arXiv subjects

Thomas Hauet

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas Hauet.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Crystal structure effects on vortex dynamics in superconducting MgB$_2$ thin films

The current-driven resistive transition is central to superconducting single-photon detectors, transition-edge sensors, and fluxonic devices. Depending on sample uniformity, dimensions, and heat removal, it can be driven by phase-slip events, flux-flow instabilities (FFI), or normal-domain formation. Here, we investigate the influence of two types of microstructural defects on vortex dynamics in MgB$_2$ films: columnar growth in textured films and buffer-layer roughness in single-crystal films. The current-voltage ($I$-$V$) curves measured at $T \approx 0.25 T_\mathrm{c}$ for both films exhibit multiple steps. Time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau simulations reproduce the major features of the experimental $I$-$V$ curves and suggest that the resistive transitions for both films are mediated by the formation and growth of normal domains rather than FFI. The single-crystal film with buffer-layer roughness exhibits superconductivity breakdown at higher currents and pinning activation energies approximately twice those of the textured film, along with more pronounced multi-step features in the $I$-$V$ curves. These features are attributed to the combination of stronger pinning induced by lateral variations of the superconducting order parameter along the MgO buffer layer and its lower thermal boundary resistance. Our results show that both the film microstructure and the film-buffer interface are critical for the resistive transition, offering insights for superconducting devices requiring controlled dissipation at high transport currents.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Real-time detection of critical slowing-down at the superconducting phase transition

We employ optical pump-THz probe spectroscopy to chart the ultrafast superconductivity suppression in NbN over a broad range of excitation fluences. Our measurements uncover a pronounced lengthening of the superconductivity quenching time when the absorbed optical energy is close to the condensation energy of the superconductor, which constitutes a non-equilibrium analog of critical slowing-down on a timescale comparable to that of superconducting fluctuations. Time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau simulations reproduce this behavior and ascribe it to the flattening of the free energy landscape at the dynamical phase transition boundary. Our findings represent a direct observation in real time of slowed-down superconductivity dynamics in proximity to a critical point and open a pathway for investigating out-of-equilibrium critical phenomena with time-resolved THz spectroscopy.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Exploring Co, Fe, and Ni Reference Layers for Single-Pulse All-Optical Reversal in Ferromagnetic Spin Valves

We investigate the magnetization reversal process induced by a single femtosecond laser pulse in ferromagnetic spin valves by systematically comparing reference layers composed of pure Co, Ni, and Fe. To circumvent the loss of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy associated with changes in reference layer material and thickness, we design spin valves with in plane magnetizations. While antiparallel to parallel switching is observed for all three elements, parallel to antiparallel switching occurs only with a Co reference layer and is absent with Ni and Fe. This difference is attributed to the distinct ultrafast magnetization dynamics of the reference materials. Our results support the hypothesis that parallel to antiparallel switching requires a rapid remagnetization of the reference layer, which generates a substantial negative spin current polarized opposite to the free layer magnetization an essential condition for triggering its reversal.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Origin of the laser-induced picosecond spin current across magnetization compensation in ferrimagnetic GdCo

The optical manipulation of magnetism enabled by rare earth-transition metal ferrimagnets holds the promise of ultrafast, energy efficient spintronic technologies. This work investigates laser-induced picosecond spin currents generated by ferrimagnetic GdCo via terahertz emission spectroscopy. A suppression of the THz emission and spin current is observed at magnetization compensation when varying the temperature or alloy composition in the presence of a magnetic field. It is demonstrated that this is due to the formation of domains in the GdCo equilibrium magnetic configuration. Without an applied magnetic field, the picosecond spin current persists at the compensation point. The experimental findings support the model for THz spin current generation based on transport of hot spin-polarized electrons, which is dominated by the Co sublattice at room temperature. Only at low temperature a comparable contribution from Gd is detected but with slower dynamics. Finally, spectral analysis reveals a blueshift of the THz emission related to the formation of magnetic domains close to magnetization compensation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Single laser pulse induced magnetization switching in in-plane magnetized GdCo alloys

The discovery of all-optical ultra-fast deterministic magnetization switching has opened up new possibilities for manipulating magnetization in devices using femtosecond laser pulses. Previous studies on single pulse all-optical helicity-independent switching (AO-HIS) have mainly focused on perpendicularly magnetized thin films. This work presents a comprehensive study on AO-HIS for in-plane magnetized GdxCo100-x thin films. Deterministic single femtosecond laser pulse toggle magnetization switching is demonstrated in a wider concentration range (x=10% to 25%) compared to the perpendicularly magnetized counterparts with GdCo thicknesses up to 30 nm. The switching time strongly depends on the GdxCo100-x concentration, with lower Gd concentration exhibiting shorter switching times (less than 500 fs). Our findings in this geometry provide insights into the underlying mechanisms governing single pulse AO-HIS, which challenge existing theoretical predictions. Moreover, in-plane magnetized GdxCo100-x thin films offer extended potential for opto-spintronic applications compared to their perpendicular magnetized counterparts.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Non-local magnon transconductance in extended magnetic insulating films.\\ Part I: spin diode effect

This review provides a comprehensive study of the nonlinear transport properties of magnons, which are electrically emitted or absorbed inside extended YIG films by spin transfer effects via a YIG$\vert$Pt interface. Our purpose is to experimentally elucidate the pertinent picture behind the asymmetric electrical variation of the magnon transconductance analogous to an electric diode. The feature is rooted in the variation of the density of low-lying spin excitations via an electrical shift of the magnon chemical potential. As the intensity of the spin transfer increases in the forward direction (regime of magnon emission), the transport properties of low-energy magnon go through 3 distinct regimes: \textit{i)} at low currents, where the spin current is a linear function of the electrical current, the spin transport is ballistic and set by the film thickness; \textit{ii)} for amplitudes of the order of the damping compensation threshold, it switches to a highly correlated regime limited by magnon-magnon relaxation process and marked by a saturation of the magnon transconductance. Here the main bias, that controls the magnon density, are thermal fluctuations beneath the emitter. \textit{iii)} As the temperature under the emitter approaches the Curie temperature, scattering with high-energy magnons dominates, leading to diffusive transport. We note that such sequence of transport regimes bears analogy with electron hydrodynamic transport in ultra-pure media predicted by Radii Gurzhi. This study restricted to low energy part of the magnon manifold complements part II of this review\cite{kohno_2F}, which concentrates instead on the whole spectrum of propagating magnons.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Non-local magnon transconductance in extended magnetic insulating films.\\Part II: two-fluid behavior

This review presents a comprehensive study of the spatial dispersion of propagating magnons electrically emitted in extended yttrium-iron garnet (YIG) films by the spin transfer effects across a YIG$\vert$Pt interface. Our goal is to provide a generic framework to describe the magnon transconductance inside magnetic films. We experimentally elucidate the relevant spectral contributions by studying the lateral decay of the magnon signal. While most of the injected magnons do not reach the collector, the propagating magnons can be split into two-fluids: \textit{i)} a large fraction of high-energy magnons carrying energy of about $k_B T_0$, where $T_0$ is the lattice temperature, with a characteristic decay length in the sub-micrometer range, and \textit{ii)} a small fraction of low-energy magnons, which are particles carrying energy of about $\hbar ω_K$, where $ω_K/(2 π)$ is the Kittel frequency, with a characteristic decay length in the micrometer range. Taking advantage of their different physical properties, the low-energy magnons can become the dominant fluid \textit{i)} at large spin transfer rates for the bias causing the emission of magnons, \textit{ii)} at large distance from the emitter, \textit{iii)} at small film thickness, or \textit{iv)} for reduced band mismatch between the YIG below the emitter and the bulk due to variation of the magnon concentration. This broader picture complements part I \cite{kohno_SD}, which focuses solely on the nonlinear transport properties of low-energy magnons.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Three-Dimensional Magnetic Page Memory

The increasing need to store large amounts of information with an ultra-dense, reliable, low power and low cost memory device is driving aggressive efforts to improve upon current perpendicular magnetic recording technology. However, the difficulties in fabricating small grain recording media while maintaining thermal stability and a high signal-to-noise ratio motivate development of alternative methods, such as the patterning of magnetic nano-islands and utilizing energy-assist for future applications. In addition, both from sensor and memory perspective three-dimensional spintronic devices are highly desirable to overcome the restrictions on the functionality in the planar structures. Here we demonstrate a three-dimensional magnetic-memory (magnetic page memory) based on thermally assisted and stray-field induced transfer of domains in a vertical stack of magnetic nanowires with perpendicular anisotropy. Using spin-torque induced domain shifting in such a device with periodic pinning sites provides additional degrees of freedom by allowing lateral information flow to realize truly three-dimensional integration.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Observation of Magnetic Radial Vortex Nucleation in a Multilayer Stack with Tunable Anisotropy

Recently discovered exotic magnetic configurations, namely magnetic solitons appearing in the presence of bulk or interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction (i-DMI), have excited scientists to explore their potential applications in emerging spintronic technologies such as race-track magnetic memory, spin logic, radio frequency nano-oscillators and sensors. Such studies are motivated by their foreseeable advantages over conventional micro-magnetic structures due to their small size, topological stability and easy spin-torque driven manipulation with much lower threshold current densities giving way to improved storage capacity, and faster operation with efficient use of energy. In this work, we show that in the presence of i-DMI in Pt/CoFeB/Ti multilayers by tuning the magnetic anisotropy (both in-plane and perpendicular-to-plane) via interface engineering and postproduction treatments, we can stabilize a variety of magnetic configurations such as Néel skyrmions, horseshoes and most importantly for the first time, the recently predicted isolated radial vortices at room temperature and under zero bias field. Especially, the radial vortex state with its absolute convergence to or divergence from a single point can potentially offer exciting new applications such as particle trapping/detrapping in addition to magnetoresistive memories with efficient switching, where the radial vortex state can act as a source of spin-polarized current with radial polarization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Direct evidence for minority spin gap in the Co2MnSi Heusler alloy

Half Metal Magnets are of great interest in the field of spintronics because of their potential full spin-polarization at the Fermi level and low magnetization damping. The high Curie temperature and predicted 0.7eV minority spin gap make the Heusler alloy Co2MnSi very promising for applications.We investigated the half-metallic magnetic character of this alloy using spin-resolved photoemission, ab initio calculation and ferromagnetic resonance. At the surface of Co2MnSi, a gap in the minority spin channel is observed, leading to 100% spin polarization. However, this gap is 0.3 eV below the Fermi level and a minority spin state is observed at the Fermi level. We show that a minority spin gap at the Fermi energy can nevertheless be recovered either by changing the stoichiometry of the alloy or by covering the surface by Mn, MnSi or MgO. This results in extremely small damping coefficients reaching values as low as 7x 10-4.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗