arXiv subjects

Luis Fernández Barquín

Publications and source records attributed to Luis Fernández Barquín.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Polarized neutron scattering as a probe for vortex-type spin correlations in iron oxide multicore assemblies

We report an experimental investigation of the magnetic microstructure of iron oxide multicore assemblies by means of polarized small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Guided by a recently developed analytical theory for vortex-state magnetic nanoparticles, we provide a quantitative comparison between the measured and calculated cross sections, revealing signatures that are consistent with vortex-type magnetization configurations at low applied magnetic fields. In particular, the field evolution and the characteristic isotropic ring-type feature of the spin-flip scattering intensity at intermediate momentum transfers are in line with the formation of flux-closure states. The latter are stabilized by the interplay of exchange, Zeeman, and magnetostatic energies. The methodology allows for a statistically significant characterization of vortex states in densely packed nanoparticle systems, thereby complementing surface-sensitive techniques that are commonly limited to the observation of spin structures in individual particles.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Exploring the complex interplay of anisotropies in magnetosomes of magnetotactic bacteria

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are of significant interest for biophysical applications, particularly in cancer treatment. The biomineralized magnetosomes produced by these bacteria are high-quality magnetic nanoparticles that form chains through a highly reproducible natural process. Specifically, Magnetovibrio blakemorei and Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense exhibit distinct magnetosome morphologies: truncated hexa-octahedral and truncated octahedral shapes, respectively. Despite having identical compositions (magnetite, Fe3O4) and comparable dimensions, their effective uniaxial anisotropies differ significantly, with M. blakemorei showing ~25 kJ/m^3 and M. gryphiswaldense ~11 kJ/m^3 at 300K. This variation presents a unique opportunity to explore the role of different anisotropy contributions in the magnetic responses of magnetite-based nanoparticles. This study systematically investigates these responses by examining static magnetization as a function of temperature (M vs. T, 5 mT) and magnetic field (M vs. H, up to 1 T). Above the Verwey transition temperature (110 K), the effective anisotropy is dominated by shape anisotropy, notably increasing coercivity for M. blakemorei by up to two-fold compared to M. gryphiswaldense. Below this temperature, the effective uniaxial anisotropy increases non-monotonically, significantly altering magnetic behavior. Our simulations based on dynamic Stoner-Wohlfarth models indicate that below the Verwey temperature, a uniaxial magnetocrystalline contribution emerges, peaking at ~22-24 kJ/m^3 at 5 K, values close to those of bulk magnetite. This demonstrates the profound impact of anisotropic properties on the magnetic behaviors and applications of magnetite-based nanoparticles and highlights the exceptional utility of magnetosomes as ideal model systems for studying the complex interplay of anisotropies in magnetite-based nanoparticles.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

The magnetic structure factor of correlated moments in small-angle neutron scattering

The interplay between structural and magnetic properties of nanostructured magnetic materials allows to realize unconventional magnetic effects, which results in a demand for experimental techniques to determine the magnetization profile with nanoscale resolution. Magnetic small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) probes both the chemical and magnetic nanostructure and is thus a powerful technique e.g. for the characterization of magnetic nanoparticles. Here, we show that the conventionally used particle-matrix approach to describe SANS of magnetic particle assemblies, however, leads to a flawed interpretation. As remedy, we provide general expressions for the field-dependent 2D magnetic SANS cross-section of correlated moments. It is shown that for structurally disordered ensembles the magnetic structure factor is in general, and contrary to common assumptions, (i) anisotropic also in zero field, and (ii) that even in saturation the magnetic structure factor deviates from the nuclear one. These theoretical predictions explain qualitatively the intriguing experimental, polarized SANS data of an ensemble of dipolar-coupled iron oxide nanoparticles.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Probing the stability and magnetic properties of magnetosome chains in freeze-dried magnetotactic bacteria

\textit{Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense} biosynthesize high quality magnetite nanoparticles, called magnetosomes, and arrange them into a chain that behaves like a magnetic compass. Here we perform magnetometry and polarized small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments on a powder of freeze-dried and immobilized \textit{M. gryphiswaldense}. We confirm that the individual nanoparticles are single-domain particles and that an alignment of the particle moments in field direction occurs exclusively by a Néel-like rotation. Our magnetometry results of the bacteria powder indicate an absence of dipolar interactions between the particle chains and a dominant uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. Finally, we can verify by SANS that the chain structure within the immobilized, freeze-dried bacteria is preserved also after application of large magnetic fields of up to 1\,T.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2019

Supraferromagnetic correlations in clusters of magnetic nanoflowers

Magnetic nanoflowers are densely packed aggregates of superferromagnetically coupled iron oxide nanocrystallites, which excel during magnetic hyperthermia experiments. Here, we investigate the nature of the moment coupling within a powder of such nanoflowers using spin-resolved small-angle neutron scattering. Within the powder the nanoparticles are agglomerated to clusters, and we can show that the moments of neighboring nanoflowers tend to align parallel to each other. Thus, the whole system resembles a hierarchical magnetic nanostructure consisting of three distinct levels, i.e. (i) the ferrimagnetic nanocrystallites as building blocks, (ii) the superferromagnetic nanoflowers, and (iii) the \textit{supra}ferromagnetic clusters of nanoflowers. We surmise that such a supraferromagnetic coupling explains the enhanced magnetic hyperthermia performance in case of interacting nanoflowers.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Dipolar-coupled moment correlations in clusters of magnetic nanoparticles

Here, we investigate the nature of the moment coupling between 10-nm DMSA-coated magnetic nanoparticles, in both colloidal dispersion and in powder form. The individual iron oxide cores were composed of > 95% maghemite and agglomerated to clusters. At room temperature the ensemble behaved as a superparamagnet according to Mössbauer and magnetization measurements, however, with clear signs of dipolar interactions at low temperatures. Analysis of temperature-dependent AC susceptibility data in the superparamagnetic regime indicates a tendency for dipolar coupled anticorrelations of the core moments within the clusters. To resolve the directional correlations between the particle moments we performed polarized small-angle neutron scattering and determined the magnetic spin-flip cross-section of the powder in low magnetic field at 300 K. We extract the underlying pair distance distribution function of the magnetization vector field by an indirect Fourier transform of the cross-section, and which suggests positive as well as negative correlations between nearest neighbor moments, with anticorrelations clearly dominating for next-nearest moments. These tendencies are confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations of such core-clusters.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗