Spin-current-mediated rapid magnon localisation and coalescence after ultrafast optical pumping of ferrimagnetic alloys.

Sub-picosecond magnetisation manipulation via femtosecond optical pumping has attracted wide attention ever since its original discovery in 1996. However, the spatial evolution of the magnetisation is not yet well understood, in part due to the difficulty in experimentally probing such rapid dynamics. Here, we find evidence of a universal rapid magnetic order recovery in ferrimagnets with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy via nonlinear magnon processes. We identify magnon localisation and coalescence processes, whereby localised magnetic textures nucleate and subsequently interact and grow in accordance with a power law formalism. A hydrodynamic representation of the numerical simulations indicates that the appearance of noncollinear magnetisation via optical pumping establishes exchange-mediated spin currents with an equivalent 100% spin polarised charge current density of 107 A cm-2. Such large spin currents precipitate rapid recovery of magnetic order after optical pumping. The magnon processes discussed here provide new insights for the stabilization of desired meta-stable states.

Optimal phase space sampling for Monte Carlo simulations of Heisenberg spin systems.

We present an adaptive algorithm for the optimal phase space sampling in Monte Carlo simulations of 3D Heisenberg spin systems. Based on a golden rule of the Metropolis algorithm which states that an acceptance rate of [Formula: see text] is ideal to efficiently sample the phase space, the algorithm adaptively modifies a cone-based spin update method keeping the acceptance rate close to [Formula: see text]. We have assessed the efficiency of the adaptive algorithm through four different tests and contrasted its performance with that of other common spin update methods. In systems at low and high temperatures and anisotropies, the adaptive algorithm proved to be the most efficient for magnetization reversal and for the convergence to equilibrium of the thermal averages and the coercivity in hysteresis calculations. Thus, the adaptive algorithm can be used to significantly reduce the computational cost in Monte Carlo simulations of 3D Heisenberg spin systems.

Mapping motion of antiferromagnetic interfacial uncompensated magnetic moment in exchange-biased bilayers.

In this work, disordered-IrMn3/insulating-Y3Fe5O12 exchange-biased bilayers are studied. The behavior of the net magnetic moment ΔmAFM in the antiferromagnet is directly probed by anomalous and planar Hall effects, and anisotropic magnetoresistance. The ΔmAFM is proved to come from the interfacial uncompensated magnetic moment. We demonstrate that the exchange bias and rotational hysteresis loss are induced by partial rotation and irreversible switching of the ΔmAFM. In the athermal training effect, the state of the ΔmAFM cannot be recovered after one cycle of hysteresis loop. This work highlights the fundamental role of the ΔmAFM in the exchange bias and facilitates the manipulation of antiferromagnetic spintronic devices.

Atomistic spin model simulations of magnetic nanomaterials.

Atomistic modelling of magnetic materials provides unprecedented detail about the underlying physical processes that govern their macroscopic properties, and allows the simulation of complex effects such as surface anisotropy, ultrafast laser-induced spin dynamics, exchange bias, and microstructural effects. Here we present the key methods used in atomistic spin models which are then applied to a range of magnetic problems. We detail the parallelization strategies used which enable the routine simulation of extended systems with full atomistic resolution.

Effect of stacking faults on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of hcp Co: a first-principles study.

In terms of the fully relativistic screened Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method we investigate the effect of stacking faults on the magnetic properties of hexagonal close-packed (hcp) cobalt. In particular, we consider the formation energy and the effect on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE) of four different stacking faults in hcp cobalt-an intrinsic growth fault, an intrinsic deformation fault, an extrinsic fault and a twin-like fault. We find that the intrinsic growth fault has the lowest formation energy, in good agreement with previous first-principles calculations. With the exception of the intrinsic deformation fault which has a positive impact on the MAE, we find that the presence of a stacking fault generally reduces the MAE of bulk Co. Finally, we consider a pair of intrinsic growth faults and find that their effect on the MAE is not additive, but synergic.

Ultrafast heating as a sufficient stimulus for magnetization reversal in a ferrimagnet.

The question of how, and how fast, magnetization can be reversed is a topic of great practical interest for the manipulation and storage of magnetic information. It is generally accepted that magnetization reversal should be driven by a stimulus represented by time-non-invariant vectors such as a magnetic field, spin-polarized electric current, or cross-product of two oscillating electric fields. However, until now it has been generally assumed that heating alone, not represented as a vector at all, cannot result in a deterministic reversal of magnetization, although it may assist this process. Here we show numerically and demonstrate experimentally a novel mechanism of deterministic magnetization reversal in a ferrimagnet driven by an ultrafast heating of the medium resulting from the absorption of a sub-picosecond laser pulse without the presence of a magnetic field.

Transient ferromagnetic-like state mediating ultrafast reversal of antiferromagnetically coupled spins.

Ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic spin ordering is governed by the exchange interaction, the strongest force in magnetism. Understanding spin dynamics in magnetic materials is an issue of crucial importance for progress in information processing and recording technology. Usually the dynamics are studied by observing the collective response of exchange-coupled spins, that is, spin resonances, after an external perturbation by a pulse of magnetic field, current or light. The periods of the corresponding resonances range from one nanosecond for ferromagnets down to one picosecond for antiferromagnets. However, virtually nothing is known about the behaviour of spins in a magnetic material after being excited on a timescale faster than that corresponding to the exchange interaction (10-100 fs), that is, in a non-adiabatic way. Here we use the element-specific technique X-ray magnetic circular dichroism to study spin reversal in GdFeCo that is optically excited on a timescale pertinent to the characteristic time of the exchange interaction between Gd and Fe spins. We unexpectedly find that the ultrafast spin reversal in this material, where spins are coupled antiferromagnetically, occurs by way of a transient ferromagnetic-like state. Following the optical excitation, the net magnetizations of the Gd and Fe sublattices rapidly collapse, switch their direction and rebuild their net magnetic moments at substantially different timescales; the net magnetic moment of the Gd sublattice is found to reverse within 1.5 picoseconds, which is substantially slower than the Fe reversal time of 300 femtoseconds. Consequently, a transient state characterized by a temporary parallel alignment of the net Gd and Fe moments emerges, despite their ground-state antiferromagnetic coupling. These surprising observations, supported by atomistic simulations, provide a concept for the possibility of manipulating magnetic order on the timescale of the exchange interaction.

Randomized study of chemotherapy/radiation therapy combinations for favorable patients with locally advanced inoperable nonsmall cell lung cancer: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 92-04.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the severity and distribution of the toxicities associated with the two different combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This prospective randomized trial studied toxicities associated with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent treatment (Arm 1) vs. immediate concurrent chemotherapy/radiotherapy (CT/RT) (Arm 2). Arm 1 consisted of vinblastine (VB), 5 mg/M2 I.V. bolus weekly, weeks 1-5 and cisplatin (DDP), 100 mg/M2 days 1 and 29, DDP 75 mg/M2, days 50, 71, and 92. Daily RT started on day 50; a total dose of 63 Gy was given in 34 fractions in 7 weeks. In Arm 2 RT started day 1; a total dose of 69.6 Gy was given in 58 fractions of 1.2 Gy bid, 5 days per week for 6 weeks with DDP 50 mg/M2 i.v. days 1 and 8, and oral VP-16 50 mg b.i.d. during the first 10 days of RT. DDP/VP-16 were repeated beginning day 29. Survival was used as the Phase II endpoint. RESULTS: Between July 1992 and February 1994, 168 patients were randomized; 162 evaluable patients had minimum follow-up of 20 months. Eighty patients were registered to Arm 1 and 82 to Arm 2. Pretreatment characteristics were distributed evenly. Arm 1 had significantly more Grade 4 hematologic toxicity (62%) than Arm 2 (33%) (p = 0.021). Acute nonhematologic Grade 3+ toxicity was also greater (p = 0.018) in Arm 2 than Arm 1 due mainly to esophagitis (38 vs. 6%; p < 0.0001). Grade 3+ late esophageal toxicity was 12% on Arm 2 compared to 3% on Arm 1 (p = 0.006). There were no differences between the two arms in compliance with protocol specifications for either RT or CT. At 1 year, 31.7% of patients had in-field progression on Arm 1 compared to 19.8% on Arm 2 (p = 0.042), but overall progression-free survival rates were nearly identical; 50 and 49% for Arms I and II, respectively, at 12 months. One-year and median survivals were 65% and 15.5 months on Arm 1 compared to 58% and 14.4 months on Arm 2. CONCLUSION: Whereas hematologic toxicity was greater in Arm 1, esophageal toxicity, both acute and late, was greater in Arm 2. Infield progression was lower in Arm 2, but overall progression rates were similar and there were no significant differences in survival between the two arms. A 3-arm randomized Phase III study is underway in the RTOG to compare sequential and concurrent CT/RT.

A conformal technique for irradiation of pituitary tumors.

We present a CT/MRI based conformal radiotherapy technique for irradiation of pituitary tumors. In this technique, the patient is treated with three isocentric non-coplanar 18 MV photon beams, with the patient in a natural supine position. The radiation ports are designed based on beam's eye view projections of the CT/MRI delineated target volume. This technique spares, completely from the primary beams, the lenses and retina, and a significant portion of the optic nerves, even for large pituitary tumors. The dose distribution in brain is comparable to coplanar are techniques for standard field sizes (5 x 5 cm2), but superior for larger field sizes (7 x 7 cm2). The beams in the present technique yield a low skin dose by avoiding beam overlap in entrance and exit regions, thus eliminating clinical hair loss. The treatments are easily set-up on the treatment machines, resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy.

Intravenous anesthesia and jet ventilation for laser microlaryngeal surgery.

Competition between otolaryngologists and anesthesiologists for the limited space of the airway results in compromised control for both concerns. The surgeon desires an unobstructed view, whereas the anesthesiologist must ensure adequate ventilation. The drawbacks of standard methods include inadequate airways, inadequate visualization, and operating room contamination from inspired gases. Since 1984, we have developed a technique utilizing jet ventilation delivered through a metal delivery system providing a relatively safe, ignition-free environment. A total intravenous anesthetic technique is used to avoid any environmental contamination. The newer short acting, high potency narcotic, sufentanil citrate, combined with a short acting muscle relaxant, atracurium besylate or vecuronium bromide, have made this technique an ideal one for our needs. The pulse oximeter provides an invaluable margin of safety. This technique has been employed in 36 microlaryngeal procedures performed on 21 patients with a uniformly smooth perioperative course and only one complication. The technique, possible pitfalls, and applications are discussed.

Diagnosis and repair of familial diaphragmatic defects in golden lion tamarins.

Diaphragmatic defects were identified in 11 of 130 golden lion tamarins. Seven of the cases were found at necropsy (52 tamarins) and 4 were diagnosed by radiography (78 tamarins). When screening radiography revealed a thoracic mass, a barium series was indicated and either demonstrated loops of bowel within the thorax or suggested liver displacement by the cranial location of the intestine. In 1 case, pneumoperitoneum aided in the diagnosis, by showing liver displacement cranially in an eventration of the diaphragm. The 4 defects diagnosed clinically were successfully corrected surgically. The defects mainly involved the ventromedial to lateral aspect of the costal and sternal muscular portions of the diaphragms. Either a thin pleuroperitoneal sac remained or wide gaps were associated with herniation of abdominal contents into the thorax. Of the 11 affected tamarins, 10 were closely related and the other had no direct consanguinity. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was suggested, but other genetic factors may have been involved.

Rabbit hemoglobin biosynthesis: use of human hemoglobin chains to study molecule completion.

A cell-free protein-synthesizing system made from rabbit reticulocytes was used to incorporate (14)C-amino acids into hemoglobin. Electrophoretic analyses of the soluble products of this cell-free system revealed a fraction containing rabbit (14)C-alpha chains in addition to the rabbit (14)C-hemoglobin. The addition of isolated human hemoglobin beta chains to this system during active synthesis inhibited the release of newly synthesized rabbit (14)C-beta chains into solution from the ribosome fraction. This inhibition was possibly a result of hybrid hemoglobin formation between rabbit alpha and human beta chains. A model of hemoglobin construction in which soluble alpha chains are intermediates is suggested. These alpha chains may aid in the release of beta chains from the polyribosomes during the completion of the hemoglobin molecule.