Magnetization Reversal Research Articles

Exploring Magnetic Disorder in Inverted Core-Shell Nanoparticles: The Role of Surface Anisotropy and Core/Shell Coupling.

In this work, we have studied the effect of internal coupling in magnetic nanoparticles with inverted core-shell structure (antiferromagnet-ferrimagnet) and also magnetic surface anisotropy, performing Monte Carlo simulations based on a micromagnetic model applied in the limit of lattice size equal to the crystalline unit cell. In the treatment, different internal regions of the particle were labeled in order to analyze the magnetic order and the degree of coupling between them. The results obtained are in agreement with experimental observations in CoO/CoFe2O4 and ZnO/CoFe2O systems, which we have taken as reference. It is observed that the surface anisotropy decreases the coercive field and the blocking temperature of the system. However, the core/shell coupling improves these properties and magnetically hardens the system. Our study shows that a significant magnetic stress is generated in the system, leading to magnetic disorder in the spins of the particle interface. On the other hand, in cases of high surface anisotropy, within a range of interfacial exchange values, a clear magnetic disorder is observed in the shell, which leads to anomalous behavior because the magnetization reversal process is no longer coherent.&#xD.

Morphology and Magnetic Properties of Ni Nanowires in Thin Film Anodic Alumina Templates

The features of the morphology and magnetic properties of Ni nanowire arrays have been studied. Aluminum oxide matrices are used as a template for electrolytic deposition of nanowires. The matrices are obtained by anodizing the aluminum films with a thickness of 2 μm that are formed on glass substrates by high frequency ion sputtering. Electrochemical deposition of the metal is carried out using direct and alternating currents. Morphology and microstructure studies show that the nanowire arrays are polycrystalline and have a branched dendritic structure due to the morphological features of aluminum oxide matrices. A relationship between the magnetization reversal patterns and the modes of electrodeposition of Ni nanowire arrays is established. The process of magnetization reversal of an array of this kind of structures is simulated.

The Interplay of Core Diameter and Diameter Ratio on the Magnetic Properties of Bistable Glass-Coated Microwires

Glass-coated microwires exhibiting magnetic bistability have garnered significant attention as promising wireless sensing elements, primarily due to their rapid magnetization switching capabilities. These microwires consist of a metallic core with diameter d, encased in a glass coating, with a total diameter D. In this study, we investigated how the dimensions of both components and their ratio (d/D) influence the magnetization reversal behavior of Fe-based microwires. While previous studies have focused on either d or d/D individually, our research uniquely considered the combined effect of both parameters to provide a comprehensive understanding of their impact on magnetic properties. The metallic core diameter d varied from 10 to 19 µm and the d/D ratio was in the range of 0.48–0.68. To assess the magnetic properties of these microwires, including the shape of the hysteresis loop, coercivity, remanent magnetization, and the critical length of bistability, we employed vibrating sample magnetometry in conjunction with FORC-analysis. Additionally, to determine the critical length of bistability, magnetic measurements were conducted on microwires with various lengths, ranging from 1.5 cm down to 0.05 cm. Our findings reveal that coercivity is primarily dependent on the d/D parameter. These observations are effectively explained through an analysis that considers the competition between magnetostatic and magnetoelastic anisotropy energies. This comprehensive study paves the way for the tailored design of glass-coated microwires for diverse wireless sensing applications.

Influence of an ultrathin Mn ‘spy layer’ on the static and dynamic magnetic coupling within FePt/NiFe bilayers

Abstract We explore whether insertion of an ultrathin Mn ‘spy layer’ within a magnetic hard/soft bilayer can enable depth-sensitive element-specific measurements of the static and dynamic magnetization, while avoiding significant disruption of the original magnetic state. MgO(110)/FePt(100 Å)/NiFe(200 Å)/Mn(tMn Å)/NiFe(200 Å) samples with Mn thicknesses of tMn=0, 5, and 10Å were fabricated by magnetron sputtering and studied by element-selective x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), vector network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance (VNA-FMR), and x-ray detected ferromagnetic resonance (XFMR). For tMn= 5 Å, the magnetic reversal properties remain broadly similar to tMn= 0 Å. For tMn=10 Å, the two NiFe layers decouple with XMCD hysteresis loops at the Mn edge showing two switching events that suggest the presence of two distinct Mn-containing regions. While the Mn moments within each region have ferromagnetic order, their relative alignment is antiparallel at high field. Analysis of the magnetic data and additional scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) measurements point to the presence of a Mn layer at the lower NiFe/Mn interface, and the formation of a NiFeMn alloy at the upper Mn/NiFe interface. The Mn moments of the former region lie antiparallel to those of the underlying NiFe layer. The VNA-FMR data suggests that for tMn= 5 and 10 Å, the interfacial exchange coupling at the FePt/NiFe is suppressed and the in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of the NiFe is increased, perhaps due to migration of Mn towards the buried interface. The above findings show that Mn is a problematic magnetic spy, and that a Mn thickness of less than 5Å would be required.

Clustering First-order reversal curve diagram using the Gaussian mixture model and the Davies Bouldin index

Abstract In our energy-consuming society, understanding magnetization reversal in permanent magnets is crucial for improving energy conversion efficiency between electric energy and mechanical energy. First-order reversal curves (FORCs) have enabled qualitative studies of reversal mechanisms, however, further understanding based on quantitative analysis is still difficult due to the complexity of FORC diagrams. We introduce a machine-learning based approach combining the Gaussian mixture model and the Davies-Bouldin index to separate characteristic features in FORC diagrams of Nd-Fe-B magnets. The clustering method is evaluated using several FORC diagrams obtained at different temperatures, and we also demonstrated hysteresis loop reconstruction using the clustered FORC diagrams.

Evidence of Spin Reorientation from Γ4 to Γ2 and Sign Reversal Exchange Bias in CeCrO3 Nanoparticles

Herein, the temperature‐dependent magnetic structure and sign reversal exchange bias in CeCrO3 using magnetization data and time‐of‐flight neutron diffraction data which is given less attention among RCrO3 are investigated. While nuclear structural analysis using Rietveld refinement exhibits distorted orthorhombic structure within Pnma space group, temperature dependence of the magnetic structure using neutron diffraction reveals possible spin configurations, namely, Γ4, Γ2, and Γ1, within the temperature range of 6–300 K. Temperature‐dependent magnetization shows compensation temperature, Tcomp, at 58 K, spin reorientation temperature, TSR, at 15 K along with a Neel temperature, TN, at 260 K which is the outcome of the competition between canted antiferromagnetic ordering of Cr3+ ions and Ce3+ ions in CeCrO3. Furthermore, the magnetization versus magnetic field (M vs H) measurements indicate transition of the Γ4 spin structure to Γ2 spin structure around TSR which is further supported by reversible‐to‐irreversible changes observed in temperature‐dependent MFCC and MFCW. Moreover, a temperature‐driven sign reversal of exchange bias in CeCrO3 is observed, resulting from the competition between antiferromagnetic coupling between chromium moment (MCr) and cerium moment (MCe) in these nanoparticles. This intriguing behavior holds significant potential for the development of thermally assisted magnetic random access memory.

Terahertz Crystal-Field Transitions and Quasi Ferromagnetic Magnon Excitations in a Noncollinear Magnet for Hybrid Spin-Wave Computation.

The complexity of interactions between the crystal-field and unusual noncollinear spin arrangement in nontrivial magnets demands novel tools to unravel the mystery underneath. In this work, we study such interaction dynamics of crystal-field excitations (CFE) and low-energy magnetic excitations in orthochromite TmCrO3 with controls of temperature and magnetic field using high-resolution magneto-terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy. The THz energy spectrum spanning 0.5-10 meV possesses a low-frequency spin-excitation (magnon) mode and a multitude of CFE modes at 10 K, all of which uniquely embody a range of phenomena. For the magnon mode, a temperature dependence of peak frequency is induced by magnetic interactions between Tm and Cr subsystems. While a change from blue to red shift of peak frequency of this mode marks the magnetization reversal transition, the spin-reorientation temperature and change of magnetic anisotropy are depicted by different features of field and temperature dependent peak frequency dynamics. The modes corresponding to CFE are robust and laden with a multitude of submodes, which are attributes of nontrivial interactions across different transitions. These modes are suppressed only upon substitution of Tb3+ at the Tm3+ site, which suggests a dominant role of single-ion anisotropy in controlling entire THz excitation spectra. Overall, this remarkable range of phenomena seen through the unique lens of all-optical THz tools provides deeper insights into the origin of magnetic phases in systems with complex interactions between rare-earth and transition metal ions and provides a multitude of novel combinations of closely spaced modes for emerging hybrid spin-wave computation.

Role of voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy in the recent development of magnonics and spintronics

With significant recent progress in the thin film deposition and nanofabrication technology, a number of physical phenomena occur at the interfaces of magnetic thin films, and their heterostructures have been discovered. Consequently, the electric field-induced modulation of those interfacial properties mediated through spin–orbit coupling promises to develop magnetic material based smarter, faster, miniaturized, energy efficient spintronic devices. Among them, the electric field-induced modification of interfacial magnetic anisotropy, popularly termed as voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA), has attracted special attention because of its salient features. This article is devoted to reviewing the recent development of magnonics, which deals with collective precessional motion of ordered magnetic spins, i.e., spin waves (SWs), and skyrmions with chiral spin textures, with VCMA, including the perspectives of this research field. Starting with a broad introduction, the key features of VCMA and its advantages over other electric field-induced methods are highlighted. These are followed by describing the state-of-the-art of VCMA, and various other direct and indirect electric field-induced methods for magnetization reversal; controlling skyrmion dynamics; excitation, manipulation, and channeling of SWs; and tailoring magnonic bands. The critical challenges, their possible solutions, and future perspectives of this field are thoroughly discussed throughout the article.

Strained van der Waals Metallic Magnet for Photomagnetic Modulation and Spin Photodiode Application

AbstractAll‐optical magnetization reversal provides a low‐power approach for investigating spin state manipulation in 2D magnets. However, the ambient observation of photomagnetic coupling presents significant challenges due to the low Curie temperatures exhibited by most 2D magnets. Herein, a mixed‐dimensional heterostructure comprising a surface‐oxidized Fe3GeTe2 nanosheet with enhanced magnetic properties and individual semiconducting ZnO nanorod is proposed to explore proximity photomagnetic modulation and spin‐enhanced photodetection behaviors. The surface curvature of ZnO nanorod induces pronounced strains for Fe3GeTe2 nanosheet, leading to its anomalous Raman polarization and spin ordering at room temperature. Strain‐activated itinerant spin electrons are immobilized on the O‐2p orbitals of adjacent ZnO, thereby facilitating the optical demagnetization process in Fe3GeTe2 without aid of magnetic field. First‐principles calculations together with in situ characterization experiments further confirm that the primary charge transfer channel involves coupling between Fe3+ and oxygen vacancy defects anchored at heterointerfaces. The rapid establishment of magnetization by illumination in ZnO nanorod contributes to spin‐tunneling‐enhanced photocurrent, device response dynamics, polarization detection and ultraviolet imaging capability. These findings offer valuable insights to optimize the optoelectronic properties of conventional semiconductors and advance complex dimensional spin‐optoelectronic devices.

On the trapped magnetic moment in type-II superconductors

Abstract Measurements of the trapped (remanent) magnetic moment, $M_{trap}\left(H\right)$, when a small magnetic field $H$ is turned off after cooling below the superconducting transition temperature, $T_c$, or ramping a magnetic field up and down after cooling in a zero magnetic field, offer substantial advantages in difficult cases of small samples and large field-dependent backgrounds, which is relevant for hydrogen-based ultra-high-$T_{c}$ superconductors (UHTS). Until recently, there was no need for a separate paper on the trapped magnetic flux for well-known critical-state models due to the simplicity of the physics involved. However, recent publications showed the need for such an analysis. This note summarizes the expectations for the Bean model with constant critical current density and the Kim model with field-dependent critical currents. It is shown that if the trapped moment is fitted to the power law, $M_{trap}\propto H^{\alpha}$, the fixed exponent $\alpha=2$ is exact for the Bean model, while Kim models show a wide interval of possible values, $2\leq\alpha\leq4$. Furthermore, accounting for reversible magnetization expands the range of possible exponents to $1\leq\alpha\leq4$. In addition, demagnetizing factors are essential and make the trapped moment orientation dependent even in isotropic materials.

As a concrete application, it is shown that flux trapping experiments performed on H$_{3}$S UHTS compounds can be well described using this generalized approach, lending further support to the type-II superconducting nature of H$_{3}$S under ultra-high pressure.

Mn doping-induced twofold spin reorientation and multi-step spin switching in NdFeO3 single crystal

Magnetization reversal and magnetic state regulation are the basis of application for magnetic materials in information processing. Here, twofold spin reorientation transitions (SRT) and field-induced multi-step spin switching phenomena were observed in NdMn0.2Fe0.8O3 (NMFO) single crystals grown via the optical floating zone method. Magnetic anisotropy was systematically investigated in both Zero-Field-Cooled (ZFC) and Field-Cooled (FC) modes. The NMFO single crystal exhibited twofold SRTs: from Γ4 (Gx, Ay, Fz) to Γ1 (Ax, Gy, Cz) and from Γ1 (Ax, Gy, Cz) to Γ2 (Fx, Cy, Gz). Furthermore, a magnetic field-induced spin reorientation transition was identified along the c-axis. Additionally, closer proximity to the SRT temperature corresponded to a reduced magnetic field requirement for inducing the spin reorientation transition. These findings contribute to our comprehension of spin dynamics in NMFO, presenting possibilities for future device applications.

Lamellar Zr-rich phase and its influence on coercivity for Sm(CoFeCuZr)z magnets

The precipitation-hardened Sm-Co permanent magnets relied on the pinning of nanocellular structures to achieve high coercivity, and have an irreplaceable position in high-temperature applications. In this article, by employing micromagnetic simulations and magnetic domain observations, the pinning behavior of lamellar phases (Z-phase) were investigated, which has not been well understood before. The results showed that the Z-phase can serve as a strong pinning position, but due to the parallel lamellar distribution, the magnetic domain walls can move around. Additionally, the effect of Z-phase on coercivity was achieved by changing the morphology of magnetic domain walls during magnetization reversal. For attractive pinning, the coercivity was reduced by the Z-phase, while for repulsive pinning, the Z-phase increased the coercivity when γZ＜0.54γH. Our findings can provide a novel understanding of the coercivity mechanism of precipitation-hardened Sm-Co permanent magnets.

Exploring the Magnetism of C5/C2B3 Heteroleptic Organolanthanide Sandwiches

Comprehensive SummaryTwo families of cyclopentadienyl (Cp)/carboranyl heteroleptic sandwiched organolanthanide complexes, namely [Ln{η5:σ‐Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)}2][Li(DME)3] (1Ln, Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) and [2‐THF‐2'‐(μ2‐Cl)Li(THF)3‐2,2'‐Ln(nido‐1,7‐C2B9H11)Cp*] (2Dy), were synthesized. Family of 1Ln has been proposed based on the mixing‐ligands idea by linking Cp and nido‐dicarborllide. However, the carborane cage of [Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]2− deprotons and forms a mono‐C− anion rather than deboron to form dicarborllide dianion. Hence, the family of 1Ln features a dysprosocenium skeleton with extra two coordination of C− anions of carborllides. Such coordination geometry is more like a tetrahedron if abstracting the centroids of two coordinated Cp rings. In this cubic‐type geometry, no significant magnetic axiality is presented; only 1Dy and 1Tb show field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior below 10 K. Inspired by 1Ln, the free pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*−) and nido‐dicarborllide ligands are used to sandwich central Dy3+ ion, achieving heteroleptic complex 2Dy. The bending angle by linking the centroid of Cp*−, Dy3+ and C2B32− in 2Dy is increased to 132.8(1)°. As such, the effective energy barrier for magnetic reversal (Ueff) and magnetic blocking temperature TB (ZFC) are both increased (Ueff = 616(10) K; TB = 6 K). The effort of further enhancing Ueff and TB in such heteroleptic organolanthanide sandwiches should rely on keeping increasing the ligand axiality.

Imaging Strain-Controlled Magnetic Reversal in Thin CrSBr.

Two-dimensional materials are extraordinarily sensitive to external stimuli, making them ideal for studying fundamental properties and for engineering devices with new functionalities. One such stimulus, strain, affects the magnetic properties of the layered magnetic semiconductor CrSBr to such a degree that it can induce a reversible antiferromagnetic-to-ferromagnetic phase transition. Using scanning SQUID-on-lever microscopy, we directly image the effects of spatially inhomogeneous strain on the magnetization of layered CrSBr, as it is polarized by a field applied along its easy axis. The evolution of this magnetization and the formation of domains is reproduced by a micromagnetic model, which incorporates the spatially varying strain and the corresponding changes in the local interlayer exchange stiffness. The observed sensitivity to small strain gradients along with similar images of a nominally unstrained CrSBr sample suggest that unintentional strain inhomogeneity influences the magnetic behavior of exfoliated samples.

Manipulation of topological antichiral edge states by inducing valley-chirality coupling.

Benefiting from the non-uniform assigning on the sublattices A and B in a modified Haldane model, the reductions of both spatial inversion and time-reversal symmetries can be induced to implement the competition of valley and chirality, which provide us a new, to the best of our knowledge, means to manipulate the topological antichiral edge states (ACEs). An implementation method for harnessing ACEs in a two-dimensional gyromagnetic photonic crystal (PC) has been proposed, which reveals that the opposite magnetization applied in the cylinders of sublattices A and B can generate the ACEs, and the valley Hall phase induced by dimerization of the structure further manipulates the edge states. Moreover, we found that the one-way dual transport channels of the ACEs can be transformed from both upper and lower zigzag edges into only one channel due to the propagating direction mismatched in the gyromagnetic PC heterojunction structure. Our research enriches the understanding of antichiral one-way transport states and offers useful insights and routines to design novel topological electromagnetic and optical functional devices.

Coercivity mechanism and magnetization reversal of anisotropic La-Nd-Dy-Fe-B micron-sized films

The coercivity mechanism and magnetization reversal process of anisotropic La-Nd-Dy-Fe-B micron-sized films have been investigated. By varying the thickness of the single-layer film from 500 nm to 6 μm, the highest coercivity of 1.88 T in the film with 3 μm thickness is achieved at 300 K, due to the large dipole interaction and domain pinning effect. When the thickness is further increased to 6um, the coercivity decreases sharply to 1.11T due to the microstructure and phase formation in the film. In the 6 μm multilayer film, the addition of a Ta spacer layer further enhances perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, the dipole interaction, and adjusts the phase distribution, collectively boosting the coercivity of the micron-sized film (1.63 T). As thickness of the film increases, the dominant mechanism of coercivity shifts from a pinning mechanism to a nucleation mechanism. This study contributes to the understanding of the coercivity mechanism and magnetization reversal process in La-Nd-Dy-Fe-B permanent magnet micron-sized films.

Non-exchange bias hysteresis loop shifts in dense composites of soft-hard magnetic nanoparticles: New possibilities for simple reference layers in magnetic devices

Exchange bias has been extensively studied in both exchange-coupled thin films and nanoparticle composite systems. However, the role of non-exchange mechanisms in the overall hysteresis loop bias is far from being understood. Here, dense soft-hard binary nanoparticle composites are used not only as a novel tool to unravel the effect of dipolar interactions on the hysteresis loop shift but also as a new strategy to enhance the bias of any magnet exhibiting an asymmetric magnetization reversal. Mixtures of equally sized, 6.8 nm, soft maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (no bias—symmetric reversal) and hard cobalt doped γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (large exchange bias—asymmetric reversal) reveal that, for certain fractions of soft particles, the loop shift of the composite can be significantly larger than the exchange-bias field of the hard particles in the mixture. Simple calculations indicate how this emerging phenomenon can be further enhanced by optimizing the parameters of the hard particles (coercivity and loop asymmetry). In addition, the existence of a dipolar-induced loop shift (“dipolar bias”) is demonstrated both experimentally and theoretically, where, for example, a bias is induced in the initially unbiased γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles due to the dipolar interaction with the exchange-biased hard nanoparticles. These results open a new paradigm in the large field of hysteresis bias and pave the way for novel approaches to tune loop shifts in magnetic hybrid systems beyond interface exchange coupling.

Magnetic properties of bamboo-like Ni-Zn-in nanowires using 3D-AAO templates

In this paper, using three-dimensional porous alumina (3D-AAO) as a template, Ni-Zn-In nanowires array with periodically changing diameters was successfully prepared by direct current electrodeposition method. The effect of deposition voltage on the morphology, crystal structure and magnetic properties of Ni-Zn-In ternary alloy nanowires was studied. The experimental results show that the diameters of the nanowires are 212 nm and 151 nm, and the periodic length is 800 nm, which matches the pore size of the phosphoric acid-etched 3D-AAO template. XRD results indicate that the crystal structure of Ni-Zn-In nanowires can be adjusted by the deposition voltage. The VSM results reveal that the Ni-Zn-In nanowires possess soft magnetic properties and significant magnetic anisotropy, with the easy magnetization direction parallel to the film. The nanowires deposited at −1.5 V exhibit the highest coercivity of 161 Oe and squareness of 0.045. Micromagnetic simulations show that the magnetization reversal mechanism of the Ni-Zn-In nanowires is localized nucleation mode.

The High Latitude Ionospheric Response to the Major May 2024 Geomagnetic Storm: A Synoptic View

AbstractThe high latitude ionospheric evolution of the May 10‐11, 2024, geomagnetic storm is investigated in terms of Total Electron Content and contextualized with Incoherent Scatter Radar and ionosonde observations. Substantial plasma lifting is observed within the initial Storm Enhanced Density plume with ionospheric peak heights increasing by 150–300 km, reaching levels of up to 630 km. Scintillation is observed within the cusp during the initial expansion phase of the storm, spreading across the auroral oval thereafter. Patch transport into the polar cap produces broad regions of scintillation that are rapidly cleared from the region after a strong Interplanetary Magnetic Field reversal at 2230UT. Strong heating and composition changes result in the complete absence of the F2‐layer on the eleventh, suffocating high latitude convection from dense plasma necessary for Tongue of Ionization and patch formation, ultimately resulting in a suppression of polar cap scintillation on the eleventh.

Energy-efficient picosecond spin-orbit torque magnetization switching in ferro- and ferrimagnetic films.

Electrical current pulses can be used to manipulate magnetization efficiently via spin-orbit torques. Pulse durations as short as a few picoseconds have been used to switch the magnetization of ferromagnetic films, reaching the terahertz regime. However, little is known about the reversal mechanisms and energy requirements in the ultrafast switching regime. In this work we quantify the energy cost for magnetization reversal over seven orders of magnitude in pulse duration, in both ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic samples, bridging quasi-static spintronics and femtomagnetism. To this end, we develop a method to stretch picosecond pulses generated by a photoconductive switch by an order of magnitude. Thereby we can create current pulses from picoseconds to durations approaching the pulse width available with commercial instruments. We show that the energy cost for spin-orbit torque switching decreases by more than an order of magnitude in all samples when the pulse duration enters the picosecond range. We project an energy cost of 9 fJ for a 100 × 100 nm2 ferrimagnetic device. Micromagnetic and macrospin simulations unveil a transition from a non-coherent to a coherent magnetization reversal with a strong modification of the magnetization dynamical trajectories as pulse duration is reduced. Our results show the potential for high-speed magnetic spin-orbit torque memories and highlight alternative magnetization reversal pathways at fast timescales.