Magnetic Peak Research Articles

Study of the second magnetization peak and the pinning behaviour in Ba(Fe0.935Co0.065)2As2 pnictide superconductor

Isothermal magnetic field dependence of magnetization and magnetic relaxation measurements were performed for the axis on a single crystal of Ba(Fe0.935 Co0.065)2As2 pnictide superconductor having Tc = 21.7 K. The second magnetization peak (SMP) for each isothermal M(H) was observed in a wide temperature range from Tc to the lowest temperature of measurement (2 K). The magnetic field dependence of relaxation rate R(H), showed a peak (Hspt) between Hon (onset of SMP in M(H)) and Hp (peak field of SMP in M(H)), which is likely to be related to a vortex-lattice structural phase transition, as suggested in the literature for a similar sample. In addition, the magnetic relaxation measured for magnetic fields near Hspt showed some noise, which might be the signature of the structural phase transition of the vortex lattice. Analysis of the magnetic relaxation data using Maley’s criterion and the collective pinning theory suggested that the SMP in the sample was due to the collective (elastic) to plastic creep crossover, which was also accompanied by a rhombic to square vortex lattice phase transition. Analysis of the pinning force density suggested a single dominating pinning mechanism in the sample, which did not showing the usual and nature of pinning. The critical current density (Jc), estimated using the Bean critical state model, was found to be 5 × 105 A cm−2 at 2 K in the zero magnetic field limit. Surprisingly, the maximum of the pinning force density was not responsible for the maximum value of the critical current density in the sample.

Development of Active Shielding-Type MI Gradiometer and Application for Magnetocardiography

We have developed an active magnetic shielding system for a magnetoimpedance (MI) gradiometer, in which a reference-type MI element output is fed back to a sensor head with a feedback coil to reduce the effect of environmental magnetic noise around the sensor head, and applied the device to magnetocardiography (MCG). This type of sensor reduced the 60 Hz noise related to the power source line by −40 dB and can operate in an unshielded environment and at room temperature with a noise amplitude of 100 pT. We simultaneously measured the electrocardiography (ECG) and MCG signals at a point on the chest surface near the pit of the stomach. In the output of the developed MI gradiometer, negative magnetic peaks were observed after average processing over 25 cycles, and these signals corresponded to the characteristics of the ECG waveform. The amplitude of the sharp magnetic peak corresponding to the R peak in the ECG was approximately 60 pT. This result corresponded to the value obtained by a low-Tc superconducting quantum interference device. Consequently, we considered the active magnetic shielding system to be effective for a very weak magnetic signal such as MCG.

Long-Range Order in the Dipolar XY Antiferromagnet Er_{2}Sn_{2}O_{7}.

Er_{2}Sn_{2}O_{7} remains a puzzling case among the extensively studied frustrated compounds of the rare-earth pyrochlore family. Indeed, while a first-order transition towards a long-range antiferromagnetic state with the so-called Palmer-Chalker structure is theoretically predicted, it has not yet been observed, leaving the issue as to whether it is a spin-liquid candidate open. We report on neutron scattering and magnetization measurements which evidence a second-order transition towards this Palmer-Chalker ordered state around 108mK. Extreme care was taken to ensure a proper thermalization of the sample, which has proved to be crucial to successfully observe the magnetic Bragg peaks. At the transition, a gap opens in the excitations, superimposed on a strong quasielastic signal. The exchange parameters, refined from a spin-wave analysis in applied magnetic field, confirm that Er_{2}Sn_{2}O_{7} is a realization of the dipolar XY pyrochlore antiferromagnet. The proximity of competing phases and the strong XY anisotropy of the Er^{3+} magnetic moment might be at the origin of enhanced fluctuations, leading to the unexpected nature of the transition, the low ordering temperature, and the observed multiscale dynamics.

High frequency permeability of Fe-Cu-Nb-Si-B nanocrystalline flakes with the distribution of shape anisotropy fields

Fe-Cu-Nb-Si-B flakes with multiphase nanostructures have been obtained by annealing the amorphous ribbon and subsequently ball milled for 30 h. The crystal structures have been examined by X-ray diffraction pattern and Mössbauer spectrum. The results show that the particles annealed at 900 °C are made up of amorphous ferromagnetic phase, α-Fe3Si ferromagnetic phase and Fe2B phase, and the average hyperfine magnetic field (HBhf) of particles is 24.02 T. Meanwhile, the relationships between the structure and the high frequency permeability have been studied. Compared with particles annealed at 600 °C, particles annealed at 900 °C exhibit higher saturation magnetization, which is evidenced by the larger HBhf. Also, three magnetic loss peaks in a permeability spectrum have been observed for the particles annealed at 900 °C. The natural resonance frequencies are calculated, which are in good agreement with the experimental resonance peaks. The origin of the multiple magnetic loss peaks can be explained from the perspective of the distribution of shape anisotropy fields which is caused by multiple phase structure.

Absorption Characterization of Mn-Zr-Substituted La-Sr Hexaferrite Using Open-Circuit and Short-Circuit Approaches in 8.2–18 GHz Frequency Range

The present study reports on the microwave absorption characterization of Mn2+-Zr4+ substituted lanthanum strontium ferrites, Sr0.85La0.15(MnZr) x Fe12−2x O19, where x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 in the X- and Ku-band. The synthesized ferrites are characterized with regard to their electromagnetic properties such as complex permittivity \( \left( {\varepsilon^{\prime} - j\varepsilon^{\prime\prime}} \right) \) and complex permeability \( \left( {\mu^{\prime} - j\mu^{\prime\prime}} \right) \) using vector network analysis in the 8.2–18 GHz frequency range. Real and imaginary parts of permittivity decrease with the increase in Mn-Zr concentration due to a reduction in electron hopping conduction and eddy current losses, respectively. Microwave permeability spectra are also affected by the doping. The amplitude of magnetic loss peak increases with the increase in doping except for the x = 1.0 composition. Two commonly used approaches, open-circuit and short-circuit, have been employed for the absorption analysis. The difference in the results of these two techniques is justified on the basis of the reflection mechanism. The presented experimental findings underline the potential of the synthesized compositions with Mn-Zr concentrations x = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 in the suppression of electromagnetic reflections and radar signatures.

The effect of milling time on the magnetic properties of NiFe-based composites

Frequency dependencies of permittivity and permeability of composites filled with Permalloy powder with various concentrations and shapes of particles have been measured and discussed. The powder particles of various shapes were obtained by mechanical milling of industrial Permalloy powder in organic media. Paraffin wax was used as a matrix for producing the composites. A shape data of the particles were obtained with an electron microscope. The permittivity and permeability were measured in the frequency range of 0.1–20 GHz. It is shown that the shape of the particles changes from sphere to plate with increase of milling time. The change leads to a shift of the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency and the magnetic loss peak. It is shown that larger damping of the FMR is typical for larger particles. With increase of the concentration of Permalloy particles in composite, the magnetic loss peak shifts to lower frequencies. The measured frequency dependencies of the material parameters are discussed in terms of the theory of composites.

The magnetic properties and structure of the quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnet CoPS3

The magnetic properties and magnetic structure are presented for CoPS3, a quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnet on a honeycomb lattice with a Néel temperature of K. The compound is shown to have XY-like anisotropy in its susceptibility, and the anisotropy is analysed to extract crystal field parameters. For temperatures between 2 K and 300 K, no phase transitions were observed in the field-dependent magnetization up to 10 Tesla. Single-crystal neutron diffraction shows that the magnetic propagation vector is k = with the moments mostly along the axis and with a small component along the axis, which largely verifies the previously-published magnetic structure for this compound. The magnetic Bragg peak intensity decreases with increasing temperature as a power law with exponent for .

Magnetic Structure and Excitations in CeCuxAl4-x System.

CeCuAl3 crystallizing in the tetragonal BaNiSn3-type structure and CeCuxAl4-x solid solutions were investigated by means of elastic and inelastic neutron scattering. Powder neutron diffraction brought information on both temperature evolution of crystallographic parameters and magnetic order at low temperatures. No structural change was observed in the investigated temperature range from 1.5 to 300 K. Weak magnetic peaks outside nuclear Bragg positions observed in solid solutions with 0.90 ≤ x ≤ 1.10 were described by the propagation vector k = (0.40 + δx, 0.60 + δy, 0), where δx ≈ 0.02 and δy ≈ 0.01. The magnetic structure of CeCu0.75Al3.25 consists of two components: an anti-ferromagnetic one described by the same k and a ferromagnetic one with k0 = (0, 0, 0) and magnetic moments lying within the tetragonal basal plane. The evolution of magnetic excitations as a function of Cu-Al concentration in CeCuxAl4-x was studied by inelastic neutron scattering. The measured spectra of CeCuAl3 and the solution with x = 0.95 point to a three-magnetic-peak energy scheme, while only two excitations are expected from the local symmetry conditions on Ce atoms. The standard two-peak spectrum of crystal electric field excitations was observed for Cu-Al substitutions further from the 1:1:3 stoichiometry (x = 0.75 and 1.10). The intermediate concentrations (x = 0.90 and 1.05) exhibit spectra on the border between the former cases with a less clear pronounced first inelastic magnetic peak. The observed behavior is discussed considering the evolution of structural parameters in the CeCuxAl4-x system and the coupling between the lattice vibrations and the crystal electric field excitations.

Adjustable Microwave Magnetic Spectra of Metamaterials Based on Ferromagnetic Film Laminates

A resonant RLC circuit with a magnetic core has been investigated experimentally and theoretically as a promising metamaterial cell design. Laminates of multilayer ferromagnetic films serve as a magnetic core. The ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the bare laminate core is above 1 GHz. An intensive magnetic absorption peak is obtainable at lower frequencies due to a resonant wire coiled around the core. Such magnetic metamaterials seem promising for applications that require high magnetic loss at frequencies of hundreds of megahertz. This paper focuses on efficient approaches to adjusting the location of magnetic loss peak in magnetic metamaterials. High-frequency permeability of the metamaterial samples has been measured in a rectangular waveguide. It is shown that by varying the geometry, structure, and composition of the measured metamaterial samples, the magnetic spectra can be radically changed. Excitation of electromagnetic resonance in the ferromagnetic core with the resonant wire is discussed within the frame of the quasi-static approximation.

Statistical study of co-rotating interaction region properties with STEREO and ACE observations

We analyzed the data on co-rotating interaction regions (CIRs) measured by the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) and Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) from 2007 to 2010. The CIRs were observed by STEREO B (STB), ACE and STEREO A (STA) one after another, and a total of 28 CIRs were identified in this work. Since the same characteristics of CIRs were detected by these three spacecraft at three different locations and times, these data can help us to study the evolutions of CIRs. For a single event, the properties of CIRs observed by the three spacecraft were quite different and could be explained by spatial or temporal variations. For all these 28 CIRs, STA and STB observed similar mean parameters, such as peak magnetic field strength (offset 11%), peak and change in solar wind speed (offset 3% and 10% respectively), peak proton temperature (offset 14%) and peak perpendicular pressure (offset 15%). Surprisingly, STA detected much higher (41%) peak density of protons than STB.

Structural and magnetic phase transitions in chromium nitride thin films grown by rf nitrogen plasma molecular beam epitaxy

A magneto-structural phase transition is investigated in single crystal CrN thin films grown by rf plasma molecular beam epitaxy on MgO(001) substrates. While still within the vacuum environment following MBE growth, $\it in-situ$ low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, and $\it in-situ$ variable low-temperature reflection high energy electron diffraction are applied, revealing an atomically smooth and metallic CrN(001) surface, and an $\it in-plane$ structural transition from 1$\times$1 (primitive CrN unit cell) to $\mathrm{\sqrt{2}\times\sqrt{2}-R45^\circ}$ with a transition temperature of $\sim$ 278 K, respectively. $\it Ex-situ$ temperature dependent measurements are also performed, including x-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction, looking at the structural peaks and likewise revealing a first-order structural transition along both [001] and [111] $\it out-of-plane$ directions, with transition temperatures of 256 K and 268 K, respectively. Turning to the magnetic peaks, neutron diffraction confirms a clear magnetic transition from paramagnetic at room temperature to antiferromagnetic at low temperatures with a sharp, first-order phase transition and a N$\'{e}$el temperature of 270 K or 280 K for two different films. In addition to the experimental measurements of structural and magnetic ordering, we also discuss results from first-principles theoretical calculations which explore various possible magneto-structural models.

The effect of different minor additions on the magneto-caloric effect of FeZrB metallic ribbons near room temperature

For room-temperature magnetic refrigerators, magnetocaloric materials are critical for their performance and reliability. Among various magnetocaloric materials, Fe-based metallic glasses, especially in the FeZrB system, have been intensively studied recently due to their promising properties such as low fabrication cost and broad magnetic entropy change peak. In order to further improve the magnetocaloric effect (MCE), the influence of minor additions of Co, Er, Sm and Mn on the MCE of FeZrB-based metallic glasses was systematically investigated in this work. The composition-dependent Curie temperatures (TC) were studied and the magnetic field-dependent MCE was investigated. In two compositions, Fe88Zr7B3Co2 and Fe86Zr8B4Sm2, it was found that their Curie temperatures were close to room temperature and the values of the refrigerant capacity and peak magnetic entropy change were larger than those reported for Fe-based metallic glass at room temperature.

Suppression of the antiferromagnetic order when approaching the superconducting state in a phase-separated crystal of KxFe2−ySe2

We have combined elastic and inelastic neutron scattering techniques, magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements to study single-crystal samples of K$_x$Fe$_{2-y}$Se$_2$, which contain the superconducting phase that has a transition temperature of $\sim$31 K. In the inelastic neutron scattering measurements, we observe both the spin-wave excitations resulting from the block antiferromagnetic ordered phase and the resonance that is associated with the superconductivity in the superconducting phase, demonstrating the coexistence of these two orders. From the temperature dependence of the intensity of the magnetic Bragg peaks, we find that well before entering the superconducting state, the development of the magnetic order is interrupted, at $\sim$42 K. We consider this result to be evidence for the physical separation of the antiferromagnetic and superconducting phases; the suppression is possibly due to the proximity effect of the superconducting fluctuations on the antiferromagnetic order.

Complex magnetic incommensurability and electronic charge transfer through the ferroelectric transition in multiferroic Co3TeO6

Polarized and unpolarized neutron diffractions have been carried out to investigate the nature of the magnetic structures and transitions in monoclinic Co3TeO6. As the temperature is lowered below 26 K long range order develops, which is fully incommensurate (ICM) in all three crystallographic directions. Below 19.5 K additional commensurate magnetic peaks develop, consistent with the Γ4 irreducible representation, along with a splitting of the ICM peaks along the h direction which indicates that there are two separate sets of magnetic modulation vectors. Below 18 K, this small additional magnetic incommensurability disappears, ferroelectricity develops, an additional commensurate magnetic structure consistent with Γ3 irreducible representation appears, and the k component of the ICM wave vector disappears. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements demonstrate that there is a significant shift of the electronic charge distribution from the Te ions at the crystallographic 8 f sites to the neighboring Co and O ions. These results, together with the unusually small electric polarization, its strong magnetic field dependence, and the negative thermal expansion in all three lattice parameters, suggest this material is an antiferroelectric. Below15 K the k component of the ICM structure reappears, along with second-order ICM Bragg peaks, which polarized neutron data demonstrate are magnetic in origin.

Application of hollow anodes in a Hall thruster with double-peak magnetic fields

A low-power Hall thruster was designed with two permanent magnet rings. Unlike conventional Hall thrusters, this one has a symmetrical double-peak magnetic field with a larger gradient. Moreover, the highest magnetic field strength appears in the plume region; hence, the distance from the zero-magnetic region to the channel outlet is shorter than that of other Hall thrusters. This paper presents the law and mechanism of the effect of a U-shaped hollow anode with the front end in the zero-magnetic region and anodes at the first magnetic peak and zero-magnetic point (corresponding to the front and rear end faces of the U-shaped anode, respectively) on the discharge characteristics of the thruster. The study shows that the overall performance of the hollow anode under the same operating conditions is the highest. For the anode at the magnetic peak, although the ionization rate is the highest, most of the ions generated by ionization collide with the walls, causing greater energy loss and minimizing its performance. For the anode at the zero-magnetic point, although its maximum ionization rate is higher than that of the hollow anode, and the power deposition on the walls is slightly smaller, its propellant utilization and voltage utilization are lower than those of the hollow anode; furthermore, its overall performance is poorer than that of the hollow anode because of the short channel and shorter ionization region.

Magnetoelectric effect in doped magnetic ferroelectrics

We propose a model of magneto-electric effect in doped magnetic ferroelectrics. This magneto-electric effect does not involve the spin-orbit coupling and is based purely on the Coulomb interaction. We calculate magnetic phase diagram of doped magnetic ferroelectrics. We show that magneto-electric coupling is pronounced only for ferroelectrics with low dielectric constant. We find that magneto-electric coupling leads to modification of magnetization temperature dependence in the vicinity of ferroelectric phase transition. A peak of magnetization appears. We find that magnetization of doped magnetic ferroelectrics strongly depends on applied electric field.

Magnetic structures of rare earth intermetallic compounds RCuAs2 (R = Pr, Nd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Yb)

Neutron scattering studies have been carried out on polycrystalline samples of a series of rare earth intermetallic compounds RCuAs2 (R = Pr, Nd, Dy, Tb, Ho and Yb) as a function of temperature to determine the magnetic structures and the order parameters. These compounds crystallize in the ZrCuSi2 type structure, which is similar to that of the RFeAsO (space group P4/nmm) class of iron-based superconductors. PrCuAs2 develops commensurate magnetic order with K = (0, 0, 0.5) below TN = 6.4(2) K, with the ordered moments pointing along the c-axis. The irreducible representation analysis shows either a Γ12 or Γ13 representation. NdCuAs2 and DyCuAs2 order below TN = 3.54(5) K and TN = 10.1(2) K, respectively, with the same ordering wave vector but the moments lying in the a-b plane (with a Γ29 or Γ210 representation). TbCuAs2 and HoCuAs2 exhibit incommensurate magnetic structures below TN = 9.44(7) and 4.41(2) K, respectively. For TbCuAs2, two separate magnetic ordering wave vectors are established as K1(Tb) = (0.240,0.155,0.48) and K2(Tb) = (0.205, 0.115, 0.28), whereas HoCuAs2 forms a single K(Ho) = (0.121, 0.041, 0.376) magnetic structure with 3rd order harmonic magnetic peaks. YbCuAs2 does not exhibit any magnetic Bragg peaks at 1.5 K, while susceptibility measurements indicate an antiferromagnetic-like transition at 4 K, suggesting that either the ordering is not long range in nature or the ordered moment is below the sensitivity limit of ≈0.2 μB.

Simulation of double stage hall thruster with double-peaked magnetic field

This study adopts double permanent magnetic rings and four permanent magnetic rings to form two symmetrical magnetic peaks and two asymmetrical magnetic peaks in the channel of a Hall thruster, and uses a 2D-3V PIC-MCC model to analyze the influence of magnetic strength on the discharge characteristic and performance of Hall thrusters with an intermediate electrode and double-peaked magnetic field. As opposed to the two symmetrical magnetic peaks formed by double permanent magnetic rings, increasing the magnetic peak value deep within the channel can cause propellant ionization to occur; with the increase in the magnetic peak deep in the channel, the propellant utilization, thrust, and anode efficiency of the thruster are significantly improved. Double-peaked magnetic field can realize separate control of ionization and acceleration in a Hall thruster, and provide technical means for further improving thruster performance.

The effect of interparticle interactions on spin glass and hyperthermia properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Water dispersible Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared, forming a durable suspension for several days. The zero field cooled magnetization peak temperature is ~4.5 times larger than the average blocking temperature, suggesting the presence of interparticle interactions. Frequency dependent AC magnetic susceptibility revealed superspin glass state at low temperatures. Also a signature of size dependent surface spin glass state was observed associated with a hump in in-phase and a peak in out-of phase susceptibility curves. Magnetic hyperthermia studies indicated that interparticle interactions influence the heat generation of NPs in an AC magnetic field. The temperature rise of 7 nm particles obtained was 8 times larger than that of 5 nm particles. This study shows the important role of interparticle interactions on magnetic and hyperthermia properties of magnetic NPs.

Low-temperature neutron diffraction and magnetic studies on the magnetoelectric multiferroic Pb(Fe0.534Nb0.4W0.066)O3

We report detailed low-temperature magnetic and neutron diffraction studies on 0.8 Pb(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3–0.2 Pb(Fe0.67W0.33)O3 which is written as Pb(Fe0.534Nb0.4W0.066)O3 (PFWN) in the general form. Magnetic susceptibility measurement data show that PFN exhibits antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition (T N) around 155 K (Matteppanavar et al. in J Mater Sci 50:4980–4993. doi:10.1007/s10853-015-9046-5, 2015). In the present solid solution, the magnetic susceptibility (χ) shows Neel temperature enhanced up to around 187 K. Temperature-dependent neutron diffraction studies well support the tuning up of T N from 155 to 187 K. On decreasing the temperature, for T < T N (T N = 187 K), an extra peak grows at scattering vector Q = 1.35 A−1, which indicates the onset of antiferromagnetic ordering. The observed magnetic structure is G-type antiferromagnetic with the propagation vector, k = [0.25, 0.5, 0.5]. The refined monoclinic lattice parameters (a, b and c), angle (β), unit cell volume, derivative of unit cell volume, magnetic moments and integrated intensity of magnetic peak (111) show anomaly around the T N, which is a manifestation of spin–lattice coupling. Also, the lattice parameters (a, b and c) and unit cell volume exhibit negative thermal expansion below T N and a large thermal expansion above T N.