CC and BN-CC. Among them, CC-CC and BN-CC ZBC₂NNRs behave magnetic ground states. The results show that the CC-CC ZBC₂NNR is an antiferromagnetic (AFM) semiconductor. Under the transverse electric field, the half-metallicity of 16-CC-CC ZBC₂NNR can be achieved with electric field in the range of $0.2～0.45$ VÅ^?1. Interestingly, the intrinsic half-metallicity exists in BN-CC ZBC₂NNRs when the ribbon width is smaller than ～29.2 Å. For larger ribbon width (～33.5 Å), the system could be converted from ferromagnetic metal to half-metals at a very low critical field of $E=0.02$ VÅ^?1. Meanwhile, it is also shown that the I–V characteristic of BN-BN ZBC₂NNRs shows a negative differential resistance (NDR) effect. These ample electronic and magnetic properties might open great opportunities for BC₂N materials in spintronics and nanoscale device in the future.     

Synthesis and magnetic characterization of Zn0.7Ni0.3Fe2O4 nanoparticles via microwave-assisted combustion route

We report on the synthesis of Zn_0.7Ni_0.3Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles via microwave assisted combustion route by using urea as fuel. XRD and FT-IR analyses confirm the composition and structure as spinel ferrite. The crystallite size estimated from XRD (16.4 nm) and the magnetic core size (15.04 nm) estimated from VSM agree well, while a slightly smaller magnetic diameter reflects a very thin magnetically dead layer on the surface of the nanoparticles. Morphological investigation of the products was done by TEM which revealed the existence of irregular shapes such spherical, spherodial and polygon. Magnetization measurements performed on Zn_0.7Ni_0.3Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles showed that saturation was not attained at even in the high magnetic field. The sample shows superparamagnetic behavior at around the room temperature and ferromagnetic behavior below the blocking temperature which is measured as 284 K.     

Electrical resistivity and magnetostriction of nanocrystalline Fe-N-B ribbon

Because of the high saturation magnetization of nanocrystalline Fe_84.6N_7.8B_7.4 ribbon with α″-Fe₁₆N₂ nanocrystallites embedded in an amorphous matrix, its electrical resistivity and magnetostriction were studied to improve its soft magnetic properties. The prepared sample exhibits a higher electrical resistivity of 246 μΩ cm and a smaller saturation magnetostriction of 2.52 ppm. The present results indicate that nanocrystalline Fe_84.6N_7.8B_7.4 ribbon with α″-Fe₁₆N₂ phase is a good candidate for soft magnetic materials.     

Magnetic impedance of structured film meanders in the presence of magnetic micro- and nanoparticles

The magnetic impedance (MI) of film elements in the form of meanders with a [Fe19Ni81]/Cu]₄/Fe19Ni81/Cu/[Fe19Ni81/Cu]₄/Fe19Ni81 layered structure and variable geometry is studied. For the best meanders (having a maximal MI of up to 125% and an MI maximal sensitivity of about 30%/Oe), the influence of stray magnetic fields is determined. The stray fields are produced by spherical iron particles 500 μm in diameter and ferrofluids containing iron oxide nanoparticles. The feasibility of detecting intricately configured stray fields from a set of ferromagnetic spheres arranged on the surface of an MI element is demonstrated. The sensitivity of film meander MI elements to nonuniform external magnetic fields is simulated. The results of this work may be helpful in developing special-purpose magnetic sensors intended for micropositioning, nondestructive testing, and biomagnetic detection.     

Magnetoresistance in ferromagnetic shape memory alloy NiMnFeGa

The magnetoresistance (MR){=[R(H)−R(0)]/R(0)} properties in ferromagnetic shape memory alloy of NiMnFeGa ribbons and single crystals, and NiFeGa ribbons have been investigated. It is found that the NiMnFeGa melt-spun ribbon exhibited GMR effect, arising from the spin-dependent scattering from magnetic inhomogeneities consisting of antiferromagnetically coupled Mn atoms in B2 structure. In the absence of these magnetic inhomogeneities, Heusler alloys seem to show a common linear MR behavior at around 0.8T_C, regardless of sample structures. This may be explained by the s-d model. At low temperatures, conventional AMR behaviors due to the spin-orbital coupling are observed. This is most likely due to the diminished MR from s-d model because of much less spin fluctuation, and is not associated with martensite phase. MR anomaly at intermediate field (ρ_⊥>ρ_||) is also observed in single crystal samples, which may be related to unique features of Heusler alloys.     

Development of NiMnGa-based ferromagnetic shape memory alloy by rapid solidification route

The ferromagnetic shape memory alloy with nominal composition of Ni_52.5Mn_24.5Ga₂₃(at%) was developed by the melt-spinning technique. The as-spun ribbon showed dominant L2₁ austenitic (cubic) structure with splitting of primary peak in the X-ray diffractogram indicating existence of a martensitic feature. The quenched-in martensitic plates were revealed from Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Increase of magnetisation at low-temperature rise indicates martensite to austenite transformation and its reverse with a drop in magnetisation during cooling cycle. The martensite to austenite transformation can be made spontaneous at higher magnetic field.     

Room temperature ferromagnetism and magnetotransport properties of the layered manganite system La1.2Ba1.8Mn2−xRuxO7 (0≤x≤1.0)

The dc magnetization and ac susceptibility measurements on two dimensional layered manganite La_1.2Ba_1.8Mn₂O₇ samples reveal the occurrence of ferromagnetism above room temperature with ferromagnetic (FM) to paramagnetic (PM) transitions at 338 K. The bifurcation temperatures shown by the zero-field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) dc magnetization curves at high temperatures shift towards lower temperatures as the applied field is increased from 100 to 2500 Oe. The data are suggestive of a large magnetic anisotropy due to the strong competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions resulting in a spin-glass-like state. Ru doping is found to enhance the ferromagnetism and metallicity of the system in a remarkable way. The magnetoresistance (MR) values obtained are very high and about 40% even at 260 K for the undoped sample.     

Electron spin resonance in InGaAs/GaAs heterostructures with a manganese δ layer

The static and high-frequency dynamic magnetic properties and photoluminescence of two-dimensional semiconductor GaAs heterostructures containing an InGaAs quantum well and a thin manganese layer (δ layer) are studied. It is found that the Curie temperature is T _C ≈ 35 K and the magnetic anisotropy field of the ferromagnetic manganese δ layer is H _a ≈ 600 Oe. The spin resonance spectrum exhibits a line in weak fields (from −50 to 100 Oe), which is observed in the same temperature interval T < 40 K where the ferromagnetic ordering of the manganese δ layer occurs. This line is probably caused by the nonresonance contribution of the spin-dependent scattering of charge carriers to the negative magnetic resistance. The dependence of the degree of polarization of photoluminescence on the magnetic field also points to the ferromagnetic behavior of the manganese δ layer.     

Magnetic state of the structural separated anion-deficient La<Subscript>0.70</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.30</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>2.85</Subscript> manganite

The results of neutron diffraction studies of the La_0.70Sr_0.30MnO_2.85 compound and its behavior in an external magnetic field are stated. It is established that in the 4–300 K temperature range, two structural perovskite phases coexist in the sample, which differ in symmetry (groups R[`3]cR\bar 3c and I4/mcm). The reason for the phase separation is the clustering of oxygen vacancies. The temperature (4–300 K) and field (0–140 kOe) dependences of the specific magnetic moment are measured. It is found that in zero external field, the magnetic state of La_0.70Sr_0.30MnO_2.85 is a cluster spin glass, which is the result of frustration of Mn³⁺-O-Mn³⁺ exchange interactions. An increase in external magnetic field up to 10 kOe leads to fragmentation of ferromagnetic clusters and then to an increase in the degree of polarization of local spins of manganese and the emergence of long-range ferromagnetic order. With increasing magnetic field up to 140 kOe, the magnetic ordering temperature reaches 160 K. The causes of the structural and magnetic phase separation of this composition and formation mechanism of its spin-glass magnetic state are analyzed.     

Size-induced ferromagnetism and metallicity in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 nanoparticles: A neutron diffraction study

The phenomenon of destabilization of antiferromagnetic insulating state into a ferromagnetic metallic one in Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ with the variation of particle/grain size is critically investigated. Based on our neutron diffraction study, magnetic and transport experiments, we observe ferromagnetism and metallic behavior in Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ (∼40 nm grain size) as against A-type antiferromagnetic order in the sample with the largest grain size (∼800 nm). The latter shows a systematic change in the lattice parameters with temperature, and an antiferromagnetic ground state similar to that of a bulk system. Interestingly, the sample with the smallest grain sizes exhibits insignificant structural changes (compared to the largest grain size sample) but a complete change in the magnetic state (ferromagnetic behavior) as revealed from the neutron diffraction study. Magnetic measurements also confirm a ferromagnetic state in the small-grained sample. Electronic transport measurements exhibit a metal-insulator transition in this sample. The effects are primarily attributed to enhanced surface disorder.     

Comparison of parallel and perpendicular ferromagnetic resonance in an exchange-biased bilayer

We have investigated the ferromagnetic resonance spectra of an exchange-biased Ni₈₀Fe₂₀/CoO bilayer between room temperature and 4 K. Primary attention has been paid to the effect of the antiferromagnetic CoO film on the temperature-dependent resonance field shift of the ferromagnetic Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ film with respect to that of an unbiased film. At low temperatures, the field shift with the magnetic field applied perpendicular to the plane was determined to be more than twice the magnitude of the parallel field shift, and of the same sign, while an unoxidized single ferromagnetic film has much smaller parallel and perpendicular low-temperature shifts (here defined with respect to room temperature) of opposite sign. This observation implies that the anisotropy axis can rotate with the applied field, provided that the primary cause of the anisotropy is the interaction between the adjacent ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic films. Since the perpendicular shift is more than a factor of two larger than the parallel field shift, the rotatable anisotropy is, in fact, anisotropic in this bilayer.