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A. Butera

Publications and source records attributed to A. Butera.

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Enhancement of spin current in Fe$_{85}$Co$_{15}$/Ni$_{80}$Fe$_{20}$ bilayers via interlayer ferromagnetic coupling

We present a detailed study on how the strength of the interlayer magnetic coupling on Fe$_{85}$Co$_{15}$/Ni$_{80}$Fe$_{20}$ bilayers modifies the spin wave behavior of this system. A series of Fe$_{85}$Co$_{15}$/Ni$_{80}$Fe$_{20}$ bilayers deposited on MgO[100] substrates were grown by magnetron sputtering. Magnetic characterization of the samples was performed using a vibrating sample magnetometer and magneto-optical Kerr effect. The in-plane hysteresis loops reveal a cubic magnetic anisotropy of magnetocrystalline origin, with easy and hard axis along the [100] and [110] Fe-Co crystallographic directions, respectively. Ferromagnetic resonance measurements were performed to analyze the in-plane angular dependence of the resonance field, and also the resonance field at several frequencies was determined along the hard axis. By using a bilayer model in the frame of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert magnetization equation of motion, the magnetization precession components were calculated, as well as the dependence of precession area on the Fe-Co layer thickness and the ferromagnetic interlayer coupling. We observe a maximum in the area of the ellipsoid generated by the magnetization precession of the permalloy layer at a certain exchange constant, showing that this effect could be used to maximize the injected spin currents, which could be tuned by changing the interlayer exchange constant in bilayer systems, the saturation magnetization of the materials, or the excitation frequency.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Strain effects in [001] textured Co80Ir20 thin films with negative magnetocrystalline anisotropy

Co80Ir20 ferromagnetic thin films have recently been the focus of intensive research because the negative magnetocrystalline anisotropy adds to the shape anisotropy and favors a strong alignment of the magnetization in the film plane for [001] textured or epitaxial thin films. However, the role of magnetoelastic effects has not been properly considered in most published research. In this work we have performed a detailed analysis of 24 nm Co80Ir20 thin films deposited on Si/SiO2 with different underlayers (Ta, Pt) and overlayers in order to induce [001]-textured growth and different degrees of strain. Using x-ray diffraction measurements we have found that the c-axis lattice parameter depends on the underlayer material (larger negative strain for Ta), but the degree of texture and the average grain size remain essentially constant, except for one of the multilayers. Differences in the magnetic behavior according to the underlayer were also found in room temperature magnetization vs field loops and temperature dependent dc magnetization measurements. Anisotropy was quantified using ferromagnetic resonance which showed that the effective anisotropy field is also dependent on the underlayer. Ta underlayers show an anisotropy close to that expected for shape, while Pt underlayer induces an additional in-plane anisotropy field of the order of 7-9 kOe. A simple model of stress induced anisotropy gives anisotropy field values similar to those observed experimentally. The correlation between observed strain and anisotropy together with the similarity in microstructural properties strongly suggests that stress effects cannot be disregarded when analyzing the magnetic data for the estimation of the magnetocrystalline contribution.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Temperature and crystallographic orientation dependence of the anisotropic magnetoresistance in epitaxial Fe65Co35 thin films

In this work, we study the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) behavior of [001] epitaxial Fe65Co35 thin films along different crystallographic directions as a function of temperature. The AMR ratio is found to strongly depend on the current orientation relative to the crystal axes, reaching 0.16 % and 0.10 % at room temperature when the current is applied along the magnetic hard and easy axes, respectively. Moreover, the AMR ratio decreases at different rates as the temperature is reduced to 80 K. The longitudinal and transverse magnetoresistance curves were fitted using the Stoner-Wohlfarth formalism to describe the magnetization reversal path and to extract the magnetic anisotropy constants. The fitted cubic and uniaxial anisotropy constants are Kc = -2.36 kJ/m3 and Ku = 2.18 kJ/m3, verifying the change in the cubic anisotropy compared to Fe-richer Fe100-xCox compositions. These results demonstrate that by tailoring the crystalline orientation and temperature dependence of AMR, epitaxial Fe65Co35 thin films can enable the design of magnetic sensors with tunable sensitivity.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Magnetization process in epitaxial Fe$_{85}$Co$_{15}$ thin films via anisotropic magnetoresistance

The effects of the crystalline symmetry on the magnetotransport properties in ferromagnetic alloys are being reexamined in recent years particularly due to the role of the anisotropic magnetoresistance on the electrical detection of magnetization dynamics, which is relevant to estimate spin transport parameters such as the spin Hall angle or the damping constant. In this work we investigated the crystalline dependent anisotropic magnetoresistance in epitaxial Fe85Co15 films and discuss the magnetization process through the magnetotransport properties by varying the relative orientations between the electric current, the external magnetic field and the Fe85Co15 crystallographic directions. We have found that the anisotropic magnetoresistance ratio depends on the current direction with respect to the crystal axes of Fe85Co15 and determine a ratio of 0.20 % and 0.17 % when the current is applied along the [110] hard and [100] easy axes, respectively. We fit our experimental data using the Stoner-Wohlfarth model to describe the path followed by the magnetization during the magnetization process and to extract the anisotropy constants. The fitted cubic and uniaxial anisotropy constants are Kc = 21 kJ/m3 and Ku = 11 kJ/m3, which are comparable with reported values from the angular variation of ferromagnetic resonance experiments. Our results contribute to the understanding of the interplay between the crystalline structure and the magnetotransport properties of FeCo alloys.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Self-induced spin pumping and inverse spin Hall effect in single FePt thin films

In this study, we investigate the spin-charge current conversion characteristics of chemically disordered ferromagnetic single FePt thin films by spin-pumping ferromagnetic resonance experiments performed on both a resonance cavity and on patterned devices. We clearly observe a self-induced signal in a single FePt layer. The sign of a single FePt spin pumping voltage signal is consistent with a typical bilayer with a positive spin Hall angle layer such as that of Pt on top of a ferromagnet (FM), substrate//FM/Pt. Structural analysis shows a strong composition gradient due to natural oxidation at both FePt interfaces, with the Si substrate and with the air. The FePt-thickness dependence of the self-induced charge current produced allowed us to obtain $\lambda _ \text{FePt}=(1.5\pm 0.1)$ nm and self-induced $\theta_ \text{self-FePt}=0.047 \pm 0.003$, with efficiency for reciprocal effects applications $\theta _ \text{self-FePt} \times \lambda _ \text{FePt} = 0.071$ nm which is comparable to that of Pt, $\theta _ \text{SH-Pt} \times \lambda _ \text{Pt} = 0.2$ nm. Moreover, by studying bilayer systems such as Si//FePt/Pt and Si//Pt//FePt we independently could extract the individual contributions of the external inverse spin Hall effect of Pt and the self-induced inverse spin Hall effect of FePt. Notably, this method gives consistent values of charge currents produced due to only self-induced inverse spin Hall effect in FePt layers. These results advance our understanding of spin-to-charge interconversion mechanisms in composite thin films and pave the way for the development of next-generation spintronics devices based on self-torque.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Determination of Gd concentration profile in UO2-Gd2O3 fuel pellets

A transversal mapping of the Gd concentration was measured in UO2-Gd2O3 nuclear fuel pellets by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). The quantification was made from the comparison with a Gd2O3 reference sample. The nominal concentration in the pellets is UO2: 7.5 % Gd2O3. A concentration gradient was found, which indicates that the Gd2O3 amount diminishes towards the edges of the pellets. The concentration varies from (9.3 +/- 0.5)% in the center to (5.8 +/- 0.3)% in one of the edges. The method was found to be particularly suitable for the precise mapping of the distribution of Gd3+ ions in the UO2 matrix.

nucl-ex

Correlation between magnetic interactions and domain structure in A1 FePt ferromagnetic thin films

We have investigated the relationship between the domain structure and the magnetic interactions in a series of FePt ferromagnetic thin films of varying thickness. As-made films grow in the magnetically soft and chemically disordered A1 phase that may have two distinct domain structures. Above a critical thickness $d_{cr}\sim 30$ nm the presence of an out of plane anisotropy induces the formation of stripes, while for $d<d_{cr}$ planar domains occur. Magnetic interactions have been characterized using the well known DCD-IRM remanence protocols, $δM$ plots, and magnetic viscosity measurements. We have observed a strong correlation between the domain configuration and the sign of the magnetic interactions. Planar domains are associated with positive exchange-like interactions, while stripe domains have a strong negative dipolar-like contribution. In this last case we have found a close correlation between the interaction parameter and the surface dipolar energy of the stripe domain structure. Using time dependent magnetic viscosity measurements, we have also estimated an average activation volume for magnetic reversal, $\langle V_{ac}\rangle \sim 1.37\times 10^{4}$ nm$^{3},$ which is approximately independent of the film thickness or the stripe period.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Study of the flux effect on nuclear pressure vessel steel by measurement of magnetic properties

Since Reactor Pressure Vessel steels are ferromagnetic, they provide a convenient means to monitor changes in the mechanical properties of the material upon irradiation with high energy particles, by measuring their magnetic properties. Here, we discuss the correlation between these two properties (i.e. mechanical and magnetic properties) and microstructure, by studying the flux effect on the nuclear pressure vessel steel used in reactors currently under construction in Argentina. Charpy-V notched specimens of this steel were irradiated in the RA1 experimental reactor at 275°C with two lead factors (LFs), 93 and 183. The magnetic properties were studied by means of DC magnetometry and ferromagnetic resonance. The results show that the coercive field and magnetic anisotropy spatial distribution are sensitive to the LF and can be explained by taking into account the evolution of the microstructure with this parameter. The saturation magnetization shows a dominant dependence on the accumulated damage. Consequently, the mentioned techniques are suitable to estimate the degradation of the reactor vessel steel.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Dissipation in Mesoscopic Superconductors with Ac Magnetic Fields

The response of mesoscopic superconductors to an ac magnetic field is investigated both experimentally and with numerical simulations. We study small square samples with dimensions of the order of the penetration depth. We obtain the ac susceptibitity $\chi=\chi'+i\chi''$ at microwave frequencies as a function of the dc magnetic field $H_{dc}$. We find that the dissipation, given by $\chi''$, has a non monotonous behavior in mesoscopic samples. In the numerical simulations we obtain that the dissipation increases before the penetration of vortices and then it decreases abruptly after vortices have entered the sample. This is verified experimentally, where we find that $\chi''$ has strong oscillations as a function of $H_{dc}$ in small squares of Pb.

cond-mat.supr-con

High temperature susceptibility in electron doped Ca1-xYxMnO3: Double Exchange vs Superexchange

We present a study of the magnetic properties of the electron doped manganites Ca1-xYxMnO3 (for 0<=x<=0.25) in the paramagnetic regime. For the less doped samples (x<=0.1) the magnetic susceptibility, c(T), follows a Curie-Weiss (CW) law only for T > 450 K and, below this temperature, c^-1(T) shows a ferrimagnetic-like curvature. We approached the discussion of these results in terms of a simple mean-field model where double exchange, approximated by a ferromagnetic Heisenberg-like interaction between Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions, competes with classical superexchange. For higher levels of doping (x>=0.15), the CW behaviour is observed down to the magnetic ordering temperature (Tmo) and a better description of c(T) was obtained by assuming full delocalization of the eg electrons. In order to explore the degree of delocalization as a function of T and x, we analyzed the problem through Montecarlo simulations. Within this picture we found that at high T the electrons doped are completely delocalized but, when Tmo is approached, they form magnetic polarons of large spin that cause the observed curvature in c^-1(T) for x<=0.1.

cond-mat.str-el

Evidence of strong antiferromagnetic coupling between localized and itinerant electrons in ferromagnetic Sr2FeMoO6

Magnetic dc susceptibility ($\chi$) and electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements in the paramagnetic regime, are presented. We found a Curie-Weiss (CW) behavior for $\chi$(T) with a ferromagnetic $\Theta = 446(5)$ K and $\mu_{eff} = 4.72(9) \mu_{B}/f.u.$, this being lower than that expected for either $Fe^{3+}(5.9\mu_{B})$ or $Fe^{2+}(4.9\mu_{B})$ ions. The ESR g-factor $g = 2.01(2)$, is associated with $Fe^{3+}$. We obtained an excellent description of the experiments in terms of two interacting sublattices: the localized $Fe^{3+}$ ($3d^{5}$) cores and the delocalized electrons. The coupled equations were solved in a mean-field approximation, assuming for the itinerant electrons a bare susceptibility independent on $T$. We obtained $\chi_{e}^{0} = 3.7$ $10^{-4}$ emu/mol. We show that the reduction of $\mu_{eff}$ for $Fe^{3+}$ arises from the strong antiferromagnetic (AFM) interaction between the two sublattices. At variance with classical ferrimagnets, we found that $\Theta$ is ferromagnetic. Within the same model, we show that the ESR spectrum can be described by Bloch-Hasegawa type equations. Bottleneck is evidenced by the absence of a $g$-shift. Surprisingly, as observed in CMR manganites, no narrowing effects of the ESR linewidth is detected in spite of the presence of the strong magnetic coupling. These results provide evidence that the magnetic order in $Sr_{2}FeMoO_{6}$ does not originates in superexchange interactions, but from a novel mechanism recently proposed for double perovskites.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Double Exchange in Electron Doped Ca1-xYxMnO3 Manganites

We have studied structural, magnetic and transport properties as a function of temperature and magnetic field in the electron doped manganite YxCa1-xMnO3, for 0 0. With a simple model where antiferromagnetic (AF) superexchange and ferromagnetic (FM) double exchange (DE) compete, we fit the experimental χ(x, T) obtaining parameter values which indicate that the FM-DE interaction is about twice as intense as the AF interaction. In the ordered phase, the H-dependence of the magnetization M(x,T) is explained in terms of magnetic polarons. We propose that the displacement of the eg electrons (in the G-type AF background) causes the alignement of the polaron with H. Signatures of polaronic behavior were also found in the x and T dependence of the electric resistivity.

cond-mat