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- ItemStrong magnetic frustration and anti-site disorder causing spin-glass behavior in honeycomb Li2RhO3([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2015) Katukuri, Vamshi M.; Nishimoto, Satoshi; Rousochatzakis, Ioannis; Stoll, Hermann; van den Brink, Jeroen; Hozoi, LiviuWith large spin-orbit coupling, the electron configuration in d-metal oxides is prone to highly anisotropic exchange interactions and exotic magnetic properties. In 5d5 iridates, given the existing variety of crystal structures, the magnetic anisotropy can be tuned from antisymmetric to symmetric Kitaev-type, with interaction strengths that outsize the isotropic terms. By many-body electronic-structure calculations we here address the nature of the magnetic exchange and the intriguing spin-glass behavior of Li2RhO3, a 4d5 honeycomb oxide. For pristine crystals without Rh-Li site inversion, we predict a dimerized ground state as in the isostructural 5d5 iridate Li2IrO3, with triplet spin dimers effectively placed on a frustrated triangular lattice. With Rh-Li anti-site disorder, we explain the observed spin-glass phase as a superposition of different, nearly degenerate symmetry-broken configurations.
- ItemCritical current modulation induced by an electric field in superconducting tungsten-carbon nanowires([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2021) Orús, Pablo; Fomin, Vladimir M.; De Teresa, José María; Córdoba, RosaThe critical current of a superconducting nanostructure can be suppressed by applying an electric field in its vicinity. This phenomenon is investigated throughout the fabrication and electrical characterization of superconducting tungsten-carbon (W-C) nanostructures grown by Ga+ focused ion beam induced deposition (FIBID). In a 45 nm-wide, 2.7 μm-long W-C nanowire, an increasing side-gate voltage is found to progressively reduce the critical current of the device, down to a full suppression of the superconducting state below its critical temperature. This modulation is accounted for by the squeezing of the superconducting current by the electric field within a theoretical model based on the Ginzburg–Landau theory, in agreement with experimental data. Compared to electron beam lithography or sputtering, the single-step FIBID approach provides with enhanced patterning flexibility and yields nanodevices with figures of merit comparable to those retrieved in other superconducting materials, including Ti, Nb, and Al. Exhibiting a higher critical temperature than most of other superconductors, in which this phenomenon has been observed, as well as a reduced critical value of the gate voltage required to fully suppress superconductivity, W-C deposits are strong candidates for the fabrication of nanodevices based on the electric field-induced superconductivity modulation.
- ItemManipulating topological states by imprinting non-collinear spin textures([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2015) Streubel, Robert; Han, Luyang; Im, Mi-Young; Kronast, Florian; Rößler, Ulrich K.; Radu, Florin; Abrudan, Radu; Lin, Gungun; Schmidt, Oliver G.; Fischer, Peter; Makarov, DenysTopological magnetic states, such as chiral skyrmions, are of great scientific interest and show huge potential for novel spintronics applications, provided their topological charges can be fully controlled. So far skyrmionic textures have been observed in noncentrosymmetric crystalline materials with low symmetry and at low temperatures. We propose theoretically and demonstrate experimentally the design of spin textures with topological charge densities that can be tailored at ambient temperatures. Tuning the interlayer coupling in vertically stacked nanopatterned magnetic heterostructures, such as a model system of a Co/Pd multilayer coupled to Permalloy, the in-plane non-collinear spin texture of one layer can be imprinted into the out-of-plane magnetised material. We observe distinct spin textures, e.g. vortices, magnetic swirls with tunable opening angle, donut states and skyrmion core configurations. We show that applying a small magnetic field, a reliable switching between topologically distinct textures can be achieved at remanence.
- ItemNano-imaging confirms improved apatite precipitation for high phosphate/silicate ratio bioactive glasses([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2021) Contreras Jaimes, Altair T.; Kirste, Gloria; de Pablos‑Martín, Araceli; Selle, Susanne; Martins de Souza e Silva, Juliana; Massera, Jonathan; Karpukhina, Natalia; Hill, Robert G.; Brauer, Delia S.Bioactive glasses convert to a biomimetic apatite when in contact with physiological solutions; however, the number and type of phases precipitating depends on glass composition and reactivity. This process is typically followed by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Here, we visualise surface mineralisation in a series of sodium-free bioactive glasses, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and X-ray nano-computed tomography (nano-CT). In the glasses, the phosphate content was increased while adding stoichiometric amounts of calcium to maintain phosphate in an orthophosphate environment in the glass. Calcium fluoride was added to keep the melting temperature low. TEM brought to light the presence of phosphate clustering and nearly crystalline calcium fluoride environments in the glasses. A combination of analytical methods, including solid-state NMR, shows how with increasing phosphate content in the glass, precipitation of calcium fluoride during immersion is superseded by fluorapatite precipitation. Nano-CT gives insight into bioactive glass particle morphology after immersion, while TEM illustrates how compositional changes in the glass affect microstructure at a sub-micron to nanometre-level.
- ItemImaging Shock Waves in Diamond with Both High Temporal and Spatial Resolution at an XFEL([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2015) Schropp, Andreas; Hoppe, Robert; Meier, Vivienne; Patommel, Jens; Seiboth, Frank; Ping, Yuan; Hicks, Damien G.; Beckwith, Martha A.; Collins, Gilbert W.; Higginbotham, Andrew; Wark, Justin S.; Lee, Hae Ja; Nagler, Bob; Galtier, Eric C.; Arnold, Brice; Zastrau, Ulf; Hastings, Jerome B.; Schroer, Christian G.The advent of hard x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) has opened up a variety of scientific opportunities in areas as diverse as atomic physics, plasma physics, nonlinear optics in the x-ray range and protein crystallography. In this article, we access a new field of science by measuring quantitatively the local bulk properties and dynamics of matter under extreme conditions, in this case by using the short XFEL pulse to image an elastic compression wave in diamond. The elastic wave was initiated by an intense optical laser pulse and was imaged at different delay times after the optical pump pulse using magnified x-ray phase-contrast imaging. The temporal evolution of the shock wave can be monitored, yielding detailed information on shock dynamics, such as the shock velocity, the shock front width and the local compression of the material. The method provides a quantitative perspective on the state of matter in extreme conditions.
- ItemMagnetic patterning of Co/Ni layered systems by plasma oxidation([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2022) Anastaziak, Błażej; Andrzejewska, Weronika; Schmidt, Marek; Matczak, Michał; Soldatov, Ivan; Schäfer, Rudolf; Lewandowski, Mikołaj; Stobiecki, Feliks; Janzen, Christian; Ehresmann, Arno; Kuświk, PiotrWe studied the structural, chemical, and magnetic properties of Ti/Au/Co/Ni layered systems subjected to plasma oxidation. The process results in the formation of NiO at the expense of metallic Ni, as clearly evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while not affecting the surface roughness and grain size of the Co/Ni bilayers. Since the decrease of the thickness of the Ni layer and the formation of NiO increase the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, oxidation may be locally applied for magnetic patterning. Using this approach, we created 2D heterostructures characterized by different combinations of magnetic properties in areas modified by plasma oxidation and in the regions protected from oxidation. As plasma oxidation is an easy to use, low cost, and commonly utilized technique in industrial applications, it may constitute an improvement over other magnetic patterning methods.
- ItemUltrasmall SnO₂ nanocrystals: hot-bubbling synthesis, encapsulation in carbon layers and applications in high capacity Li-ion storage([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2014) Ding, Liping; He, Shulian; Miao, Shiding; Jorgensen, Matthew R.; Leubner, Susanne; Yan, Chenglin; Hickey, Stephen G.; Eychmüller, Alexander; Xu, Jinzhang; Schmidt, Oliver G.Ultrasmall SnO2 nanocrystals as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been synthesized by bubbling an oxidizing gas into hot surfactant solutions containing Sn-oleate complexes. Annealing of the particles in N2 carbonifies the densely packed surface capping ligands resulting in carbon encapsulated SnO2 nanoparticles (SnO2/C). Carbon encapsulation can effectively buffer the volume changes during the lithiation/delithiation process. The assembled SnO2/C thus deliver extraordinarily high reversible capacity of 908 mA·h·g−1 at 0.5 C as well as excellent cycling performance in the LIBs. This method demonstrates the great potential of SnO2/C nanoparticles for the design of high power LIBs.
- ItemOn Curie temperature of B20-MnSi films([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2022) Li, Zichao; Yuan, Ye; Begeza, Viktor; Rebohle, Lars; Helm, Manfred; Nielsch, Kornelius; Prucnal, Slawomir; Zhou, ShengqiangB20-type MnSi is the prototype magnetic skyrmion material. Thin films of MnSi show a higher Curie temperature than their bulk counterpart. However, it is not yet clear what mechanism leads to the increase of the Curie temperature. In this work, we grow MnSi films on Si(100) and Si(111) substrates with a broad variation in their structures. By controlling the Mn thickness and annealing parameters, the pure MnSi phase of polycrystalline and textured nature as well as the mixed phase of MnSi and MnSi1.7 are obtained. Surprisingly, all these MnSi films show an increased Curie temperature of up to around 43 K. The Curie temperature is likely independent of the structural parameters within our accessibility including the film thickness above a threshold, strain, cell volume and the mixture with MnSi1.7. However, a pronounced phonon softening is observed for all samples, which can tentatively be attributed to slight Mn excess from stoichiometry, leading to the increased Curie temperature.
- ItemMagnetocaloric performance of the three-component Ho1-xErxNi2 (x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) Laves phases as composite refrigerants([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2022) Ćwik, Jacek; Koshkid’ko, Yurii; Nenkov, Konstantin; Tereshina-Chitrova, Evgenia; Małecka, Małgorzata; Weise, Bruno; Kowalska; KarolinaTo date, significant efforts have been put into searching for materials with advanced magnetocaloric properties which show promise as refrigerants and permit realization of efficient cooling. The present study, by an example of Ho1−xErxNi2, develops the concept of magnetocaloric efficiency in the rare-earth Laves-phase compounds. Based on the magneto-thermodynamic properties, their potentiality as components of magnetocaloric composites is illustrated. The determined regularities in the behaviour of the heat capacity, magnetic entropy change, and adiabatic temperature change of the system substantiate reaching high magnetocaloric potentials in a desired temperature range. For the Ho1−xErxNi2 solid solutions, we simulate optimal molar ratios and construct the composites used in magnetic refrigerators performing an Ericsson cycle at low temperatures. The tailored magnetocaloric characteristics are designed and efficient procedures for their manufacturing are developed. Our calculations based on the real empirical data are very promising and open avenue to further experimental studies. Systems showing large magnetocaloric effect (MCE) at low temperatures are of importance due to their potential utilization in refrigeration for gas liquefaction.
- ItemNew magneto-polaron resonances in a monolayer of a transition metal dichalcogenide([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2023) Trallero-Giner, Carlos; Santiago-Pérez, Darío G.; Fomin, Vladimir M.Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductors are two-dimensional materials with great potential for the future of nano-optics and nano-optoelectronics as well as the rich and exciting development of basic research. The influence of an external magnetic field on a TMD monolayer raises a new question: to unveil the behavior of the magneto-polaron resonances (MPRs) associated with the phonon symmetry inherent in the system. It is shown that the renormalized Landau energy levels are modified by the interplay of the long-range Pekar–Fröhlich (PF) and short-range deformation potential (DP) interactions. This leads to a new series of MPRs involving the optical phonons at the center of the Brillouin zone. The coupling of the two Landau levels with the LO and A1 optical phonon modes provokes resonant splittings of double avoided-crossing levels giving rise to three excitation branches. This effect appears as bigger energy gaps at the anticrossing points in the renormalized Landau levels. To explore the interplay between the MPRs, the electron-phonon interactions (PF and DP) and the couplings between adjacent Landau levels, a full Green’s function treatment for the evaluation of the energy and its life-time broadening is developed. A generalization of the two-level approach is performed for the description of the new MPR branches. The obtained results are a guideline for the magneto-optical experiments in TMDs, where three MPR peaks should be observable.