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Amorphous alloys exhibit useful properties such as the excellent soft magnetic behaviour of Fe-based metallic glasses. The detailed structure of amorphous $$\text {Fe}_{(1-x)}\text {Zr}_x$$ Fe ( 1 - x ) Zr x with x = 0.07, 0.10, and 0.20 is in this work explored through a synergetic combination of atomistic simulations and experimental characterisation. Thin-film samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), while the corresponding atomic structures were simulated using an efficient first-principles-based method called stochastic quenching (SQ). The simulated local atomic arrangements are investigated by constructing the radial- and angular-distribution functions, as well as by Voronoi tesselation. The radial distribution functions are then used to construct a model to fit simultaneously the experimental EXAFS data of multiple samples with different compositions, creating a simple yet accurate description of the atomic structures valid for any composition in the range x = 0.07 to 0.20, using a minimal number of free parameters. This approach significantly improves the accuracy of the fitted parameters and allows us to relate the compositional dependence of the amorphous structures with the magnetic properties. The proposed EXAFS fitting process can be generalised to other amorphous systems, contributing to the understanding of structure-property relationships and the development of amorphous alloys with tailored functional properties.

Magnetic droplets are non-topological magnetodynamical solitons displaying a wide range of complex dynamic phenomena with potential for microwave signal generation. Bubbles, on the other hand, are internally static cylindrical magnetic domains, stabilized by external fields and magnetostatic interactions. In its original theory, the droplet was described as an imminently collapsing bubble stabilized by spin transfer torque and, in its zero-frequency limit, as equivalent to a bubble. Without nanoscale lateral confinement, pinning, or an external applied field, such a nanobubble is unstable, and should collapse. Here, we show that we can freeze dynamic droplets into static nanobubbles by decreasing the magnetic field. While the bubble has virtually the same resistance as the droplet, all signs of low-frequency microwave noise disappear. The transition is fully reversible and the bubble can be thawed back into a droplet if the magnetic field is increased under current. Whereas the droplet collapses without a sustaining current, the bubble is highly stable and remains intact for days without external drive. Electrical measurements are complemented by direct observation using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy, which corroborates the analysis and confirms that the bubble is stabilized by pinning., 23 pages, 5 figures

Reliable in situ control of spin wave (SW) excitation between localized and propagating SW modes is of great interest for both fundamental and applied spintronics and magnonics. While spin-transfer-torque-generated SWs can typically be tuned directly via the driving current, the frequency of the highest intensity SWs, achieved in the strongly self-localized magnetic droplet soliton, is virtually current independent, as the droplet frequency is given by the intrinsic material properties. Here, we demonstrate, using micromagnetic simulations, how the droplet frequency can be efficiently tuned by an applied voltage through the effect of electric field (E-field)-dependent perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). It is found that as the PMA decreases, the droplet begins to distort and eventually collapses to give way to propagating SWs. However, due to the geometrically confined structures, the radially propagating SWs are reflected by the periphery boundary of the sample, and then the forward and backward SWs superpose to produce a series of standing SWs. The node number of the standing SWs strongly depends on the sample size as well as the applied E field. These findings provide a deeper understanding of magnetic excitation properties, which will be helpful for designing advanced spintronic devices.

Magnetic and structural characterization of CoFeZr thin films grown by combinatorial sputtering

Broadband ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy is used to study the temperature $(T)$ and dopant-concentration dependence of the magnetodynamic properties of Permalloy $({\hbox{Py}} = {\hbox{Ni}}_{80}{\hbox{Fe}}_{20})$ and Py $_{100-x}$ M $_{x}$ films, where the dopant ${\hbox{M}} = {\hbox{Pt}}$ , Au, and Ag. The saturation magnetization $(M_{\text{S}})$ and Gilbert damping constant $(\alpha)$ are determined from the uniform FMR mode, while the spin wave stiffness $(D)$ is extracted using the first perpendicular standing spin-wave mode. The temperature dependence of $D$ is best described by a $T^{2}$ law, which suggests a noticeable effect of the itinerant character of the electrons. The spin wave stiffness is also estimated using Bloch's law and the two methods are compared. The results strongly imply that not only spin wave and Stoner excitations, but also other mechanisms contribute to the reduction of $M_{\mathrm{S}}$ . The damping increases with $T$ for all samples, but the enhancement is most pronounced for Py doped with 30 at.% Au.

The inertial effects of magnetic solitons play a crucial role in their dynamics and stability. Yet governing their inertial effects is a challenge for their use in real devices. Here, we show how to control the inertial effects of magnetic droplet solitons. Magnetic droplets are strongly nonlinear and localized autosolitons than can form in current-driven nanocontacts. Droplets can be considered as dynamical particles with an effective mass. We show that the dynamical droplet bears a second excitation under its own inertia. These excitations comprise a chiral profile, and appear when the droplet resists the force induced by the Oersted field of the current injected into the nanocontact. We reveal the role of the spin torque on the excitation of these chiral modes and we show how to control these modes using the current and the field., Comment: 10 pages

The competing magnetic anisotropies and the interfacial properties are found to control the static spin configuration and ultrafast demagnetization, magnetization precession and damping in [Co/Pd]/NiFe(t) exchange spring samples.

Magnetic droplets are nontopological dynamical solitons that can be nucleated in nanocontact based spin torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy free layers. While theory predicts that the droplet should be of the same size as the nanocontact, its inherent drift instability has thwarted attempts at observing it directly using microscopy techniques. Here, we demonstrate highly stable magnetic droplets in all-perpendicular STNOs and present the first detailed droplet images using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. In contrast to theoretical predictions, we find that the droplet diameter is about twice as large as the nanocontact. By extending the original droplet theory to properly account for the lateral current spread underneath the nanocontact, we show that the large discrepancy primarily arises from current-in-plane Zhang-Li torque adding an outward pressure on the droplet perimeter. Electrical measurements on droplets nucleated using a reversed current in the antiparallel state corroborate this picture.

We report the observation of a Pt layer thickness dependence on the induced interfacial DzyaloshinskiiMoriya interaction in ultrathin Pt(d(Pt))/CoFeB films. Taking advantage of the large spin-orbit ...

We present an efficient method to tailor propagating spin waves in quasi-confined systems. We use nanocontact spin-torque nano-oscillators based on NiFe/Cu/Co spin-valves and study the ferromagnetic and spin-wave resonances (FMR and SWR) of both layers. We employ homodyne-detected ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy, resembling spin-torque FMR, to detect the magnetodynamics. The external field is applied in-plane, giving a parallel configuration of the magnetic layers, which do not provide any spin-transfer torque. Instead, the excitation is caused by the Oersted field. By varying the thickness of the bottom Cu electrode ( t Cu ) of the devices, we tune the current distribution in the samples, and thereby the Oersted field, which governs the spin wave characteristics. Both the average k-vector and the bandwidth of the SWR increases as t Cu increases.

We demonstrate field and current controlled magnetodynamics in nanocontact spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) based on orthogonal magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). We systematically analyze the microwave properties (frequency $f$, linewidth $\Delta f$, power $P$, and frequency tunability $df/dI$) with their physical origins---perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), damping-like and field-like spin transfer torque (STT), and voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA). These devices present several advantageous characteristics: high emission frequencies ($f> 20$ GHz), high frequency tunability ($df/dI=0.25$~GHz/mA), and zero-field operation ($f\sim 4$ GHz). Furthermore, a detailed investigation of $f(H, I)$ reveals that $df/dI$ is mostly governed by the large VCMA (287~fJ/(V$\cdot$m)), while STT plays a negligible role., Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures

We use Fe(3)/V(x)Fe(3)/V(x) superlattices, x = 16-27 monolayers (ML) to explore the interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) as a function of both spacer layer thickness and temperature. Fe/V is a common ...

Recent experiments performed in current-driven nano-contacts with strong perpendicular anisotropy have shown that spin-transfer torque can drive self-localized spin waves [1, 2] that above a certain threshold intensity can condense into a highly nonlinear magnetodynamic and nano-sized state known as a magnetic droplet soliton [3]. Here we demonstrate analytically, numerically, and experimentally that at sufficiently large driving currents, and for a spin polarization that is tilted away from the film normal, the circular droplet soliton can become unstable to periodic excitations of its perimeter. We furthermore show that these perimeter excitation modes (PEMs) are parametrically excited when the fundamental droplet soliton precession frequency is close to twice the frequency of one or more of the PEMs. As a consequence, for increasing applied fields, progressively higher PEMs can be excited. Quantitative agreement with experiment confirms this picture., Submitted to PRB

Using both broadband ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, we study the magnetodynamic properties of permalloy (Py, Ni80Fe20) and Py100-x M-x films with M as platin ...

An antiferromagnetically coupled FM/NM/FM (FM = ferromagnet, NM = normal metal) trilayer structure responds to an external magnetic field by the formation of a magnetic-moment spring within the FM ...

We report an anomalous enhancement of the critical temperature (T-c) when the thickness (d) of the magnetic layer is decreased from 60 to 20 angstrom in amorphous FeZr/AlZr multilayers. Further red ...

The element-specific magnetization and ordering in trilayers consisting of 0.3–1.4 monolayer (ML) thick Fe layers embedded in Pd(001) has been determined using x-ray resonant magnetic scattering. The proximity to Fe induces a large moment in the Pd which extends ∼2nm from the interfaces. The magnetization as a function of temperature is found to differ significantly for the Fe and Pd sublattices: The Pd signal resembles the results obtained by magneto-optical techniques with an apparent three-dimensional (3D) to two-dimensional (2D) transition in spatial dimensionality for Fe thickness below ∼1ML. In stark contrast, the Fe data exhibits a 2D behavior. No ferromagnetic signal is obtained from Fe below the 2D percolation limit in Fe coverage (∼0.7ML), while Pd shows a ferromagnetic response for all samples. The results are attributed to the temperature dependence of the susceptibility of Pd and a profound local anisotropy of submonolayered Fe.

We report on the origin of the anomalous temperature dependence of coercivity observed in some soft ferromagnets by studying the magnetic and electronic properties of FeZr films doped using ion implantation by H, He, B, C, and N. The anomalous increase of the coercivity with temperature was observed only in the C- and B-doped samples. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we show that the anomalous behavior of the coercivity coincides with the occurrence of an electron charge transfer for those implanted samples. The origin of the anomaly is discussed in terms of (i) magnetic softness, (ii) nature of the Fe-C and -B covalent bonds, and (iii) large charge transfer.

The thickness dependence of magnetic properties has been studied in SmCo5 amorphous films with imprinted in-plane anisotropy for thicknesses ranging down to the nanometer scale (2.5-100 nm). The field induced in-plane magnetic anisotropy decreases considerably when the film thickness is below 20 nm. Analysis of the magnetic anisotropy energy shows that the decrease of the induced in-plane anisotropy is accompanied by the development of an out-of-plane interface anisotropy. Two different regimes for the coercivity (Hc) change are found: below 3.75 nm, the Hc decreases continuously with decrease of the film thickness, whereas at above 3.75 nm, the Hc decreases with increase of the film thickness. This change in Hc can be understood by considering the decrease of the short range chemical order for the thinnest films (

The continuous phase transition in thin magnetic films and superlattices has been studied using the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and polarized neutron scattering (PNR). It has been shown that the critical behavior of amorphous thin films belonging to the 2D XY universality class can be described within the same theory as crystalline sample. This means that quenched disorder only serves as a marginal perturbation in systems with this symmetry. The connection between interlayer exchange coupling and the observed critical behavior in Fe/V superlattices was explored. The results prove that the origin of unusually high values of the exponent β can be traced to a position dependence of the magnetization at elevated temperatures. The magnetization of the outermost layers within the superlattice shows a more pronounced decrease at lower temperatures, compared to the inner layers, which in turn have a more abrupt decrease in the vicinity of the critical temperature. This translates to a high exponent, especially when the layers are probed by a technique where more weight is given to the layers close to the surface, e.g.MOKE. The interlayer exchange coupling as a function of spacer thickness and temperature was also studied in its own right. The data was compared to the literature, and a dependence on the thickness of the magnetic layers was concluded. The phase transition in amorphous FeZr/CoZr multilayers, where the magnetization emanates from ferromagnetic proximity effects, was investigated. Even though the determined exponents of the zero-field magnetization, the susceptibility and the critical isotherm did not correspond to any universality class, scaling plots displayed an excellent data collapse. Samples consisting of Fe δ-layers (0.3-1.4 monolayers) embedded in Pd were studied using element-specific resonant x-ray magnetic scattering. The magnetization of the two constituents showed distinctly different temperature dependences.

The dipole force components in nanosized metal hydrides are quantitatively determined with curvature and x-ray diffraction measurements. Ab initio density functional theory is used to calculate the dipole components and the symmetry of the strain field. The hydrogen occupancy in a 100-nm-thick V film is shown to be tetrahedral with a slight asymmetry at low concentration, and a transition to octahedral occupancy is shown to take place at around 0.07 [H/V] at 360 K. When the thickness of the V layer is reduced to 3 nm and biaxially strained, in a Fe${}_{0.5}$V${}_{0.5}$/V superlattice, the hydrogen unequivocally occupies octahedral $z$-like sites, even at and below concentrations of 0.02 [H/V].

The temperature dependence of the magnetization of thin amorphous Fe(89)Zr(11)/Al(78)Zr(22) layerswas investigated. Dimensionality analysis of the ferromagnetic transition of 15 A thick layers yiel ...

The continuous phase transition in thin magnetic films and superlattices has been studied using the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and polarized neutron scattering (PNR). It has been shown that the critical behavior of amorphous thin films belonging to the 2D XY universality class can be described within the same theory as crystalline sample. This means that quenched disorder only serves as a marginal perturbation in systems with this symmetry. The connection between interlayer exchange coupling and the observed critical behavior in Fe/V superlattices was explored. The results prove that the origin of unusually high values of the exponent β can be traced to a position dependence of the magnetization at elevated temperatures. The magnetization of the outermost layers within the superlattice shows a more pronounced decrease at lower temperatures, compared to the inner layers, which in turn have a more abrupt decrease in the vicinity of the critical temperature. This translates to a high exponent, especially when the layers are probed by a technique where more weight is given to the layers close to the surface, e.g.MOKE. The interlayer exchange coupling as a function of spacer thickness and temperature was also studied in its own right. The data was compared to the literature, and a dependence on the thickness of the magnetic layers was concluded. The phase transition in amorphous FeZr/CoZr multilayers, where the magnetization emanates from ferromagnetic proximity effects, was investigated. Even though the determined exponents of the zero-field magnetization, the susceptibility and the critical isotherm did not correspond to any universality class, scaling plots displayed an excellent data collapse. Samples consisting of Fe δ-layers (0.3-1.4 monolayers) embedded in Pd were studied using element-specific resonant x-ray magnetic scattering. The magnetization of the two constituents showed distinctly different temperature dependences.

The Curie temperature (T-c) of amorphous FeZr alloys can be greatly enhanced by doping with light elements. In this investigation, ion implantation is used to dope Fe93Zr7 thin films with H, He, B, ...

We have fabricated ultra-thin disc shaped islands wherein shape anisotropy confines the moment to the island plane, creating XY-like superspins. At low temperatures, the superspins are blocked, and, as the temperature is increased, they undergo a transition into a superparamagnetic state. The onset of this dynamic superspin state scales with the diameter of the islands, and it persists up to a temperature governed by the intrinsic ordering temperature of the island material defining a range in temperature in which dynamic behavior of the magnetic islands can be obtained.

We present a direct magnetic imaging study on the thermal macrospin ordering of artificial kagome spin ice building blocks. Using photoemission electron microscopy, employing x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, we are able to resolve the single domain magnetic nature of the macrospins and determine the states of the combined building block structures. The nano-patterning and material selection allows thermally activated magnetization reversal for the macrospins to occur. The ordering of the macrospins is dominated by the ground state, consistent with a thermal ground state ordering. This work paves the way for the realization of extended artificial spin ice structures exhibiting experimentally accessible thermal behavior.