Andrew Boothroyd

Abstract:

The magnetic structures which endow TbMnO(3) with its multiferroic properties have been reassessed on the basis of a comprehensive soft x-ray resonant scattering (XRS) study. The selectivity of XRS facilitated separation of the various contributions (Mn L(2) edge, Mn 3d moments; Tb M(4) edge, Tb 4f moments), while its variation with azimuth provided information on the moment direction of distinct Fourier components. When the data are combined with a detailed group theory analysis, a new picture emerges of the ferroelectric transition at 28 K. Instead of being driven by the transition from a collinear to a noncollinear magnetic structure, as has previously been supposed, it is shown to occur between two noncollinear structures.

Abstract:

The magnetic structures which endow TbMnO3 with its multiferroic properties have been reassessed on the basis of a comprehensive soft x-ray resonant scattering (XRS) study. The selectivity of XRS facilitated separation of the various contributions (Mn L2 edge, Mn 3d moments; Tb M4 edge, Tb 4f moments), while its variation with azimuth provided information on the moment direction of distinct Fourier components. When the data are combined with a detailed group theory analysis, a new picture emerges of the ferroelectric transition at 28 K. Instead of being driven by the transition from a collinear to a noncollinear magnetic structure, as has previously been supposed, it is shown to occur between two noncollinear structures. © 2009 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

Photoemission data taken with hard x-ray radiation on cleaved single crystals of the bilayered, colossal magnetoresistant manganite La 2-2xSr 1+2xMn 2O 7 (LSMO) with 0.30≤x<0.50 are presented. Making use of the increased bulk sensitivity upon hard x-ray excitation it is shown that the core-level footprint of the electronic structure of the LSMO cleavage surface is identical to that of the bulk. Furthermore, by comparing the core-level shift of the different elements as a function of doping level x, it is shown that microscopic phase separation is unlikely to occur for this particular manganite well above the Curie temperature. © 2009 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

Spin-ice materials are magnetic substances in which the spin directions map onto hydrogen positions in water ice. Their low-temperature magnetic state has been predicted to be a phase that obeys a Gauss' law and supports magnetic monopole excitations: in short, a Coulomb phase. We used polarized neutron scattering to show that the spin-ice material Ho2Ti2O7 exhibits an almost perfect Coulomb phase. Our result proves the existence of such phases in magnetic materials and strongly supports the magnetic monopole theory of spin ice.