Giant room-temperature magnetoresistance in single-crystal Fe/MgO/Fe magnetic tunnel junctions

The tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) effect in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) is the key to developing magnetoresistive random-access-memory (MRAM), magnetic sensors and novel programmable logic devices. Conventional MTJs with an amorphous aluminium oxide tunnel barrier, which have been extensively studied for device applications, exhibit a magnetoresistance ratio up to 70% at room temperature. This low magnetoresistance seriously limits the feasibility of spintronics devices. Here, we report a giant MR ratio up to 180% at room temperature in single-crystal Fe/MgO/Fe MTJs. The origin of this enormous TMR effect is coherent spin-polarized tunnelling, where the symmetry of electron wave functions plays an important role. Moreover, we observed that their tunnel magnetoresistance oscillates as a function of tunnel barrier thickness, indicating that coherency of wave functions is conserved across the tunnel barrier. The coherent TMR effect is a key to making spintronic devices with novel quantum-mechanical functions, and to developing gigabit-scale MRAM.     

Three-dimensional expression of adhesion molecules on the superficial synovial intima of LPS-induced arthritis of the mouse knee analyzed by immuno-SEM

Three-dimensional microlocalization of adhesion molecules, i.e. ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule), VCAM-1 (vascular adhesion molecule), LFA-1 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen), Mac-1 (macrophage differentiation antigen) and VLA-4 (very late activation antigen), expressed on type-A synoviocyte (macrophage-like cell) and type-B synoviocyte (fibroblast-like cell), were detected by immuno-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the immunoreactive microenvironment of the superficial synovial intima in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced arthritis of the mouse knee. Type-B synoviocytes extended rich slender processes from the periphery and constructed a cytoplasmic network, to which ICAM-1 was restricted. VCAM-1 was expressed only in the LPS-stimulated group and was relatively limited to the microvilli of type-B synoviocytes. Type-A synoviocytes were located randomly among the network with a smoother surface and expressed Mac-1 and LFA-1, which were counter-receptors for ICAM-1, and VLA-4 for VCAM-1 on the microvilli or lamellipodia. Three-dimensional microlocalization of adhesion molecules suggests that the network constructed by cytoplasmic processes and microvilli of type-B synoviocytes forms the pathway for the migration or the foothold for the fixation of type-A synoviocytes and takes part in forming an immunoreactive environment in the articular cavity.     

Scaling law for pinning forces of dirty indium films

Pinning forces of dirty indium films with low values of the Ginzburg—Landau parameter have been studied as functions of temperature and magnetic field. It has been found that the pinning forces obey a scaling law with respect to temperature.Financial support provided by the Fonds National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique.Department of Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu Industrial University, Fukuoka, Japan.     

Rate of emulsion polymerization of styrene

In emulsion polymerization, the Smith and Ewart theory gives about two or three times the number of polymer particles obtained by experiment. In this paper, a reaction model is proposed which, from the standpoint of reactor design, can give an adequate explanation of the whole course of an emulsion polymerization of monomer highly insoluble in water. Among other things, the generating process of polymer particles is examined in detail. It is demonstrated experimentally that a new parameter proposed here, which represents the degree of difficulty of monomer initiation in micelles, is indispensable in explaining that process. Also confirmed is that monomer initiation takes place more easily in polymer particles than in micelles. According to the new model, the progress of polymerization, i.e., monomer conversion, the number of the polymer particles, and properties of polymer thus produced can be estimated with satisfactory accuracy. Furthermore, approximate equations are derived for easier estimation.     

Passively driven integrated microfluidic system for separation of motile sperm

This paper describes a self-contained integrated microfluidic system that can separate motile sperm from small samples that are difficult to handle using conventional sperm-sorting techniques. The device isolates motile sperm from nonmotile sperm and other cellular debris, based on the ability of motile sperm to cross streamlines in a laminar fluid stream. The device is small, simple, and disposable yet is an integrated system complete with sample inlets, outlets, sorting channel, and a novel passively driven pumping system that provides a steady flow of liquid; it requires no external power source or controls. The device fulfills a need in clinical settings where small amounts of sperm need to be sorted. It also opens the way for convenient bioassays based on sperm motility including at-home motile sperm tests.     

Specific Heat of the Surface Layers on the Amorphous Substrate in Solid and Liquid 3He

We have observed an excess heat capacity in liquid and bcc solid ³He at low temperatures. The heat capacity in the normal fluid is found to be the sum of the heat capacity of bulk normal fluid and a temperature-independent heat capacity C due to amorphous solid layers on the silver sinter surface, where C=7.3±6.8 JK^–1m^–2 corresponds to 1.6±0.6 amorphous solid layers. The heat capacity for bcc solid ³He is the sum of the heat capacity originating from the multiple-exchange interaction and a temperature independent heat capacity. The excess heat capacity C=12.1±3.1 JK^–1m^–2 for bcc solid corresponds to 1.9±0.3 amorphous solid layers. Our result indicates that the amorphous solid layers on an amorphous substrate yield a universal C in unit area throughout liquid, solid and adsorbed ³He.     

Characteristics of nanocrystalline AlN:Er films co-deposited by using AlN, Er, and SiO2 targets

We report the characteristics of AlN:Er films that were co-deposited by using AlN, Er, and SiO₂ targets. The PL emission spectra show strong green emissions of Er³⁺ ions in AlN:Er films annealed at an optimal temperature of 750 °C, which is attributed to the intra-4f Er³⁺ transitions of ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_7/2 → ⁴I_15/2. This optimal temperature can activate Er species as an efficient visible luminescence center. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) observations showed that the AlN:Er film annealed at 750 °C exhibits the microstructure of AlN nanocrystallites embedded in the amorphous matrix. The occurrence of strong Er³⁺ emissions in the amorphous-nanocrystalline AlN:Er films by thermal annealing might contribute to an increased number of excitation Er³⁺ centers and the presence of oxygen related to Er³⁺ excitation and recombination processes. A distinct visible bluish green emission is also confirmed from the EL device with an amorphous-nanocrystalline AlN:Er active layer.     

Retardation‐controlling color filter with two directly stacked retardation layers

Abstract— A polymerizable liquid crystal (PLC), the orientation of which can be frozen, is useful for making retardation layers. In this paper, a new color filter (CF) with retardation‐controlling layers made of PLC is reported. It has a positive A‐plate and a negative C‐plate, both directly stacked on a color‐filter layer. These two retardation layers exhibit good orientation ability, and function well as retarders, even when they are only 1/10 or less as thick as ordinary retardation films. The new CF also has excellent thermal stability. The change in retardation after heat treatment at 200°C for 30 min is around 5%, and there is no observable peeling. A prototype VA‐LCD made with our new CF provides good optical compensation, with the light leakage being extremely low in all azimuthal directions. This technology is very useful for making thin, highly reliable color filters for LCDs, even with other modes.