Ultrathin Multilayers Research Articles

Electrical detection of magnetization dynamics in an ultrathin CoFeB film with perpendicular anisotropy

The anomalous Hall effect (AHE) was used to investigate the magnetization dynamics of an ultrathin (1.3 nm) CoFeB magnetic multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). By directly sending a radio frequency (rf) current into a millimeter-sized film sample without any lithography process, a resonant dc voltage can be detected along the Hall direction. This method was used to study the dynamic properties of ultrathin CoFeB films, such as the gyromagnetic ratio, amplitude of PMA field, and magnetic damping. The dc voltage was proven to be the consequence of spin rectification enabled by the AHE, and the dynamic magnetization was driven by the Oersted field and spin current from the electric current in the adjacent Ta layer.

Chiral magnetic conductivity and surface states of Weyl semimetals in topological insulator ultra-thin film multilayer

We investigate an ultra-thin film of topological insulator (TI) multilayer as a model for a three-dimensional (3D) Weyl semimetal. We introduce tunneling parameters tS, , and tD, where the former two parameters couple layers of the same thin film at small and large momenta, and the latter parameter couples neighbouring thin film layers along the z-direction. The Chern number is computed in each topological phase of the system and we find that for , the tunneling parameter changes from positive to negative as the system transits from Weyl semi-metallic phase to insulating phases. We further study the chiral magnetic effect (CME) of the system in the presence of a time dependent magnetic field. We compute the low-temperature dependence of the chiral magnetic conductivity and show that it captures three distinct phases of the system separated by plateaus. Furthermore, we propose and study a 3D lattice model of Porphyrin thin film, an organic material known to support topological Frenkel exciton edge states. We show that this model exhibits a 3D Weyl semi-metallic phase and also supports a 2D Weyl semi-metallic phase. We further show that this model recovers that of 3D Weyl semimetal in topological insulator thin film multilayer. Thus, paving the way for simulating a 3D Weyl semimetal in topological insulator thin film multilayer. We obtain the surface states (Fermi arcs) in the 3D model and the chiral edge states in the 2D model and analyze their topological properties.

Bombardment induced ion transport - part IV: ionic conductivity of ultra-thin polyelectrolyte multilayer films.

The dependence of the ionic conductance of ultra-thin polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films on the temperature and the number of bilayers has been investigated by the recently developed low energy bombardment induced ion transport (BIIT) method. To this end multilayers of alternating poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) layers were deposited on a metal electrode and subsequently bombarded by a low energy potassium ion beam. Ions are transported through the film according to the laws of electro-diffusion towards a grounded backside electrode. They are neutralized at the interface between the polymer film and the metal electrode. The detected neutralization current scales linearly with the acceleration potential of the ion beam indicating Ohmic behavior for the (PAH/PSS)x multilayer, where x denotes the number of bilayers. The conductance exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on the number of bilayers, x. For 2 ≤ x ≤ 8 the conductance increases non-linearly with the number of bilayers. For x ≥ 8 the conductance decreases with increasing number of bilayers. The variation of the conductance is rationalized by a model accounting for the structure dependence of the conductivity. The thinnest sample for which the conductance has been measured is the single bilayer reflecting properties dominated by the interface. The activation energy for the ion transport is 0.49 eV.

Enhanced interlayer exchange coupling in antiferromagnetically coupled ultrathin (Co70Fe30/Pd) multilayers

We report the studies of magnetization reversal and magnetic interlayer coupling in synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) [Pd/Co70Fe30]9/Ru(tRu)/Pd(tPd)/[Co70Fe30/Pd]9 structure as functions of inserted Pd layer (tPd) and Ru layer (tRu) thicknesses. We found the exchange coupling field (Hex) and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) can be controlled by both the tPd and tRu, The Hex shows a Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida-type oscillatory decay dependence on tRu and a maximum interlayer coupling strength Jex = 0.522 erg/cm2 is achieved at tPd + tRu ≈ 0.8 nm in the as-deposited sample. As it is known that a high post-annealing stability of SAF structure is required for magnetic random access memory applications, the dependence of Hex and PMA on the post-annealing temperature (Ta) is also investigated. We found that both high PMA of the top Co70Fe30/Pd multilayer is maintained and Hex is enhanced with increasing Ta up to 350 °C for tRu > 0.7 nm in our SAF structure.

Tailoring the emissive properties of photocathodes through materials engineering: Ultra-thin multilayers

We report on an experimental verification that emission properties of photocathodes can be manipulated through the engineering of the surface electronic structure. Ultrathin multilayered MgO/Ag(001)/MgO films were grown by pulsed laser deposition, tuning the thickness n of the flanking MgO layers to 0, 2, 3, and 4 monolayers. We observed an increase in quantum efficiency and simultaneous decrease in work function with layer thickness. The scale and trend direction of measurements are in good but not excellent agreement with theory. Angle resolved photoemission data for the multilayered sample n=3 showed that the emission profile has a metallic-like momentum dispersion. Deviations from theoretical predictions [K. Németh et al., PRL 104, 046801 (2010)] are attributed to imperfections of real surfaces in contrast with the ideal surfaces of the calculation. Photoemissive properties of cathodes are critical for electron beam applications such as photoinjectors for Free Electron Lasers (FEL) and Energy Recovery Linacs (ERL). An ideal photoemitter has a high quantum efficiency, low work function, low intrinsic emittance and long lifetime. It has been demonstrated here that emission properties may be systematically tailored by control of layer thickness in ultrathin multilayered structures. The reproducibility of the emission parameters under specific growth conditions is excellent, even though the interfaces themselves have varying degrees of roughness.

Interference in multilayer relativistic mirrors

In this paper, reflection coefficient of a relativistic ultra-thin electron multilayer is calculated using electromagnetic interference procedures. The relativistic electron layers are assumed to be formed by nonlinear plasma wake waves that constitute the electron density cusps. It is shown that the interference between successive relativistic mirrors is restricted by the condition, τp≫(2γ0)5/2/ωp0, where τp is the laser pulse duration. The results showed that tailoring the pulse amplitude, incident wave frequency value, incidence angle, and plasma density leads to increasing reflection coefficient a few orders of magnitudes. This constructive interference condition can be used for increasing conversion efficiency in the reflected energy from relativistic mirrors for the purpose of generating ultra-short coherence pulses in the extreme ultraviolet and x-ray regions. We also performed reflection from relativistic thin electron layers using relativistic 1D3V electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. It was found that the results of PIC simulation are in agreement with analytical considerations.

Direct Observation of a Localized Magnetic Soliton in a Spin-Transfer Nanocontact.

We report the direct observation of a localized magnetic soliton in a spin-transfer nanocontact using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy. Experiments are conducted on a lithographically defined 150 nm diameter nanocontact to an ultrathin ferromagnetic multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Element-resolved x-ray magnetic circular dichroism images show an abrupt onset of a magnetic soliton excitation localized beneath the nanocontact at a threshold current. However, the amplitude of the excitation ≃25° at the contact center is far less than that predicted (⪅180°), showing that the spin dynamics is not described by existing models.

Layer-by-Layer Deposition of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Multilayer on Microporous Polyethylene Separator to Enhance the Electrochemical Performance of Lithium-Ion Battery.

A simple layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly process of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and ZrO2 was applied to construct functional ultrathin multilayers on polyethylene (PE) separators without sacrificing the excellent porous structure of separators. Such PAA/ZrO2 LbL-modified PE separators possess good electrolyte wettability, excellent electrolyte uptake, high ionic conductivity and large Li(+) transference number. More importantly, the top layer of LbL self-assembly would affect the dissociation of electrolyte and the formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer in half-cells. Compared with the pristine and (PAA/ZrO2)1PAA-modified PE separators, (PAA/ZrO2)3-modified PE separator shows a larger Li(+) transference number (0.6) and a faster tendency to form a stable SEI layer, endowing half-cells with excellent capacity retention at high C-rates and superior cycling performance. These fascinating characteristics will provide the LbL self-assembly with a promising method to improve the surface property of PE separators for high performance lithium-ion batteries.

Chemical characterization of III–V heterostructures in 3D architecture

Future nanoelectronic devices will integrate ultra-thin multilayers of various materials in 3D architecture. The depth and lateral resolution become critical for the analysis of the chemical composition of such materials. 2D composition depth profiling with high resolution for arrays of III–V trenches has been studied using magnetic sector secondary ion mass spectrometry. The averaged SIMS profiles were compared with 3D reconstructions of individual trenches containing confined InGaAs layers using higher spatial techniques: time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography.

Stoichiometry dependent inter diffusion and structural evolution in Al–Ni multilayer

Ni-aluminides are an important class of intermetallics from research and technological point of view. Ultrathin multilayers of Ni and Al with overall stoichiometric ratio as 3:1 (Ni rich) and 1:3 (Al rich), respectively, were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity and polarized neutron reflectivity after sequential annealing at 150°C, 200°C and 300°C to track the structural changes at mesoscopic and microscopic length scales. Morphology of the as deposited and annealed states were examined by atomic force microscopy. The impact of stoichiometric difference on the diffusion mechanism and its influence on structural parameters like alloy layer thickness, magnetic moment and crystallite size was studied in detail for these systems. Activation energies for these systems were also obtained through Arrhenius plots extracted from reflectometry data.

Identification of a kinetic length scale which dictates alloy phase composition in Ni-Al interfaces on annealing at low temperatures

Ni-aluminides are an important class of intermetallics from technological point of view. Ni-Al phase diagram has been studied in detail experimentally as well as theoretically. It is known that if annealed at low temperature, the first alloy phase is usually NiAl3 according to Bené's rule. It is also understood that heat of formation may get modified by local densities of the constituents forming the alloy. In this regard, it is important to identify a kinetic length scale for defining “local density” in a system. We have deposited ultrathin multilayers of Ni and Al of layer thickness in tens of nanometres with Ni:Al stoichiometric ratio as 3:1 and 1:3, respectively. Considering these stoichiometry, Ni3Al and NiAl3 are the thermodynamically favoured alloy phases in these samples. We used x-ray reflectivity, polarized neutron reflectivity, x-ray diffraction, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy to follow the alloy formation after annealing and identified the alloy phases at interfaces with nanometre resolution. Diffusion length of Ni and Al was obtained using Darken's law. Our results predict that ‘diffusion length’ is the unique length scale that connects kinetics to local density. In another interesting observation, using “virtual Kirkendall markers” at the interfaces, we showed asymmetry in consumption of Al for alloy formation, at Al on Ni (Al/Ni) and Ni on Al (Ni/Al) interfaces by comparing as-deposited and annealed states with respect to the markers.

Realizing in-plane surface diffraction by x-ray multiple-beam diffraction with large incidence angle

Based on rigorous dynamical-theory calculations, we demonstrate the principle of an x-ray multiple-beam diffraction (MBD) scheme that overcomes the long-lasting difficulties of high-resolution in-plane diffraction from crystal surfaces. This scheme only utilizes symmetric reflection geometry with large incident angles but activates the out-of-plane and in-plane diffraction processes simultaneously and separately in the continuous MBD planes. The in-plane diffraction is realized by detoured MBD, where the intermediate diffracted waves propagate parallel to the surface, which corresponds to an absolute Bragg surface diffraction configuration that is extremely sensitive to surface structures. A series of MBD diffraction and imaging techniques may be developed from this principle to study surface/interface (misfit) strains, lateral nanostructures, and phase transitions of a wide range of (pseudo)cubic crystal structures, including ultrathin epitaxial films and multilayers, quantum dots, strain-engineered semiconductor or (multi)ferroic materials, etc.

Magnetization states and magnetization processes in nanostructures: From a single layer to multilayers

The results of combined (experimental, analytical, and micromagnetic simulations) studies on the evolution of magnetization states and processes in ultrathin films and multilayered systems are presented. We show ways to manipulate magnetization distributions in ultrathin magnetic single or multilayers by tuning: the thickness of the magnetic layer, the thickness of either the non‐magnetic cap or spacer layer, the magnetic anisotropy, and the geometrical constrictions of the system. In ultrathin magnetic films, both the magnetization distribution and the critical thickness of the magnetization reorientation phase transition (RPT) between perpendicular and in‐plane states can be also controlled by post‐growth treatments, e.g., by either ion or light irradiation. By changing the geometrical parameters of the nanostructure, as well as by an applied external magnetic field, one can tune magnetic domain sizes in a giant range (of a few orders of magnitude) and induce the RPT. Transitions between two‐ and three‐dimensional magnetization distributions are discussed.

ChemInform Abstract: Magnetic Characterization of Exchange Coupled Ultrathin Magnetic Multilayers by Ferromagnetic Resonance Technique

AbstractReview: 53 refs.

A Method for Fabricating an Ultrathin Multilayer Film Composed of Poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) and Reduced Graphene Oxide on a Plastic Substrate for Flexible Optoelectronic Applications

AbstractThe photoconductive properties of a uniform ultrathin multilayer film composed of alternating poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) layers, fabricated on a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sheet are reported. The assembly of the two electron‐rich layer components on the temperature‐sensitive substrate is realized using a layer‐by‐layer‐deposition technique under mild conditions and HI/H2O vapor treatment at 100 °C. This protocol is established to simultaneously convert the layer components to their conjugated counterparts, PPV and RGO in the multilayer films, whose total thicknesses shrinks to 50% of their original values due to lattice contraction. Furthermore, the surface roughness decreases significantly, in contrast to the results obtained from general chemical treatments. The PET sheets coated with (PPV/RGO)15 films exhibit a photocurrent of 115 μA at an illumination intensity of 1.1 mW and a photoresponsivity of 111.1 mA W−1 at an illumination intensity of 0.5 mW; these are among the best values yet achieved in carbon‐based materials. The establishment of a method for fabricating (PPV/RGO) films on a temperature‐sensitive transparent flexible sheet is crucial for the development of organic‐based portable electronic devices.

A Phenomenological Interpretation of Two-Step Adsorption Kinetics of Humic Acids on Zeolitic Tuff

In this study, the kinetics of adsorption of humic acid (HA) from aqueous solution onto a zeolitic tuff were investigated. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, porosity and pore-size distribution measurements indicate that macromolecules can diffuse into the material. The kinetic curves show a two-stage adsorption. The adsorbed amount increases up to 2 days, remains constant and then increases again to attain equilibrium. There is a remarkable similarity between this adsorption behaviour of HA on zeolitic tuff and the behaviour observed when ultrathin multi-layers of polymeric materials are fabricated by self-assembly technique. Experiments reveal two distinct stages: the first corresponds to the macromolecules being driven towards the substrate, while the second is the result of arrangement of macromolecules. The first stage is a first-order kinetics with characteristic lifetime of 1-2 days, whereas the second stage is a Johnson-Mehl-Avrami function with (tm) in the exponential and slower cha...

Optical Resonances in Short-Range Ordered Nanoholes in Ultrathin Aluminum/Aluminum Nitride Multilayers

Nanoholes with short-range ordering were fabricated in ultrathin aluminum/aluminum nitride multilayer films where each layer is as thin as a few nanometers. Optical resonances of the trilayer system with a single metallic layer and five-layer system with two metallic layers were successfully tuned in the visible–near-infrared (vis/NIR) range. The resonance wavelength as well as the width can be predicted and designed by solving the dispersion relation and comparing with the lateral dimension of the short-range ordering. To solve the dispersion relation, we developed a general formulation for multilayer systems. The thermal stability of the fabricated nanoholes in ultrathin multilayers was also tested by vacuum annealing the samples up to 400 °C. While no structural change of the nanohole or the multilayer surface has been observed, the optical property showed almost no change in the resonance confirming no structural change but emergence of the interband transition around the wavelength of 900 nm. It means crystallinity improvement without grain growth by thermal annealing, which is consistent with the previous crystallographic studies on the same multilayer systems. The fabricated sensor revealed comparable refractive index sensitivity to the gold based sensors even with the top protective AlN layer. The chemical sensing test using the nanohole sensor with a bare aluminum top surface confirmed the applicability to the monitoring of aluminum surface reactions.

Formation and Properties of Protamine/Pectin LbL-Coatings

The adsorption regularities of protamine sulfate and pectin on the surfaces from solution with different ionic strength were investigated in situ using quartz substrate via the quartz crystal microbalance technique. Both polymers were observed to absorb according to Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. The value of Langmuir adsorption constant (k) is equal to 74,48 and 1,12 sm3/μg for pectin and protamine respectively. Maximum amount of biopolymer (A∞) adsorbed on resonator is 0,87 μg/sm2 for Pect and 0,57 μg/sm2 for PtS. Ultrathin (<100 nm) multilayer (protamine/pectin)8 LbL films were formed and adsorption kinetics of both polyions were studied. The rate constant of protamine and pectin adsorption are (3,9 ± 0,9)·10-2 s-1 and (3,4 ± 0,3)·10-2 s-1 respectively. It was shown, that film thickness increases by 2.5 times with polymers concentration in solution increasing from 0.1 to 3.0 mg/ml.

Giant third-order magneto-optical rotation in ferromagnetic EuO

A magnetization-induced rotation in the third-order nonlinear optical response is observed in out-of-plane-magnetized epitaxial EuO films. We discuss the relation of this nonlinear magneto-optical rotation to the linear Faraday rotation. It is allowed in all materials but, in contrast to the linear Faraday rotation, not affected by the reduction of the thickness of the material. Thus, the third-order magneto-optical rotation is particularly suitable for probing the magnetization of functional magnetic materials such as ultra-thin films and multilayers.

Giant third-order magneto-optical rotation in ferromagnetic EuO

A magnetization-induced rotation in the third-order nonlinear optical response is observed in out-of-plane-magnetized epitaxial EuO films. We discuss the relation of this nonlinear magneto-optical rotation to the linear Faraday rotation. It is allowed in all materials but, in contrast to the linear Faraday rotation, not affected by the reduction of the thickness of the material. Thus the third-order magneto-optical rotation is particularly suitable for probing the magnetization of functional magnetic materials such as ultrathin films and multilayers.