Lorentz transmission electron microscopy studies on topological magnetic domains

Lorentz transmission electron microscopy（TEM） is a powerful tool to study the crystal structures and magnetic domain structures in correlation with novel physical properties. Nanometric topological magnetic configurations such as vortices, bubbles, and skyrmions have received enormous attention from the viewpoint of both fundamental science and potential applications in magnetic logic and memory devices, in which understanding the physical properties of magnetic nanodomains is essential. In this review article, several magnetic imaging methods in Lorentz TEM including the Fresnel and Foucault modes, electron holography, and differential phase contrast（DPC） techniques are discussed, where the novel properties of topological magnetic domains are well addressed. In addition, in situ Lorentz TEM demonstrates that the topological domains can be efficiently manipulated by electric currents, magnetic fields, and temperatures, exhibiting novel phenomena under external fields, which advances the development of topological nanodomain-based spintronics.

Anisotropic Magnon–Magnon Coupling in Synthetic Antiferromagnets

Magnon-magnon coupling in synthetic antiferromagnets advances it as hybrid magnonic systems to explore the quantum information technologies.To induce magnon-magnon coupling,the parity symmetry between two magnetization needs to be broken.Here we experimentally demonstrate a convenient method to break the parity symmetry by the asymmetric structure.We successfully introduce a magnon-magnon coupling in Ir-based synthetic antiferromagnets CoFeB(10 nm)/Ir(t_(Ir)=0.6 nm,1.2 nm)/CoFeB(13 nm).Remarkably,we find that the weakly uniaxial anisotropy field(-20 Oe)makes the magnon-magnon coupling anisotropic.The coupling strength presented by a characteristic anticrossing gap varies in the range between 0.54 GHz and 0.90 GHz for t_(Ir)=0.6 nm,and between 0.09 GHz and 1.4 GHz for t_(Ir)=1.2 nm.Our results demonstrate a feasible way to induce magnon-magnon coupling by an asymmetric structure and tune the coupling strength by varying the direction of in-plane magnetic field.The magnon-magnon coupling in this highly tunable material system could open exciting perspectives for exploring quantum-mechanical coupling phenomena.

Tuning magnetic anisotropy by interfacial engineering in La2/3Sr1/3Co1-xMnxO2.5+δ/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/La2/3Sr1/3Co1-xMnxO2.5+δ trilayers

Grouping different oxide materials with coupled charge, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom together to form heterostructures provides a rich playground to explore the emergent interfacial phenomena. The perovskite/brownmillerite heterostructure is particularly interesting since symmetry mismatch may produce considerable interface reconstruction and unexpected physical effects. Here, we systemically study the magnetic anisotropy of tensely strained La2/3Sr1/3Co1-xMnxO2.5+δ/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/La2/3Sr1/3Co1-xMnxO2.5+δ trilayers with interface structures changing from perovskite/brownmillerite type to perovskite/perovskite type. Without Mn doping, the initial La2/3Sr1/3CoO2.5+δ/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/La2/3Sr1/3CoO2.5+δ trilayer with perovskite/brownmillerite interface type exhibits perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and the maximal anisotropy constant is 3.385×106 erg/cm3, which is more than one orders of magnitude larger than that of same strained LSMO film. By increasing the Mn doping concentration, the anisotropy constant displays monotonic reduction and even changes from perpendicular magnetic anisotropy to in-plane magnetic anisotropy, which is possible because of the reduced CoO4 tetrahedra concentration in the La2/3Sr1/3Co1-xMnxO2.5+δ layers near the interface. Based on the analysis of the x-ray linear dichroism, the orbital reconstruction of Mn ions occurs at the interface of the trilayers and thus results in the controllable magnetic anisotropy.

Timescales and contribution of heating and helicity effect in helicity-dependent all-optical switching

The heating and helicity effects induced by circularly polarized laser excitation are entangled in the helicity-dependent all-optical switching(HD-AOS),which hinders understanding the magnetization dynamics involved.Here,applying a dual-pump laser excitation,first with a linearly polarized(LP) laser pulse followed by a circularly polarized(CP) laser pulse,the timescales and contribution from heating and helicity effects in HD-AOS were identified with a Pt/Co/Pt triple-layer.When the LP laser pulses preheat the sample to a nearly fully demagnetized state,the CP laser pulses with a power reduced by 80% switch the sample’s magnetization.By varying the time delay between the two pump pulses,the results show that the helicity effect,which gives rise to the deterministic helicity-induced switching,arises almost instantly within 200 fs close to the pulse width upon laser excitation.The results reveal that the transient magnetization state upon which CP laser pulses impinge is the key factor for achieving HD-AOS,and importantly,the tunability between heating and helicity effects with the unique dualpump laser excitation approach will enable HD-AOS in a wide range of magnetic material systems having wideranging implications for potential ultrafast spintronics applications.