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We have studied the magnetization depth profiles in a [57Fe(dFe)/Cr(dCr)]x30 multilayer with ultrathin Fe layers and nominal thickness of the chromium spacers dCr 2.0 nm using nuclear resonance scattering of synchrotron radiation. The presence of a broad pure-magnetic half-order (1/2) Bragg reflection has been detected at zero external field. The joint fit of the reflectivity curves and Mossbauer spectra of reflectivity measured near the critical angle and at the magnetic peak reveals that the magnetic structure of the multilayer is formed by two spirals, one in the odd and another one in the even iron layers, with the opposite signs of rotation. The double-spiral structure starts from the surface with the almost antiferromagnetic alignment of the adjacent Fe layers. The rotation of the two spirals leads to nearly ferromagnetic alignment of the two magnetic subsystems at some depth, where the sudden turn of the magnetic vectors by ~180 deg (spin-flop) appears, and both spirals start to rotate in opposite directions. The observation of this unusual double-spiral magnetic structure suggests that the unique properties of giant magneto-resistance devices can be further tailored using ultrathin magnetic layers.
Mixing of atoms at the interface was studied for Mn/Fe magnetic hetero-epitaxial layers on Cu(001) by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy. The formation of a surface alloy was observed when the Mn layer was thinner than 3 atomic layers. From the fourth layer, Fe segregation is suppressed, and a pure Mn surface appears. Accordingly, spectroscopic measurements revealed the electronic difference between the surface alloy and Mn layers. The surface electronic structure of the fourth Mn layer is slightly different from that of the fifth layers, which is attributed to the hybridization of the fourth layer with the underneath Fe-Mn alloy.
We present a ^{115}In NMR study of the quasi two-dimensional heavy-fermion superconductor CeCoIn_5 believed to host a Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnkov (FFLO) state. In the vicinity of the upper critical field and with a magnetic field applied parallel to the ab-plane, the NMR spectrum exhibits a dramatic change below T*(H) which well coincides with the position of reported anomalies in specific heat and ultrasound velocity. We argue that our results provide the first microscopic evidence for the occurrence of a spatially modulated superconducting order parameter expected in a FFLO state. The NMR spectrum also implies an anomalous electronic structure of vortex cores.
Phase transitions and critical phenomena, which are dominated by fluctuations and correlations, are one of the fields replete with physical paradigms and unexpected discoveries. Especially for two-dimensional magnetism, the limitation of the Ginzburg criterion leads to enhanced fluctuations breaking down the mean-field theory near a critical point. Here, by means of magnetic resonance, we investigate the behavior of critical fluctuations in the two-dimensional ferromagnetic insulators $rm CrXTe_3 (X=Si, Ge)$. After deriving the classical and quantum models of magnetic resonance, we deem the dramatic anisotropic shift of the measured $g$ factor to originate from fluctuations with anisotropic interactions. The deduction of the $g$ factor behind the fluctuations is consistent with the spin-only state (${gapprox}$ 2.050(10) for $rm CrSiTe_3$ and 2.039(10) for $rm CrGeTe_3$). Furthermore, the abnormal enhancement of $g$ shift, supplemented by specific heat and magnetometry measurements, suggests that $rm CrSiTe_3$ exhibits a more typical two-dimensional nature than $rm CrGeTe_3$ and may be closer to the quantum critical point.
The drive to improve the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to smaller and smaller sample volumes has led to the development of a variety of techniques distinct from conventional inductive detection. In this chapter, we focus on the technique of force-detected NMR as one of the most successful in yielding sensitivity improvements. We review the rationale for the technique, its basic principles, and give a brief history of its most important results. We then cover in greater detail its application in the first demonstration of three-dimensional (3D) nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with nanometer-scale resolution. Next we present recent developments and likely paths for improvement. Finally, the technique and its potential are discussed in the context of competing and complementary technologies.
The main obstacle to coherent control of two-level quantum systems is their coupling to an uncontrolled environment. For electron spins in III-V quantum dots, the random environment is mostly given by the nuclear spins in the quantum dot host material; they collectively act on the electron spin through the hyperfine interaction, much like a random magnetic field. Here we show that the same hyperfine interaction can be harnessed such that partial control of the normally uncontrolled environment becomes possible. In particular, we observe that the electron spin resonance frequency remains locked to the frequency of an applied microwave magnetic field, even when the external magnetic field or the excitation frequency are changed. The nuclear field thereby adjusts itself such that the electron spin resonance condition remains satisfied. General theoretical arguments indicate that this spin resonance locking is accompanied by a significant reduction of the randomness in the nuclear field.