Controlling the magnetic ground state in Cr1-x Vx films

We demonstrate the ability to control the magnetic phase diagram of Cr1-x Vx(110) thin films grown on a W(110) substrate. Using angle-resolved photoemission, we have mapped paramagnetic and commensurate and incommensurate antiferromagnetic phases as a function of temperature, film thickness, and composition. We show that surface-localized electron states play a key role in the observed phase behaviors and suggest from this that it might be possible to control the magnetic phase by applying an external electric field.     

Effect of tri-potassium phosphate on volumetric,acoustic, and transport behaviour of aqueous solutions of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide at T = (298.15 to 318.15) K

Density, sound velocity, and viscosity of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [Emim][Br], in aqueous solutions of tri-potassium phosphate with salt weight fractions (w_s = 0.00, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) have been measured as a function of concentration of [Emim][Br] at atmospheric pressure and T = (298.15, 303.15, 308.15, 313.15, and 318.15) K. The apparent molar volume, isentropic compressibility, apparent isentropic compressibility, and relative viscosity values have been evaluated from the experimental data. The partial molar volume and isentropic compressibility at infinite dilution, and viscosity B-coefficient obtained from these data have been used to calculate the corresponding transfer parameters for the studied IL from water to the aqueous tri-potassium phosphate solutions. Also, an empirical equation was satisfactorily used to correlate the experimental viscosity data.     

Emergent rotational symmetries in disordered magnetic domain patterns

Uniaxial systems often form labyrinthine domains that exhibit short-range order but are macroscopically isotropic and would not be expected to exhibit precise symmetries. However, their underlying frustration results in a multitude of metastable configurations of comparable energy, and driving such a system externally might lead to pattern formation. We find that soft x-ray speckle diffraction patterns of the labyrinthine domains in CoPd/IrMn heterostructures reveal a diverse array of hidden rotational symmetries about the magnetization axis, thereby suggesting an unusual form of emergent order in an otherwise disordered system. These symmetries depend on applied magnetic field, magnetization history, and scattering wave vector. Maps of rotational symmetry exhibit intriguing structures that can be controlled by manipulating the applied magnetic field in concert with the exchange bias condition.     

Effect of 1-butanol on the surface structure of ionic micelles and location of its solubilization site: Electron spin echo modulation study with x-doxylstearic acid spin probes

Electron spin echo modulation studies with a series of x-doxylstearic acids (x = 5, 7, 10, 12, and 16) have been carried out for sodium- and tetramethylammonium dodecylsulfate and dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride frozen micellar solutions containing protiated and perdeuterated 1-butanol. Modulation effects due to nitroxide interactions with deuterium in water and butanol have been measured versus doxyl group position. The effect of 1-butanol on the micellar surface and internal micellar structure has been evaluated and the average location of 1-butanol in these micelles has been deduced to be in the outer annulus of the micelle core.     

Analysis of matrix nuclei spin flip satellite lines in EPR spectra: Application to trapped hydrogen atoms

The relative intensities and energy separation of allowed EPR lines of a paramagnetic species and partially forbidden spin flip satellite lines due to dipole-dipole coupling between the paramagnetic species and the matrix nuclei have been analyzed in a new way. The analysis allows one to determine both the distance to and the number of matrix nuclei that contribute to a given satellite transition. For hydrogen atoms trapped in a gamma-irradiated sulphuric acid glass at 77 K the analysis indicates that interaction occurs with four matrix protons at a distance of 2.15 Å. For trapped hydrogen atoms in phosphoric acid glass the analysis indicates interaction with four matrix protons at 2.37 Å.     

Adsorbate interactions of Cu(II) in Cu(II)-exchanged K-L gallosilicate studied by CW and Pulsed electron spin resonance

The interactions of Cu(II) in Cu(II)-exchanged K-L gallosilicate with adsorbates containing coordinative nitrogens in ammonia, pyridine, aniline, acetonitrile and hydrazine, and with the adsorbates carbon monoxide, benzene, propanol and dimethyl sulfoxide are investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) and electron spin echo modulation (ESEM) spectroscopies. These results are compared with those in Cu(II)-exchanged K-L aluminosilicate and the differences are discussed. Adsorption of ammonia produces a complex containing four molecules of ammonia based on resolved nitrogen superhyperfine interaction. Upon equilibrium with pyridine, Cu(II) forms a complex containing four molecules of pyridine in CuK-L gallosilicate and a complex containing only three molecules of pyridine in CuK-L aluminosilicate based on resolved nitrogen superhyperfine. Upon adsorption of aniline and acetonitrile, Cu(II) forms complexes containing two molecules of each in CuK-L gallosilicate based on resolved nitrogen superhyperfine. However, no resolved nitrogen superhyperfine between hydrazine and Cu(II) is seen. Adsorption of carbon monoxide, benzene, propanol and dimethyl sulfoxide causes changes in the ESR spectrum of Cu(II), indicating migration of Cu(II) into cation positions in the main channels where adsorbate coordination can occur. Cu(II) forms complexes with one molecule of benzene and two molecules of propanol based on ESEM data in both K-L gallosilicate and K-L aluminosilicate. However, Cu(II) interacts directly with one dimethyl sulfoxide in K-L aluminosilicate but only indirectly at a longer distance with one dimethyl sulfoxide in K-L gallosilicate based on ESEM data.     

Probing complex materials with coherent soft X-rays

We motivate the use of coherent soft X-ray beams to study materials that exhibit complex nanoscale behaviors. A new beamline and magnetic scattering end station that has been constructed and commissioned at the ALS will be described. Finally, we present some initial results that indicate the performance of the beamline. K. Chesnel now at Department of Physics, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA. J.J. Turner now at Department of Physics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA. M. Pfeifer now at School of Physics La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.