arXiv subjects

G. Faini

Publications and source records attributed to G. Faini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Study and optimization of ion-irradiated High-Tc Josephson nanoJunctions by Monte Carlo simulations

High Tc Josephson nanoJunctions (HTc JnJ) made by ion irradiation have remarkable properties for technological applications. However, the spread in their electrical characteristics increases with the ion dose. We present a simple model to explain the JnJ inhomogeneities, which accounts quantitatively for experimental data. The spread in the slit's width of the irradiation mask is the limiting factor.Monte Carlo simulations have been performed using different irradiation conditions to study their influence on the spread of the JnJ charcateristics. A "universal" behavior has been evidenced, which allows to propose new strategies to optimize JnJ reproducibility.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Shaped angular dependence of the spin transfer torque and microwave generation without magnetic field

The generation of oscillations in the microwave frequency range is one of the most important applications expected from spintronics devices exploiting the spin transfer phenomenon. We report transport and microwave power measurements on specially designed nanopillars for which a non-standard angular dependence of the spin transfer torque (wavy variation) is predicted by theoretical models. We observe a new kind of current-induced dynamics that is characterized by large angle precessions in the absence of any applied field, as this is also predicted by simulation with such a wavy angular dependence of the torque. This type of non-standard nanopillars can represent an interesting way for the implementation of spin transfer oscillators since they are able to generate microwave oscillations without applied magnetic field. We also emphasize the theoretical implications of our results on the angular dependence of the torque.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Universal conductance fluctuations in epitaxial GaMnAs ferromagnets: structural and spin disorder

Mesoscopic transport measurements reveal a large effective phase coherence length in epitaxial GaMnAs ferromagnets, contrary to usual 3d-metal ferromagnets. Universal conductance fluctuations of single nanowires are compared for epilayers with a tailored anisotropy. At large magnetic fields, quantum interferences are due to structural disorder only, and an unusual behavior related to hole-induced ferromagnetism is evidenced, for both quantum interferences and decoherence. At small fields, phase coherence is shown to persist down to zero field, even in presence of magnons, and an additional spin disorder contribution to quantum interferences is observed under domain walls nucleation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Direct test of pairing fluctuations in the pseudogap phase of underdoped cuprates

We report on a direct test of pairing fluctuations in the pseudogap regime of underdoped superconducting cuprates using a Josephson junction. In this experiment, the coupling between a rigid superconducting pair field and pairing fluctuations produces a strong specific signature in the current-voltage characteristics. Our results show that fluctuations survive only close to Tc (T-Tc<15K) and therefore cannot be responsible for the opening of the pseudogap at high temperature.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2005

Voltage-controlled tunneling anisotropic magneto-resistance of a ferromagnetic $p^{++}$-(Ga,Mn)As/$n^{+}$-GaAs Zener-Esaki diode

The large tunneling anisotropic magneto-resistance of a single $p^{++}$-(Ga,Mn)As/$n^{+}$-GaAs Zener-Esaki diode is evidenced in a perpendicular magnetic field over a large temperature and voltage range. Under an applied bias, the tunnel junction transparency is modified, allowing to continuously tune anisotropic transport properties between the tunneling and the ohmic regimes. Furthermore, an asymmetric bias-dependence of the anisotropic tunneling magneto-resistance is also observed: a reverse bias highlights the full (Ga,Mn)As valence band states contribution, whereas a forward bias only probes part of the density of states and reveals opposite contributions from two subbands.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Direct observation of domain-wall configurations transformed by spin currents

Direct observations of current-induced domain-wall propagation by spin-polarized scanning electron microscopy are reported. Current pulses move head-to-head as well as tail-to-tail walls in sub-micrometer Fe_{20}Ni_{80} wires in the direction of the electron flow, and a decay of the wall velocity with the number of injected current pulses is observed. High-resolution images of the domain walls reveal that the wall spin structure is transformed from a vortex to a transverse configuration with subsequent pulse injections. The change in spin structure is directly correlated with the decay of the velocity.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2005

High-Quality Planar high-Tc Josephson Junctions

Reproducible high-Tc Josephson junctions have been made in a rather simple two-step process using ion irradiation. A microbridge (1 to 5 ?m wide) is firstly designed by ion irradiating a c-axis-oriented YBa2Cu3O7-? film through a gold mask such as the non-protected part becomes insulating. A lower Tc part is then defined within the bridge by irradiating with a much lower fluence through a narrow slit (20 nm) opened in a standard electronic photoresist. These planar junctions, whose settings can be finely tuned, exhibit reproducible and nearly ideal Josephson characteristics. This process can be used to produce complex Josephson circuits.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2005

Commensurability Effects in Hexagonal Antidot Lattices with Large Antidot Diameters

The observation of a novel type of commensurability resonance in two-dimensional, hexagonal antidot lattices is reported. These resonances have a classical character and occur at magnetic fields above the resonance that corresponds to the cyclotron motion around a single antidot. The resonances are visible only for antidots with effective diameters larger than 50 % of the lattice constant. Simulations reveal that they originate from quasi-stable electron trajectories that bounce between three neighboring antidots. This interpretation is backed by the observation of large-period Aharonov-Bohm type oscillations at low temperatures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2004

Observation of $h/e$ conductance oscillations in disordered metallic $T_3$ network

We report on magnetotransport measurements performed on a large metallic two-dimensional $\mathcal{T}_{3}$ network. Superimposed on the conventional Altshuler-Aronov-Spivak (AAS) oscillations of period $h/2e$, we observe clear $h/e$ oscillations in magnetic fields up to $8 T$. Different interpretations of this phenomenon are proposed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2004

Acoustic Phonon-Assisted Resonant Tunneling via Single Impurities

We perform the investigations of the resonant tunneling via impurities embedded in the AlAs barrier of a single GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. In the $I(V)$ characteristics measured at 30mK, the contribution of individual donors is resolved and the fingerprints of phonon assistance in the tunneling process are seen. The latter is confirmed by detailed analysis of the tunneling rates and the modeling of the resonant tunneling contribution to the current. Moreover, fluctuations of the local structure of the DOS (LDOS) and Fermi edge singularities are observed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2003

Magnetization reversal by injection and transfer of spin: experiments and theory

Reversing the magnetization of a ferromagnet by spin transfer from a current, rather than by applying a magnetic field, is the central idea of an extensive current research. After a review of our experiments of current-induced magnetization reversal in Co/Cu/Co trilayered pillars, we present the model we have worked out for the calculation of the current-induced torque and the interpretation of the experiments.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2003

Switching a spin-valve back and forth by current-induced domain wall motion

We have studied the current-induced displacement of a domain wall (DW) in the permalloy (Py) layer of a Co/Cu/Py spin valve structure at zero and very small applied field. The displacement is in opposite direction for opposite dc currents, and the current density required to move DW is only of the order of 10^6 A/cm^2. For H = 3 Oe, a back and forth DW motion between two stable positions is observed. We also discuss the effect of an applied field on the DW motion.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2002

Field dependence of magnetization reversal by spin transfer

We analyse the effect of the applied field (Happl) on the current-driven magnetization reversal in pillar-shaped Co/Cu/Co trilayers, where we observe two different types of transition between the parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) magnetic configurations of the Co layers. If Happl is weaker than a rather small threshold value, the transitions between P and AP are irreversible and relatively sharp. For Happl exceding the threshold value, the same transitions are progressive and reversible. We show that the criteria for the stability of the P and AP states and the experimentally observed behavior can be precisely accounted for by introducing the current-induced torque of the spin transfer models in a Landau-Lifschitz-Gilbert equation. This approach also provides a good description for the field dependence of the critical currents.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2002

Switching the magnetic configuration of a spin valve by current induced domain wall motion

We present experimental results on the displacement of a domain wall by injection of a dc current through the wall. The samples are 1 micron wide long stripes of a CoO/Co/Cu/NiFe classical spin valve structure. The stripes have been patterned by electron beam lithography. A neck has been defined at 1/3 of the total length of the stripe and is a pinning center for the domain walls, as shown by the steps of the giant magnetoresistance curves at intermediate levels (1/3 or 2/3) between the resistances corresponding to the parallel and antiparallel configurations. We show by electric transport measurements that, once a wall is trapped, it can be moved by injecting a dc current higher than a threshold current of the order of magnitude of 10^7 A/cm^2. We discuss the different possible origins of this effect, i.e. local magnetic field created by the current and/or spin transfer from spin polarized current.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2001

Aharonov-Bohm cages in the GaAlAs/GaAs system

Aharonov-Bohm oscillations have been observed in a lattice formed by a two dimensional rhombus tiling. This observation is in good agreement with a recent theoretical calculation of the energy spectrum of this so-called T3 lattice. We have investigated the low temperature magnetotransport of the T3 lattice realized in the GaAlAs/GaAs system. Using an additional electrostatic gate, we have studied the influence of the channel number on the oscillations amplitude. Finally, the role of the disorder on the strength of the localization is theoretically discussed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2000

Coulomb blockade of tunnelling through compressible rings formed around an antidot: an explanation for $h/2e$ Aharonov-Bohm oscillations

We consider single-electron tunnelling through antidot states using a Coulomb-blockade model, and give an explanation for h/2e Aharonov-Bohm oscillations, which are observed experimentally when the two spins of the lowest Landau level form bound states. We show that the edge channels may contain compressible regions, and using simple electrostatics, that the resonance through the outer spin states should occur twice per h/e period. An antidot may be a powerful tool for investigating quantum Hall edge states in general, and the interplay of spin and charging effects that occurs in quantum dots.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1999

Detection of Coulomb Charging around an Antidot

We have detected oscillations of the charge around a potential hill (antidot) in a two-dimensional electron gas as a function of a perpendicular magnetic field B. The field confines electrons around the antidot in closed orbits, the areas of which are quantised through the Aharonov-Bohm effect. Increasing B reduces each state's area, pushing electrons closer to the centre, until enough charge builds up for an electron to tunnel out. This is a new form of the Coulomb blockade seen in electrostatically confined dots. We have also studied h/2e oscillations and found evidence for coupling of opposite spin states of the lowest Landau level.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1999

Detection of Coulomb Charging around an Antidot in the Quantum Hall Regime

We have detected oscillations of the charge around a potential hill (antidot) in a two-dimensional electron gas as a function of a large magnetic field B. The field confines electrons around the antidot in closed orbits, the areas of which are quantised through the Aharonov-Bohm effect. Increasing B reduces each state's area, pushing electrons closer to the centre, until enough charge builds up for an electron to tunnel out. This is a new form of the Coulomb blockade seen in electrostatically confined dots. Addition and excitation spectra in DC bias confirm the Coulomb blockade of tunnelling.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗