Large microwave generation from current-driven magnetic vortex oscillators in magnetic tunnel junctions.

Spin-polarized current can excite the magnetization of a ferromagnet through the transfer of spin angular momentum to the local spin system. This pure spin-related transport phenomenon leads to alluring possibilities for the achievement of a nanometer scale, complementary metal oxide semiconductor-compatible, tunable microwave generator that operates at low bias for future wireless communication applications. Microwave emission generated by the persistent motion of magnetic vortices induced by a spin-transfer effect seems to be a unique manner to reach appropriate spectral linewidth. However, in metallic systems, in which such vortex oscillations have been observed, the resulting microwave power is much too small. In this study, we present experimental evidence of spin-transfer-induced vortex precession in MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions, with an emitted power that is at least one order of magnitude stronger and with similar spectral quality. More importantly and in contrast to other spin-transfer excitations, the thorough comparison between experimental results and analytical predictions provides a clear textbook illustration of the mechanism of spin-transfer-induced vortex precession.

A compact surface decontamination system for surface-sensitive magnetic imaging.

A surface decontamination system for application in surface sensitive magnetic imaging tools, such as a spin-polarized scanning electron microscope, is described. Adsorbed contaminant is chemically decomposed with the use of active oxygen in a compact vacuum chamber mounted in a microscope. The present method is especially suitable for fragile magnetic surfaces of complex oxide materials to which the conventional physical etching widely used for magnetic metals could cause serious structural damage. We have succeeded in detecting magnetic signals from a decontaminated oxide surface and visualizing domain images with sufficient magnetic contrast to analyze detailed domain structures.

Optical magnetoelectric effect in a submicron patterned magnet.

The optical magnetoelectric effect, which is a nonreciprocal directional dichroic response, has been demonstrated in a submicron patterned magnet by monitoring the diffracted visible or near-infrared light intensity. An artificial magnetic superstructure is composed of chevron shaped ">" islands made of the ferromagnetic permalloy Ni(80)Fe(20) with a pitch of 1 microm on silicon substrate, in which both space inversion and time reversal symmetry are broken simultaneously. On the basis of the light-polarization angle and magnetic field H dependence, and also comparing the results with the those of the submicron square patterns, we show that the optical magnetoelectric effect emerges as the finite change (approximately 10(-3) at room temperature in H of 500 Oe) of the diffracted intensity.

Direct imaging of temperature-dependent layered antiferromagnetism of a magnetic oxide.

With the use of a newly developed spin-polarized scanning electron microscope, we have succeeded in obtaining the real-space images of the layered-antiferromagnetic state concurrent with 1-nm-stepped atomic terraces in layered-structure manganite La1.4Sr1.6Mn2O7. The three-dimensional analysis of spin alignment could further reveal the temperature-dependent spin reorientation and the anfiferromagnetic domain walls on the atomic terraces. These ensure the use of the present microscopy for quantitative analysis of local magnetic structures in a broader range of materials, including magnetic oxides and nanomaterials.