Observation of domain wall bimerons in chiral magnets.

Topological defects embedded in or combined with domain walls have been proposed in various systems, some of which are referred to as domain wall skyrmions or domain wall bimerons. However, the experimental observation of such topological defects remains an ongoing challenge. Here, using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we report the experimental discovery of domain wall bimerons in chiral magnet Co-Zn-Mn(110) thin films.

Temperature-Sensitive Structure Evolution of Lithium-Manganese-Rich Layered Oxides for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Cathodes of lithium-rich layered oxides for high-energy Li-ion batteries in electrically powered vehicles are attracting considerable attention by the research community. However, current research is insufficient to account for their complex reaction mechanism and application. Here, the structural evolution of lithium-manganese-rich layered oxides at different temperatures during electrochemical cycling has been investigated thoroughly, and their structural stability has been designed.

Stable Magnetic Skyrmion States at Room Temperature Confined to Corrals of Artificial Surface Pits Fabricated by a Focused Electron Beam.

Stable confinement of elemental magnetic nanostructures, such as a single magnetic domain, is fundamental in modern magnetic recording technology. It is well-known that various magnetic textures can be stabilized by geometrical confinement using artificial nanostructures. The magnetic skyrmion, with novel spin texture and promise for future memory devices because of its topological protection and dimension at the nanometer scale, is no exception.

Jointed magnetic skyrmion lattices at a small-angle grain boundary directly visualized by advanced electron microscopy.

The interactions between magnetic skyrmions and structural defects, such as edges, dislocations, and grain boundaries (GBs), which are all considered as topological defects, will be important issues when magnetic skyrmions are utilized for future memory device applications. To investigate such interactions, simultaneous visualization of magnetic skyrmions and structural defects at high spatial resolution, which is not feasible by conventional techniques, is essential. Here, taking advantages of aberration-corrected differential phase-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy, we investigate the interaction of magnetic skyrmions with a small-angle GB in a thin film of FeGeSi.

Light-stimulated carrier dynamics of CuInS2/CdS heterotetrapod nanocrystals.

We synthesized a heterotetrapod composed of a chalcopyrite(ch)-CuInS2 core and wurtzite(w)-CdS arms and elucidated its optical properties and light-stimulated carrier dynamics using fs-laser flash photolysis. The CuInS2/CdS heterotetrapod possessed quasi-type II band alignment, which caused much longer-lived charge separation than that in the isolated CuInS2 nanocrystal.

Crystalline Grain Interior Configuration Affects Lithium Migration Kinetics in Li-Rich Layered Oxide.

The electrode kinetics of Li-ion batteries, which are important for battery utilization in electric vehicles, are affected by the grain size, crystal orientation, and surface structure of electrode materials. However, the kinetic influences of the grain interior structure and element segregation are poorly understood, especially for Li-rich layered oxides with complex crystalline structures and unclear electrochemical phenomena. In this work, cross-sectional thin transmission electron microscopy specimens are "anatomized" from pristine Li1.

Direct observation of Σ7 domain boundary core structure in magnetic skyrmion lattice.

Skyrmions are topologically protected nanoscale magnetic spin entities in helical magnets. They behave like particles and tend to form hexagonal close-packed lattices, like atoms, as their stable structure. Domain boundaries in skyrmion lattices are considered to be important as they affect the dynamic properties of magnetic skyrmions.

Direct observation and dynamics of spontaneous skyrmion-like magnetic domains in a ferromagnet.

The structure and dynamics of submicrometre magnetic domains are the main factors determining the physical properties of magnetic materials. Here, we report the first observation of skyrmion-like magnetic nanodomains in a ferromagnetic manganite, La0.5Ba0.

Direct atomic-resolution observation of two phases in the Li(1.2)Mn(0.567)Ni(0.166)Co(0.067)O2 cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.

About phase: The coexistence of rhombohedral LiTMO2 (TM=Ni, Co, or Mn) and monoclinic Li2MnO3-like structures inside Li1.2Mn0.567Ni0.

Effect of specimen misalignment on local structure analysis using annular dark-field imaging.

We have investigated the effects of a small misalignment of the crystallographic orientation with respect to an incident probe (i.e. crystal tilt) on annular dark-field (ADF) imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).

Spontaneous formation of wurzite-CdS/zinc blende-CdTe heterodimers through a partial anion exchange reaction.

Ion exchange of ionic semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) is a facile method for the synthesis of type-II semiconductor heterostructured NPs with staggered alignment of band edges for photoelectric applications. Through consideration of the crystallographic orientation and strain at the heterointerface, well-designed heterostructures can be constructed through ion exchange reactions. Here we report the selective synthesis of anisotropically phase-segregated cadmium sulfide (CdS)/ cadmium telluride (CdTe) heterodimers via a novel anion exchange reaction of CdS NPs with an organic telluride precursor.