Magnetization reversal signatures in the magnetoresistance of magnetic multilayers

The simultaneous determination of magnetoresistance and vectorial-resolved magnetization hysteresis curves in a spin valve structure reveals distinct magnetoresistive features for different magnetic field orientations, which are directly related to the magnetization reversal processes. Measurements performed in the whole angular range demonstrate that the magnetoresistive response originates from the intrinsic anisotropic angular dependence of the magnetization orientation between the two ferromagnetic layers. This also provides direct proof that the spin-dependent scattering in the bulk of the magnetic layers is at the origin of the magnetoresistive signal.

Structure and magnetic properties of Sm/Fe multilayers versus substrate temperature

Three Sm(2 Å)/Fe(3 Å) multilayers have been made using two electron beams in a high vacuum chamber onto very thin Kapton foils at different substrate temperatures, (Ts=40°C, 150°C and 230°C), with the same total thickness of 3000 Å. We have found that the substrate temperature strongly affects structure and magnetic properties of the samples. For a substrate temperature of 150°C the sample behaves as a three dimensional random magnet.

Multiperiodic magnetic structures in Hubbard superlattices

We consider fermions in one-dimensional superlattices (SL's), modeled by site-dependent Hubbard-U couplings arranged in a repeated pattern of repulsive (i.e., U>0) and free (U=0) sites. Density matrix renormalization group diagonalization of finite systems is used to calculate the local moment and the magnetic structure factor in the ground state. We have found four regimes for magnetic behavior: uniform local moments forming a spin-density wave (SDW), floppy local moments with short-ranged correlations, local moments on repulsive sites forming long-period SDW's superimposed with short-ranged correlations, and local moments on repulsive sites solely with long-period SDW's; the boundaries between these regimes depend on the range of electronic densities ρ and on the SL aspect ratio. Above a critical electronic density, ρ↑↓, the SDW period oscillates both with ρ and with the spacer thickness. The former oscillation allows one to reproduce all SDW wave vectors within a small range of electronic densities, unlike the homogeneous system. The latter oscillation is related to the exchange oscillation observed in magnetic multilayers. A crossover between regimes of thin to thick layers has also been observed.

Magnetic multilayer fabrication technology with selective activation of SU-8 films

Developing magnetic multilayers are essential for reducing the core eddy current losses in the integrated power magnetic components (inductors/transformers). PVD based processes are typically used to achieve the multilayers with thin dielectric spacers. However, those processes are costly, and can be difficult to integrate. It is evident that cost effective alternative is needed. In recent years, electrochemical processes have been investigated to address these issues. One such method would be to successive metallization of insulating photoresists acting as spacer layer (such as SU-8) with soft magnetic films (such as Ni-Fe-Co alloys). This paper describes an experimental procedure to fabricate magnetic multilayers with a thin variant of SU-8 2 (< 1.5 µm) as inter-layers for integrated micro-inductors/transformers for power conversion applications.

Ondas de spin em nanofilmes nagnéticos acoplados quasiperiodicamente

We studied the spin waves modes that can propagate in magnetic multilayers composed of ferromagnetic metallic films in the nanometer scale. The ferromagnetic films (iron) are separated and coupled through the nonmagnetic spacer films (chromium). The films that make up the multilayer are stacked in a quasiperiodic pattern, following the Fibonacci and double period sequences. We used a phenomenological theory taking into account: the Zeeman energy (between the ferromagnetic films and the external magnetic field), the energy of the magneto-crystalline anisotropy (present in the ferromagnetic films), the energy of the bilinear and biquadratic couplings (between the ferromagnetic films) and the energy of the dipole-dipole interaction (between the ferromagnetic films), to describe the system. The total magnetic energy of the system is numerically minimized and the equilibrium angles of the magnetization of each ferromagnetic film are determined. We solved the equation of motion of the multilayer to find the dispersion relation for the system and, as a consequence, the spin waves modes frequencies. Our theoretical results show that, in the case of trilayers (Fe/Cr/Fe), our model reproduces with excellent agreement experimental results of Brillouin light scattering, known from the literature, by adjusting the physical parameters of the nanofilms. Furthermore, we generalize the model to N ferromagnetic layers which allowed us to determine how complex these systems become when we increase the number of components. It is worth noting that our theoretical calculations generalize all the results known from the literature

Propriedades estáticas e dinâmicas de multicamadas magnéticas acopladas quasiperiodicamente

In this work we study, for two different growth directions, multilayers of nanometric magnetic metallic lms grown, using Fibonacci sequences, in such a way that the thickness of the non-magnetic spacer may vary from a pair of lms to another. We applied a phenomenological theory that uses the magnetic energy to describe the behavior of the system. After we found numerically the global minimum of the total energy, we used the equilibrium angles to obtain magnetization and magnetoresistance curves. Next, we solved the equation of motion of the multilayers to nd the dispersion relation for the system. The results show that, when spacers are used with thickness so that the biquadratic coupling is strong in comparison to the bilinear one, non usual behaviors for both magnetization and magnetoresistance are observed. For example, a dependence on the parity of the Fibonacci generation utilized for constructing the system, a low magnetoresistance step in low external magnetic fields and regions that show high sensibility to small variations of the applied field. Those behaviors are not present in quasiperiodic magnetic multilayers with constant spacer thickness

Excitações elementares em super-redes quasiperiódicas com simetria espelho

In this thesis, we investigated the magnonic and photonic structures that exhibit the so-called deterministic disorder. Speci cally, we studied the effects of the quasiperiodicity, associated with an internal structural symmetry, called mirror symmetry, on the spectra of photonics and magnonics multilayer. The quasiperiodicity is introduced when stacked layers following the so-called substitutional sequences. The three sequences used here were the Fibonacci sequence, Thue-Morse and double-period, all with mirror symmetry. Aiming to study the propagation of light waves in multilayer photonic, and spin waves propagation in multilayer magnonic, we use a theoretical model based on transfer matrix treatment. For the propagation of light waves, we present numerical results that show that the quasiperiodicity associated with a mirror symmetry greatly increases the intensity of transmission and the transmission spectra exhibit a pro le self-similar. The return map plotted for this system show that the presence of internal symmetry does not alter the pattern of Fibonacci maps when compared with the case without symmetry. But when comparing the maps of Thue-Morse and double-time sequences with their case without the symmetry mirror, is evident the change in the pro le of the maps. For magnetic multilayers, we work with two di erent systems, multilayer composed of a metamagnetic material and a non-magnetic material, and multilayers composed of two cubic Heisenberg ferromagnets. In the rst case, our calculations are carried out in the magnetostatic regime and calculate the dispersion relation of spin waves for the metamgnetic material considered FeBr2. We show the e ect of mirror symmetry in the spectra of spin waves, and made the analysis of the location of bulk bands and the scaling laws between the full width of the bands allowed and the number of layers of unit cell. Finally, we calculate the transmission spectra of spin waves in quasiperiodic multilayers consisting of Heisenberg ferromagnets. The transmission spectra exhibit self-similar patterns, with regions of scaling well-de ned in frequency and the return maps indicates only dependence of the particular sequence used in the construction of the multilayer

Simulação computacional de materiais com elétrons fortemente interagentes: DMRG aplicado a super-redes Hubbard com modulação de condução entre camadas

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Materiais óxidos magnéticos nanoestruturados

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Produção e estudo de multicamadas magnéticas em substrato flexível

Magnetic multilayers are the support for the production of spintronic devices, representing great possibilities for miniaturized electronics industry. having the control to produce devices as well as their physical properties from simple multilayer films to highly complex at the atomic scale is a fundamental need for progress in this area, in recent years has highlighted the production of organic and flexible spintronic devices. Because of this trend, the objective of this work was to produce magnetic multilayers deposited on flexible substrate using magnetron sputtering dc technique. Three sets of samples were prepared. The first set composed of the trilayer type CoFe=Cu(t)=CoFe with different thickness of the metallic spacer. The second set consists of two multilayer subgroups, CoFe=Cu in the presence of IrMn layer as a buffer and the next multilayer as cap layer. The third set consisting of non-magnetostrictive multilayer permalloy (Py=Ta and Py=Ag) on flexible substrate and glass. The magnetic properties, were investigated by magnetometry measurements, ferromagnetic resonance and magnetoimpedance (MI), measurements were carried out at room temperature with the magnetic field always applied on the sample plane. For structural analysis, the diffraction X-ray was used. The results of the trilayer showed a high uniaxial anisotropy field for the sample with a spacer of 4.2 nm. For the multilayer in the presence of IrMn layer as the buffer, the study of static and dynamic magnetic properties showed isotropic behavior. For the multilayer in the presence of IrMn layer as a cap, the results of static magnetic properties of the magnetic behavior exhibited a spin valve structure type. However there was a disagreement with results of ferromagnetic resonance measurements, which was justified by the contribution of the unstable and stable grain to the rotatable anisotropy and Exchange bias in ferromagneticantiferromagnetic interface. The third serie of samples showed similar results behavior for the MI Ag multilayers spacer in both substrates. There are also significant MI changes with the Ta spacer, possible associated with the compressive stress on the flexible substrate sample.

Magnetic ordering of EuTe/PbTe multilayers determined by x-ray resonant diffraction

In this work we use resonant x-ray diffraction combined with polarization analysis of the diffracted beam to study the magnetic ordering in EuTe/PbTe multilayers. The presence of satellites at the (1/2 1/2 1/2) magnetic reflection of a 50 /repetition EuTe/PbTe superlattice demonstrated the existence of magnetic correlations among the alternated EuTe layers. The behavior of the satellites intensity as T increases toward the Neel temperature T(N) indicates that these correlations persist nearly up to T(N) and suggests the preferential decrease of the magnetic order parameter of external monolayers of each EuTe layer within the superlattice. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.

Tailoring Magnetic Properties of Co-Fe Thin Films by Topographical Modifications Using Thermal Annealing and Swift Heavy Ion Irradiation and Fabrication of Magnetoelectric Multilayers for Device Applications

Magnetism and magnetic materials have been playing a lead role in improving the quality of life. They are increasingly being used in a wide variety of applications ranging from compasses to modern technological devices. Metallic glasses occupy an important position among magnetic materials. They assume importance both from a scientific and an application point of view since they represent an amorphous form of condensed matter with significant deviation from thermodynamic equilibrium. Metallic glasses having good soft magnetic properties are widely used in tape recorder heads, cores of high-power transformers and metallic shields. Superconducting metallic glasses are being used to produce high magnetic fields and magnetic levitation effect. Upon heat treatment, they undergo structural relaxation leading to subtle rearrangements of constituent atoms. This leads to densification of amorphous phase and subsequent nanocrystallisation. The short-range structural relaxation phenomenon gives rise to significant variations in physical, mechanical and magnetic properties. Magnetic amorphous alloys of Co-Fe exhibit excellent soft magnetic properties which make them promising candidates for applications as transformer cores, sensors, and actuators. With the advent of microminiaturization and nanotechnology, thin film forms of these alloys are sought after for soft under layers for perpendicular recording media. The thin film forms of these alloys can also be used for fabrication of magnetic micro electro mechanical systems (magnetic MEMS). In bulk, they are drawn in the form of ribbons, often by melt spinning. The main constituents of these alloys are Co, Fe, Ni, Si, Mo and B. Mo acts as the grain growth inhibitor and Si and B facilitate the amorphous nature in the alloy structure. The ferromagnetic phases such as Co-Fe and Fe-Ni in the alloy composition determine the soft magnetic properties. The grain correlation length, a measure of the grain size, often determines the soft magnetic properties of these alloys. Amorphous alloys could be restructured in to their nanocrystalline counterparts by different techniques. The structure of nanocrystalline material consists of nanosized ferromagnetic crystallites embedded in an amorphous matrix. When the amorphous phase is ferromagnetic, they facilitate exchange coupling between nanocrystallites. This exchange coupling results in the vanishing of magnetocrystalline anisotropy which improves the soft magnetic properties. From a fundamental perspective, exchange correlation length and grain size are the deciding factors that determine the magnetic properties of these nanocrystalline materials. In thin films, surfaces and interfaces predominantly decides the bulk property and hence tailoring the surface roughness and morphology of the film could result in modified magnetic properties. Surface modifications can be achieved by thermal annealing at various temperatures. Ion irradiation is an alternative tool to modify the surface/structural properties. The surface evolution of a thin film under swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation is an outcome of different competing mechanism. It could be sputtering induced by SHI followed by surface roughening process and the material transport induced smoothening process. The impingement of ions with different fluence on the alloy is bound to produce systematic microstructural changes and this could effectively be used for tailoring magnetic parameters namely coercivity, saturation magnetization, magnetic permeability and remanence of these materials. Swift heavy ion irradiation is a novel and an ingenious tool for surface modification which eventually will lead to changes in the bulk as well as surface magnetic property. SHI has been widely used as a method for the creation of latent tracks in thin films. The bombardment of SHI modifies the surfaces or interfaces or creates defects, which induces strain in the film. These changes will have profound influence on the magnetic anisotropy and the magnetisation of the specimen. Thus inducing structural and morphological changes by thermal annealing and swift heavy ion irradiation, which in turn induce changes in the magnetic properties of these alloys, is one of the motivation of this study. Multiferroic and magneto-electrics is a class of functional materials with wide application potential and are of great interest to material scientists and engineers. Magnetoelectric materials combine both magnetic as well as ferroelectric properties in a single specimen. The dielectric properties of such materials can be controlled by the application of an external magnetic field and the magnetic properties by an electric field. Composites with magnetic and piezo/ferroelectric individual phases are found to have strong magnetoelectric (ME) response at room temperature and hence are preferred to single phasic multiferroic materials. Currently research in this class of materials is towards optimization of the ME coupling by tailoring the piezoelectric and magnetostrictive properties of the two individual components of ME composites. The magnetoelectric coupling constant (MECC) (_ ME) is the parameter that decides the extent of interdependence of magnetic and electric response of the composite structure. Extensive investigates have been carried out in bulk composites possessing on giant ME coupling. These materials are fabricated by either gluing the individual components to each other or mixing the magnetic material to a piezoelectric matrix. The most extensively investigated material combinations are Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) or Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate (PMNPT) as the piezoelectric, and Terfenol-D as the magnetostrictive phase and the coupling is measured in different configurations like transverse, longitudinal and inplane longitudinal. Fabrication of a lead free multiferroic composite with a strong ME response is the need of the hour from a device application point of view. The multilayer structure is expected to be far superior to bulk composites in terms of ME coupling since the piezoelectric (PE) layer can easily be poled electrically to enhance the piezoelectricity and hence the ME effect. The giant magnetostriction reported in the Co-Fe thin films makes it an ideal candidate for the ferromagnetic component and BaTiO3 which is a well known ferroelectric material with improved piezoelectric properties as the ferroelectric component. The multilayer structure of BaTiO3- CoFe- BaTiO3 is an ideal system to understand the underlying fundamental physics behind the ME coupling mechanism. Giant magnetoelectric coupling coefficient is anticipated for these multilayer structures of BaTiO3-CoFe-BaTiO3. This makes it an ideal candidate for cantilever applications in magnetic MEMS/NEMS devices. SrTiO3 is an incipient ferroelectric material which is paraelectric up to 0K in its pure unstressed form. Recently few studies showed that ferroelectricity can be induced by application of stress or by chemical / isotopic substitution. The search for room temperature magnetoelectric coupling in SrTiO3-CoFe-SrTiO3 multilayer structures is of fundamental interest. Yet another motivation of the present work is to fabricate multilayer structures consisting of CoFe/ BaTiO3 and CoFe/ SrTiO3 for possible giant ME coupling coefficient (MECC) values. These are lead free and hence promising candidates for MEMS applications. The elucidation of mechanism for the giant MECC also will be the part of the objective of this investigation.