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With the rapid progress of spintronic devices, spin-logic concepts hold promises of energy-delay conscious computation for efficient logic gate operations. We report on the electrical characterization of domain walls in interconnected magnetic tunnel junctions. By means of spin-transfer torque effect, domains walls are produced at the common free layer and its propagation towards the output pillar sensed by tunneling magneto-resistance. Domain pinning conditions are studied quasi-statically showing a strong dependence on pillar size, ferromagnetic free layer width and inter-pillar distance. Addressing pinning conditions are detrimental for cascading and fan-out of domain walls across nodes, enabling the realization of domain-wall-based logic technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large area MoS2 films with tunable physical-chemical properties are grown on dielectric substrates by annealing of ultrathin Mo layers in the presence of a sulfur-containing gaseous precursor. Different growth conditions are found to have a significant impact on material properties, including chemical composition, roughness, and grain sizes, thus shedding light on critical parameters that govern sulfurization processes for the synthesis of large area 2D transition metal dichalcogenides. Optimized growth conditions in combination with the use of single crystal sapphire substrates with atomically flat interface result in the formation of oriented MoS2 films with improved quality and electrical performance. On the basis of this versatile synthesis technique, an original double-step process is presented for the synthesis of WS2/MoS2 vertical heterostructures. Good uniformity of layers over large area has enabled first isolation of defects by electron spin resonance spectroscopy with densities correlated with mobility degradation and the first experimental characterization of the band alignment at the interfaces of MoS2, WS2, and their vertical stacks with the underlying SiO2 insulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving low resistance contacts to graphene is a common concern for graphene device performance and hybrid graphene/metal interconnects. In this work, we have used the circular Transfer Length Method (cTLM) to electrically characterize Ag, Au, Ni, Ti, and Pd as contact metals to graphene. The consistency of the obtained results was verified with the characterization of up to 72 cTLM structures per metal. Within our study, the noble metals Au, Ag and Pd, which form a weaker bond with graphene, are shown to result in lower contact resistance (Rc) values compared to the more reactive Ni and Ti. X-ray Photo Electron Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy characterization for the latter have shown the formation of Ti and Ni carbides. Graphene/Pd contacts show a distinct intermediate behavior. The weak carbide formation signature and the low Rc values measured agree with theoretical predictions of an intermediate state of weak chemisorption of Pd on graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines synthesis and characterization of homologous tetranuclear (DME)4Ln4SePh)8 clusters (Ln = Sm, Yb, Nd(III)/Yb(II),Sm(III)/Yb(II); DME = dimethoxyethane). Reasons for analyzing stepwise sequence of clusters; Revelation of a square array of four metal ions; Relevance of cluster intermediates on Ln chalcogenido cluster synthesis.

A near-equiatomic FePt face-centered-cubic alloy has been grown by electrodeposition onto Cu(001). Annealing at 450 °C results in the onset of a A1 fcc to L10 face-centered-tetragonal phase transformation with a dominant FePt(001)<100>∥Cu(001)<100> recrystallization texture, possibly driven by the reduced ordering temperature in an FePtCu intermixed interface region. Further annealing at 650 °C leads to a more complete transformation, and magnetic measurements indicate that high perpendicular coercivities, of up to 10 kOe, are accessible through the recrystallization reaction. The magnetic and structural properties reported in this work may allow electrodeposited FePt to play a leading role in future ultrahigh-density patterned perpendicular magnetic media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diels-Alder cycloaddition utilizing singlet oxygen as the dienophile with dimethyl cis-3,8-dihydroheptalene-3,8-dicarboxylate (5) has been investigated, and monoaddition product 7 has been isolated. The addition of a second singlet oxygen to the cycloheptatriene unit in 7 gave syn-bis(norcaradiene) bis(endoperoxide) 4. (1)H NMR spectral studies and theoretical calculations indicate the increased pyramidalization in syn-4 compared with carbon analogue. The increased pyramidalization results from hyperconjugation between the central pi-bond and the four adjacent C-O bonds and by rehybridization at C3, C4, C5, and C6. Furthermore, the increased reactivity for syn-4, which is probably arising from further folding of the central double bond, is also in agreement with theoretical calculations.