0000000000078300
AUTHOR
Josep Fontcuberta
Domain structure of epitaxial SrRuO3 thin films
Growth of multidomains in epitaxial thin-film oxides is known to have a detrimental effect on some functional properties, and, thus, efforts are done to suppress them. It is commonly accepted that optimal properties of the metallic and ferromagnetic $\mathrm{SrRu}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (SRO) epitaxies can only be obtained if vicinal $\mathrm{SrTi}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (001) (STO) substrates are used. It is believed that this results from the suppression of multidomain structure in the SRO film. Here we revise this important issue. Nanometric films of SRO have been grown on STO(001) vicinal substrates with miscut $({\ensuremath{\theta}}_{V})$ angles in the $\ensuremath{\sim}0.04\ifmmode^\circ\else\te…
The Poisson Ratio in CoFe2O4Spinel Thin Films
The response of epitaxial CoFe2O4 thin films to biaxial compressive stress imposed by MgAl2O4 and SrTiO3 single crystalline substrates is studied using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. It is found that the Poisson ratio ν signals a non-auxetic behavior and depends on the substrate used. The Raman modes show an increase in frequency when increasing compressive strain by reducing film thickness; this is due to the shrinking of the unit cell volume. Such behavior is in qualitative agreement with recent ab initio calculations, although the measured values are significantly smaller than predictions. In contrast, the measured Poisson ratio is found to be in good agreement with expectatio…
Simultaneous imaging of strain waves and induced magnetization dynamics at the nanometer scale
Changes in strain can be used to modify electronic and magnetic properties in crystal structures, to manipulate nanoparticles and cells, or to control chemical reactions. The magneto-elastic (ME) effect--the change of magnetic properties caused by the elastic deformation (strain) of a magnetic material--has been proposed as an alternative approach to magnetic fields for the low power control of magnetization states of nanoelements since it avoids charge currents, which entail ohmic losses. Multiferroic heterostructures \cite{Zheng2004} and nanocomposites have exploited this effect in search of electric control of magnetic states, mostly in the static regime. Quantitative studies combining s…
Direct imaging of delayed magneto-dynamic modes induced by surface acoustic waves.
The magnetoelastic effect—the change of magnetic properties caused by the elastic deformation of a magnetic material—has been proposed as an alternative approach to magnetic fields for the low-power control of magnetization states of nanoelements since it avoids charge currents, which entail ohmic losses. Here, we have studied the effect of dynamic strain accompanying a surface acoustic wave on magnetic nanostructures in thermal equilibrium. We have developed an experimental technique based on stroboscopic X-ray microscopy that provides a pathway to the quantitative study of strain waves and magnetization at the nanoscale. We have simultaneously imaged the evolution of both strain and magne…