arXiv subjects

S. Bonetti

Publications and source records attributed to S. Bonetti.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Magnetic coupling at ferromagnetic rare earth / transition-metal interfaces: A comprehensive study

Thin film magnetic heterostructures with competing interfacial coupling and Zeeman energy pro- vide a fertile ground to study phase transition between different equilibrium states as a function of external magnetic field and temperature. A rare-earth (RE) / transition metal (TM) ferro- magnetic multilayer is a classic example where the magnetic state is determined by a competition between the Zeeman energy and antiferromagnetic interfacial exchange coupling energy. Techno- logically, such structures offer the possibility to engineer the macroscopic magnetic response by tuning the microscopic interactions between the layers. We have performed an exhaustive study of a nickel/gadolinium system by using the element-specific measurement technique x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, and determined the full magnetic state diagrams as a function of temperature and magnetic layer thickness. We explain our result based on a modified Stoner-Wohlfarth formal- ism and provide evidence of a thickness-dependent phase transition to a magnetic fan state which is critical in understanding magnetoresistance effects in RE/TM systems. The results provide im- portant insight for spintronics and superconducting spintronics where engineering tunable magnetic inhomogeneity is key for certain applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Direct Observation of Large Amplitude Spin Excitations Localized in a Spin-Transfer Nanocontact

We report the direct observation of large amplitude spin-excitations localized in a spin-transfer nanocontact using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy. Experiments were conducted using a nanocontact to an ultrathin ferromagnetic multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Element resolved x-ray magnetic circular dichroism images show an abrupt onset of spin excitations at a threshold current that are localized beneath the nanocontact, with average spin precession cone angles of 25° at the contact center. The results strongly suggest that we have observed a localized magnetic soliton.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Direct observation and imaging of a spin-wave soliton with $p-$like symmetry

The prediction and realization of magnetic excitations driven by electrical currents via the spin transfer torque effect, enables novel magnetic nano-devices where spin-waves can be used to process and store information. The functional control of such devices relies on understanding the properties of non-linear spin-wave excitations. It has been demonstrated that spin waves can show both an itinerant character, but also appear as localized solitons. So far, it was assumed that localized solitons have essentially cylindrical, $s-$like symmetry. Using a newly developed high-sensitivity time-resolved magnetic x-ray microscopy, we instead observe the emergence of a novel localized soliton excitation with a nodal line, i.e. with $p-$like symmetry. Micromagnetic simulations identify the physical mechanism that controls the transition from $s-$ to $p-$like solitons. Our results suggest a potential new pathway to design artificial atoms with tunable dynamical states using nanoscale magnetic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Frequency modulation of spin torque oscillator pairs

The current controlled modulation of nano-contact based spin torque oscillator (STO) pairs is studied in both the synchronized and non-synchronized states. The synchronized state shows a well behaved modulation and demonstrates robust mutual locking even under strong modulation. The power distribution of the modulation sidebands can be quantitatively described by assuming a single oscillator model. However, in the non-synchronized state, the modulation sidebands are not well described by the model, indicating interactions between the two individual nano-contact STOs. These findings are promising for potential applications requiring the modulation of large synchronized STO arrays.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2011

Spin-torque oscillator linewidth narrowing under current modulation

We study the behavior of the linewidth of a nano-contact based spin torque oscillator (STO) under application of a radio frequency (100 MHz) modulating current. We achieve a significant (up to 85%) reduction of the STO linewidth when it is modulated across a region of high nonlinearity. The mechanism responsible for the linewidth reduction is the nonlinear frequency shift under the influence of current modulation, which reduces the nonlinear amplification of the linewidth. The reduction of the linewidth during modulation can be quantitatively calculated from the free-running behavior of the STO.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2011

Muon and Cosmogenic Neutron Detection in Borexino

Borexino, a liquid scintillator detector at LNGS, is designed for the detection of neutrinos and antineutrinos from the Sun, supernovae, nuclear reactors, and the Earth. The feeble nature of these signals requires a strong suppression of backgrounds below a few MeV. Very low intrinsic radiogenic contamination of all detector components needs to be accompanied by the efficient identification of muons and of muon-induced backgrounds. Muons produce unstable nuclei by spallation processes along their trajectory through the detector whose decays can mimic the expected signals; for isotopes with half-lives longer than a few seconds, the dead time induced by a muon-related veto becomes unacceptably long, unless its application can be restricted to a sub-volume along the muon track. Consequently, not only the identification of muons with very high efficiency but also a precise reconstruction of their tracks is of primary importance for the physics program of the experiment. The Borexino inner detector is surrounded by an outer water-Cherenkov detector that plays a fundamental role in accomplishing this task. The detector design principles and their implementation are described. The strategies adopted to identify muons are reviewed and their efficiency is evaluated. The overall muon veto efficiency is found to be 99.992% or better. Ad-hoc track reconstruction algorithms developed are presented. Their performance is tested against muon events of known direction such as those from the CNGS neutrino beam, test tracks available from a dedicated External Muon Tracker and cosmic muons whose angular distribution reflects the local overburden profile. The achieved angular resolution is 3-5 deg and the lateral resolution is 35-50 cm, depending on the impact parameter of the crossing muon. The methods implemented to efficiently tag cosmogenic neutrons are also presented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2010

Non-linear frequency and amplitude modulation of a nano-contact spin torque oscillator

We study the current controlled modulation of a nano-contact spin torque oscillator. Three principally different cases of frequency non-linearity ($d^{2}f/dI^{2}_{dc}$ being zero, positive, and negative) are investigated. Standard non-linear frequency modulation theory is able to accurately describe the frequency shifts during modulation. However, the power of the modulated sidebands only agrees with calculations based on a recent theory of combined non-linear frequency and amplitude modulation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

Zero Field precession and hysteretic threshold currents in spin torque oscillators with tilted polarizer

Using non-linear system theory and numerical simulations we map out the static and dynamic phase diagram in zero applied field of a spin torque oscillator with a tilted polarizer (TP-STO).We find that for sufficiently large currents, even very small tilt angles (beta>1 degree) will lead to steady free layer precession in zero field. Within a rather large range of tilt angles, 1 degree< beta <19 degree, we find coexisting static states and hysteretic switching between these using only current. In a more narrow window (1 degree<beta<5 degree) one of the static states turns into a limit cycle (precession). The coexistence of static and dynamic states in zero magnetic field is unique to the tilted polarizer and leads to large hysteresis in the upper and lower threshold currents for TP-STO operation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

Spin-torque oscillator based on tilted magnetization of the fixed layer

The spin torque oscillator (STO), where the magnetization of the fixed layer is tilted out of the film plane, is capable of strong microwave signal generation in zero magnetic field. Through numerical simulations of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski equations, within a macro-spin approximation, we study the microwave signal generation as a function of drive current for two realistic tilt angles. The tilt magnetization of the fixed layer can be achieved by using a material with high out-of-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy, such as L10 FePt.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗