Neutron Polarization Research Articles

Diurnal anisotropy of polar neutron monitors: Dome C looks poleward

Galactic cosmic rays (GCR) exhibit a small local anisotropy observed as diurnal variability of ground-based neutron monitor (NM) count rates. Since the asymptotic directions of various NMs are different, their ability to observe the GCR diurnal variation also varies. Here we show that the Dome C (DOMC) NM is hardly sensitive to the diurnal variation, with its amplitude being 0.03%, in contrast to other polar NMs whose sensitivity to the diurnal variability ranges from 0.16 to 0.4%. We argue that this is related to the fact that DOMC NM has a narrow asymptotic-direction cone looking nearly to the South pole (geographic latitude above 75°). This makes the DOMC NM a unique detector being the only existing NM accepting cosmic-ray particles originating from the off-equatorial region. This is important for detailed studies of cosmic-ray transport in the vicinity of Earth, specifically for anisotropic solar energetic particle events.

Polarized neutron reflectometry characterization of perpendicular magnetized Ho3Fe5O12 films with efficient spin-orbit torque induced switching

Rare-earth iron garnet films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) are important to develop magnon-based spintronic devices. In this study, high quality epitaxial Ho3Fe5O12 (HoIG) films with PMA are fabricated on (111) Y3(Sc2Ga3)O12 substrates by sputtering. The magnetization compensation temperature of HoIG films is determined to be 130 K, highly consistent with its bulk value. The magnetic dead layer at the interface is quantified as thin as about 0.6 nm through polarized neutron reflectivity. Furthermore, spin–orbit torque switching in HoIG/Pt films is realized with the threshold current density of 1.4 × 1011 A/m2 and assisting field as small as 10 Oe. These results provide one more alternative for spintronic materials using compensated ferrimagnetic insulators.

Quantifying Magnetic Anisotropy Using Polarized Neutron Powder Diffraction

"Quantifying Magnetic Anisotropy Using Polarized Neutron Powder Diffraction." Neutron News, 32(4), pp. 26–27

Néel-Type Skyrmions Detected through Polarized Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Néel-Type Skyrmions Detected through Polarized Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Structure and magnetism of ultra-small cobalt particles assembled at titania surfaces by ion beam synthesis

Metallic cobalt nanoparticles offer attractive magnetic properties but are vulnerable to oxidation, which suppresses their magnetization. In this article, we report the use of ion beam synthesis to produce ultra-small, oxidation-resistant, cobalt nanoparticles embedded within substoichiometric TiO2-δ thin films. Using high fluence implantation of cobalt at 20–60 keV, the particles were assembled with an average size of 1.5 ± 1 nm. The geometry and structure of the nanoparticles were studied using scanning transmission electron microscopy. Near-edge X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy on the L2,3 Co edges confirms that the majority of the particles beneath the surface are metallic, unoxidised cobalt. Further evidence of the metallic nature of the small particles is provided via their high magnetization and superparamagnetic response between 3 and 300 K with a low blocking temperature of 4.5 K. The magnetic properties were studied using a combination of vibrating sample magnetometry, element-resolved X-ray magnetic circular dichroism, and depth-resolved polarised neutron reflectometry. These techniques provide a unified picture of the magnetic metallic Co particles. We argue, based on these experimental observations and thermodynamic calculations, that the cobalt is protected against oxidation beneath the surface of titania owing to the enthalpic stability of TiO2 over CoO which inhibits solid state reactions.

Development of a Spin-Exchange Optical Pumping-Based Polarized 3He System at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS)Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2020YFA0406000), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11875265), the Scientific Instrument Developing Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 284(2018)), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation

Polarized 3He neutron spin filters (NSFs) can be used as a vital tool for neutron polarization production and analysis. The China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), as one of the major neutron facilities in China, has committed resources to the development of a polarized 3He NSF program to support its growing polarized neutron research. A spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP)-based polarized 3He system and other necessary hardware for NSF transport has been recently developed. The performance of the system is benchmarked using an in-house developed cell named “Trident”. Neutron beam measurements yield a 3He polarization of 77% with over 200 h of on-beam relaxation time. Combining this newly developed SEOP system with the recently reported cell fabrication station, CSNS is now capable of the fully self-sustained production of 3He NSFs that shall support its future neutron polarization research.

Magnetic proximity effect in magnetic-insulator/heavy-metal heterostructures across the compensation temperature

Nonmagnetic heavy metals can develop a magnetic moment due to the proximity of a magnetic layer. Here, the sign of the proximity effect in Pt and W grown on the ferrimagnetic insulator Dy${}_{3}$Fe${}_{5}$O${}_{12}$ (DyIG) is examined. Polarized neutron reflectometry indicates the importance of a clean metal/garnet interface, and shows that the proximity effect in Pt/DyIG is positive above and below the DyIG compensation temperature, indicating a different origin compared to that of Pt adjacent to a ferrimagnetic metal alloy.

Polarized neutron scattering studies of magnetic excitations in iron-selenide superconductor Li0.8Fe0.2ODFeSe (T c = 41 K)

We report polarized neutron scattering measurements of the low energy spin fluctuations of the iron-selenide superconductor Li0.8Fe0.2ODFeSe below and above its superconducting transition temperature T c = 41 K. Our experiments confirmed that the resonance mode near 21 meV is magnetic. Moreover, the spin excitations are essentially isotropic in spin space at 5 ⩽ E ⩽ 29 meV in the superconducting and normal states. Our results suggest that the resonance mode in iron-based superconductors becomes isotropic when the influence of spin–orbit coupling and magnetic/nematic order is minimized, similar to those observed in cuprate superconductors.

Tuneable exchange-spring stiffness in amorphous magnetic trilayer structures

We investigate the magnetic properties of amorphous Sm10Co90/Co60(Al70Zr30)40/Co85(Al70Zr30)15 exchange-spring magnet trilayers. The magnetically soft Co85(Al70Zr30)15 layer is coupled to the magnetically hard Sm10Co90 layer through the weakly magnetic low-T c Co60(Al70Zr30)40 spacer layer. The strength of the coupling can be controlled with temperature and the coupling persists above the intrinsic T c of the spacer layer due to a long-range magnetic proximity effect. Polarized neutron reflectivity is used to examine the magnetic profile of the trilayers during magnetization reversal. A two-step switching occurs, with the switching angle of the soft layer strongly dependent on the strength of the coupling. In the strong coupling regime a magnetic state can be achieved where the soft layer magnetization is perpendicular to the hard layer whereas in the weak coupling regime the soft layer reverses fully.

Additively Manufactured NdFeB Polyphenylene Sulfide Halbach Magnets to Generate Variable Magnetic Fields for Neutron Reflectometry.

Halbach arrays are the most efficient closed structures for generating directed magnetic fields and gradients, and are widely used in various electric machines. We utilized fused deposition modeling-based Big Area Additive Manufacturing technology to print customized, compensated concentric Halbach array rings, using polyphenylene sulfide-bonded NdFeB permanent magnets for polarized neutron reflectometry. The Halbach rings could generate a 0 ≤ B ≤ 0.30 T field, while preserving 90% polarization of an axial neutron beam. Polarized neutron beams are used to study a wide range of structural and magnetic phenomena spanning physics, chemistry, and biology. In this study, we demonstrate the effectiveness of additive manufacturing for producing prototype Halbach arrays, characterize their magnetic properties, and generated magnetic fields, and discuss the conservation of neutron beam polarization as a function of magnetic field.

New Polarized Neutron Diffraction Setup for Precise High-Field Investigations of Magnetic Structures up to 8 T at MLZ

New Polarized Neutron Diffraction Setup for Precise High-Field Investigations of Magnetic Structures up to 8 T at MLZ

Development of a 3He Gas Filling Station at the China Spallation Neutron SourceSupported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2020YFA0406000), the Scientific Instrument Development Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 284(2018)), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11875265).

At the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), we have developed a custom gas-filling station, a glassblowing workshop, and a spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) system for producing high-quality 3He-based neutron spin filter (NSF) cells. The gas-filling station is capable of routinely filling 3He cells made from GE180 glass of various dimensions, to be used as neutron polarizers and analyzers on beamlines at the CSNS. Performance tests on cells fabricated at our gas-filling station are conducted via neutron transmission and nuclear-magnetic-resonance measurements, revealing nominal filling pressures, and a saturated 3He polarization in the region of 80%, with a lifetime of approximately 240 hours. These results demonstrate our ability to produce competitive NSF cells to meet the ever-increasing research needs of the polarized neutron research community.

Polarization analysis for small-angle neutron scattering with a 3He spin filter at a pulsed neutron source

Neutron polarization analysis (NPA) for small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments using a pulsed neutron source was successfully achieved by applying a 3He spin filter as a spin analyzer for the neutrons scattered from the sample. The cell of the 3He spin filter gives a weak small-angle scattering intensity (background) and covers a sufficient solid angle for performing SANS experiments. The relaxation time of the 3He polarization is sufficient for continuous use for approximately 2 days, thus reaching the typical duration required for a complete set of SANS experiments. Although accurate evaluation of the incoherent neutron scattering, which is predominantly attributable to the extremely large incoherent scattering cross section of hydrogen atoms in samples, is difficult using calculations based on the sample elemental composition, the developed NPA approach with consideration of the influence of multiple neutron scattering enabled reliable decomposition of the SANS intensity distribution into the coherent and incoherent scattering components. To date, NPA has not been well established as a standard technique for SANS experiments at pulsed neutron sources such as the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) and the US Spallation Neutron Source. It is anticipated that this work will contribute significantly to the accurate determination of the coherent neutron scattering component for scatterers in various types of organic sample systems in SANS experiments at J-PARC, particularly for systems involving competition between the coherent and incoherent scattering intensity.

Magnetic and Electronic Properties of Weyl Semimetal Co2MnGa Thin Films.

Magnetic Weyl semimetals are newly discovered quantum materials with the potential for use in spintronic applications. Of particular interest is the cubic Heusler compound Co2MnGa due to its inherent magnetic and topological properties. This work presents the structural, magnetic and electronic properties of magnetron co-sputtered Co2MnGa thin films, with thicknesses ranging from 10 to 80 nm. Polarized neutron reflectometry confirmed a uniform magnetization through the films. Hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed a high degree of spin polarization and localized (itinerant) character of the Mn d (Co d) valence electrons and accompanying magnetic moments. Further, broadband and field orientation-dependent ferromagnetic resonance measurements indicated a relation between the thickness-dependent structural and magnetic properties. The increase of the tensile strain-induced tetragonal distortion in the thinner films was reflected in an increase of the cubic anisotropy term and a decrease of the perpendicular uniaxial term. The lattice distortion led to a reduction of the Gilbert damping parameter and the thickness-dependent film quality affected the inhomogeneous linewidth broadening. These experimental findings will enrich the understanding of the electronic and magnetic properties of magnetic Weyl semimetal thin films.

Evolution of helimagnetic correlations when approaching the quantum critical point of Mn1−xFexSi

We present a comprehensive investigation of the evolution of helimagnetic correlations in Mn$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$Si with increasing doping. By combining polarised neutron scattering and high resolution Neutron Spin Echo spectroscopy we investigate three samples with $x$=0.09, 0.11 and 0.14, i.e. with compositions on both sides of the concentration $x^* \sim 0.11$ where the helimagnetic Bragg peaks disappear and between $x^*$ and the quantum critical concentration $x_C \sim 0.17$, where $T_C$ vanishes. We find that the abrupt disappearance of the long range helical periodicity at $x^*$, does not affect the precursor fluctuating correlations. These build up with decreasing temperature in a similar way as for the parent compound MnSi. Also the dynamics bears strong similarities to MnSi. The analysis of our results indicates that frustration, possibly due to achiral RKKY interactions, increases with increasing Fe doping. We argue that this effect explains both the expansion of the precursor phase with increasing $x$ and the abrupt disappearance of long range helimagnetic periodicity at $x^*$.

Energy and angular distribution of photo-neutrons for 16.6 MeV polarized photon on medium–heavy targets

The energy spectra as well as the angular distribution of photo-neutrons, called the double differential cross sections (DDXs) of the (γ, xn) reaction were measured for 16.6 MeV linearly polarized photons on Pb, Au, Sn, Cu, Fe, and Ti targets. Polarized photons were prepared using the laser Compton scattering technique at BL01, NewSUBARU, Hyogo, Japan. The photo-neutrons were measured using liquid organic scintillators, placed at six different angles. The time-of-flight technique was used to determine the neutron energy. The low energy and high energy components on the DDXs were identified for all the targets. Flat angular dependence was observed for the low energy component; however, a cos(2Θ) distribution was observed for the high energy component, where Θ is the angle between the photon polarization direction and neutron emission. The angular dependences were parameterized by fitting the experimental data. The obtained parameters were compared with those from previous studies conducted decades ago.

Polarized proton spin filter for epithermal neutrons based on dynamic nuclear polarization using photo-excited triplet electron spins

Abstract To polarize neutrons with energy beyond 0.1 eV, we developed a novel polarized proton spin filter based on dynamic nuclear polarization using photo-excited triplet electron spins. The spin filter consists of a single crystal of naphthalene doped with deuterated pentacene and has a size of $\varnothing15\times4 \, {\rm mm}^3$, allowing it to cover a wide beam diameter. It was operated in 0.35 T and at 90 K. We succeeded in polarizing neutrons in the energy range 0.1–10 eV using a RIKEN accelerator-driven compact neutron source. The averaged values of the proton and neutron polarization were $0.250\pm0.050$ and $0.076\pm0.015$, respectively.

A measurement of parity-violating asymmetry in polarized cold neutron capture on 3He

The n3He experiment measured the parity-violating directional asymmetry in the proton emission direction relative to the initial neutron polarization in the capture of polarized cold neutrons in the reaction n + 3He → T + p. Data taking was completed at the end of 2015 at the SNS, and two independent analyses of the proton parity asymmetry have since been completed and are in agreement. I will present the methods used to calculate the asymmetry, and the final results of the experiment.

Reduction of the Spin Susceptibility in the Superconducting State of Sr_{2}RuO_{4} Observed by Polarized Neutron Scattering.

Recent observations [A. Pustogow et al., Nature (London) 574, 72 (2019).NATUAS0028-083610.1038/s41586-019-1596-2] of a drop of the ^{17}O nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Knight shift in the superconducting state of Sr_{2}RuO_{4} challenged the popular picture of a chiral odd-parity paired state in this compound. Here we use polarized neutron scattering (PNS) to show that there is a 34±6% drop in the magnetic susceptibility at the Ru site below the superconducting transition temperature. We measure at lower fields H∼1/3H_{c2} than a previous PNS study allowing the suppression to be observed. The PNS measurements show a smaller susceptibility suppression than NMR measurements performed at similar field and temperature. Our results rule out the chiral odd-parity d=z[over ^](k_{x}±ik_{y}) state and are consistent with several recent proposals for the order parameter including even-parity B_{1g} and odd-parity helical states.

Neutron polarimetry using a polarized 3He cell for the aCORN experiment

The neutron polarization of the NG-C beamline at the NIST Center for Neutron Research was measured as part of the aCORN neutron beta decay experiment. Neutron transmission through a polarized 3He spin filter cell was recorded while adiabatic fast passage (AFP) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) reversed the polarization direction of the 3He in an eight-step sequence to account for drifts. The dependence of the neutron transmission on the spin filter direction was used to calculate the neutron polarization. The time dependent transmission was fit to a model which included the neutron spectrum, and 3He polarization losses from spin relaxation and AFP-NMR. The neutron polarization averaged over the spectrum of the NG-C beam was found to be ∣Pn∣≤4×10−4 with 90% confidence.