Brillouin scattering of light by spin waves in ferromagnetic nanorods

We report the investigations of spin wave modes of arrays of Ni and Co nanorods using Brillouin light scattering. We have revealed the significant influence of spin wave modes along the nanorod axis in contrast to infinite magnetic nanowires. Unusual optical properties featuring an inverted Stokes/anti-Stokes asymmetry of the Brillouin scattering spectra have been observed. The spectrum of spin wave modes in the nanorod array has been calculated and compared with the experiment. Experimental observations are explained in terms of a combined numerical-analytical approach taking into account both the low aspect ratio of individual magnetic nanorods and dipolar magnetic coupling between the nanorods in the array. The optical studies of spin-wave modes in nanorod metamaterials with low aspect ratio nanorods have revealed new magnetic and magneto-optical properties compared to continuous magnetic films or infinite magnetic nanowires. Such magnetic artificial materials are important class of active metamaterials needed for prospective data storage and signal processing applications. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Topological magnetic irreversibility in superconducting Pb samples of various shapes

The magnetic-field dependence of the magnetization of cylinders, disks, and spheres of pure type-I superconducting lead was investigated by means of isothermal measurements of first magnetization curves and hysteresis cycles. Depending on the geometry of the sample and the direction and intensity of the applied magnetic field, the intermediate state exhibits different irreversible features that become particularly highlighted in minor hysteresis cycles. The irreversibility is noticeably observed in cylinders and disks only when the magnetic field is parallel to the axis of revolution and is very subtle in spheres. When the magnetic field decreases from the normal state, the irreversibility appears at a temperature-dependent value whose distance to the thermodynamic critical field depends on the sample geometry. The irreversible features in the disks are altered when they are submitted to an annealing process. These results agree well with very recent high-resolution magneto-optical experiments in similar materials that were interpreted in terms of transitions between different topological structures for the flux configuration in the intermediate state. A discussion of the relative role of geometrical barriers for flux entry and exit and pinning effects as responsible for the magnetic irreversibility is given.

Magnetic linear dichroism in absorption spectroscopy of EuTe

The magnetic linear dichroism (MLD) at band-edge photon energies in the Voigt geometry was calculated for EuTe. At the spin-flop transition, MLD shows a step-like increase. Above the spin-flop transition MLD slowly decreases and becomes zero when the averaged electronic charge becomes symmetric relative to the axis of light propagation. Further increase of the magnetic field causes ferromagnetic alignment of the spins along the magnetic field direction, and MLD is recovered but with an opposite sign, and reaches maximum absolute values. These results are explained by the rearrangement of the Eu(2+) spin distribution in the crystal lattice as a function of magnetic field, due to the Zeeman interaction, demonstrating that MLD can be a sensitive probe of the spin order in EuTe, and provides information that is not accessible from other magneto-optical techniques, such as magnetic circular dichroism measurement studies.

Measurement of Rydberg state lifetimes using cold trapped neutral atoms

In this paper, I review some recent high-precision Rydberg state lifetime measurements using a cold-trapped sample of neutral atoms held in a magneto-optical trap. The measurements were performed in rubidium for the S, P and D states varying the principal quantum number from n = 26 to 45 using the field ionization technique. The experimental results were compared with quantum mechanical calculations and good agreement was observed. This is an important demonstration of how cold atomic samples can be used to perform high-precision spectroscopy in the time domain.

Photoassociative ionization of cold Na atoms: repulsive levels effects on the ion production rate

We have revisited photoassociative ionization (PAI) in a cold sample of Na atmos. A two-color experiment was performed ina magneto-optical trap through the addition of aprobe laser. The observation of a marked change in the PAI rate for a definite frequency range can be attributed to the influence of repuisive levels and a possible avoided crossing between long-range molecular levels. (c) 2009 by Astro Ltd. Published exclusively by WLLEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA

An Injection-locked Diode Laser for Cold Rydberg Atom Experiments

A free-running, temperature stabilized diode laser has been injection-locked to an external cavity diode laser for use in cold Rydberg atom experiments. Cold rubidium atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are excited to Rydberg states using a 10 ns laser pulse. The Rydberg atoms spontaneously ionize due to dipole forces, and the collisional ionization dynamics are observed as a function of atom density and principal quantum number of the Rydberg state, n. The injection-locked diode laser will be used as a repumper in conjunction with a dark spontaneous-force optical trap (SPOT) to increase the Rydberg state density. We report on the design of the injection-locked laser system.

Crescimento de filmes nanométricos monocristalinos de Fe/MgO(100) por "SPUTTERING" DC

The research behind this master dissertation started with the installation of a DC sputtering system, from its first stage, the adaptation of a refrigerating system, passing by the introduction of a heating system for the chamber using a thermal belt, until the deposition of a series of Fe/MgO(100) single crystal nanometric film samples. The deposition rates of some materials such as Fe, Py and Cu were investigated through an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). For the single crystal samples, five of them have the same growth parameters and a thickness of 250Å, except for the temperature, which varies from fifty degrees from one to another, from 100ºC to 300ºC. Three other samples also have the same deposition parameters and a temperature of 300ºC, but with thickness of 62,5Å, 150Å, and 250Å. Magneto-optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) of the magnetic curves measurements and Ferromagnetic Resonance (FMR) were made to in order to study the influence of the temperature and thickness on the sample s magnetic properties. In the present dissertation we discuss such techniques, and the experimental results are interpreted using phenomenological models, by simulation, and discussed from a physical point of view, taking into account the system s free magnetic energy terms. The results show the growth of the cubic anisotropy field (Hac) as the sample s deposition temperature increases, presenting an asymptotic behavior, similar to the characteristic charging curve of a capacitor in a RC circuit. A similar behavior was also observed for the Hac due to the increase in the samples thicknesses. The 250˚A sample, growth at 300°C, presented a Hac field close to the Fe bulk value

Morphology of flux avalanches in patterned superconducting films

It is well known that under certain circumstances, magnetic fields applied perpendicularly to the plane of superconducting films can trigger flux avalanches. In such cases, the penetration has a tree-like profile. However, in samples where a regular array of antidots, ADs, is present, the avalanches follow the rows of ADs as if they were guiding lines for the abrupt penetration. In this work, we used the magnetooptical imaging technique to study the morphology of flux avalanches in two Nb films with a square lattice of square ADs, each one with a different lateral size, and a plain film for reference. We show that the morphology of the flux avalanches is greatly influenced by the size of the interstitial region. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Sonochemical synthesis and magnetism in co-doped ZnO nanoparticles

The understanding and control of ferromagnetism in diluted magnetic semiconducting oxides (DMO) is a special challenge in solid-state physics and materials science due to its impact in magneto-optical devices and spintronics. Several studies and mechanisms have been proposed to explain intrinsic ferromagnetism in DMO compounds since the theoretical prediction of room-temperature ferromagnetism. However, genuine and intrinsic ferromagnetism in 3d-transition metal-doped n-type ZnO semiconductors is still a controversial issue. Furthermore, for DMO nanoparticles, some special physical and chemical effects may also play a role. In this contribution, structural and magnetic properties of sonochemically prepared cobalt-doped ZnO nanoparticles were investigated. A set of ZnO samples was prepared varying cobalt molar concentration and time of ultrasonic exposure. The obtained results showed that single phase samples can be obtained by the sonochemical method. However, cobalt nanoclusters can be detected depending on synthesis conditions. Magnetic measurements indicated a possible ferromagnetic response, associated to defects and cobalt substitutions at the zinc site by cobalt. However, ferromagnetism is depleted at higher magnetic fields. Also, an antiferromagnetic response is detected due to cobalt oxide cluster at high cobalt molar concentrations. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Ferrita de bário: preparação de fases dopadas com cobalto, titânio e estanho

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

Estudo de efeitos de Faraday e Kerr ópticos em estruturas multicamadas com efeito de transmissão óptica extraordinária

Neste trabalho foi investigada e otimizada uma nova heteroestrutura planar de três camadas com efeitos magneto-ópticos de Faraday e de Kerr aprimorados e transmissão óptica extraordinária na região de comprimento de onda de 925 a 1200 nm. Esta estrutura consiste de uma placa metálica não magnética de ouro perfurada periodicamente e colocada sobre duas finas camadas dielétricas, sendo uma composta por um material não magnético e outra composta por um material magnético (Bi-substituted Yttrium Iron Garnet) uniformemente magnetizado perpendicularmente ao seu plano. Analisando e otimizando esta estrutura, obteve-se rotação de Faraday e rotação de Kerr três vezes e nove vezes maior, respectivamente, que os de dispositivos análogos publicados na literatura. Além disso, esta estrutura foi otimizada para obter um aumento de 40% da transmissão óptica extraordinária, preservando o ângulo de rotação de Faraday. A heteroestrutura investigada pode ser utilizada em dispositivos ópticos não recíprocos.

Nanopartículas magnéticas de 'FE''CO'@'AU': preparação, caracterização e funcionalização com complexo de 'RU'(II) luminescente

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

Faraday rotation in graphene

We study magneto-optical properties of monolayer graphene by means of quantum field theory methods in the framework of the Dirac model. We reveal a good agreement between the Dirac model and a recent experiment on giant Faraday rotation in cyclotron resonance [23]. We also predict other regimes when the effects are well pronounced. The general dependence of the Faraday rotation and absorption on various parameters of samples is revealed both for suspended and epitaxial graphene.

Field-free control of magnetism in nanostructured materials probed with high resolution X-ray microscopy

Magnetic memories are a backbone of today's digital data storage technology, where the digital information is stored as the magnetic configuration of nanostructured ferromagnetic bits. Currently, the writing of the digital information on the magnetic memory is carried out with the help of magnetic fields. This approach, while viable, is not optimal due to its intrinsically high energy consumption and relatively poor scalability. For this reason, the research for different mechanisms that can be used to manipulate the magnetic configuration of a material is of interest. In this thesis, the control of the magnetization of different nanostructured materials with field-free mechanisms is investigated. The magnetic configuration of these nanostructured materials was imaged directly with high resolution x-ray magnetic microscopy. rnFirst of all, the control of the magnetic configuration of nanostructured ferromagnetic Heusler compounds by fabricating nanostructures with different geometries was analyzed. Here, it was observed that the magnetic configuration of the nanostructured elements is given by the competition of magneto-crystalline and shape anisotropy. By fabricating elements with different geometries, we could alter the point where these two effects equilibrate, allowing for the possibility to tailor the magnetic configuration of these nanostructured elements to the required necessities.rnThen, the control of the magnetic configuration of Ni nanostructures fabricated on top of a piezoelectric material with the magneto-elastic effect (i.e. by applying a piezoelectric strain to the Ni nanostructures) was investigated. Here, the magneto-elastic coupling effect gives rise to an additional anisotropy contribution, proportional to the strain applied to the magnetic material. For this system, a reproducible and reversible control of the magnetic configuration of the nanostructured Ni elements with the application of an electric field across the piezoelectric material was achieved.rnFinally, the control of the magnetic configuration of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) nanostructures with spin-polarized currents was studied. Here, the spin-transfer torque effect was employed to achieve the displacement of magnetic domain walls in the LSMO nanostructures. A high spin-transfer torque efficiency was observed for LSMO at low temperatures, and a Joule-heating induced hopping of the magnetic domain walls was observed at room temperatures, allowing for the analysis of the energetics of the domain walls in LSMO.rnThe results presented in this thesis give thus an overview on the different field-free approaches that can be used to manipulate and tailor the magnetization configuration of a nanostructured material to the various technological requirements, opening up novel interesting possibilities for these materials.

Deflexiones transversales de radiación luminosa en estructuras prismáticas de cristal líquido

A novel structure , based on a wedge shaped configuration, is presented . This structure , previously used in one of his forms,for refraction index measurements is analysed in this paper. The results obtained give the possibility of his use in electro snd magneto-optical modulation and deflection.