Skyrmion lattice formation and destruction mechanisms probed with TR-SANS.

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected, nanoscale whirls of the spin configuration that tend to form hexagonally ordered arrays. As a topologically non-trivial structure, the nucleation and annihilation of the skyrmion, as well as the interaction between skyrmions, varies from conventional magnetic systems. Recent works have suggested that the ordering kinetics in these materials occur over millisecond or longer timescales, which is unusually slow for magnetic dynamics.

Skyrmion-Excited Spin-Wave Fractal Networks.

Magnetic skyrmions exhibit unique, technologically relevant pseudo-particle behaviors which arise from their topological protection, including well-defined, 3D dynamic modes that occur at microwave frequencies. During dynamic excitation, spin waves are ejected into the interstitial regions between skyrmions, creating the magnetic equivalent of a turbulent sea. However, since the spin waves in these systems have a well-defined length scale, and the skyrmions are on an ordered lattice, ordered structures from spin-wave interference can precipitate from the chaos.

Observation of anti-damping spin-orbit torques generated by in-plane and out-of-plane spin polarizations in MnPd.

Large spin-orbit torques (SOTs) generated by topological materials and heavy metals interfaced with ferromagnets are promising for next-generation magnetic memory and logic devices. SOTs generated from y spin originating from spin Hall and Edelstein effects can realize field-free magnetization switching only when the magnetization and spin are collinear. Here we circumvent the above limitation by utilizing unconventional spins generated in a MnPd thin film grown on an oxidized silicon substrate.

Magnetic correlations of iron oxide nanoparticles as probed by polarized SANS in stretched magnetic nanoparticle-elastomer composites.

We have investigated the magnetic correlations among 7 nm iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in stretched silicone elastomers using polarized Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS). The magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-elastomer composite can be stretched during experiments, and macroscopic deformations cause rearrangement of the iron oxide particles on the nanoscale. Polarized neutrons can be used to nondestructively probe the arrangement of magnetic nanoparticles before and after stretching, so that the relationship between applied stress and nanoscale magnetization can be interrogated.

Chemically Induced Magnetic Dead Shells in Superparamagnetic Ni Nanoparticles Deduced from Polarized Small-Angle Neutron Scattering.

Advances in the synthesis and characterization of colloidal magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) have yielded great gains in the understanding of their complex magnetic behavior, with implications for numerous applications. Recent work using Ni NPs as a model soft ferromagnetic system, for example, achieved quantitative understanding of the superparamagnetic blocking temperature-particle diameter relationship. This hinged, however, on the critical assumption of a ferromagnetic NP volume lower than the chemical volume due to a non-ferromagnetic dead shell indirectly deduced from magnetometry.

Magnetic Particle Self-Assembly at Functionalized Interfaces.

We study the assembly of magnetite nanoparticles in water-based ferrofluids in wetting layers close to silicon substrates with different functionalization without and with an out-of-plane magnetic field. For particles of nominal sizes 5, 15, and 25 nm, we extract density profiles from neutron reflectivity measurements. We show that self-assembly is only promoted by a magnetic field if a seed layer is formed at the silicon substrate.

Effect of chemical substitution on the skyrmion phase in CuOSeO.

Magnetic skyrmions have been the focus of intense research due to their unique qualities which result from their topological protections. Previous work on CuOSeO, the only known insulating multiferroic skyrmion material, has shown that chemical substitution alters the skyrmion phase. We chemically substitute Zn, Ag, and S into powdered CuOSeO to study the effect on the magnetic phase diagram.

Termination switching of antiferromagnetic proximity effect in topological insulator.

This work reports the ferromagnetism of topological insulator, (Bi,Sb)Te (BST), with a Curie temperature of approximately 120 K induced by magnetic proximity effect (MPE) of an antiferromagnetic CrSe. The MPE was shown to be highly dependent on the stacking order of the heterostructure, as well as the interface symmetry: Growing CrSe on top of BST results in induced ferromagnetism, while growing BST on CrSe yielded no evidence of an MPE. Cr-termination in the former case leads to double-exchange interactions between Cr surface states and Cr bulk states.

Layering of magnetic nanoparticles at amorphous magnetic templates with perpendicular anisotropy.

We reveal the assembly of magnetite nanoparticles of sizes 5 nm, 15 nm and 25 nm from dilute water-based ferrofluids onto an amorphous magnetic template with out-of-plane anisotropy. From neutron reflectometry experiments we extract density profiles and show that the particles self-assemble into layers at the magnetic surface. The layers are extremely stable against cleaning and rinsing of the substrate.

Self-Assembly of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Ferrofluids on Different Templates Investigated by Neutron Reflectometry.

In this article we review the process by which magnetite nanoparticles self-assemble onto solid surfaces. The focus is on neutron reflectometry studies providing information on the density and magnetization depth profiles of buried interfaces. Specific attention is given to the near-interface "wetting" layer and to examples of magnetite nanoparticles on a hydrophilic silicon crystal, one coated with (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, and finally, one with a magnetic film with out-of-plane magnetization.

Interfacial-Redox-Induced Tuning of Superconductivity in YBaCuO.

Solid-state ionic approaches for modifying ion distributions in getter/oxide heterostructures offer exciting potentials to control material properties. Here, we report a simple, scalable approach allowing for manipulation of the superconducting transition in optimally doped YBaCuO (YBCO) films via a chemically driven ionic migration mechanism. Using a thin Gd capping layer of up to 20 nm deposited onto 100 nm thick epitaxial YBCO films, oxygen is found to leach from deep within the YBCO.

Nanoscale magnetization inhomogeneity within single phase nanopillars.

We report observation of a radial dependence in the magnetic anisotropy of epitaxially strained CoFeO nanopillars in a BaTiO matrix. This archetypal example of a multiferroic heterostructure with a self-assembling three-dimensional architecture possesses significant out-of-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. The anisotropy originates from the large magnetostriction of CoFeO and the state of stress within the nanocomposite.

Effects of field annealing on MnN/CoFeB exchange bias systems.

We report the effects of nitrogen diffusion on exchange bias in MnN/CoFeB heterostructures as a function of MnN thickness and field-annealing temperature. We find that competing effects occur in which high-temperature annealing enhances exchange bias in heterostructures with thick MnN through improved crystallinity, but in thinner samples this annealing ultimately eliminates the exchange bias due to nitrogen deficiency. Using polarized neutron reflectometry and magnetic x-ray spectroscopy, we directly observe increasing amounts of nitrogen migration from MnN into the underlying Ta seed layer with increased annealing temperature.

Exchange Bias in Bulk Nanocomposites for Permanent Magnet Applications.

Here we report on the microstructural factors influencing the formation of the interfacial exchange bias effect in three-dimensional transition-metal-based nanocomposite systems, with relevance to permanent magnet applications. Bulk phase-separated nanocomposites consisting of the ferromagnetic -Fe and metastable antiferromagnetic phases exhibit a notable low-temperature exchange bias and substantial coercivity ( , ) as well as a near room-temperature blocking temperature. Structural investigation by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, neutron scattering, and transmission electron microscopy confirm that the ferromagnetic -Fe phase nucleates as small precipitates ( ) at the grain boundaries of the antiferromagnetic grains ( ) and grows anisotropically upon heat treatment, resulting in an elliptical geometry.

Ionic tuning of cobaltites at the nanoscale.

Control of materials through custom design of ionic distributions represents a powerful new approach to develop future technologies ranging from spintronic logic and memory devices to energy storage. Perovskites have shown particular promise for ionic devices due to their high ion mobility and sensitivity to chemical stoichiometry. In this work, we demonstrate a solid-state approach to control of ionic distributions in (La, Sr)CoO thin films.

Nanoparticle architecture preserves magnetic properties during coating to enable robust multi-modal functionality.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) have established a niche as a nanomedicine platform for diagnosis and therapy, but they present a challenging surface for ligand functionalization which limits their applications. On the other hand, coating MIONs with another material such as gold to enhance these attachments introduces other complications. Incomplete coating may expose portions of the iron oxide core, or the coating process may alter their magnetic properties.

Correlation between physical structure and magnetic anisotropy of a magnetic nanoparticle colloid.

We show the effects of a time-invariant magnetic field on the physical structure and magnetic properties of a colloid comprising 44 nm diameter magnetite magnetic nanoparticles, with a 24 nm dextran shell, in water. Structural ordering in this colloid parallel to the magnetic field occurs simultaneously with the onset of a colloidal uniaxial anisotropy. Further increases in the applied magnetic field cause the nanoparticles to order perpendicular to the field, producing unexpected colloidal unidirectional and trigonal anisotropies.

Spin canting across core/shell FeO/MnFeO nanoparticles.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have become increasingly important in biomedical applications like magnetic imaging and hyperthermia based cancer treatment. Understanding their magnetic spin configurations is important for optimizing these applications. The measured magnetization of MNPs can be significantly lower than bulk counterparts, often due to canted spins.

Self-Assembled Layering of Magnetic Nanoparticles in a Ferrofluid on Silicon Surfaces.

This article describes the three-dimensional self-assembly of monodisperse colloidal magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) from a dilute water-based ferrofluid onto a silicon surface and the dependence of the resultant magnetic structure on the applied field. The NPs assemble into close-packed layers on the surface followed by more loosely packed ones. The magnetic field-dependent magnetization of the individual NP layers depends on both the rotational freedom of the layer and the magnetization of the adjacent layers.

Spin waves across three-dimensional, close-packed nanoparticles.

Inelastic neutron scattering is utilized to directly measure inter-nanoparticle spin waves, or magnons, which arise from the magnetic coupling between 8.4 nm ferrite nanoparticles that are self-assembled into a close-packed lattice, yet are physically separated by oleic acid surfactant. The resulting dispersion curve yields a physically-reasonable, non-negative energy gap only when the effective is reduced by the inter-particle spacing.

Pulsed laser deposition films from a BaFeMoO target onto SrTiO[001]: Chemical and magnetic inhomogeneity.

Pulsed laser deposition films from BaFeMoO (BFMO) targets onto SrTiO[001] (STO) substrates have been reported previously to have non-zero magnetism at 300 K, a majority of magnetic ordering at 240 K that is less than the 370 K ordering temperature of polycrystalline BFMO, and suppressed saturation magnetization compared to polycrystalline BFMO. To interrogate these previously reported observations of BFMO on STO, we have used a combination of x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, x-ray and neutron reflectivity, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy that shows inhomogeneities. The present results show off-stoichiometry on the A-site by incorporation of Sr from the substrate and on the B-site to have %Fe/%Mo > 1 by evolution of BaMoO.

Complex Three-Dimensional Magnetic Ordering in Segmented Nanowire Arrays.

A comprehensive three-dimensional picture of magnetic ordering in high-density arrays of segmented FeGa/Cu nanowires is experimentally realized through the application of polarized small-angle neutron scattering. The competing energetics of dipolar interactions, shape anisotropy, and Zeeman energy in concert stabilize a highly tunable spin structure that depends heavily on the applied field and sample geometry. Consequently, we observe ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions both among wires and between segments within individual wires.

Tailoring exchange couplings in magnetic topological-insulator/antiferromagnet heterostructures.

Magnetic topological insulators such as Cr-doped (Bi,Sb)Te provide a platform for the realization of versatile time-reversal symmetry-breaking physics. By constructing heterostructures exhibiting Néel order in an antiferromagnetic CrSb and ferromagnetic order in Cr-doped (Bi,Sb)Te, we realize emergent interfacial magnetic phenomena which can be tailored through artificial structural engineering. Through deliberate geometrical design of heterostructures and superlattices, we demonstrate the use of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling in manipulating the magnetic properties of magnetic topological insulators.

Atomically engineered ferroic layers yield a room-temperature magnetoelectric multiferroic.

Materials that exhibit simultaneous order in their electric and magnetic ground states hold promise for use in next-generation memory devices in which electric fields control magnetism. Such materials are exceedingly rare, however, owing to competing requirements for displacive ferroelectricity and magnetism. Despite the recent identification of several new multiferroic materials and magnetoelectric coupling mechanisms, known single-phase multiferroics remain limited by antiferromagnetic or weak ferromagnetic alignments, by a lack of coupling between the order parameters, or by having properties that emerge only well below room temperature, precluding device applications.

Interfacial Symmetry Control of Emergent Ferromagnetism at the Nanoscale.

The emergence of complex new ground states at interfaces has been identified as one of the most promising routes to highly tunable nanoscale materials. Despite recent progress, isolating and controlling the underlying mechanisms behind these emergent properties remains among the most challenging materials physics problems to date. In particular, generating ferromagnetism localized at the interface of two nonferromagnetic materials is of fundamental and technological interest.