Search

Magnetism in monolayer (ML) VSe2 has attracted broad interest in spintronics, while existing reports have not reached consensus. Using element-specific X-ray magnetic circular dichroism, a magnetic transition in ML VSe2 has been demonstrated at the contamination-free interface between Co and VSe2. Through interfacial hybridization with a Co atomic overlayer, a magnetic moment of about 0.4 NB per V atom in ML VSe2 is revealed, approaching values predicted by previous theoretical calculations. Promotion of the ferromagnetism in ML VSe2 is accompanied by its antiferromagnetic coupling to Co and a reduction in the spin moment of Co. In comparison to the absence of this interface-induced ferromagnetism at the Fe/ML MoSe2 interface, these findings at the Co/ML VSe2 interface provide clear proof that the ML VSe2, initially with magnetic disorder, is on the verge of magnetic transition.

Biogenic nanoscale vanadium magnetite is produced by converting V(V)-bearing ferrihydrites through reductive transformation using the metal-reducing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens. With increasing vanadium in the ferrihydrite, the amount of V-doped magnetite produced decreased due to V-toxicity which interrupted the reduction pathway ferrihydrite–magnetite, resulting in siderite or goethite formation. Fe L2,3 and V L2,3 X-ray absorption spectra and data from X-ray magnetic circular dichroism analysis revealed the magnetite to contain the V in the Fe(III) Oh site, predominately as V(III) but always with a component of V(VI), present a consistent V(IV)/V(III) ratio in the range 0.28 to 0.33. The bacteriogenic production of V-doped magnetite nanoparticles from V-doped ferrihydrite is confirmed and the work reveals that microbial reduction of contaminant V(V) to V(III)/V(IV) in the environment will occur below the Fe-redox boundary where it will be immobilised in biomagnetite nanoparticles.

Collective spin excitations of ordered magnetic structures o er great potential for the development of novel spintronic devices. The present approach is to rely on micromagnetic models to explain the origins of dynamic modes observed by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) studies, since experimental tools to directly reveal the origins of the complex dynamic behavior are lacking. Here we demonstrate a new approach which combines resonant magnetic x-ray diffraction with FMR, thereby allowing for a reconstruction of the real-space spin dynamics of the system. This new diffractive FMR (DFMR) technique builds on x-ray detected FMR (XFMR) that allows for element-selective dynamic studies, giving unique access to specific wave components of static and dynamic coupling in magnetic heterostructures. In combination with diffraction, FMR is elevated to the level of a modal spectroscopy technique, potentially opening new pathways for the development of spintronic devices.

Non-collinear spin textures in ferromagnetic ultrathin films are attracting a renewed interest fueled by possible fine engineering of several magnetic interactions, notably the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. This allows the stabilization of complex chiral spin textures such as chiral magnetic domain walls (DWs), spin spirals, and magnetic skyrmions. We report here on the ultrafast behavior of chiral DWs after optical pumping in perpendicularly magnetized asymmetric multilayers, probed using time-resolved circular dichroism in x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (CD-XRMS). We observe a picosecond transient reduction of the CD-XRMS, which is attributed to the spin current-induced coherent and incoherent torques within the continuously dependent spin texture of the DWs. We argue that a specific demagnetization of the inner structure of the DW induces a flow of hot spins from the interior of the neighboring magnetic domains. We identify this time-varying change of the DW textures shortly after the laser pulse as a distortion of the homochiral N'eel shape toward a transient mixed Bloch-N\'eel-Bloch textures along a direction transverse to the DW. Our study highlights how time-resolved CD-XRMS can be a unique tool for studying the time evolution in other systems showing a non-collinear electric/magnetic ordering such as skyrmion lattices, conical/helical phases, as well as the recently observed antiskyrmion lattices, in metallic or insulating materials.

The emergence of magnetic skyrmions, topological spin textures, has aroused tremendous interest in studying the rich physics related to their topology. While skyrmions promise high-density and energy-efficient magnetic memory devices for information technology, the manifestation of their nontrivial topology through single skyrmions and ordered and disordered skyrmion lattices could also give rise to many fascinating physical phenomena, such as chiral magnon and skyrmion glass states. Therefore, generating skyrmions at designated locations on a large scale, while controlling the skyrmion patterns, is the key to advancing topological magnetism. Here, a new, yet general, approach to the "printing" of skyrmions with zero-field stability in arbitrary patterns on a massive scale in exchange-biased magnetic multilayers is presented. By exploiting the fact that the antiferromagnetic order can be reconfigured by local thermal excitations, a focused electron beam with a graphic pattern generator to "print" skyrmions is used, which is referred to as skyrmion lithography. This work provides a route to design arbitrary skyrmion patterns, thereby establishing the foundation for further exploration of topological magnetism.

Engineering the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in the emerging magnetic topological insulators (MTIs) has great potentials for quantum information processing and spintronics applications. In this letter, we synthesize the epitaxial Bi2Te3/MnTe magnetic heterostructures and observe pronounced AHE signals from both layers combined together. The evolution of the resulting hybrid AHE intensity with the top Bi2Te3 layer thickness manifests the presence of an intrinsic ferromagnetic phase induced by the topological surface states at the heterolayer-interface. More importantly, by doping the Bi2Te3 layer with Sb, we are able to manipulate the sign of the Berry phase-associated AHE component. Our results demonstrate the un-paralleled advantages of MTI heterostructures over magnetically doped TI counterparts, in which the tunability of the AHE response can be greatly enhanced. This in turn unveils a new avenue for MTI heterostructure-based multifunctional applications., Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures

Magnetic skyrmions are two-dimensional magnetization swirls that stack in the form of tubes in the third dimension, and which are proposed as prospective information carriers for nonvolatile memory devices due to their unique topological properties. From resonant elastic x-ray scattering measurements on Cu2OSeO3 with an in-plane magnetic field we find that a state of perpendicularly ordered skyrmions forms - in stark contrast to the well-studied bulk state. The surface state is stable over a wide temperature range, unlike the bulk state in out-of-plane fields which is confined in a narrow region of the temperature-field phase diagram. In contrast to ordinary skyrmions found in the bulk, the surface state skyrmions result from the presence of magnetic interactions unique to the surface which stabilize them against external perturbations. The surface-guiding makes the robust state particular interesting for racetrack-like devices, ultimately allowing for much higher storage densities due to the smaller lateral footprint of the perpendicular skyrmions.

The combination of topological insulators, that is, bulk insulators with gapless, topologically protected surface states, with magnetic order is a love-hate relationship that can unlock new quantum states and exotic physical phenomena, such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect and axion electrodynamics. Moreover, the unusual coupling between topological insulators and ferromagnets can also result in the formation of topological spin textures in the ferromagnetic layer. Skyrmions are topologically protected magnetization swirls that are promising candidates for spintronics memory carriers. Here, we report on the observation of skyrmionium in thin ferromagnetic films coupled to a magnetic topological insulator. The occurrence of skyrmionium, which appears as a soliton composed of two skyrmions with opposite winding numbers, is tied to the ferromagnetic state of the topological insulator. Our work presents a new combination of two important classes of topological materials and may open the door to new topologically inspired information-storage concepts in the future.

X-ray detected ferromagnetic resonance (XFMR) has recently emerged as a powerful synchrotron-radiation-based tool able to study the element-selective magnetization dynamics. Magnetic and chemical contrast in XFMR is obtained by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), while the phase difference between the magnetization precessions is monitored using stroboscopic probing. A unique property of time-resolved XFMR is the visualization of the magnetization precession for each individual layer in a magnetic device. Measurement of the amplitude and phase response of the magnetic layers gives a clear signature of spin-transfer torque (STT) coupling between ferromagnetic layers due to spin pumping.

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically non-trivial nanoscale objects. Their topology, which originates in their chiral domain wall winding, governs their unique response to a motion-inducing force. When subjected to an electrical current, the chiral winding of the spin texture leads to a deflection of the skyrmion trajectory, characterised by an angle with respect to the applied force direction. This skyrmion Hall angle is predicted to be skyrmion diameter-dependent. In contrast, our experimental study finds that the skyrmion Hall angle is diameter-independent for skyrmions with diameters ranging from 35 to 825 nm. At an average velocity of 6 ± 1 ms−1, the average skyrmion Hall angle was measured to be 9° ± 2°. In fact, the skyrmion dynamics is dominated by the local energy landscape such as materials defects and the local magnetic configuration., Magnetic skyrmions are promising objects for future spintronic devices. However, a better understanding of their dynamics is required. Here, the authors show that in contrast to predictions the skyrmion Hall angle is independent of their diameter and motion is dominated by disorder and skyrmion-skyrmion interactions in the system.

Magnetite is a magnetic, Fe(II)-Fe(III)-mineral formed through abiogenic and biogenic pathways. It constitutes an attractive material for remediation due to its reactivity, large surface-area-to-volume ratio when present as nanoparticles, and magnetic recoverability. Magnetite can be repeatedly microbially oxidized or reduced, but it is unclear how this influences the reactivity of magnetite towards toxic metal or metalloid contaminants. In this study, magnetite (both abiogenic and biogenic) was exposed to microbial Fe(II) oxidation and Fe(III) reduction, before reacted with hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) or pentavalent arsenic (As(V)). Results showed microbial reduction of both magnetite types improved the removal rate of Cr(VI) from solution, though surprisingly microbial Fe(II)-oxidation also showed enhanced reactivity towards Cr(VI) compared to un-treated magnetite. Synchrotron based analysis confirmed the formation of Cr(III) at the surface of the magnetite. Reactivity with As was less dramatic and showed un-treated material was able to remove As(V) from solution faster than microbially Fe(III)-reduced and Fe(II)-oxidized magnetite. The presence of humic substances was also shown to lead to a decreased reactivity of biogenic and abiogenic magnetite towards As(V) and Cr(VI). Our results imply that Fe-metabolizing bacteria influence the immobilization of contaminants and should be considered when evaluating remediation schemes, especially where Fe-metabolizing bacteria are active.

A biskyrmion consists of two bound, topologically stable, skyrmion spin textures. These coffee-bean-shaped objects are observed in real space in thin plates using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM). From LTEM imaging alone, it is not clear whether biskyrmions are surface-confined objects, or, analogous to skyrmions in noncentrosymmetric helimagnets, 3D tube-like structures in a bulk sample. Here, the biskyrmion form factor is investigated in single- and polycrystalline-MnNiGa samples using small-angle neutron scattering. It is found that biskyrmions are not long-range ordered, not even in single crystals. Surprisingly all of the disordered biskyrmions have their in-plane symmetry axis aligned along certain directions, governed by the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. This anisotropic nature of biskyrmions may be further exploited to encode information.

Ferromagnet/two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenide (FM/2D TMD) interfaces provide attractive opportunities to push magnetic information storage to the atomically thin limit. Existing work has focused on FMs contacted with mechanically exfoliated or chemically vapor-deposition-grown TMDs, where clean interfaces cannot be guaranteed. Here, we report a reliable way to achieve contamination-free interfaces between ferromagnetic CoFeB and molecular-beam epitaxial MoSe2. We show a spin reorientation arising from the interface, leading to a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), and reveal the CoFeB/2D MoSe2 interface allowing for the PMA development in a broader CoFeB thickness-range than common systems such as CoFeB/MgO. Using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism analysis, we attribute generation of this PMA to interfacial d-d hybridization and deduce a general rule to enhance its magnitude. We also demonstrate favorable magnetic softness and considerable magnetic moment preserved at the interface and theoretically predict the interfacial band matching for spin filtering. Our work highlights the CoFeB/2D MoSe2 interface as a promising platform for examination of TMD-based spintronic applications and might stimulate further development with other combinations of FM/2D TMD interfaces.

Magnetic skyrmions are particle-like, topologically protected magnetization entities that are promising candidates for information carriers in racetrack-memory schemes. The transport of skyrmions in a shift-register-like fashion is crucial for their embodiment in practical devices. Recently, we demonstrated experimentally that chiral skyrmions in Cu2OSeO3 can be effectively manipulated by a magnetic field gradient, leading to a collective rotation of the skyrmion lattice with well-defined dynamics in a radial field gradient. Here, we employ a skyrmion particle model to numerically study the effects of resultant shear forces on the structure of the skyrmion lattice. We demonstrate that anisotropic peak broadening in experimentally observed diffraction patterns can be attributed to extended linear regions in the magnetic field profile. We show that topological (5-7) defects emerge to protect the six-fold symmetry of the lattice under the application of local shear forces, further enhancing the stability of proposed magnetic field driven devices.

International audience; Time-averaged images of the magnetization within single-layer spin-transfer oscillators have been obtained using the holography with extended reference by autocorrelation linear differential operator technique. Transport measurements on a Pd(5)-Cu(20)-Ni81Fe19(7)-Cu(2)-Pd(2) (in nanometers) stack with a 100 nm diameter nanocontact reveal the presence of vortex dynamics. Magnetic images of the device for injected current values of 24 and -24 mA suggest that a vortex has been ejected from the nanocontact and become pinned at the edge of the region that is visible through the Au mask.

Understanding magnetism in ferromagnetic metal/semiconductor (FM/SC) heterostructures is important to the development of the new-generation spin field-effect transistor. Here, we report an element-specific X-ray magnetic circular dichroism study of the interfacial magnetic moments for two FM/SC model systems, namely, Co/GaAs and Ni/GaAs, which was enabled using a specially designed FM1/FM2/SC superstructure. We observed a robust room temperature magnetization of the interfacial Co, while that of the interfacial Ni was strongly diminished down to 5 K because of hybridization of the Ni d(eg) and GaAs sp(3) states. The validity of the selected method was confirmed by first-principles calculations, showing only small deviations (0.02 and0.07 μB/atom for Co/GaAs and Ni/GaAs, respectively) compared to the real FM/SC interfaces. Our work proved that the electronic structure and magnetic ground state of the interfacial FM2 is not altered when the topmost FM2 is replaced by FM1 and that this model is applicable generally for probing the buried magnetic interfaces in the advanced spintronic materials..

Room temperature magnetic skyrmions in magnetic multilayers are considered as information carriers for future spintronic applications. Currently, a detailed understanding of the skyrmion stabilization mechanisms is still lacking in these systems. To gain more insight, it is first and foremost essential to determine the full real‐space spin configuration. Here, two advanced X‐ray techniques are applied, based on magnetic circular dichroism, to investigate the spin textures of skyrmions in [Ta/CoFeB/MgO] n multilayers. First, by using ptychography, a high‐resolution diffraction imaging technique, the 2D out‐of‐plane spin profile of skyrmions with a spatial resolution of 10 nm is determined. Second, by performing circular dichroism in resonant elastic X‐ray scattering, it is demonstrated that the chirality of the magnetic structure undergoes a depth‐dependent evolution. This suggests that the skyrmion structure is a complex 3D structure rather than an identical planar texture throughout the layer stack. The analyses of the spin textures confirm the theoretical predictions that the dipole–dipole interactions together with the external magnetic field play an important role in stabilizing sub‐100 nm diameter skyrmions and the hybrid structure of the skyrmion domain wall. This combined X‐ray‐based approach opens the door for in‐depth studies of magnetic skyrmion systems, which allows for precise engineering of optimized skyrmion heterostructures.

The dual magnetic states in topological insulators reveal the interplay between two ordering phenomena: magnetism and topology., The recently discovered topological phase offers new possibilities for spintronics and condensed matter. Even insulating material exhibits conductivity at the edges of certain systems, giving rise to an anomalous quantum Hall effect and other coherent spin transport phenomena, in which heat dissipation is minimized, with potential uses for next-generation energy-efficient electronics. While the metallic surface states of topological insulators (TIs) have been extensively studied, direct comparison of the surface and bulk magnetic properties of TIs has been little explored. We report unambiguous evidence for distinctly enhanced surface magnetism in a prototype magnetic TI, Cr-doped Bi2Se3. Using synchrotron-based x-ray techniques, we demonstrate a “three-step transition” model, with a temperature window of ~15 K, where the TI surface is magnetically ordered while the bulk is not. Understanding the dual magnetization process has strong implications for defining a physical model of magnetic TIs and lays the foundation for applications to information technology.

The recently confirmed monolayer ferromagnet CrI3 is a frisky example of a two-dimensional ferromagnetic material with great application potential in van der Waals heterostructures. Here we present a soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of the magnetic bulk properties of CrI3, giving insight into the magnetic coupling scenario which is relevant for understanding its thickness-dependent magnetic properties. The experimental Cr L 2 , 3 X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectra show a good agreement with calculated spectra for a hybridized ground state. In this high-spin Cr ground state the Cr–I bonds show a strongly covalent character. This is responsible for the strong superexchange interaction and increased spin-orbit coupling, resulting in the large magnetic anisotropy of the two-dimensionally layered CrI3 crystal.

How the interacting electronic states and phases of layered transition-metal dichalcogenides evolve when thinned to the single-layer limit is a key open question in the study of two-dimensional materials. Here, we use angle-resolved photoemission to investigate the electronic structure of monolayer VSe2 grown on bilayer graphene/SiC. While the global electronic structure is similar to that of bulk VSe2, we show that, for the monolayer, pronounced energy gaps develop over the entire Fermi surface with decreasing temperature below Tc = 140 ± 5 K, concomitant with the emergence of charge-order superstructures evident in low-energy electron diffraction. These observations point to a charge-density wave instability in the monolayer that is strongly enhanced over that of the bulk. Moreover, our measurements of both the electronic structure and of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism reveal no signatures of a ferromagnetic ordering, in contrast to the results of a recent experimental study as well as expectations from density functional theory. Our study thus points to a delicate balance that can be realized between competing interacting states and phases in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides.

Selective tuning of the Gilbert damping constant, α, in a NiFe/Cu/FeCo spin-valve trilayer has been achieved by inserting different rare-earth nanolayers adjacent to the ferromagnetic layers. Frequency dependent analysis of the ferromagnetic resonances shows that the initially small magnitude of α in the NiFe and FeCo layers is improved by Tb and Gd insertions to various amounts. Using the element-specific technique of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism, we find that the observed increase in α can be attributed primarily to the orbital moment enhancement of Ni and Co, rather than that of Fe. The amplitude of the enhancement depends on the specific rare-earth element, as well as on the lattice and electronic band structure of the transition metals. Our results demonstrate an effective way for individual control of the magnetization dynamics in the different layers of the spin-valve sandwich structures, which will be important for practical applications in high-frequency spintronic devices.

The magnetization direction in heavy-metal (HM)/ferromagnet bilayers can be electrically controlled by spin-orbit torque (SOT); however, the efficiency of the SOT which depends on the spin-orbit coupling of the HM layer or its spin-Hall angle has to be improved further for actual applications. In this study, we report a significant enhancement of the spin-Hall effect of Pt and resultant SOT in $\mathrm{Pt}/\mathrm{Co}/\mathrm{Al}{\mathrm{O}}_{x}$ structures by controlling the Pt resistivity. We observed that the effective spin-Hall angle increases about three times as the resistivity of Pt layer is increased 1.6 times by changing the Ar deposition pressure from 3 to 50 mTorr. This enhancement in effective spin-Hall angle is confirmed by the reduction in the critical current for SOT-induced magnetization switching. Furthermore, x-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis reveals a non-negligible contribution of the interfacial spin-orbit coupling to the effective spin-Hall angle. Our result, the efficient control of effective spin Hall angle by controlling the HM resistivity, paves the way to improved switching efficiency in SOT-active devices.

We report the electronic and magnetic characterization of the hybrid interface constituted by C60 molecules and an epitaxial Fe3O4(001) surface grown on GaAs(001). Using x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), we demonstrate that a stable C60 sub-monolayer (ML) can be retained on the Fe3O4(001) surface upon in-situ annealing at 250°C. A carbon K-edge dichroic signal of 1% with respect to the XAS C 1s → π* peak intensity has been observed, indicative of a weaker electronic interaction of C60 with Fe3O4(001) compared to the previously reported case of C60/Fe(001). Remarkably, the Fe L-edge XMCD spectrum of Fe3O4(001) reveals a reduced Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio upon C60 sub-ML adsorption. This observation has been ascribed to electron donation by the C60 molecules, as a consequence of the high work function of Fe3O4(001). Our present work underlines the significance of chemical interactions between inorganic magnetic surfaces and molecular adsorbates for tuning the electronic and magnetic properties of the interfaces, which have profound impact on spin-polarized charge transport in hybrid organic-inorganic spintronic devices.

Spin injection in organic and molecular spintronic devices is largely defined by the electronic and magnetic structure of the constituting organic/ferromagnetic “spinterfaces”. Unlike most of the previous studies involving highly interactive organic/metallic interfaces, we present here the valence electronic structure of a weakly hybridized interface between C60 and epitaxial Fe3O4(001), which is unraveled for the first time by means of synchrotron-based photoelectron spectroscopy. Using resonant excitation of Fe 2p core electrons into the unoccupied 3d states, we are able to extract the effect of C60 adsorption on the different ionic sites of the mixed valence magnetic oxide. We elucidate, using a proposed model, that electron donation from C60 leads to surface charge rebalancing in Fe3O4, which is accompanied by an enhancement of the conductivity, where the half-metallic nature of the ferrite is largely preserved. These observations, which have so far not been reported for existing organic/metallic systems, are expected to play a significant role in spin transport across this novel interface. Our work showcases the fascinating physical phenomena unique to organic/magnetic oxide spinterfaces, and offers a new pathway towards interface engineering for organic spintronic applications.

Synthesis of Ni and Zn substituted nano-greigite, Fe3S4, is achieved from single source diethyldithiocarbamato precursor compounds, producing particles typically 50–100 nm in diameter with plate-like pseudohexagonal morphologies. Up to 12 wt.% Ni is incorporated into the greigite structure, and there is evidence that Zn is also incorporated but Co is not substituted into the lattice. The FeL3X-ray absorption spectra for these materials have a narrow single peak at 707.7 eV and the resulting main X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) has the same sign at 708.75 eV. All XMCD spectra also have a broad positive feature at 711 eV, a characteristic of covalent mixing. The greigite XMCD spectra contrast with the three clearly defined XMCD site specific peaks found in the ferrite spinel, magnetite. The FeL2,3X-ray absorption spectra and XMCD spectra of the greigite reflect and reveal the high conductivity of greigite and the very strong covalency of the Fe–S bonding. The electron hopping between Fe3+and Fe2+on octahedral sites results in an intermediate oxidation state of the Fe in the Ohsite of Fe2.5+producing an effective formula of [Fe3+↑]A-site[2Fe2.5+↓]B-siteS42–]. The NiL2,3X-ray absorption spectra and XMCD reveal substitution on the Ohsite with a strongly covalent character and an oxidation state 1.5+in a representative formula [Fe3+↑]A[[(2 – x)Fe2.5+↓][Nix1.5+]]BS42–.

In this work, we report a route to enhance the reactivity and longevity of biogenic magnetite in Cr(VI) remediation under continuous-flow conditions by combining functionalization of the biomagnetite surface with a precious metal catalyst, nanoscale palladium, and exposure to formate. Column influent conditions were varied to simulate oxic, anoxic, and nitrate cocontaminated environments. The addition of sodium formate as an electron donor for Pd-functionalized magnetite increased capacity and longevity allowing 80% removal of Cr(VI) after 300 h in anoxic conditions, whereas complete breakthrough occurred after 60 h in anoxic nonformate and nonfunctionalized systems. Removal of Cr(VI) was optimized under anoxic conditions, and the presence of oxidizing agents results in a modest loss in reductive capacity. Examination of reacted Pd-functionalized magnetite reveals close association of Fe with Cr, suggesting that Pd-coupled oxidation of formate serves to regenerate the reactive surface. XMCD studies revealed that Cr(III) is partially substituted for Fe in the magnetite structure, which serves to immobilize Cr. No evidence for a mechanistic interference by nitrate cocontamination was observed, suggesting that this novel system could provide robust, effective and sustained reduction of contaminants, even in the presence of common oxidizing cocontaminants, outperforming the reductive capacity of nonfunctionalized biogenic magnetite.

Magnetic doping is the most common method for breaking time-reversal-symmetry surface states of topological insulators (TIs) to realize novel physical phenomena and to create beneficial technological applications. Here we present a study of the magnetic coupling of a prototype magnetic TI, that is, Cr-doped Bi2Se3, in its ultrathin limit which is expected to give rise to quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect. The high quality Bi2-xCrxSe3 epitaxial thin film was prepared using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), characterized with scanning transimission electron microscopy (STEM), electrical magnetotransport, and X-ray magnetic circularly dichroism (XMCD) techniques, and the results were simulated using density functional theory (DFT) with spin-orbit coupling (SOC). We observed a sizable spin moment mspin = (2.05 ± 0.20) μB/Cr and a small and negative orbital moment morb = (-0.05 ± 0.02) μB/Cr of the Bi1.94Cr0.06Se3 thin film at 2.5 K. A remarkable fraction of the (CrBi-CrI)(3+) antiferromagnetic dimer in the Bi2-xCrxSe3 for 0.02 < x < 0.40 was obtained using first-principles simulations, which was neglected in previous studies. The spontaneous coexistence of ferro- and antiferromagnetic Cr defects in Bi2-xCrxSe3 explains our experimental observations and those based on conventional magnetometry which universally report magnetic moments significantly lower than 3 μB/Cr predicted by Hund's rule.

Quasi-1D nanochains of spherical magnetic ferrite particles with a homogeneous particle size of ≈200 nm and a micrometer-sized chain length are fabricated via a self-assembly method under an external magnetic field. This assisting magnetic field (Hassist), applied during synthesis, significantly modifies the distribution of the Fe2+Oh, Fe3+Td, and Fe3+Oh cations in the chains, as demonstrated by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) combined with theoretical analysis. This provides direct evidence of the nontrivial role of external synthetic conditions for defining the crystal chemistry of nanoscale ferrites and in turn their magnetic properties, providing an extra degree of freedom for intentional control over the performances of 1D magnetic nanodevices for various applications. Magnetic imaging, performed via XMCD in photoemission electron microscopy, further shows the possibility of creating and trapping a series of adjacent magnetic domain walls in a single chain, suggesting that there is great application potential for these nanochains in 1D magnetic nanodevices, as determined by field- or current-driven domain wall motions. Practical control over the magnetic properties of the nanochains is also achieved by extrinsic dopants of cobalt and zinc, which are observed to occupy the ferrite ionic sites in a selective manner.

International audience; We demonstrate magnetic lensless imaging by Fourier transform holography using extended references. A narrow slit milled through an opaque gold mask is used as a holographic reference and magnetic contrast is obtained by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. We present images of magnetic domains in a Co/Pt multilayer thin film with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. This technique holds advantages over standard Fourier transform holography, where small holes are used to define the reference beam. An increased intensity through the extended reference reduces the counting time to record the farfield diffraction pattern. Additionally it was found that manufacturing narrow slits is less technologically demanding than the same procedure for holes. We achieve a spatial resolution of similar to 30 nm, which was found to be limited by the sample period of the chosen experimental setup. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America

International audience; We present a method to determine the magnetic configuration of an in-plane magnetized permalloy layer using Fourier transform holography with extended references in an off-normal geometry. We use a narrow slit as an extended holographic reference to record holograms with the sample surface orthogonal to the incident x-ray beam, as well as rotated by 30° and 45° with respect to the beam. To demonstrate the sensitivity of the technique to in-plane magnetization, we present images of flux closed ground states in thin (∼50 nm) permalloy elements, less than 1 μm in lateral size. Images of the in-plane domain pattern which is magnetostatically imprinted into a permalloy film by the stray fields generated by an adjacent Co/Pt multilayer were obtained. It is found that, whilst the domain patterns within the two magnetic layers show a strong resemblance at remanence within a pristine sample, the similarities disappear after the sample is exposed to a saturating magnetic field.

International audience; An experimental setup has been developed to perform soft x-ray coherent scattering at beamline ID08 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. An intense coherent beam was obtained by filtering the primary beam with the monochromator and a circular pinhole. A pinhole holder with motorized translations was installed inside the UHV chamber of the diffractometer. The scattered intensity was recorded in reflection geometry with a back-illuminated charge coupled device camera. As a demonstration we report experimental results of resonant magnetic scattering using coherent beam. The degree of coherence is evaluated, and it is shown that, while the vertical coherence is much higher than the horizontal one at the source, the situation is reversed at the diffractometer. The intensity of the coherent beam is also discussed.