G. Srajer

Electronic structure and magnetism in compressed 3d transition metals

The authors present a systematic study of high-pressure effects on electronic structure and magnetism in 3d transition metals (Fe, Co, and Ni) based on x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements. The data show that the net magnetic moment in Fe vanishes above 18GPa upon the transition to hcp Fe, while both cobalt and nickel remain ferromagnetic to well over 100GPa. The authors estimate the total disappearance of moment in hcp Co at around 150GPa and predict a nonmagnetic Ni phase above 250GPa. The present data suggest that the suppression of ferromagnetism in Fe, Co, and Ni is due to pressure-induced broadening of the 3d valence bands.

A new approach for improving exchange-spring magnets

It is demonstrated here that an already ideal exchange–spring magnet can be further improved by intermixing the interface. This is counter-intuitive to the general expectation that optimal exchange–spring magnet behavior requires an ideal, atomically coherent soft–hard interface. Epitaxial Sm–Co/Fe thin-film exchange–spring bilayers are thermally processed, by annealing or high-temperature deposition, to induce interdiffusion. With increasing processing temperature, the hysteresis loop becomes more single-phase-like, yet the magnetization remains fully reversible. The interface is characterized via synchrotron x-ray scattering and electron microscopy elemental mapping. The magnetization behavior is modeled by assuming a graded interface where the material parameters vary continuously. The simulations produce demagnetization curves similar to experimental observations.

A unique polarized x-ray facility at the advanced photon source

To use the unique element-specific nature of polarized x-ray techniques to study a wide variety of problems related to magnetic materials, we have developed a dual-branch sector that simultaneously provides both hard and soft x-ray capabilities. This facility, which is located in sector 4, is equipped with two different insertion devices providing photons in both the intermediate (0.5–3 keV) and hard x-ray regions (3–100 keV). This facility is designed to allow the simultaneous branching of two undulator beams generated in the same straight section of the ring.

Bragg transmission phase plates for the production of circularly polarized x rays

The x‐ray optics for a thin‐crystal Si (400) Bragg transmission phase plate have been constructed for the production of 5 to 12 keV circularly polarized x rays. Using multiple beam diffraction from a GaAs crystal, a direct measurement of the degree of circular polarization as a function of off‐Bragg position was made. These measurements indicated nearly complete circular polarization (‖Pc‖≥0.95) and full helicity reversal on opposite sides of the rocking curve.

Resonant x-ray scattering at the Se edge in liquid crystal free-standing films and devices

Resonant x-ray diffraction was carried out at the Se K edge in thick free-standing films of a selenophene liquid crystalline material, revealing detail of the structure of the ferro-, ferri-, and antiferroelectric phases. The ferrielectric phase was shown to have a three-layer superlattice. Moreover, the structure of a lower temperature hexatic phase was established. For the antiferroelectric phase, investigations were also carried out in a planar device configuration. The device allowed resonant scattering experiments to be carried out with and without the application of an electric field and resonant data are compared with electro-optic measurements carried out on the same device.

Performance of the advanced photon source 1-BM beamline optics

Bending magnet beamlines at third-generation synchrotron sources combined with well-designed optics offer unique capabilities for providing high x-ray fluxes into relatively small focal spots. This article provides a description of the x-ray optics used in the Advanced Photon Source 1-BM beamline. The performance of these optics in terms of the delivered flux ( 9×1011 ph/s/100 mA at 10 keV), energy resolution [ΔE/E≈1.5×10−4 with Si(111)], and focusing properties (spot size ≈0.25×0.60 mm) is compared with that expected from ideally reflecting and shaped optics.

Structural and Mechanistic Revelations on an Iron Conversion Reaction from Pair Distribution Function Analysis

Not simply small particles: pair distribution function analysis yields comprehensive insights into the electrochemical reaction of α-Fe(2)O(3) with lithium. The metallic Fe formed in this reaction was found to be defect-rich nanoparticles that restructure continuously without growing-an unusual characteristic likely linked to its highly reversible capacity.

Non-resonant and resonant X-ray scattering studies on multiferroic TbMn2O5

Comprehensive x-ray scattering studies, including resonant scattering at Mn L, Tb L, and M edges, were performed on single crystals of TbMn2O5 for crystallographic data to elucidate the nature of its commensurate and incommensurate phases. The scattering results provide direct evidence of symmetry lowering to the ferroelectric phase driven by magnetically induced lattice modulations and show the presence of multiple magnetic orders. The competing orders under spin-frustrated geometry are believed to cause discommensuration and result in the commensurate-to-incommensurate phase transition around 24 K. It is proposed that the low temperature incommensurate phase consists of commensurate domains separated by antiphase domain walls which change both signs of spontaneous polarizations and x-ray scattering amplitudes for forbidden reflections.

Orbital ordering transition in Ca2RuO4 observed with resonant x-ray diffraction

Resonant x-ray diffraction performed at the L(II) and L(III) absorption edges of Ru has been used to investigate the magnetic and orbital ordering in Ca2RuO4 single crystals. A large resonant enhancement due to electric dipole 2p-->4d transitions is observed at the wave-vector characteristic of antiferromagnetic ordering. Besides the previously known antiferromagnetic phase transition at T(N)=110 K, an additional phase transition, between two paramagnetic phases, is observed around 260 K. Based on the polarization and azimuthal angle dependence of the diffraction signal, this transition can be attributed to orbital ordering of the Ru t(2g) electrons. The propagation vector of the orbital order is inconsistent with some theoretical predictions for the orbital state of Ca2RuO4.

Imaging spiral magnetic domains in Ho metal using circularly polarized Bragg diffraction

We have used circularly polarized x rays to image the spiral magnetic domain structure in a single crystal of Ho metal. In these structures, the magnetization direction rotates between successive atomic layers forming a helix. At magnetic Bragg diffraction peaks, circularly polarized x rays are sensitive to the handedness of such a helix (i.e., either right or left handed). By reversing the helicity of the incident beam with phase-retarding optics and measuring the difference in the Bragg scattering, contrast between domains of opposing handedness can be obtained.