arXiv subjects

O. Petracic

Publications and source records attributed to O. Petracic.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Electric-field control of magnetism in iron oxide nanoparticle / BaTiO3 film composites

We study composites of monodisperse ferrimagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) embedded into ferroelectric barium titanate (BTO) films. The BTO films were prepared by pulsed laser deposition. The composite consists of a stack of two BTO films sandwiching one monolayer of iron oxide NPs. We observe a magnetoelectric coupling due to strain and interface charge co-mediation between the BTO and the NPs. This is demonstrated by measurements of the magnetization as function of DC and AC electric fields.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Magnetism of monomer MnO and heterodimer FePt@MnO nanoparticles

We report about the magnetic properties of antiferromagnetic (AF) MnO nanoparticles (NPs) with different sizes (6-19nm). Using a combination of polarized neutron scattering and magnetometry we were able to resolve previously observed peculiarities. Magnetometry, on the one hand, reveals a peak in the zero field cooled (ZFC) magnetization curves at low temperatures (~25K) but no feature around the Néel temperature at 118K. On the other hand, polarized neutron scattering shows the expected behavior of the AF order parameter vanishing around 118K. Moreover, hysteresis curves measured at various temperatures reveal an exchange bias effect indicating a coupling of an AF core to a ferromagnetic (FM)-like shell. ZFC data measured at various fields exclude a purely superparamagnetic (SPM) scenario. We conclude that the magnetic behavior of MnO particles can be explained by a superposition of SPM-like thermal fluctuations of the AF-Néel vector inside the AF core and a strong magnetic coupling to a ferrimagnetic Mn$_2$O$_3$ or Mn$_3$O$_4$ shell. In addition, we have studied heterodimer ('Janus') particles, where a FM FePt particle is attached to the AF MnO particle. Via the exchange bias effect, the magnetic moment of the FePt subunit is stabilized by the MnO.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic properties and spin structure of MnO single crystal and powder

Zero field cooled (ZFC)/Field Cooled (FC) magnetization curves of a bulk MnO single crystal show a peculiar peak at low temperatures (~40K) similar to the low temperature peak observed in MnO nanoparticles. In order to investigate the origin of this peak, the spin structure of a MnO single crystal has been studied and compared with a single phase powder sample using magnetometry and polarized neutron scattering. Both magnetometry and polarized neutron diffraction results confirm the antiferromagnetic (AF) phase transition at the Néel temperature T_N of 118K, in both powder and single crystal form. However, the low temperature peak in the ZFC/FC magnetization curves is not observed in single phase MnO powder. To better understand the observed behavior, ac susceptibility measurements have been employed. We conclude that the clear peak in the magnetic signal from the single crystal originates from a small amount of ferrimagnetic (FiM) Mn2O3 or Mn3O4 impurities, which is grown at the interfaces between MnO crystal twins.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

Growth modes of nanoparticle superlattice thin films

We report about the fabrication and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticle thin film superlattices. The formation into different film morphologies is controlled by tuning the particle plus solvent-to-substrate interaction. It turns out that the wetting vs. dewetting properties of the solvent before the self-assembly process during solvent evaporation plays a major role to determine the resulting film morphology. In addition to layerwise growth also three-dimensional mesocrystalline growth is evidenced. The understanding of the mechanisms ruling nanoparticle self-assembly represents an important step toward the fabrication of novel materials with tailored optical, magnetic or electrical transport properties.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Interaction effects and transport properties of Pt capped Co nanoparticles

We studied the magnetic and transport properties of Co nanoparticles (NPs) being capped with varying amounts of Pt. Beside field and temperature dependent magnetization measurements we performed delta-M measurements to study the magnetic interactions between the Co NPs. We observe a transition from demagnetizing towards magnetizing interactions between the particles for an increasing amount of Pt capping. Resistivity measurements show a crossover from giant magnetoresistance towards anisotropic magnetoresistance.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Superparamagnetic nanoparticle ensembles

Magnetic single-domain nanoparticles constitute an important model system in magnetism. In particular ensembles of superparamagnetic nanoparticles can exhibit a rich variety of different behaviors depending on the inter-particle interactions. Starting from isolated single-domain ferro- or ferrimagnetic nanoparticles the magnetization behavior of both non-interacting and interacting particle-ensembles is reviewed. A particular focus is drawn onto the relaxation time of the system. In case of interacting nanoparticles the usual Neel-Brown relaxation law becomes modified. With increasing interactions modified superparamagnetism, spin glass behavior and superferromagnetism is encountered.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Tuning the magnetic properties of Co nanoparticles by Pt capping

We show that by capping Co nanoparticles with small amounts of Pt strong changes of the magnetic properties can be induced. The Co nanoparticles have a mean diameter of 2.7 nm. From magnetometry measurements we find that for zero and for small amounts of Pt (nominal thickness t(Pt) < 0.7 nm) the nanoparticles behave superparamagnetic like. With increasing t(Pt) the blocking temperature is enhanced from 16 up to 108 K. Capping with Pd yields comparable results. However, for values t(Pt) > 1 nm a strongly coupled state is encountered resembling a ferromagnet with a T_c approx. 400 K

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Templated self-assembly of iron oxide nanoparticles

We report on self-assembled iron oxide nanoparticle films on silicon substrates. In addition to homogeneously assembled layers, we fabricated patterned trenches of 40-1000 nm width using electron beam lithography for the investigation of assisted self-assembly. The nanoparticles with a diameter of 20 nm +/- 7% were synthesized by thermal decomposition of iron oleate complexes in trioctylamine in presence of oleic acid. Samples with different track widths and nanoparticle concentration were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and by superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Structural and magnetic characterization of self-assembled iron oxide nanoparticle arrays

We report about a combined structural and magnetometric characterization of self-assembled magnetic nanoparticle arrays. Monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles with a diameter of 20 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition. The nanoparticle suspension was spin-coated on Si substrates to achieve self-organized arrays of particles and subsequently annealed at various conditions. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, bright and dark field high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The structural analysis is compared to the magnetic behavior investigated by superconducting interference device (SQUID) magnetometry. We can identify either multi-phase FeO/g-Fe2O3 or multi-phase FeO/Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The FeO/g-Fe2O3 system shows a pronounced exchange bias effect which explains the peculiar magnetization data obtained for this system.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Fingerprinting the magnetic behavior of antiferromagnetic nanostructures using remanent magnetization curves

Antiferromagnetic (AF) nanostructures from Co3O4, CoO and Cr2O3 were prepared by the nanocasting method and were characterized magnetometrically. The field and temperature dependent magnetization data suggests that the nanostructures consist of a core-shell structure. The core behaves as a regular antiferromagnet and the shell as a two-dimensional diluted antiferromagnet in a field (2d DAFF) as previously shown on Co3O4 nanowires [Benitez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 097206 (2008)]. Here we present a more general picture on three different material systems, i.e. Co3O4, CoO and Cr2O3. In particular we consider the thermoremanent (TRM) and the isothermoremanent (IRM) magnetization curves as "fingerprints" in order to identify the irreversible magnetization contribution originating from the shells. The TRM/IRM fingerprints are compared to those of superparamagnetic systems, superspin glasses and 3d DAFFs. We demonstrate that TRM/IRM vs. H plots are generally useful fingerprints to identify irreversible magnetization contributions encountered in particular in nanomagnets.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Vortex stabilization in magnetic trilayer dots

The magnetization reversal and spin structure in circular Co/insulator/Ni80Fe20 trilayer dots has been investigated numerically. The effect of dipolar coupling between a soft ferromagnetic Permalloy (Py=Ni80Fe20) layer and a hard ferromagnetic Cobalt layer inside one stack is studied. We find either a stabilization or even a triggering of the vortex state in the Py layer due to the magnetic stray field of the Co layer, while the Co magnetization remains in a single-domain state. Furthermore, for thin Py layers a 360 deg-domain wall is observed. We construct a phase diagram, where regions of vortex stabilization, triggering, and occurrence of a 360 deg domain wall are marked.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

Domain wall propagation in Permalloy nanowires with a thickness gradient

The domain wall nucleation and motion processes in Permalloy nanowires with a thickness gradient along the nanowire axis have been studied. Nanowires with widths, w = 250 nm to 3 um and a base thickness of t = 10 nm were fabricated by electron-beam lithography. The magnetization hysteresis loops measured on individual nanowires are compared to corresponding nanowires without a thickness gradient. The Hc vs. t/w curves of wires with and without a thickness gradient are discussed and compared to micromagnetic simulations. We find a metastability regime at values of w, where a transformation from transverse to vortex domain wall type is expected.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Collective states of interacting ferromagnetic nanoparticles

Discontinuous magnetic multilayers [CoFe/Al2O3] are studied by use of magnetometry, susceptometry and numeric simulations. Soft ferromagnetic Co80Fe20 nanoparticles are embedded in a diamagnetic insulating a-Al2O3 matrix and can be considered as homogeneously magnetized superspins exhibiting randomness of size (viz. moment), position and anisotropy. Lacking intra-particle core-surface ordering, generic freezing processes into collective states rather than individual particle blocking are encountered. With increasing particle density one observes first superspin glass and then superferromagnetic domain state behavior. The phase diagram resembles that of a dilute disordered ferromagnet. Criteria for the identification of the individual phases are given.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Models for the magnetic ac susceptibility of granular superferromagnetic CoFe/Al$_2$O$_3$

The magnetization and magnetic ac susceptibility, $χ= χ' - i χ''$, of superferromagnetic systems are studied by numerical simulations. The Cole-Cole plot, $χ''$ vs. $χ'$, is used as a tool for classifying magnetic systems by their dynamical behavior. The simulations of the magnetization hysteresis and the ac susceptibility are performed with two approaches for a driven domain wall in random media. The studies are motivated by recent experimental results on the interacting nanoparticle system Co$_{80}$Fe$_{20}$/Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ showing superferromagnetic behavior. Its Cole-Cole plot indicates domain wall motion dynamics similarly to a disordered ferromagnet, including pinning and sliding motion. With our models we can successfully reproduce the features found in the experimental Cole-Cole plots.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2005

Bi-domain state in the exchange bias system FeF2/Ni

Independently exchange biased subsystems can coexist in FeF2/Ni bilayers after various field-cooling protocols. We find double hysteresis loops for intermediate cooling fields, while for small or large cooling fields a negatively or positively shifted single loop, respectively, are encountered. Both the subloops and the single loops have the same absolute value of the exchange bias field, mu_0 H_E = 0.09 T. This suggests that the antiferromagnet breaks into two magnetic subsystems with opposite signs but equal magnitude of bias acting on the ferromagnet. In this case the ferromagnet does not experience an average bias from the antiferromagnet but rather two independent subsystems ('bi-domain' state). This idea is confirmed by micromagnetic simulations including the effect of the antiferromagnet. We also present experiments, where thermally activated motion of these antiferromagnetic 'domain' boundaries can be achieved.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2004

Lateral length scales in exchange bias

When a ferromagnet is in proximity with an antiferromagnet, lateral length scales such as the respective magnetic domain sizes drastically affect the exchange bias. Bilayers of FeF2 and either Ni, Co or Fe are studied using SQUID and spatially resolved MOKE. When the antiferromagnetic domains are larger than or comparable to the ferromagnetic domains, a local, non-averaging exchange bias is observed. This gives rise to unusual and tunable magnetic hysteresis curves.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2002

Cole-Cole analysis of the superspin glass system Co80Fe20/Al2O3

Ac susceptibility measurements were performed on discontinuous magnetic multilayers [Co80Fe20(t)/Al2O3(3nm)]x10, t = 0.9 and 1.0nm, by Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometry. The CoFe forms nearly spherical ferromagnetic single-domain nanoparticles in the diamagnetic Al2O3 matrix. Due to dipolar interactions and random distribution of anisotropy axes the system exhibits a spin-glass phase. We measured the ac susceptibility as a function of temperature 20 < T < 100K at different dc fields and as a function of frequency 0.01 < f < 1000Hz. The spectral data were successfully analysed by use of the phenomenological Cole-Cole model, giving a power-law temperature dependence of the characteristic relaxation time tau_c and a high value for the polydispersivity exponent, alpha = 0.8, typical of spin glass systems.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv1999

Two-dimensional behavior of the sublattice magnetization in three-dimensional Ising antiferromagnets

A three-dimensional layered Ising-Antiferromagnet with a ferromagnetic intra-layer coupling to z neighbors, zJ > 0, and an antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling to z' neighbors, z'J' < 0, is investigated by Monte Carlo simulations on a hexagonal lattice. The physical nature of the anomalous temperature bahavior of the sublattice magnetizations, which is found for certain values of r=zJ/z'J' and z' in magnetic fields is explained in terms of successive phase transitions. They take place on the ferromagnetic 2-dimensional spin-down sublattice at T = T_c^{2d}, smeared by a finite stabilizing molecular field, and on both antiferromagnetically coupled sublattices at T_c^{3d} > T_c^{2d}.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗