Efficient ultrafast field-driven spin current generation for spintronic terahertz frequency conversion.

Efficient generation and control of spin currents launched by terahertz (THz) radiation with subsequent ultrafast spin-to-charge conversion is the current challenge for the next generation of high-speed communication and data processing units. Here, we demonstrate that THz light can efficiently drive coherent angular momentum transfer in nanometer-thick ferromagnet/heavy-metal heterostructures. This process is non-resonant and does neither require external magnetic fields nor cryogenics. The efficiency of this process is more than one order of magnitude higher as compared to the recently observed THz-induced spin pumping in MnF2 antiferromagnet. The coherently driven spin currents originate from the ultrafast spin Seebeck effect, caused by a THz-induced temperature imbalance in electronic and magnonic temperatures and fast relaxation of the electron-phonon system. Owing to the fact that the electron-phonon relaxation time is comparable with the period of a THz wave, the induced spin current results in THz second harmonic generation and THz optical rectification, providing a spintronic basis for THz frequency mixing and rectifying components.

Magnetic phase diagram of (Mo2/3RE1/3)2AlC, RE=Tb and Dy, studied by magnetization, specific heat, and neutron diffraction analysis.

We report the results of magnetization, heat capacity, and neutron diffraction measurements on (Mo2/3RE1/3)2AlC with RE = Dy and Tb. Temperature and field-dependent magnetization as well as heat capacity were measured on a powder sample and on a single crystal allowing the construction of the magnetic field-temperature phase diagram. To study the magnetic structure of each magnetic phase, we applied neutron diffraction in a magnetic field up to 6 T. For (Mo2/3Dy1/3)2AlC in zero field, a spin density wave is stabilized at 16 K, with antiferromagnetic ordering at 13 K. Furthermore, we identify the coexistence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases induced by magnetic fields for both RE = Tb and Dy. The origin of the field induced phases is resulting from the competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions.

Visualizing Magnetic Structure in 3D Nanoscale Ni-Fe Gyroid Networks.

Arrays of interacting 2D nanomagnets display unprecedented electromagnetic properties via collective effects, demonstrated in artificial spin ices and magnonic crystals. Progress toward 3D magnetic metamaterials is hampered by two challenges: fabricating 3D structures near intrinsic magnetic length scales (sub-100 nm) and visualizing their magnetic configurations. Here, we fabricate and measure nanoscale magnetic gyroids, periodic chiral networks comprising nanowire-like struts forming three-connected vertices. Via block copolymer templating, we produce Ni75Fe25 single-gyroid and double-gyroid (an inversion pair of single-gyroids) nanostructures with a 42 nm unit cell and 11 nm diameter struts, comparable to the exchange length in Ni-Fe. We visualize their magnetization distributions via off-axis electron holography with nanometer spatial resolution and interpret the patterns using finite-element micromagnetic simulations. Our results suggest an intricate, frustrated remanent state which is ferromagnetic but without a unique equilibrium configuration, opening new possibilities for collective phenomena in magnetism, including 3D magnonic crystals and unconventional computing.

Large uniaxial magnetostriction with sign inversion at the first order phase transition in the nanolaminated Mn2GaC MAX phase.

In 2013, a new class of inherently nanolaminated magnetic materials, the so called magnetic MAX phases, was discovered. Following predictive material stability calculations, the hexagonal Mn2GaC compound was synthesized as hetero-epitaxial films containing Mn as the exclusive M-element. Recent theoretical and experimental studies suggested a high magnetic ordering temperature and non-collinear antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin states as a result of competitive ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. In order to assess the potential for practical applications of Mn2GaC, we have studied the temperature-dependent magnetization, and the magnetoresistive, magnetostrictive as well as magnetocaloric properties of the compound. The material exhibits two magnetic phase transitions. The Néel temperature is T N ~ 507 K, at which the system changes from a collinear AFM state to the paramagnetic state. At T t = 214 K the material undergoes a first order magnetic phase transition from AFM at higher temperature to a non-collinear AFM spin structure. Both states show large uniaxial c-axis magnetostriction of 450 ppm. Remarkably, the magnetostriction changes sign, being compressive (negative) above T t and tensile (positive) below the T t . The sign change of the magnetostriction is accompanied by a sign change in the magnetoresistance indicating a coupling among the spin, lattice and electrical transport properties.

Enhanced magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Fe30Co70 nanowires by Cu additives and annealing.

The use of 3d transition metal-based magnetic nanowires (NWs) for permanent magnet applications requires large magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE), which in combination with the NWs' magnetic shape anisotropy yields magnetic hardening and an enhancement of the magnetic energy product. Here, we report on the significant increase in MAE by 125 kJ m(-3) in Fe30Co70 NWs with diameters of 20-150 nm embedded in anodic aluminum oxide templates by adding 5 at.% Cu and subsequent annealing at 900 K. Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) reveals that this enhancement of MAE is twice as large as the enhancement of MAE in annealed, but undoped NWs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis suggests that upon annealing the immiscible Cu in FeCo NWs causes a crystal reorientation with respect to the NW axis with a considerable distortion of the bcc FeCo lattice. This strain is most likely the origin of the strongly enhanced MAE.

Magnetic hardening of Fe30Co70 nanowires.

3d transition metal-based magnetic nanowires (NWs) are currently considered as potential candidates for alternative rare-earth-free alloys as novel permanent magnets. Here, we report on the magnetic hardening of Fe30Co70 nanowires in anodic aluminium oxide templates with diameters of 20 nm and 40 nm (length 6 µm and 7.5 µm, respectively) by means of magnetic pinning at the tips of the NWs. We observe that a 3-4 nm naturally formed ferrimagnetic FeCo oxide layer covering the tip of the FeCo NW increases the coercive field by 20%, indicating that domain wall nucleation starts at the tip of the magnetic NW. Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements were used to quantify the magnetic uniaxial anisotropy energy of the samples. Micromagnetic simulations support our experimental findings, showing that the increase of the coercive field can be achieved by controlling domain wall nucleation using magnetic materials with antiferromagnetic exchange coupling, i.e. antiferromagnets or ferrimagnets, as a capping layer at the nanowire tips.