Theoretical Physics
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Open Access
Abstract: A threefold symmetric kagome lattice that has negative spin chirality can give a nonzero x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) signal, despite the total spin moment amounting to zero. In order to explain this, I present here a rule for the rotational symmetry invariance of the XMCD signal. A necessary condition is the existence of an anisotropic XMCD signal for the local magnetic atom, which can arise from a spin anisotropy either in the ground state or the final state. The angular dependence of the XMCD as a function of the beam direction has an unusual behavior. The maximum dichroism is not aligned along the spin direction, but depends on the relative orientation of the spin with respect to the atomic orientation. Therefore, different geometries can result in the same angular dependence, and the spin direction can only be determined if the atomic orientation is known. The consequences for the x-ray magneto-optical sum rules are given. The integrated XMCD signals are proportional to the anisotropy in the orbital moment and the magnetic dipole term, where the isotropic spin moment drops out.
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Sep 2021
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I10-Beamline for Advanced Dichroism
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[17402, 21868]
Open Access
Abstract: Magnetic skyrmions are vortex-like spin textures, which are usually treated as two-dimensional objects. In their lattice state, they form well-ordered, hexagonal structures, which have been studied in great detail. To obtain a three-dimensional (3D) skyrmion crystal, these planes can be envisaged to be stacked up forming skyrmion strings in the third dimension. Here, we report the observation of a 3D skyrmion phase in Cu2OSeO3 by carrying out reciprocal space mapping in resonant elastic x-ray scattering. We observe regions in the magnetic field-cooling phase diagram in which the skyrmion phase apparently coexists with the conical phase. However, such a coexistence is forbidden due to symmetry arguments. Instead, the skyrmion strings themselves are periodically modulated along their axes, as confirmed by micromagnetic simulations. The periodic modulation is in fact a necessary consequence of the evolution of the skyrmion phase out of the conical state and should therefore be a universal property of skyrmion strings in chiral helimagnets.
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Aug 2021
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I10-Beamline for Advanced Dichroism
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[15211, 16099]
Open Access
Abstract: Elemental tin in the α‐phase is an intriguing member of the family of topological quantum materials. In thin films, with decreasing thickness, α‐Sn transforms from a 3D topological Dirac semimetal (TDS) to a 2D topological insulator (TI). Getting access to and making use of its topological surface states is challenging and requires interfacing to a magnetically ordered material. Herein, the successful epitaxial growth of α‐Sn thin films on Co, forming the core of a spin‐valve structure, is reported. Time‐ and element‐selective ferromagnetic resonance experiments are conducted to investigate the presence of spin pumping through the spin‐valve structure. A rigorous statistical analysis of the experimental data using a model based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert–Slonczewski equation is applied. A strong exchange coupling contribution is found, however no unambiguous proof for spin pumping. Nevertheless, the incorporation of α‐Sn into a spin valve remains a promising approach given its simplicity as an elemental TI and its room‐temperature application potential.
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May 2021
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I10-Beamline for Advanced Dichroism
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[23784, 23451]
Open Access
Abstract: Magnetic skyrmions are topologically non-trivial, swirling magnetization textures that form lattices in helimagnetic materials. These magnetic nanoparticles show promise as high efficiency next-generation information carriers, with dynamics that are governed by their topology. Among the many unusual properties of skyrmions is the tendency of their direction of motion to deviate from that of a driving force; the angle by which they diverge is a materials constant, known as the skyrmion Hall angle. In magnetic multilayer systems, where skyrmions often appear individually, not arranging themselves in a lattice, this deflection angle can be easily measured by tracing the real space motion of individual skyrmions. Here we describe a reciprocal space technique which can be used to determine the skyrmion Hall angle in the skyrmion lattice state, leveraging the properties of the skyrmion lattice under a shear drive. We demonstrate this procedure to yield a quantitative measurement of the skyrmion Hall angle in the room-temperature skyrmion system FeGe, shearing the skyrmion lattice with the magnetic field gradient generated by a single turn Oersted wire.
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May 2021
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Theoretical Physics
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Frank M. F.
De Groot
,
Hebatalla
Elnaggar
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Federica
Frati
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Ru-Pan
Wang
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Mario U.
Delgado-Jaime
,
Michel
Van Veenendaal
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Javier
Fernandez-Rodriguez
,
Maurits W.
Haverkort
,
Robert J.
Green
,
Gerrit
Van Der Laan
,
Yaroslav
Kvashnin
,
Atsushi
Hariki
,
Hidekazu
Ikeno
,
Harry
Ramanantoanina
,
Claude
Daul
,
Bernard
Delley
,
Michael
Odelius
,
Marcus
Lundberg
,
Oliver
Kuhn
,
Sergey I.
Bokarev
,
Eric
Shirley
,
John
Vinson
,
Keith
Gilmore
,
Mauro
Stener
,
Giovanna
Fronzoni
,
Piero
Decleva
,
Peter
Kruger
,
Marius
Retegan
,
Yves
Joly
,
Christian
Vorwerk
,
Claudia
Draxl
,
John
Rehr
,
Arata
Tanaka
Open Access
Abstract: This review provides an overview of the different methods and computer codes that are used to interpret 2p x-ray absorption spectra of 3d transition metal ions. We first introduce the basic parameters and give an overview of the methods used. We start with the semi-empirical multiplet codes and compare the different codes that are available. A special chapter is devoted to the user friendly interfaces that have been written on the basis of these codes. Next we discuss the first principle codes based on band structure, including a chapter on Density Functional theory based approaches. We also give an overview of the first-principle multiplet codes that start from a cluster calculation and we discuss the wavefunction based methods, including multi-reference methods. We end the review with a discussion of the link between theory and experiment and discuss the open issues in the spectral analysis.
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Apr 2021
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Theoretical Physics
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Abstract: Nonlinear optics, and particularly second harmonic generation (SHG), is increasingly used in many modern
disciplines from material characterization in physical sciences to bioimaging in medicine and optical signal processing in information technology. We present a theoretical analysis yielding a strong estimate of the energy integrated SHG response. Compact spherical multipoles are provided for the corresponding natural and magnetic circular dichroic signals. Like symmetry requirements in time and space are traced in the amplitude for magnetic neutron scattering, which includes all axial and polar (Dirac) contributions. Our method of working in terms of,now standard, electronic multipoles and Racah algebra, with full implementation of discrete symmetries, could be of use in a variety of other probes of matter.
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Mar 2021
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Theoretical Physics
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Abstract: A recent polarized neutron diffraction experiment on the 5d2 rhenium double perovskite Ba2YReO6 held at a low temperature uncovered weak magnetic diffraction peaks. Data analysis inferred a significantly reduced Re dipole moment, and long-range order compatible with an antiferromagnetic, noncollinear motif. To interpret the experimental findings, we present a model wave function for Re ions derived from the crystal field potential, Coulomb interaction, and spin-orbit coupling that fully respects the symmetry of the low temperature ordered state. It is used to calculate in analytic form all multipole moments visible in neutron and resonance enhanced x-ray diffraction. A minimal model consistent with available neutron diffraction data predicts significant multipolar moments up to the hexadecapole and, in particular, a dominant charge like quadrupole moment. Calculated diffraction patterns embrace single crystal x-ray diffraction at the Re L edge, and renewed neutron diffraction, to probe the presumed underlying multipolar order.
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Mar 2021
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I10-Beamline for Advanced Dichroism
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[21616, 18759]
Abstract: Heterostructures composed of ferromagnetic layers that are mutually interacting through a nonmagnetic spacer are at the core of magnetic sensor and memory devices. In the present study, layer-resolved ferromagnetic resonance was used to investigate the coupling between the magnetic layers of a Co/MgO/Permalloy magnetic tunnel junction. Two magnetic resonance peaks were observed for both magnetic layers, as probed at the Co and Ni
L
3
x-ray absorption edges, showing a strong interlayer interaction through the insulating MgO barrier. A theoretical model based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski equation was developed, including exchange coupling and spin pumping between the magnetic layers. Fits to the experimental data were carried out, both with and without a spin pumping term, and the goodness of the fit was compared using a likelihood ratio test. This rigorous statistical approach provides an unambiguous proof of the existence of interlayer coupling mediated by spin pumping.
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Feb 2021
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I10-Beamline for Advanced Dichroism
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[11784, 12943, 12958]
Open Access
Abstract: From the perspective of surface science, only the topmost atomic layers usually exhibit physical properties that are different to those of the bulk material, whereas the deeper layers are assumed to be bulk-like and remain largely unexplored. Going beyond conventional diffraction and imaging techniques, we have determined the depth dependence of the full 3D spin structure of magnetic skyrmions below the surface of a bulk Cu2OSeO3 sample using the polarization dependence of resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS). While the bulk spin configuration showed the anticipated Bloch type structure, it was found that the skyrmion lattice changes to a Néel twisting (i.e., with a different helicity angle) at the surface within a distance of several hundred nm. The exact surface helicity angle and penetration length of this twist have been determined, revealing the detailed internal structure of the skyrmion tube. It was found that the experimental penetration length of the Néel twisting is 7× longer than the theoretical value given by the ratio of J/D. This indicates that apart from the considered spin interactions, i.e., the Heisenberg exchange interaction J and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction D, as well as the Zeeman interaction, other effects must play an important role. The findings suggest that the surface reconstruction of the skyrmion lattice is a universal phenomenon, stemming from the breaking of translational symmetry at the interface.
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Jan 2021
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Open Access
Abstract: Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and x-ray detected FMR (XFMR) results for Permalloy (Py) and [Co/Pt]10/Py films, with and without thin Pt spacers between the [Co/Pt]10 and Py layers, are presented and discussed. The first layer [Co/Pt]10 was chosen due its characteristic perpendicular anisotropy, with the potential to pin neighboring Py spins. However, in practice, the FMR results were found to be dominated by the 50-nm-thick Py films, especially when the thickness of the Pt spacer exceeds 1.5 nm. Nonetheless, out-of-plane FMR measurements reveal interesting behavior. In particular, the uniform k=0 mode is extremely sensitive to the alignment of the magnetic field normal to the film. Misalignment by just 3° shifts the cusp, at Bappz ~ μ0M in the plot of resonance frequency against applied field, upwards to ~ 6 GHz. In addition, out-of-plane VNA-FMR maps reveal the presence of additional modes. For example, a perpendicular standing spin-wave (PSSW)-state, above the cusp at Bappz ≥ μ0M, is clearly identified. However, as the magnetic field is reduced below the cusp, the PSSW state morphs, continuously, through a series of canted spin-wave states (CSSW) into a horizontal standing spin-wave (HSSW) state, increasing in frequency to ~ 9.5 GHz. Finally, the PSSW, CSSW and HSSW states, are accurately interpreted, using a multi-layer model of the Py film.
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Jan 2021
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