V. V. Rogov

Antivortex state in crosslike nanomagnets

We report on results of computer micromodelling of anti-vortex states in asymmetrical cross-like ferromagnetic nanostructures and their practical realization. The arrays of cobalt crosses with 1 mkm branches, 100 nm widths of the branches and 40 nm thicknesses were fabricated using e-beam lithography and ion etching. Each branch of the cross was tapered at one end and bulbous at the other. The stable formation of anti-vortex magnetic states in these nanostructures during magnetization reversal was demonstrated experimentally using magnetic force microscopy.

A source of a reference spherical wave based on a single mode optical fiber with a narrowed exit aperture

A new type of a reference spherical wave source (SWS) based on a single mode optical fiber with a narrowed down up to the submicrometer size exit aperture is proposed. It is intended for the precision point diffraction interferometers as a source of a reference wave. Systematic experimental errors which influence the measurement accuracy of the quality of the wave fronts generated by the SWSs are considered. Experimental data on wave front deformations are given. The combined root-mean-square (rms) wave deformation for a couple of the SWSs measured in a numerical aperture of NA=0.27 reaches the value of rms=0.36 nm that corresponds to rms=0.25 nm of a single SWS or about lambda2500 for the red He-Ne laser.

Magnetic force microscopy of helical states in multilayer nanomagnets

We have used magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to investigate noncollinear helical states in multilayer nanomagnets, consisting of a stack of single domain ferromagnetic disks separated by insulating nonmagnetic spacers. The nanomagnets were fabricated from a [Co∕Si]×3 multilayer thin film structure by electron beam lithography and ion beam etching. The structural parameters (Co layer and spacer thicknesses) were optimized to obtain a clear spiral signature in the MFM contrast, taking into account the magnetostatic interaction between the layers. MFM contrast corresponding to the helical states with different helicities was observed for the optimized structure with Co layer thicknesses of 16, 11, and 8nm, and with 3nm Si spacer thickness.

Strong influence of a magnetic layer on the critical current of Nb bridge in finite magnetic fields due to surface barrier effect

We measured the critical current of the bilayer Nb/Co in the applied magnetic field. When the magnetic field was tilted to the axis which was perpendicular to the plane of the bilayer we observed a large difference in critical currents flowing in opposite directions. We found that the largest critical current of the bilayer exceeded the critical current of the superconductor without Co layer in a wide range of the tilted magnetic fields. The theory which takes into account the surface barrier effect for vortex entry and magnetic field of the magnetic layer gave a quantitative explanation of our experimental results.

Magnetic and optical properties of nanocorrugated Co films

Nanostructured Co films were prepared on the top of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) colloidal crystals by magnetron sputtering. Optical reflectance spectra were studied in the range of near UV, IR, and visible light for p- and s-polarizations. Valleys were observed in the spectra and their positions scaled with the PMMA sphere diameter. Both the surface plasmon resonance and the dipole resonance of single Co nanocaps should be considered to explain the obtained results. Magneto-optic measurements showed the qualitative change of the magnetization curve and the enhancement of magneto-optic rotation at wavelength λ=632 nm in comparison with the control Co film.

Properties of Josephson junctions in the inhomogeneous magnetic field of a system of ferromagnetic particles

The effect of a system of ferromagnetic particles on the field-dependent critical current of a Josephson junction is experimentally studied for junctions of different geometries. For edge junctions, the effect of commensurability between the periodic magnetic field of the particles and the Josephson vortex lattice is observed. The effect manifests itself in additional maxima of the field-dependent critical current. For overlap junctions, giant (greater than sixfold) variations of the maximum critical current are observed depending on the magnetic state of the particles. The changes in the “Fraunhofer” pattern of the overlaped Josephson junctions are attributed to the formation of Abrikosov vortices due to the effect of uniformly magnetized particles. The effects revealed in the experiments can be used to analyze the inhomogeneous magnetic field of a system of submicron particles and to control the transport properties of Josephson junctions.

Effect of ferromagnetic nanoparticles on the transport properties of a GaMnAs microbridge

A chain of Co nanoparticles was formed along a GaMnAs microbridge by electron beam lithography. The magnetic state of the particles was manipulated by a magnetic force microscope probe. It was found that resistance of the microbridge depended on the state of the particles and was different for the particles in the single-domain and vortex states. The resistance exhibited steplike behavior in an external magnetic field. This behavior was the result of the effect of the inhomogeneous stray fields of the particles on the microbridge resistance. The observed phenomenon can be used as an alternative way to control GaMnAs transport properties.

Nonreciprocal light diffraction by a lattice of magnetic vortices

We report on experimental study of optical properties of two-dimensional square lattice of triangle Co and CoFe nanoparticles with a vortex magnetization distribution. We demonstrate that intensity of light scattered in diffraction maxima depends on the vorticity of the particles magnetization and it can be manipulated by applying an external magnetic field. The experimental results can be understood in terms of phenomenological theory.

Magnetoresistance and noncollinear structures of multilayer ferromagnetic nanoparticles

The distribution of the magnetization over multilayer particles, including three ferromagnetic layers separated by insulating spacers, is studied experimentally and theoretically. Experimental data on the magnetic state of these particles are obtained by measuring their magnetoresistance. For the case of zero applied field, it is shown that a multilayer particle with easy-plane magnetic anisotropy is a noncollinear helical state.

High-sensitivity accelerometer based on cold emission principle

A possibility for fabrication of a high-sensitivity accelerometer is considered. The linear acceleration of a sensor causes displacement of the proof mass electrode. The displacement detector is based on a strong dependence of the tunneling or cold emission current on the gap between the electrodes. The geometry of the electrodes that provides the best sensitivity is determined. The accelerometer with tunneling-emission electrodes is fabricated. At frequencies up to 5 kHz the resolution reaches 10/sup -4/ g/Hz/sup 1/2/ in the tunneling mode and 10/sup -3/ g/Hz/sup 1/2/ in the emission mode.