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DOE OSTI2025

Origin of Large Effective Phonon Magnetic Moments in Monolayer MoS 2

Recent helicity-resolved magneto-Raman spectroscopy measurement demonstrates large effective phonon magnetic moments of ~2.5 μ B in monolayer MoS 2 , highlighting resonant excitation of bright excitons as a feasible route to activate Γ-point circularly polarized phonons in transition metal dichalcogenides. However, a microscopic picture of this intriguing phenomenon remains lacking. In this work, we show that an orbital transition between the split conduction bands (Δ 0 = 4 meV) of MoS 2 couples to the doubly degenerate E" phonon mode (Ω 0 = 33 meV), forming two hybridized states. Our phononic and electronic Raman scattering measurements capture these two states: (i) one with predominantly phonon contribution in the helicity-switched channels and (ii) one with primarily orbital contribution in the helicity-conserved channels. An orbital-phonon coupling model successfully reproduces the large effective magnetic moments of the circularly polarized phonons and explains their thermodynamic properties. Strikingly, the Raman mode from the orbital transition is superimposed on a strong quasi-elastic scattering background, indicating the presence of spin fluctuations. As a result, the electrons excited to the conduction bands through the exciton exhibit paramagnetic behavior although MoS 2 is generally considered as a nonmagnetic material. By depositing nanometer-thickness nickel thin films on monolayer MoS 2 , we tune the electronic structure so that the A exciton perfectly overlaps with the 633 nm laser. The optimization of resonance excitation leads to pronounced tunability of the orbital-phonon hybridized states. Our results generalize the orbital-phonon coupling model of effective phonon magnetic moments to material systems beyond the paramagnets and magnets.

2D transition metal dichalcogenide↗

DOE OSTI2016

Spin-wave thermal population as temperature probe in magnetic tunnel junctions

We study whether a direct measurement of the absolute temperature of a Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) can be performed using the high frequency electrical noise that it delivers under a finite voltage bias. Our method includes quasi-static hysteresis loop measurements of the MTJ, together with the field-dependence of its spin wave noise spectra. We rely on an analytical modeling of the spectra by assuming independent fluctuations of the different sub-systems of the tunnel junction that are described as macrospin fluctuators. We illustrate our method on perpendicularly magnetized MgO-based MTJs patterned in 50 × 100 nm{sup 2} nanopillars. We apply hard axis (in-plane) fields to let the magnetic thermal fluctuations yield finite conductance fluctuations of the MTJ. Instead of the free layer fluctuations that are observed to be affected by both spin-torque and temperature, we use the magnetization fluctuations of the sole reference layers. Their much stronger anisotropy and their much heavier damping render them essentially immune to spin-torque. We illustrate our method by determining current-induced heating of the perpendicularly magnetized tunnel junction at voltages similar to those used in spin-torque memory applications. The absolute temperature can be deduced with a precision of ±60 K, and we can exclude any substantial heating at the spin-torque switching voltage.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

NASA NTRS1992

The magnetic field investigation on the Ulysses mission - Instrumentation and preliminary scientific results

A fundamental feature of the heliosphere is the three-dimensional structure of the interplanetary magnetic field. The magnetic field investigation on Ulysses, the first space probe to explore the out-of-ecliptic and polar heliosphere, aims at determining the large-scale features and gradients of the field, as well as the heliolatitude dependence of interplanetary phenomena so far only observed near the ecliptic plane. The Ulysses magnetometer uses two sensors, one a Vector Helium Magnetometer, the other a Fluxgate Magnetometer. Onboard data processing yields measurements of the magnetic field vector with a time resolution up to 2 vectors/second and a sensitivity of about 10 pT. Since the switch-on of the instrument in flight on 25 October 1990, a steady stream of observations has been made, indicating that at this phase of the solar cycle the field is generally disturbed: several shock waves and a large number of discontinuities have been observed, as well as several periods with apparently intense wave activity. The paper gives a brief summary of the scientific objectives of the investigation, followed by a detailed description of the instrument and its characteristics. Examples of wave bursts, interplanetary shocks and crossings of the heliospheric current sheet are given to illustrate the observations made with the instrument.

Balogh, A.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Progress Toward a Compact 0.05 K Magnet Refrigerator Operating from 10 K

Much of the most interesting information regarding our universe is hidden in the sub-millimeter, infrared, and x-rays bands of the spectrum, to which our atmosphere is largely opaque. Thus, missions exploring these bands are a very important part of NASA s Space Science program. Coincidentally, the most sensitive detectors in these spectral regions operate at extremely low temperatures, typically 0.05 - 0.10 K. Generally these temperatures will be achieved using magnetic refrigerators, also know as Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators, or ADRs. Current ADRs, such as the one used in the XRS-II instrument on the Astro-E2 satellite, use a single-stage to cool detectors from 1.3 K to 0.06 K. The ADR is designed so that it can absorb the heat on the detector stage for at least 24 hours before it must stop, warm up to the helium bath temperature (1.3 K), and dump the accumulated heat. Future detector arrays will be much larger and will have higher heat dissipation. Furthermore, future missions will use mechanical cryocoolers to provide upper stage cooling, but they can only reach 4 - 10 K. Trying to scale heavy (-15 kg) single stage ADRs up to the higher heat loads and higher heat rejection temperatures required leads to unacceptably large systems. The GSFC Cryogenics Branch has developed the Continuous ADR (CADR) to solve this problem. The CADR consists of a series of ADR stages that sequentially pass heat from the load up to the high temperature heat sink. The stage connected to the load remains at a constant temperature. The continuous stage effectively decouples detector operation from ADR operation, allowing the ADR stages to be cycled much more rapidly. Rapid cycling leads to higher cooling power density. The cascading, multistage arrangement allows the magnetic refrigerant of each stage to be optimized for its own temperature swing. In the past year, we have made good progress toward a 0.05 to 10K system. A four-stage system that operates from 4.2 K was demonstrated. Magnetic shielding was added to eliminate inter-stage coupling. Improvements were made to superconducting and passive gas-gap heat switches. A second type of passive gas gap switch, one meant for use at higher temperature, was demonstrated. The presentation will focus primarily on these recent design improvements, and on the challenges that remain on the progress toward a system that will operate from 10 K or higher.

Canavan, Edgar↗

DOE OSTI2022

Control of chiral orbital currents in a colossal magnetoresistance material

Colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) is an extraordinary enhancement of the electrical conductivity in the presence of a magnetic field. It is conventionally associated with a field-induced spin polarization that drastically reduces spin scattering and electric resistance. Ferrimagnetic Mn 3 Si 2 Te 6 is an intriguing exception to this rule: it exhibits a seven-order-of-magnitude reduction in ab plane resistivity that occurs only when a magnetic polarization is avoided 1,2 . Here, we report an exotic quantum state that is driven by ab plane chiral orbital currents (COC) flowing along edges of MnTe 6 octahedra. The c axis orbital moments of ab plane COC couple to the ferrimagnetic Mn spins to drastically increase the ab plane conductivity (CMR) when an external magnetic field is aligned along the magnetic hard c axis. Consequently, COC-driven CMR is highly susceptible to small direct currents exceeding a critical threshold, and can induce a time-dependent, bistable switching that mimics a first-order ‘melting transition’ that is a hallmark of the COC state. Further, the demonstrated current-control of COC-enabled CMR offers a new paradigm for quantum technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2012

Generation of shock/discontinuity compound structures through magnetic reconnection in the geomagnetic tail

We use 1-D hybrid code to simulate the generation and evolution of MHD discontinuities associated with magnetic reconnection in a current sheet. It is found that the leakage of slow shock (SS) downstream particles to upstream region tends to increase the ion parallel temperature and temperature anisotropy with {beta}{sub i||}/{beta}{sub i Up-Tack } Much-Greater-Than 1, where {beta}{sub i||}({beta}{sub i Up-Tack }) is the ion parallel (perpendicular) beta. As a result, the propagation speed of rotational discontinuity (RD) is highly reduced and RD becomes attached to SS, leading to formation of various compound structures in the reconnection outflow region. Four types of compound structure are found in our simulations: (a) RD-SS compound structure: the RD is attached to the leading part of SS, (b) SS-RD (DD) compound structure: RD is attached to the rear part of SS, (c) SS-RD-SS compound structure: RD is trapped inside SS, and (d) switch-off slow shock (SSS) with a rotational wave train. The type of compound structure generated depends on initial ion beta {beta}{sub i0} and magnetic shear angle {phi}. RD tends to move in front of SS to form an RD-SS compound structure for cases with low {beta}{sub i0}. RD stays behind SS and form an SS-RD (DD) compound structure for large {beta}{sub i0}. The SS-RD-SS compound structure is formed for intermediate values of {beta}{sub i0}. When the shear angle is 180 Degree-Sign , SSS with a wave train is formed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2012

Spatially resolving variations in giant magnetoresistance, undetectable with four-point probe measurements, using infrared microspectroscopy

Magnetorefractive infrared (IR) microspectroscopy is demonstrated to resolve spatial variations in giant magnetoresistance (GMR) and, by modelling, provide an insight into the origin of the variations. Spatial variations are shown to be masked in conventional four-point probe electrical or IR spectral measurements. IR microspectroscopy was performed at the SMIS beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron, modified to enable measurements in magnetic fields. A GMR gradient was induced in a CoFe/Cu multilayer sample by annealing in a temperature gradient. Modelling revealed that variations in GMR at 900 Oe could be attributed to local variations in interlayer coupling locally changing the switching field.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2022

Interfacial triferroicity in monolayer chromium dihalide

Couplings between different ferroics in two-dimensional (2D) materials, with atomic thickness and van der Waals surface, have been long sought but not yet realized. We show the first-principles evidence of unique triferroic couplings in recently synthesized CrI 2 monolayer. Its ferroelasticity with a low switching barrier stems from the Jahn-Teller effect. When coupled with the interaction of a substrate, a type of interfacial ferroelectricity with direction determined by the ferroelastic states can emerge which can be switched following the same low-barrier pathway of ferroelastic switching. The direction of its striped antiferromagnetism is also governed by its ferroelastic states, leading to a coupling of ferroelasticity, ferroelectricity, and magnetism. Such mechanism of multiferroic couplings, denoted as interfacial Jahn-Teller triferroicity, can be applied to other 2D materials such as CuC l2 and their Janus monolayers, enabling electrical manipulation of spintronics for efficient nonvolatile random-access memories.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2018

Anisotropic magnetocrystalline coupling of the skyrmion lattice in MnSi

In this paper, we investigate the anisotropic nature of magnetocrystalline coupling between the crystallographic and skyrmion crystal (SKX) lattices in the chiral magnet MnSi by magnetic field-angle resolved resonant ultrasound spectroscopy. Abrupt changes are observed in the elastic moduli and attenuation when the magnetic field is parallel to the [011] crystallographic direction. These observations are interpreted in a phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau theory that identifies switching of the SKX orientation to be the result of an anisotropic magnetocrystalline coupling potential. Finally, our paper sheds new light on the nature of magnetocrystalline coupling potential relevant to future spintronic applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1974

High speed shutter

A shutter element is described which is formed by a loop of an electrically conductive ribbon disposed adjacent to the end of a passageway to be shuttered. The shuttered end of the passageway is cut at an acute angle. The two leg portions of the ribbon loop are closely spaced to each other and disposed in a plane parallel to the axis of the passageway. A pulse of high current is switched through the loop to cause the current flowing in opposite directions through adjacent leg portions of the ribbon. This produces a magnetically induced pressure on one of the legs of the ribbon forcing the leg over the end of the passageway in gas tight sealing engagement, and thereby blocking passageway.

Mcclenahan, J. O.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Review of electrical and thermal properties of carbon and graphite

Some of the electrical and thermal properties of ordered and partially ordered carbons are reviewed. Earlier and current research areas are discussed relative to electrical properties of pyrolytic and polycrystalline graphite; thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of graphitizable and glassy carbon with heat treatment temperatures in the range 600-2500 C; Josephson junction-like and switching behavior in carbon films; and some high-conductivity and superconducting compounds made from carbon. Due to the newness and complexity of many of the areas examined, the results are not always completely understood, nor have these areas been completely investigated experimentally. Suggestions for future research are made.

Woollam, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Magnetic Bearing Amplifier Output Power Filters for Flywheel Systems

Five power filters and two types of power amplifiers were tested for use with active magnetic bearings for flywheel applications. Filter topologies included low pass filters and low pass filters combined with trap filters at the PWM switching frequency. Two state and three state PWM amplifiers were compared. Each system was evaluated based on current magnitude at the switching frequency, voltage magnitude at 500 kHz, and power consumption. The base line system was a two state amplifier without a power filter. The recommended system is a three state power amplifier with a 50 kHz low pass filter and a 27 kHz trap filter. This system uses 5.57 W. It reduces the switching current by an order of magnitude and the 500 kHz voltage by two orders of magnitude. The relative power consumption varied depending on the test condition between 60 to 130 percent of the baseline.

Lebron-Velilla, Ramon C.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Termination switching of antiferromagnetic proximity effect in topological insulator

This work reports the ferromagnetism of topological insulator, (Bi,Sb) 2 Te 3 (BST), with a Curie temperature of approximately 120 K induced by magnetic proximity effect (MPE) of an antiferromagnetic CrSe. The MPE was shown to be highly dependent on the stacking order of the heterostructure, as well as the interface symmetry: Growing CrSe on top of BST results in induced ferromagnetism, while growing BST on CrSe yielded no evidence of an MPE. Cr-termination in the former case leads to double-exchange interactions between Cr 3+ surface states and Cr 2+ bulk states. This Cr 3+ -Cr 2+ exchange stabilizes the ferromagnetic order localized at the interface and magnetically polarizes the BST Sb band. In contrast, Se-termination at the CrSe/BST interface yields no detectable MPE. These results directly confirm the MPE in BST films and provide critical insights into the sensitivity of the surface state.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2014

Dipolar field effects on the critical current for spin transfer switch of iron and permalloy nanoelements

We report a theoretical study of dipolar effects on the switching current density of soft ferromagnetic elliptical nanoelements. Relevant changes on the critical current value are found according to the orientation of the magnetization and the spin polarization with the major axis. We show that the critical current density may be reduced by as much as 92% for thin nanoelements magnetized along the minor axis direction, using in-plane spin polarization parallel to the magnetization.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2022

Universal Battery Supercharger

During the course of the UBS project a dc-fast charger was developed to be used in off board high power charging stations. High efficiency is targeted to reduce the charging price for the consumer while reducing the charge time. In the meantime, the size of the converter is minimized so that it could be used in small spaces and potentially urban areas. The topology is modular, and the power level can be expanded for charging higher power vehicles like trucks and buses. During the course of this research several key technologies was developed in LESES that improve the performance of the power electronics system used in EV charger. Integrated magnetics was developed for DMCR to improve the power density as well as efficiency of the magnetic components which is one of the main bottlenecks of EV development. Triangular mode EV current conduction mode is using to perform soft switching (increase efficiency) without adding any new components to the existing topology. Passive and active damping are developed to suppress the interaction between grid and converter, stabilizing the control system. Further numerous other technical problems have been solved to pave the way for even higher performance converters in the future.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

NASA NTRS2006

A Bearingless Switched-Reluctance Motor for High Specific Power Applications

A 12-8 switched-reluctance motor (SRM) is studied in bearingless (or self-levitated) operation with coil currents limited to the linear region to avoid magnetic saturation. The required motoring and levitating currents are summed and go into a single motor coil per pole to obtain the highest power output of the motor by having more space for motor coil winding. Two controllers are investigated for the bearingless SRM operation. First, a model-based controller using the radial force, which is adjusted by a factor derived from finite element analysis, is presented. Then a simple and practical observation-based controller using a PD (proportional-derivative) control algorithm is presented. Both controllers were experimentally demonstrated to 6500 rpm. This paper reports the initial efforts toward eventual self levitation of a SRM operating into strong magnetic core saturation at liquid nitrogen temperature.

Choi, Benjamin B.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Non-volatile magnetic random access memory

Improvements are made in a non-volatile magnetic random access memory. Such a memory is comprised of an array of unit cells, each having a Hall-effect sensor and a thin-film magnetic element made of material having an in-plane, uniaxial anisotropy and in-plane, bipolar remanent magnetization states. The Hall-effect sensor is made more sensitive by using a 1 m thick molecular beam epitaxy grown InAs layer on a silicon substrate by employing a GaAs/AlGaAs/InAlAs superlattice buffering layer. One improvement avoids current shunting problems of matrix architecture. Another improvement reduces the required magnetizing current for the micromagnets. Another improvement relates to the use of GaAs technology wherein high electron-mobility GaAs MESFETs provide faster switching times. Still another improvement relates to a method for configuring the invention as a three-dimensional random access memory.

Katti, Romney R.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Electrically Controlled All-Antiferromagnetic Tunnel Junctions on Silicon with Large Room-Temperature Magnetoresistance

Antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials are a pathway to spintronic memory and computing devices with unprecedented speed, energy efficiency, and bit density. Realizing this potential requires AFM devices with simultaneous electrical writing and reading of information, which are also compatible with established silicon-based manufacturing. Recent experiments have shown tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) readout in epitaxial AFM tunnel junctions. However, these TMR structures are not grown using a silicon-compatible deposition process, and controlling their AFM order required external magnetic fields. Here are shown three-terminal AFM tunnel junctions based on the noncollinear antiferromagnet PtMn 3 , sputter-deposited on silicon. The devices simultaneously exhibit electrical switching using electric currents, and electrical readout by a large room-temperature TMR effect. First-principles calculations explain the TMR in terms of the momentum-resolved spin-dependent tunneling conduction in tunnel junctions with noncollinear AFM electrodes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗