Oxide electronics

Abstract:

Magnetic skyrmions are localized swirls of magnetization with a non-trivial topological winding number. This winding increases their robustness to superparamagnetism and gives rise to a myriad of novel dynamical properties, making them attractive as next-generation information carriers. Recently the equation of motion for a skyrmion was derived using the approach pioneered by Thiele, allowing for macroscopic skyrmion systems to be modeled efficiently. This powerful technique suffers from the prerequisite that one must have a priori knowledge of the functional form of the interaction between a skyrmion and all other magnetic structures in its environment. Here we attempt to alleviate this problem by providing a simple analytic expression which can generate arbitrary repulsive interaction potentials from the micromagnetic Hamiltonian. We also discuss a toy model of the radial profile of a skyrmion which is accurate for a wide range of material parameters.

Abstract:

Two members of the isostructural R2CoGa8 intermetallic series, Er2CoGa8 and Tm2CoGa8, have been studied by powder neutron diffraction. Antiferromagnetic ordering of the rare-earth sublattices was confirmed to occur at 3.0 K and 2.0 K, respectively. Furthermore, determination of the critical exponent showed Er2CoGa8 to adopt a three-dimensional universality class. In spite of a common magnetic easy axis and similar structural characteristics, the antiferromagnetic structures were found to be different for the erbium- and thulium-based compounds. The corresponding magnetic space groups were determined to be P(2a)mmm’ and P(C)mmm. The difference in magnetic structures is discussed based on crystal electric field effects that are known to be prevalent in such materials.

Abstract:

In multiferroic TbMn2O5, the behavior of the terbium ions forms a crucial part of the magnetoelectric coupling. The result is a magnetically induced reversal of the electric polarization at 2 T. In this article we present the first direct measurement of the terbium magnetic structure under applied magnetic fields. Contrary to the current interpretation of the magnetic properties of TbMn2O5, we show that upon the electric polarization reversal the terbium sublattice adopts a canted antiferromagnetic structure with a large component of magnetic moment parallel to the a axis. Furthermore, we provide evidence for a coupling between the manganese 3d magnetic structure and the terbium 4f magnetism, which is of great significance in the elusive magnetoelectric mechanisms at play.

Abstract:

Synchrotron radiation based techniques provide unique insight into both the element and time resolved magnetization behavior in magnetic spin systems. Here, we highlight the power of two recent developments, utilizing x-ray scattering techniques to reveal the precessional magnetization dynamics of ordered spin structures in the GHz regime, both in diffraction and reflection configurations. Our newly developed diffraction and reflectometry ferromagnetic resonance (DFMR and RFMR) techniques provide novel ways to explore the dynamics of modern magnetic materials, thereby opening up new pathways for the development of spintronic devices. In this paper we provide an overview of these techniques, and discuss the new understanding they provide into in the magnetization dynamics in the chiral magnetic structure in Y-type hexaferrite and the depth dependence to the magnetization dynamics in a [CoFeB/MgO/Ta]4 multilayer.