Chi-Yen Li

Spin Polarization and Quantum Spins in Au Nanoparticles

The present study focuses on investigating the magnetic properties and the critical particle size for developing sizable spontaneous magnetic moment of bare Au nanoparticles. Seven sets of bare Au nanoparticle assemblies, with diameters from 3.5 to 17.5 nm, were fabricated with the gas condensation method. Line profiles of the X-ray diffraction peaks were used to determine the mean particle diameters and size distributions of the nanoparticle assemblies. The magnetization curves M(Ha) reveal Langevin field profiles. Magnetic hysteresis was clearly revealed in the low field regime even at 300 K. Contributions to the magnetization from different size particles in the nanoparticle assemblies were considered when analyzing the M(Ha) curves. The results show that the maximum particle moment will appear in 2.4 nm Au particles. A similar result of the maximum saturation magnetization appearing in 2.3 nm Au particles is also concluded through analysis of the dependency of the saturation magnetization MP on particle size. The MP(d) curve departs significantly from the 1/d dependence, but can be described by a log-normal function. Magnetization can be barely detected for Au particles larger than 27 nm. Magnetic field induced Zeeman magnetization from the quantum confined Kubo gap opening appears in Au nanoparticles smaller than 9.5 nm in diameter.

Coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity in Pb/PbO core/shell nanoparticles

We report on the observations of spontaneous spin polarized moments in 7.4 nm Pb/PbO nanoparticles, which give rise to re-entrantlike temperature profiles for the magnetic susceptibility and magnetization in the superconducting phase that develops below 6.86 K. Results reveal the existence of a magnetic component below TC and superconductivity remains at low temperatures. A 30-fold increase in the critical magnetic field is also found. Superconductivity mainly arises from the 5 nm Pb core, whereas the 1.2 nm PbO shell contributes to the appearance of a net magnetic moment in the 7.4 nm Pb/PbO core/shell particles.

Huge Inverse Magnetization Generated by Faraday Induction in Nano-Sized Au@Ni Core@Shell Nanoparticles

We report on the design and observation of huge inverse magnetizations pointing in the direction opposite to the applied magnetic field, induced in nano-sized amorphous Ni shells deposited on crystalline Au nanoparticles by turning the applied magnetic field off. The magnitude of the induced inverse magnetization is very sensitive to the field reduction rate as well as to the thermal and field processes before turning the magnetic field off, and can be as high as 54% of the magnetization prior to cutting off the applied magnetic field. Memory effect of the induced inverse magnetization is clearly revealed in the relaxation measurements. The relaxation of the inverse magnetization can be described by an exponential decay profile, with a critical exponent that can be effectively tuned by the wait time right after reaching the designated temperature and before the applied magnetic field is turned off. The key to these effects is to have the induced eddy current running beneath the amorphous Ni shells through Faraday induction.

Direct Interplay between Superconductivity and Ferromagnetism in Fe1+y(Te0.5Se0.5)

Two ferromagnetic phases have been identified in the Fe-excess Fe1+y(Te0.5Se0.5) compounds, where the non-stoichiometric Fe ions occupy the interstitial sites that are slightly below the center positions of the Se square sublattice. The low-temperature magnetic phase, which coexists with superconductivity, consists the ordering of the lattice as well as the excess Fe ions. Thermal loosening of the superconducting pairs allows the electrons to flow from the superconducting layers to the interstitial Fe sites, which alters the numbers of Fe2+ ion on the lattice and on the excess sites. It is this valence change of the magnetic sites that drives the system evolves into its magnetic phase in the normal state. Existence of direct interplays between superconductivity and ferromagnetism in Fe1+y(Te0.5Se0.5) is demonstrated.

Short range magnetic correlations induced by La substitution in Ho1 − xLaxMn2O5

Magnetic susceptibility, x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and Raman scattering measurements are employed to study the effects of La substitution on the magnetic properties of multiferroic HoMn(2)O(5). 9% and 18% La-substituted compounds crystallize into the same orthorhombic Pbam symmetry as the parent compound. The magnetic responses to an ac driving magnetic field between 40 and 140 K are greatly enhanced by 18% La substitution. The neutron magnetic diffraction patterns reveal the development of short range magnetic correlations below 140 K. In addition, two Raman peaks and a series of new x-ray diffraction peaks suddenly develop below this temperature. Incommensurate long range antiferromagnetic order appears below 38 K. Magnetic frustration could be the main mechanism governing the present observations.

Development of a ferromagnetic component in the superconducting state of Fe-excess Fe 1.12 Te 1-x Se x by electronic charge redistribution

The general picture established so far for the links between superconductivity and magnetic ordering in iron chalcogenide Fe1+y(Te1-xSex) is that the substitution of Se for Te directly drives the system from the antiferromagnetic end into the superconducting regime. Here, we report on the observation of a ferromagnetic component that developed together with the superconducting transition in Fe-excess Fe1.12Te1-xSex crystals using neutron and x-ray diffractions, resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements. The superconducting transition is accompanied by a negative thermal expansion of the crystalline unit cell and an electronic charge redistribution, where a small portion of the electronic charge flows from around the Fe sites toward the Te/Se sites. First-principles calculations show consistent results, revealing that the excess Fe ions play a more significant role in affecting the magnetic property in the superconducting state than in the normal state and the occurrence of an electronic charge redistribution through the superconducting transition.