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At least 73 records · Page 4

Longitudinal spin Seebeck effect in Nd{sub 2}BiFe{sub 5−x}Ga{sub x}O{sub 12} prepared on gadolinium gallium garnet (001) by metal organic decomposition method

Nd{sub 2}BiFe{sub 5−x}Ga{sub x}O{sub 12} thin films with the Ga composition x = 0, 0.5, and 1.0 are prepared on (001) oriented gadolinium gallium garnet substrates by a metal organic decomposition method. Only (001) peaks are observed in x-ray diffraction patterns for all the films, suggesting that the highly oriented Nd{sub 2}BiFe{sub 5−x}Ga{sub x}O{sub 12} thin films were formed. Increasing Ga composition, the saturation magnetization decreases, and the perpendicular easy axis is enhanced due to the decrease of the shape anisotropy. Longitudinal spin Seebeck effects (LSSEs) in Nd{sub 2}BiFe{sub 5−x}Ga{sub x}O{sub 12} thin films with a Pt layer of 10 nm in thickness were investigated. Magnetic field dependence of the thermoelectric voltage caused by the LSSE in Nd{sub 2}BiFe{sub 5−x}Ga{sub x}O{sub 12} films indicates the hysteresis loop with the small coercivity reflecting the magnetization curve. The decrease of LSSE voltage in Nd{sub 2}BiFe{sub 5−x}Ga{sub x}O{sub 12} is clearly observed with the decrease of Fe composition.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Spin Seebeck effect near the antiferromagnetic spin-flop transition

In this work, we develop a low-temperature, long-wavelength theory for the interfacial spin Seebeck effect (SSE) in easy-axis antiferromagnets. The field-induced spin-flop (SF) transition of Néel order is associated with a qualitative change in SSE behavior: Below SF, there are two spin carriers with opposite magnetic moments, with the carriers polarized along the field forming a majority magnon band. Above SF, the low-energy, ferromagneticlike mode has magnetic moment opposite the field. This results in a sign change of the SSE across SF, which agrees with recent measurements on Cr 2 O 3 /Pt and Cr 2 O 3 /Ta devices. In our theory, SSE is due to a Néel spin current below SF and a magnetic spin current above SF. Using the ratio of the associated Néel to magnetic spin-mixing conductances as a single constant fitting parameter, we reproduce the field dependence of the experimental data and partially the temperature dependence of the relative SSE jump across SF.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Enhanced spin Seebeck effect signal due to spin-momentum locked topological surface states

Spin-momentum locking in protected surface states enables efficient electrical detection of magnon decay at a magnetic-insulator/topological-insulator heterojunction. Here we demonstrate this property using the spin Seebeck effect (SSE), that is, measuring the transverse thermoelectric response to a temperature gradient across a thin film of yttrium iron garnet, an insulating ferrimagnet, and forming a heterojunction with (Bi x Sb 1–x ) 2 Te 3 , a topological insulator. The non-equilibrium magnon population established at the interface can decay in part by interactions of magnons with electrons near the Fermi energy of the topological insulator. When this decay channel is made active by tuning (Bi x Sb 1–x ) 2 Te 3 into a bulk insulator, a large electromotive force emerges in the direction perpendicular to the in-plane magnetization of yttrium iron garnet. Lastly, the enhanced, tunable SSE which occurs when the Fermi level lies in the bulk gap offers unique advantages over the usual SSE in metals and therefore opens up exciting possibilities in spintronics.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

A high-temperature heat flux sensor using the transverse Seebeck effect in elemental rhenium

Heat flux sensors compatible with hot environments are critical to advance aerospace, materials, and energy generation technologies that cope with extreme thermal conditions. In this work, we report on the development and characterization of a high-temperature heat flux sensor using the transverse Seebeck effect in rhenium single crystals. The sensor leverages refractory alloys and ceramics compatible with temperatures exceeding 1000 °C. The heat flux sensor was characterized from room temperature to 500 °C using a temperature-controlled calibration facility. At constant temperature, the sensor’s voltage output is linear with respect to the absorbed heat flux. The responsivity of the sensor varies with temperature, from 1.3 μV/(W/cm 2 ) at room temperature to −3.2 μV/(W/cm 2 ) at 500 °C, increasing monotonically in magnitude after changing sign from positive to negative at approximately 300 °C. The experimental results are in good agreement with analytical predictions of the sensor’s temperature-dependent responsivity, which suggest a further increase in magnitude up to −7.4 μV/(W/cm 2 ) at 1000 °C. These results highlight the unique characteristics of rhenium as a TSE transducer. The design offers compatibility with a wide range of operating temperatures and yields a measurement sensitivity that increases as the environmental conditions become more challenging.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Observation of nuclear-spin Seebeck effect

Thermoelectric effects have been applied to power generators and temperature sensors that convert waste heat into electricity. The effects, however, have been limited to electrons to occur, and inevitably disappear at low temperatures due to electronic entropy quenching. Here, we report thermoelectric generation caused by nuclear spins in a solid: nuclear-spin Seebeck effect. The sample is a magnetically ordered material MnCO 3 having a large nuclear spin ( I = 5/2) of 55 Mn nuclei and strong hyperfine coupling, with a Pt contact. In the system, we observe low-temperature thermoelectric signals down to 100 mK due to nuclear-spin excitation. Our theoretical calculation in which interfacial Korringa process is taken into consideration quantitatively reproduces the results. The nuclear thermoelectric effect demonstrated here offers a way for exploring thermoelectric science and technologies at ultralow temperatures.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

125 Te NMR and Seebeck Effect in Bi 2 Te 3 Synthesized from Stoichiometric and Te-Rich Melts

Bi 2 Te 3 is a well-known thermoelectric material and, as a new form of quantum matter, a topological insulator. Variation of local chemical composition in Bi2Te3 results in formation of several types of atomic defects, including Bi and Te vacancies and Bi and Te antisite defects; these defects can strongly affect material functionality via generation of free electrons and/or holes. Nonuniform distribution of atomic defects produces electronic inhomogeneity, which can be detected by 125 Te nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Here we report on 125 Te NMR and Seebeck effect (heat to electrical energy conversion) for two single crystalline samples: (#1) grown from stoichiometric composition by Bridgman technique and (#2) grown out of Te-rich, high temperature flux. The Seebeck coefficients of these samples show p- and n-type conductivity, respectively, arising from different atomic defects. 125 Te NMR spectra and spin–lattice relaxation measurements demonstrate that both Bi 2 Te 3 samples are electronically inhomogeneous at the atomic scale, which can be attributed to a different Te environment due to spatial variation of the Bi/Te ratio and formation of atomic defects. In conclusion, correlations between 125 Te NMR spectra, spin–lattice relaxation times, the Seebeck coefficients, carrier concentrations, and atomic defects are discussed. Our data demonstrate that 125 Te NMR is an effective probe to study antisite defects in Bi 2 Te 3 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ultrasensitive Photothermal Spectroscopy: Harnessing the Seebeck Effect for Attogram-Level Detection

Molecular-level spectroscopy is crucial for sensing and imaging applications, yet detecting and quantifying minuscule quantities of chemicals remain a challenge, especially when they surface adsorb in low numbers. Here, we introduce a photothermal spectroscopic technique that enables the high selectivity sensing of adsorbates with an attogram detection limit. Our approach utilizes the Seebeck effect in a microfabricated nanoscale thermocouple junction, incorporated into the apex of a microcantilever. We observe minimal thermal mass exhibited by the sensor, which maintains exceptional thermal insulation. The temperature variation driving the thermoelectric junction arises from the nonradiative decay of molecular adsorbates’ vibrational states on the tip. We demonstrate the detection of photothermal spectra of physisorbed trinitrotoluene (TNT) and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) molecules, as well as representative polymers, with an estimated mass of 10 -18 g.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ultrafast measurements of the interfacial spin Seebeck effect in Au and rare-earth iron-garnet bilayers

We investigate picosecond spin-currents across Au/iron-garnet interfaces in response to ultrafast laser heating of the electrons in the Au film. In the picoseconds after optical heating, interfacial spin currents occur due to an interfacial temperature difference between electrons in the metal and magnons in the insulator. We report measurements of this interfacial longitudinal spin Seebeck effect between Au and rare-earth iron-garnet insulators, i.e. RE 3 Fe 5 O 12 , where RE is Y, Eu, Tb, Tm. By systematically varying the rare-earth element, we modify the total magnetic moment of the iron-garnet. We use time domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) measurements to characterize the thermal response of the bilayer to ultrafast optical heating. We use time-resolved magneto-optic Kerr effect (TR-MOKE) measurements of the Au layer to measure the time-evolution of spin accumulation in the Au film. Replacing Y with other rare-earths enhances the electron-magnon conductance G e-m at the Au iron-garnet interface by as much as a factor of three. The electron-magnon conductance does not follow the trend of either the total magnetization of the iron garnet or the magnetic moment of the rare-earth.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Giant spin Seebeck effect through an interface organic semiconductor

Interfacing an organic semiconductor C 60 with a non-magnetic metallic thin film (Cu or Pt) has created a novel heterostructure that is ferromagnetic at ambient temperature, while its interface with a magnetic metal (Fe or Co) can tune the anisotropic magnetic surface property of the material. Here, we demonstrate that sandwiching C60 in between a magnetic insulator (Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 :YIG) and a non-magnetic, strong spin–orbit metal (Pt) promotes highly efficient spin current transport via the thermally driven spin Seebeck effect (SSE). Experiments and first principles calculations consistently show that the presence of C 60 reduces significantly the conductivity mismatch between YIG and Pt and the surface perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of YIG, giving rise to enhanced spin mixing conductance across YIG/C 60 /Pt interfaces. As a result, a 600% increase in the SSE voltage (V LSSE ) has been realized in YIG/C 60 /Pt relative to YIG/Pt. Temperature-dependent SSE voltage measurements on YIG/C 60 /Pt with varying C 60 layer thicknesses also show an exponential increase in V LSSE at low temperatures below 200 K, resembling the temperature evolution of spin diffusion length of C 60 . Our report emphasizes the important roles of the magnetic anisotropy and the spin diffusion length of the intermediate layer in the SSE in YIG/C 60 /Pt structures, providing a new pathway for developing novel spin-caloric materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spin Seebeck effect in $\mathrm{Cu_2 OSeO_3}$: Test of bulk magnon spin current theory

In this work, we report measurements of the low-temperature (T ≤ 15K) longitudinal spin Seebeck coefficient (S LSSE ) in bulk single crystals of the helimagnetic insulator Cu 2 OSeO 3 with Pt contacts. Simultaneous measurement of both S LSSE and the magnon thermal conductivity (κ m ) demonstrates their correlation and allows for quantitative and favorable comparison to bulk magnon spin current theory.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Large spin Seebeck effects in zigzag-edge silicene nanoribbons

Using the first-principles methods, we investigate the thermospin properties of a two-probe model based on zigzag-edge silicene nanoribbons (ZSiNRs). Compared with the odd-width ZSiNRs, the spin Seebeck coefficient of the even-width ZSiNRs is obviously enhanced at room temperature. This fact is attributed to a nearly perfect symmetry of the linear conductance gap with the different spin index with respect to the Fermi level induced by the different parity of the wave functions. More interestingly, the corresponding charge Seebeck coefficient is near zero. Therefore, when a thermal bias is presented in the even-width ZSiNRs, a nearly pure spin current is achieved. Meanwhile, the spin polarization of the current approaches infinite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗