Role of Defects on Domain Wall Propagation in Magnetically Bistable Glass-Covered Microwires

We are trying to reveal the contribution of local defects on DW propagation in amorphous microwires. Consequently, we present a comparative study of single domain wall dynamics and local nucleation fields in Fe- and Co-rich amorphous glass-coated microwires. For this we modified experimental set-up based on the classical Sixtus?CTonks approach introducing additional pick-up coil in order evaluate defects contribution in domain wall propagation. Below some critical magnetic field, H _N , determined by the microwires inhomogeneities, an almost linear DW velocity,?v, dependence on magnetic field, H, is found. Quite fast DW propagation (v?till 3000?m/s at?H about 65?A/m) has been observed. When the applied magnetic field exceeds H _N , new reverse domains can be nucleated and consequently tandem remagnetization mechanism can be realized. The role of defects existing in magnetically bistable microwires is related with nucleation of new reversed domains.     

Nanowire spintronics for storage class memories and logic

Patterned magnetic nanowires are extremely well suited for data storage and logic devices. They offer non-volatile storage, fast switching times, efficient operation and a bistable magnetic configuration that are convenient for representing digital information. Key to this is the high level of control that is possible over the position and behaviour of domain walls (DWs) in magnetic nanowires. Magnetic random access memory based on the propagation of DWs in nanowires has been released commercially, while more dynamic shift register memory and logic circuits have been demonstrated. Here, we discuss the present standing of this technology as well as reviewing some of the basic DW effects that have been observed and the underlying physics of DW motion. We also discuss the future direction of magnetic nanowire technology to look at possible developments, hurdles to overcome and what nanowire devices may appear in the future, both in classical information technology and beyond into quantum computation and biology.     

Estimating terminal velocity of rough cracks in the framework of discrete fractal fracture mechanics

In this paper we first obtain the order of stress singularity for a dynamically propagating self-affine fractal crack. We then show that there is always an upper bound to roughness, i.e. a propagating fractal crack reaches a terminal roughness. We then study the phenomenon of reaching a terminal velocity. Assuming that propagation of a fractal crack is discrete, we predict its terminal velocity using an asymptotic energy balance argument. In particular, we show that the limiting crack speed is a material-dependent fraction of the corresponding Rayleigh wave speed.     

Critical velocities of a twisted domain wall in very thin magnetic films

An integro-differential variant of the Slonczewski equations has been formulated so as to take into account the effect of a nonlocal magnetostatic field on the structure of twisted domain walls (TDWs) in films of very small (below DW width) thicknesses. Apart from the features specific to magnetic multilayer films, the limiting TDW velocity in this range of film thicknesses is very low (despite the small DW twist) and the TDW dynamics has a predominantly precessional character. For film thicknesses above the DW width, a maximum peak velocity determined by numerical methods has proved to be 20% higher than the well-known Walker’s value.     

Pinning characteristics of domain wall in giant magnetoresistance spin valve stripe, consisting of a nano-wire and a circular ring

We investigated a technique for proving the pinning behaviors of a domain wall (DW) in spin-valve stripes with artificial configurations, which consist of a nano-wire, a large pad and sharp tip at the ends of the wire, and a circular ring at the center. It was found from the GMR measurement at various positions that a DW was pinned at a ring during DW's propagation from the side of pad to the side of tip. Micromagnetic simulation revealed that the initial onion magnetic states of the ring changes continuously to final reverse onion state via counterclockwise vortex state when a counterclockwise tail-to-tail DW pass through the ring. In addition, the simulation results indicated that the magnetic states at a circular ring were determined by the type and chirality of DW. We also studied the characteristics of domain wall motion in the same configuration, when the nano-ring was replaced with square and diamond structures.     

Characteristics of domain wall pinning and depinning in a three-terminal magnetic Y-junction

The characteristics of domain wall (DW) pinning and propagation in a three-terminal magnetic Y-junction were investigated, where the junction consisted of two input and one output wires. The output switching depends strongly on the junction angle (α). Junctions with high angles of α>9.5° lead to DW pinning at the junction, whereas junctions with low angles of α<9.5° have no DW pinning effect. At the critical angle of α = 9.5°, the Y-junction showed a multimode DW propagation, which was ascribed to a moderate transverse field effect.     

Oscillatory reduction of domain wall depinning field by transverse magnetic field in ferromagnetic permalloy nanowires

Reported herein is a possible way of controlling the depinning field of magnetic domain walls (DWs) by using a magnetic field H(T) transverse to the nanowire. A typical notch structure-in the form of triangles on both edges of ferromagnetic Permalloy nanowires-is employed to pin the DWs. The depinning field of the DW initially pinned at the notch is then measured with respect to H(T). Interestingly, it is experimentally found that the depinning field is drastically decreased to almost 0 with increasing H(T), due to the internal shift of the DW position at the notch. Moreover, it is experimentally observed that an oscillatory behavior of the depinning field occurs with respect to H(T), Micromagnetic calculation is performed to model the depinning behavior of the DW pinned at the notch structure with respect to H(T). It is ascribed to the natural edge roughness of the nanowire, which means the edge roughness plays an important role in determination of the depinning field.     

Control of domain wall pinning in ferromagnetic nanowires by magnetic stray fields

We have found that the depinning field of domain walls (DWs) in permalloy (Ni(81)Fe(19)) nanowires can be experimentally controlled by interactions between magnetic stray fields and artificial constrictions. A pinning geometry that consists of a notch and a nanobar is considered, where a DW traveling in the nanowire is pinned by the notch with a nanobar vertical to it. We have found that the direction of magnetization of the nanobar affects the shape and local energy minimum of the potential landscape experienced by the DW; therefore, the pinning strength strongly depends on the interaction of the magnetic stray field from the nanobar with the external pinning force of the notch. The mechanism of this pinning behavior is applied for the instant and flexible control of the pinning strength with respect to various DW motions in DW-mediated magnetic memory devices.     

Aspects of rapid crack propagation in silicon

Fracture experiments with silicon specimens in recent years have shown the need for a new approach to the analysis of rapidly propagating cracks in single crystals. Behaviour and phenomena have been revealed that fracture in these materials is rather different from the fracture of both amorphous and polycrystalline materials. We show that continuum mechanics is insufficient for analyzing crack propagation in single crystals since it is unable to consider atomistic‐scale phenomena. Accordingly, we describe basic phenomena associated with rapid crack propagation in silicon : (i) anisotropic velocity‐dependent R‐curve behaviour, as a key phenomenon dictating atomistic scale behaviour, (ii) crack deflection from one cleavage plane to another as a mesoscopic scale phenomenon in single‐crystal fracture, (iii) the Rayleigh surface wave speed as the limiting crack tip velocity is re‐examined, (vi) the lowest crack velocity in brittle crystals is examined, and finally (v) the interaction between crack path and preferred cleavage planes in single crystals is depicted.     

Effect of Microwave Annealing on the Structure and Magnetic Properties of Co-based Amorphous Ribbons

We investigated the structure and magnetic properties of CoFeSiB amorphous ribbons in the presence of microwave emission. Samples have been emitted onto in the microwave cavity with working frequency of 2.45 GHz at different times of emission. Structure and surface properties of samples emitted to have been investigated by X-ray diffraction and Atomic force microscopy. Also, magnetic properties of samples were investigated by magneto-optical Kerr effect measurement. Our results show that increasing in annealing time may change the crystalline state of samples and also decrease the magnetic coercivity and surface roughness.     

Properties of Wave Propagation in a Gel-type Belousov–Zhabothinsky Reaction under Micro-gravity

The Belousov–Zhabothinsky (BZ) reaction is a chemical reaction which exhibits spatial as well as temporal pattern formation. Being an excitable medium, it can be influenced by even small external forces. One of these small forces which under ground conditions permanently is given is gravity. The gravity dependence of the BZ-reaction has been investigated in some detail up to now, and it has been found that especially the propagation velocity of waves in thin layers of fluid BZ-medium depends significantly on gravity-amplitude and -orientation. This finding has been mainly assigned to an interaction of gravity with diffusion and convection in the medium at the wave front, and consequently it has been stated that the propagation of waves in gels of BZ-medium is not significantly gravity dependent. We have now done more detailed experiments and have been able to show that also in gels the propagation velocity of BZ-waves is altered by gravity, but less than in fluid systems. Experiments have been performed in a lab centrifuge, a sounding rocket experiment and a parabolic flight mission.     

Experimental investigations into transient roughness reduction in ball-end magneto-rheological finishing process

Ball-end magneto-rheological finishing (BEMRF) process is a variant of magneto-rheological finishing (MRF) which is capable of finishing magnetic as well as nonmagnetic materials to finish surfaces up to the order of nanometers. The development of this process has been fairly recent and the literature has focused on quantifying and analyzing the effects of finishing on different materials with it. This research work presents a time-based roughness reduction study of BEMRF process to find out the behavior of machining parameters in finishing over lengthy time intervals. EN31 steel has been chosen as the work material for this study. Firstly, a machining parameter optimization is carried out for finishing of EN31 steel with BEMRF process. A detailed time-based experimental study is then carried out to find the effect of time on finishing with BEMRF process. The time-based study revealed a transient roughness reduction phenomenon in which a particular set of machining parameters was capable of reducing the surface roughness only up to a limited roughness value. The study concluded a database for finishing of EN31 steel with BEMRF process which can be used for optimum time-based finishing with BEMRF process.     

The influence of moving domain walls on the appearance of the second harmonic in the magnetoimpedance spectrum of a cobalt-based amorphous microwire

We have studied the influence of moving domain walls (DWs) on the magnetoimpedance of a cobalt-based amorphous microwire. A model describing the DW motion in the electric field of an alternating current in the absence of a skin effect is proposed. When the current amplitude exceeds a certain threshold value, the DW motion leads to the appearance of a second harmonic component in the frequency spectrum of the sample response voltage. The second harmonic amplitude has been studied as a function of the external longitudinal magnetic field, the current frequency, and the angle of deviation of the microwire anisotropy axis from the circular direction. The sensitivity of the second harmonic to the external magnetic field can be significantly higher than that of the first harmonic.     

Fast current-induced domain-wall motion controlled by the Rashba effect

The propagation of magnetic domain walls induced by spin-polarized currents has launched new concepts for memory and logic devices. A wave of studies focusing on permalloy (NiFe) nanowires has found evidence for high domain-wall velocities (100 m s(-1); refs,), but has also exposed the drawbacks of this phenomenon for applications. Often the domain-wall displacements are not reproducible, their depinning from a thermally stable position is difficult and the domain-wall structural instability (Walker breakdown) limits the maximum velocity. Here, we show that the combined action of spin-transfer and spin-orbit torques offers a comprehensive solution to these problems. In an ultrathin Co nanowire, integrated in a trilayer with structural inversion asymmetry (SIA), the high spin-torque efficiency facilitates the depinning and leads to high mobility, while the SIA-mediated Rashba field controlling the domain-wall chirality stabilizes the Bloch domain-wall structure. Thus, the high-mobility regime is extended to higher current densities, allowing domain-wall velocities up to 400 m s(-1).     

Current-driven narrow domain wall depinning in perpendicular spin valves

We have studied the current-driven depinning processes for a narrow 12-nm wide one-dimensional Bloch domain wall (DW) in films exhibiting perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). High sensitivity magnetotransport measurements allow us to observe the motion of the narrow DW between pinned sites separated by /spl sim/20 nm. Thermal fluctuations are found to play a crucial role. A current-driven depinning force two to three orders of magnitude higher than has been seen in conventional in-plane systems is found, suggesting a more efficient spin transfer mechanism in our PMA system.     

Structural and magnetic characterization of electrodeposited Ni/Cu multilayers

Ni/Cu multilayers were electrodeposited from a single solution electrolyte by galvanostatic method. Interface roughness, magnetization and magneto-transport studies of Ni/Cu multilayers on Si(1 1 1)/Ti/Cu substrate were carried out for samples deposited from three different electrolytes, viz. pure sulphate, sulphate–citrate and sulphate-polyethylene glycol-8000 (PEG-8000). The top Ni-layer morphology of these samples was characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM). Detailed analysis of the morphological data showed a typical two-dimensional fractal growth pattern in all the three cases. The structural parameters like interface roughness, density and thicknesses of Ni and Cu layers were extracted from neutron reflectivity (NR) study. The order of interface roughness obtained from NR and AFM was found to be quite close. The sample deposited from sulphate–citrate electrolyte was found to have minimum interface roughness. The polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) measurement showed reduced magnetic moment value (∼0.41 ± 0.01 μ_B) for nickel layers compared to bulk value in all the three samples. The magnetoresistance (MR) of these samples were measured at room temperature. An attempt has been made to explain the observed MR results in terms of granular structure and scattering mechanism involving super-paramagnetic and ferromagnetic particles in these samples.     

On the effects of reflected waves in transient shear wave elastography

In recent years, novel quantitative techniques have been developed to provide noninvasive and quantitative stiffness images based on shear wave propagation. Using radiation force and ultrafast ultrasound imaging, the supersonic shear imaging technique allows one to remotely generate and follow a transient plane shear wave propagating in vivo in real time. The tissue shear modulus, i.e., its stiffness, can then be estimated from the shear wave local velocity. However, because the local shear wave velocity is estimated using a time-of- flight approach, reflected shear waves can cause artifacts in the estimated shear velocity because the incident and reflected waves propagate in opposite directions. Such effects have been reported in the literature as a potential drawback of elastography techniques based on shear wave speed, particularly in the case of high stiffness contrasts, such as in atherosclerotic plaque or stiff lesions. In this letter, we present our implementation of a simple directional filter, previously used for magnetic resonance elastography, which separates the forward- and backward-propagating waves to solve this problem. Such a directional filter could be applied to many elastography techniques based on the local estimation of shear wave speed propagation, such as acoustic radiation force imaging (ARFI), shearwave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV), needle-based elastography, harmonic motion imaging, or crawling waves when the local propagation direction is known and high-resolution spatial and temporal data are acquired.     

ZnO films on {001}-cut <110>-propagating GaAs substrates forsurface acoustic wave device applications

A potential application for piezoelectric films on GaAs substrates is the monolithic integration of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with GaAs electronics. Knowledge of the SAW properties of the layered structure is critical for the optimum and accurate design of such devices. The acoustic properties of ZnO films sputtered on {001}-cut 〈110〉-propagating GaAs substrates are investigated in this article, including SAW velocity, effective piezoelectric coupling constant, propagation loss, diffraction, velocity surface, and reflectivity of shorted and open metallic gratings. The measurements of these essential SAW properties for the frequency range between 180 and 360 MHz have been performed using a knife-edge laser probe for film thicknesses over the range of 1.6-4 μm and with films of different grain sizes. The high quality of dc triode sputtered films was observed as evidenced by high K² and low attenuation. The measurements of the velocity surface, which directly affects the SAW diffraction, on the bare and metalized ZnO on SiO₂ or Si₃N₄ on {001}-cut GaAs samples are reported using two different techniques: 1) knife-edge laser probe, 2) line-focus-beam scanning acoustic microscope. It was found that near the 〈110〉 propagation direction, the focusing SAW property of the bare GaAs changes into a nonfocusing one for the layered structure, but a reversed phenomenon exists near the 〈100〉 direction. Furthermore, to some extent the diffraction of the substrate can be controlled with the film thickness. The reflectivity of shorted and open gratings are also analyzed and measured. Zero reflectivity is observed for a shorted grating. There is good agreement between the measured data and theoretical values     

Structures and magnetic properties of Co and CoFe films prepared by magnetron sputtering

Structures and magnetic properties of Co and CoFe films on Si(100) have been investigated by employing scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and magneto-optic Kerr effect techniques. As the film thickness increases, Co or CoFe clusters with different sizes are observed. As the film thickness increases below 20 nm, the size of the metal clusters decreases. For thicker films, the surface roughness increases monotonously by increasing the thickness. The easy axis of magnetization for both Co/Si(100) and CoFe/Si(100) prefers to be in the surface plane. By deposition of the Co or CoFe overlayers, the evolution of the longitudinal coercive force shows similar trend to the surface roughness. Minimum coercive force coincides with the smallest roughness of the film. For a film with greater roughness, the observation of larger coercive force could be explained by the impediment of the propagation of domain wall motion by defects of the films. At a higher deposition rate, Co islands in triangle shapes with an edge length around 100 nm are observed. This nanostructure shows an hcp-Co with the c axis parallel to the surface plane and is observed to be able to stabilize the coercive force for Co/Si(100) films.     

Richtungsabhängigkeit der Rissausbreitung bei einem gefügebedingten Übergang von rauigkeits‐ zu plastizitätsinduzierter Rissschließung an der Legierung Ti‐6Al‐4V

On the titanium alloy Ti‐6Al‐4V a rugged transition from equiaxed to lamellar microstructure was produced by a specific thermomechanical treatment. Equiaxed microstructures of this alloy show plasticity induced crack closure over a wide range of ΔK whereas for lamellar microstructures roughness induced crack closure is observed up to relatively high loadings. Thus by the obtained microstructural transition the observation of a change of the crack closure mode becomes feasible at constant loading ΔK. For the crack propagation from equiaxed to lamellar microstructure, i. e. from plasticity to roughness induced crack closure, the closure load corresponds always to the particular microstructure at the crack tip. In the opposite direction significant closure effects in the crack path interfere leading to an increase of the crack closure load and consequently to a reduction of the crack velocity. Hereby for constant ΔK the crack velocity becomes dependent on the crack propagation direction.