arXiv subjects

Christian H. Back

Publications and source records attributed to Christian H. Back.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Microwave spectroscopy of the low-temperature skyrmion state in Cu2OSeO3

In the cubic chiral magnet Cu2OSeO3 a low-temperature skyrmion state (LTS) and a concomitant tilted conical state are observed for magnetic fields parallel to <100>. In this work, we report on the dynamic resonances of these novel magnetic states. After promoting the nucleation of the LTS by means of field cycling, we apply broadband microwave spectroscopy in two experimental geometries that provide either predominantly in-plane or out-of-plane excitation. By comparing the results to linear spin-wave theory, we clearly identify resonant modes associated with the tilted conical state, the gyrational and breathing modes associated with the LTS, as well as the hybridization of the breathing mode with a dark octupole gyration mode mediated by the magnetocrystalline anisotropies. Most intriguingly, our findings suggest that under decreasing fields the hexagonal skyrmion lattice becomes unstable with respect to an oblique deformation, reflected in the formation of elongated skyrmions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Spin structure relation to phase contrast imaging of isolated magnetic Bloch and Neel skyrmions

Magnetic skyrmions are promising candidates for future storage devices with a large data density. A great variety of materials have been found that host skyrmions up to the room-temperature regime. Lorentz microscopy, usually performed in a transmission electron microscope (TEM), is one of the most important tools for characterizing skyrmion samples in real space. Using numerical calculations, this work relates the phase contrast in a TEM to the actual magnetization profile of an isolated Neel or Bloch skyrmion, the two most common skyrmion types. Within the framework of the used skyrmion model, the results are independent of skyrmion size and wall width and scale with sample thickness for purely magnetic specimens. Simple rules are provided to extract the actual skyrmion configuration of pure Bloch or Neel skyrmions without the need of simulations. Furthermore, first differential phase contrast (DPC) measurements on Neel skyrmions that meet experimental expectations are presented and showcase the described principles. The work is relevant for material sciences where it enables the engineering of skyrmion profiles via convenient characterization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Experimental observation of the curvature-induced asymmetric spin-wave dispersion in hexagonal nanotubes

Theoretical and numerical studies on curved magnetic nano-objects predict numerous exciting effects that can be referred to as magneto-chiral effects, which do not originate from the intrinsic Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction or surface-induced anisotropies. The origin of these chiral effects is the isotropic exchange or the dipole-dipole interaction present in all magnetic materials but renormalized by the curvature. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that curvature induced effects originating from the dipole-dipole interaction are directly observable by measuring spin-wave propagation in magnetic nanotubes with hexagonal cross section using time resolved scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. We show that the dispersion relation is asymmetric upon reversal of the wave vector when the propagation direction is perpendicular to the static magnetization. Therefore counter-propagating spin waves of the same frequency exhibit different wavelenghts. Hexagonal nanotubes have a complex dispersion, resulting from spin-wave modes localised to the flat facets or to the extremely curved regions between the facets. The dispersion relations obtained experimentally and from micromagnetic simulations are in good agreement. %The asymmetric spin-wave transport is present for all modes, promoting hexagonal nanotubes for magnonic applications. These results show that spin-wave transport is possible in 3D, and that the dipole-dipole induced magneto-chiral effects are significant.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Ferromagnetic resonance with magnetic phase selectivity by means of resonant elastic x-ray scattering on a chiral magnet

Cubic chiral magnets, such as Cu$_{2}$OSeO$_{3}$, exhibit a variety of non-collinear spin textures, including a trigonal lattice of spin whirls, so-called skyrmions. Using magnetic resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS) on a crystalline Bragg peak and its magnetic satellites while exciting the sample with magnetic fields at GHz frequencies, we probe the ferromagnetic resonance modes of these spin textures by means of the scattered intensity. Most notably, the three eigenmodes of the skyrmion lattice are detected with large sensitivity. As this novel technique, which we label REXS-FMR, is carried out at distinct positions in reciprocal space, it allows to distinguish contributions originating from different magnetic states, providing information on the precise character, weight and mode mixing as a prerequisite of tailored excitations for applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Magnetic and electrical transport signatures of uncompensated moments in epitaxial thin films of the non-collinear antiferromagnet Mn$_{3}$Ir

Non-collinear antiferromagnets, with either an L1$_{2}$ cubic crystal lattice (e.g. Mn$_{3}$Ir and Mn$_{3}$Pt) or a D0$_{19}$ hexagonal structure (e.g. Mn$_{3}$Sn and Mn$_{3}$Ge), exhibit a number of novel phenomena of interest to topological spintronics. Amongst the cubic systems, for example, tetragonally distorted Mn$_{3}$Pt exhibits an intrinsic anomalous Hall effect (AHE). However, Mn$_{3}$Pt only enters a non-collinear magnetic phase close to the stoichiometric composition and at suitably large thicknesses. Therefore, we turn our attention to Mn$_{3}$Ir, the material of choice for use in exchange bias heterostructures. In this paper, we investigate the magnetic and electrical transport properties of epitaxially grown, face-centered-cubic $γ$-Mn$_{3}$Ir thin films with (111) crystal orientation. Relaxed films of 10 nm thickness exhibit an ordinary Hall effect, with a hole-type carrier concentration of (2.24 $\pm$ 0.08) $\times$ 10$^{23}$ cm$^{-3}$. On the other hand, TEM characterization demonstrates that ultrathin 3 nm films grow with significant in-plane tensile strain. This may explain a small remanent moment, observed at low temperatures, shown by XMCD spectroscopy to arise from uncompensated Mn spins. Of the order 0.02 $μ_{B}$ / atom, this dominates electrical transport behavior, leading to a small AHE and negative magnetoresistance. These results are discussed in terms of crystal microstructure and chiral domain behavior, with spatially resolved XML(C)D-PEEM supporting the conclusion that small antiferromagnetic domains, < 20 nm in size, of differing chirality account for the absence of observed Berry curvature driven magnetotransport effects.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

X-ray magnetic linear dichroism as a probe for non-collinear magnetic state in ferrimagnetic single layer exchange bias systems

Ferrimagnetic alloys are extensively studied for their unique magnetic properties leading to possible applications in perpendicular magnetic recording, due to their deterministic ultrafast switching and heat assisted magnetic recording capabilities. On a prototype ferrimagnetic alloy we demonstrate fascinating properties that occur close to a critical temperature where the magnetization is vanishing, just as in an antiferromagnet. From the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements, an anomalous 'wing shape' hysteresis loop is observed slightly above the compensation temperature. This bears the characteristics of an intrinsic exchange bias effect, referred to as atomic exchange bias. We further exploit the X-ray magnetic linear dichroism (XMLD) contrast for probing non-collinear states which allows us to discriminate between two main reversal mechanisms, namely perpendicular domain wall formation versus spin-flop transition. Ultimately, we analyze the elemental magnetic moments for the surface and the bulk parts, separately, which allows to identify in the phase diagram the temperature window where this effect takes place. Moreover, we suggests that this effect is a general phenomenon in ferrimagnetic thin films which may also contribue to the understanding of the mechanism behind the all optical switching effect.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

X-Ray Microscopy of Spin Wave Focusing using a Fresnel Zone Plate

Magnonics, i.e. the artificial manipulation of spin waves, is a flourishing field of research with many potential uses in data processing within reach. Apart from the technological applications the possibility to directly influence and observe these types of waves is of great interest for fundamental research. Guidance and steering of spin waves has been previously shown and lateral spin wave confinement has been achieved. However, true spin wave focusing with both lateral confinement and increase in amplitude has not been shown before. Here, we show for the first time spin wave focusing by realizing a Fresnel zone plate type lens. Using x-ray microscopy we are able to directly image the propagation of spin waves into the nanometer sized focal spot. Furthermore, we observe that the focal spot can be freely moved in a large area by small variations of the bias field. Thus, this type of lens provides a steerable intense nanometer sized spin wave source. Potentially, this could be used to selectively illuminate magnonic devices like nano oscillators with a steerable spin wave beam.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Time resolved measurements of the switching trajectory of Pt/Co elements induced by spin-orbit torques

We report the experimental observation of spin-orbit torque induced switching of perpendicularly magnetized Pt/Co elements in a time resolved stroboscopic experiment based on high resolution Kerr microscopy. Magnetization dynamics is induced by injecting sub-nanosecond current pulses into the bilayer while simultaneously applying static in-plane magnetic bias fields. Highly reproducible homogeneous switching on time scales of several tens of nanoseconds is observed. Our findings can be corroborated using micromagnetic modelling only when including a field-like torque term as well as the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction mediated by finite temperature.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic properties in ultra-thin 3d transition metal alloys II: Experimental verification of quantitative theories of damping and spin-pumping

A systematic experimental study of Gilbert damping is performed via ferromagnetic resonance for the disordered crystalline binary 3d transition metal alloys Ni-Co, Ni-Fe and Co-Fe over the full range of alloy compositions. After accounting for inhomogeneous linewidth broadening, the damping shows clear evidence of both interfacial damping enhancement (by spin pumping) and radiative damping. We quantify these two extrinsic contributions and thereby determine the intrinsic damping. The comparison of the intrinsic damping to multiple theoretical calculations yields good qualitative and quantitative agreement in most cases. Furthermore, the values of the damping obtained in this study are in good agreement with a wide range of published experimental and theoretical values. Additionally, we find a compositional dependence of the spin mixing conductance.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic properties of ultra-thin 3d transition-metal binary alloys I: spin and orbital moments, anisotropy, and confirmation of Slater-Pauling behavior

The structure and static magnetic properties - saturation magnetization, perpendicular anisotropy, spectroscopic g-factor, and orbital magnetization - of thin-film 3d transition metal alloys are determined over the full range of alloy compositions via X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, and ferromagnetic resonance measurements. We determine the interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by use of samples sets with varying thickness for specific alloy concentrations. The results agree with prior published data and theoretical predictions. They provide a comprehensive compilation of the magnetic properties of thin-film Ni-Co, Ni-Fe and Co-Fe alloys that goes well beyond the often-cited Slater-Pauling dependence of magnetic moment on alloy concentration.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Quantitative separation of the anisotropic magnetothermopower and planar Nernst effect by the rotation of an in-plane thermal gradient

A thermal gradient as the driving force for spin currents plays a key role in spin caloritronics. In this field the spin Seebeck effect (SSE) is of major interest and was investigated in terms of in-plane thermal gradients inducing perpendicular spin currents (transverse SSE) and out-of-plane thermal gradients generating parallel spin currents (longitudinal SSE). Up to now all spincaloric experiments employ a spatially fixed thermal gradient. Thus anisotropic measurements with respect to well defined crystallographic directions were not possible. Here we introduce a new experiment that allows not only the in-plane rotation of the external magnetic field, but also the rotation of an in-plane thermal gradient controlled by optical temperature detection. As a consequence, the anisotropic magnetothermopower and the planar Nernst effect in a permalloy thin film can be measured simultaneously and reveal a phase shift, that allows the quantitative separation of the thermopower, the anisotropic magnetothermopower and the planar Nernst effect.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Snell's Law for Spin Waves

We report the experimental observation of Snell's law for magneto-static spin waves in thin ferromagnetic Permalloy films by imaging incident, refracted and reflected waves. We use a thickness step as the interface between two media with different dispersion relation. Since the dispersion relation for magneto-static waves in thin ferromagnetic films is anisotropic, deviations from the isotropic Snell's law known in optics are observed for incidence angles larger than 25\textdegree{} with respect to the interface normal between the two magnetic media. Furthermore, we can show that the thickness step modifies the wavelength and the amplitude of the incident waves. Our findings open up a new way of spin wave steering for magnonic applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Spin wave mediated unidirectional Vortex Core Reversal by Two Orthogonal Monopolar Field Pulses: The Essential Role of Three-dimensional Magnetization Dynamics

Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy is employed to investigate experimentally the reversal of the magnetic vortex core polarity in cylindrical Ni81Fe19 nanodisks triggered by two orthogonal monopolar magnetic field pulses with peak amplitude $B_0$, pulse length $τ$=60 ps and delay time $Δ$t in the range from -400 ps to +400 ps between the two pulses. The two pulses are oriented in-plane in the x- and y-direction. We have experimentally studied vortex core reversal as function of $B_0$ and $Δ$t. The resulting phase diagram shows large regions of unidirectional vortex core switching where the switching threshold is modulated due to resonant amplification of azimuthal spin waves. The switching behavior changes dramatically depending on whether the first pulse is applied in the x- or the y-direction. This asymmetry can be reproduced by three-dimensional micromagnetic simulations but not by two-dimensional simulations. This behavior demonstrates that in contrast to previous experiments on vortex core reversal the three-dimensionality in the dynamics is essential here.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Three-dimensional Character of the Magnetization Dynamics in Magnetic Vortex Structures - Hybridization of Flexure Gyromodes with Spin Waves

Three-dimensional linear spin-wave eigenmodes of a Permalloy disk having finite thickness are studied by micromagnetic simulations based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. The eigenmodes found in the simulations are interpreted as linear superpositions (hybridizations) of 'approximate' three-dimensional eigenmodes, which are the fundamental gyromode $G_0$, the spin-wave modes and the higher-order gyromodes $G_N$ (flexure modes), the thickness dependence of which is represented by perpendicular standing spin waves. This hybridization leads to new and surprising dependencies of the mode frequencies on the disk thickness. The three-dimensional character of the eigenmodes is essential to explain the recent experimental results on vortex-core reversal observed in relatively thick Permalloy disks.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Longitudinal spin Seebeck effect contribution in transverse spin Seebeck effect experiments in Pt/YIG and Pt/NFO

We investigate the inverse spin Hall voltage of a 10nm thin Pt strip deposited on the magnetic insulators Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) and NiFe2O4 (NFO) with a temperature gradient in the film plane. We observe characteristics typical of the spin Seebeck effect, although we do not observe a change of sign of the voltage at the Pt strip when it is moved from hot to cold side, which is believed to be the most striking feature of the transverse spin Seebeck effect. Therefore, we relate the observed voltages to the longitudinal spin Seebeck effect generated by a parasitic out-of-plane temperature gradient, which can be simulated by contact tips of different material and heat conductivities and by tip heating. This work gives new insights into the interpretation of transverse spin Seebeck effect experiments, which are still under discussion.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

Non-linear spin-wave excitation at low bias fields

Non-linear magnetization dynamics is essential for the operation of many spintronics devices. For microwave assisted switching of magnetic elements the low field regime is of particular interest. In addition a large number of experiments uses high amplitude FMR in order to generate d.c. currents via spin pumping mechanism. Here we use time resolved X-ray magnetic circular dichroism experiments to determine the number density of excited magnons in magnetically soft Ni_80Fe_20 thin films at small bias fields and large rf-excitation amplitudes. Our data shows that the common model of non-linear ferromagnetic resonance is not suitable to describe the low bias field limit. Here we derive a new model of parametric spin-wave excitation which correctly predicts threshold amplitudes and decay rates also at low bias fields. In fact a new series of critical modes with amplitude phase oscillations is found, generalizing the theory of parametric spin-wave excitation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Unidirectional sub-100 ps magnetic vortex core reversal

The magnetic vortex structure, an important ground state configuration in micron and sub-micron sized ferromagnetic thin film platelets, is characterized by a curling in-plane magnetization and, in the center, a minuscule region with out-of-plane magnetization, the vortex core, which points either up or down. It has already been demonstrated that the vortex core polarity can be reversed with external AC magnetic fields, frequency-tuned to the (sub-GHz) gyrotropic eigenmode or to (multi-GHz) azimuthal spin wave modes, where reversal times in the sub-ns regime can be realized. This fast vortex core switching may also be of technological interest as the vortex core polarity can be regarded as one data bit. Here we experimentally demonstrate that unidirectional vortex core reversal by excitation with sub-100 ps long orthogonal monopolar magnetic pulse sequences is possible in a wide range of pulse lengths and amplitudes. The application of such short digital pulses is the favourable excitation scheme for technological applications. Measured phase diagrams of this unidirectional, spin wave mediated vortex core reversal are in good qualitative agreement with phase diagrams obtained from micromagnetic simulations. The time dependence of the reversal process, observed by time-resolved scanning transmission X-ray microscopy indicates a switching time of 100 ps and fits well with our simulations. The origin of the asymmetric response to clockwise and counter clockwise excitation which is a prerequisite for reliable unidirectional switching is discussed, based on the gyromode - spin wave coupling.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2013

Influence of heat flow directions on Nernst effects in Py/Pt bilayers

We investigated the voltages obtained in a thin Pt strip on a Permalloy film which was subject to in-plane temperature gradients and magnetic fields. The voltages detected by thin W-tips or bond wires showed a purely symmetric effect with respect to the external magnetic field which can be fully explained by the planar Nernst effect (PNE). To verify the influence of the contacts measurements in vacuum and atmosphere were compared and gave similar results. We explain that a slightly in-plane tilted temperature gradient only shifts the field direction dependence but does not cancel out the observed effects. Additionally, the anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) could be induced by using thick Au-tips which generated a heat current perpendicular to the sample plane. The effect can be manipulated by varying the temperature of the Au-tips. These measurements are discussed concerning their relevance in transverse spin Seebeck effect measurements.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗