0000000000154103
AUTHOR
Xeniya Kozina
Symmetry of valence states of Heusler compounds explored by linear dichroism in hard-x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
This study reports on the linear dichroism in angular-resolved photoemission from the valence band of the Heusler compounds ${\mathrm{NiTi}}_{0.9}{\mathrm{Sc}}_{0.1}\mathrm{Sn}$ and NiMnSb. High-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy was performed with an excitation energy of $h\ensuremath{\nu}=7.938\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{keV}$. The linear polarization of the photons was changed using an in-vacuum diamond phase retarder. The valence band spectra exhibit the typical structure expected from first-principles calculations of the electronic structure of these compounds. Noticeable linear dichroism is found in the valence band of both materials, and this allows for a symmetry analysis of the cont…
Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Investigation of the Quasi-One-Dimensional Organic Conductor (TMTSF)2PF6
We present high-resolution near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements at the P L2/3-edges, F K-edge, C K-edge and Se M2/3-edges of the quasi-one-dimensional (1D) conductor and superconductor (TMTSF)2PF6. NEXAFS allows probing the donor and acceptor moieties separately; spectra were recorded between room temperature (RT) and 30 K at normal incidence. Spectra taken around RT were also studied as a function of the angle (θ) between the electric field of the X-ray beam and the 1D conducting direction. In contrast with a previous study of the S L2/3-edges spectra in (TMTTF)2AsF6, the Se M2/3-edges of (TMTSF)2PF6 do not exhibit a well resolved spectrum. Surprisingly, the C K-…
Electronic and crystallographic structure, hard x-ray photoemission, and mechanical and transport properties of the half-metallic Heusler compound Co2MnGe
This work reports on the electronic and crystalline structure and the mechanical, magnetic, and transport properties of the polycrystalline Heusler compound Co${}_{2}$MnGe. The crystalline structure was examined in detail by extended x-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy and anomalous x-ray diffraction. The compound exhibits a well-ordered $L{2}_{1}$ structure as is typical for Heusler compounds with 2:1:1 stoichiometry. The low-temperature magnetic moment agrees well with the Slater-Pauling rule and indicates a half-metallic ferromagnetic state of the compound, as is predicted by ab initiocalculations. Transport measurements and hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed t…
Probing the electronic states of high-TMR off-stoichiometric Co2MnSi thin films by hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
The tunnel magnetoresistance ratio (TMR) of fully epitaxial magnetic tunnel junctions with an off-stoichiometric Co${}_{2}$MnSi Heusler alloy has been shown to exhibit a systematic dependence on Mn content, reaching 1135% at 4.2 K for Co${}_{2}$Mn${}_{1.29}$Si. In this paper, we explain the behavior of the observed TMR ratio using ab initio calculations and hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). For the Mn-deficient samples, we show that the the drop of the TMR is caused by Co antisite atoms, which impose extra states into the minority-spin band gap. On the other hand, Mn-excess composition shows nearly half-metallic behavior. This result can be intuitively understood since both Co…
Microscopic origin of the charge transfer in single crystals based on thiophene derivatives: A combined NEXAFS and density functional theory approach
We have investigated the charge transfer mechanism in single crystals of DTBDT-TCNQ and DTBDT-F4TCNQ (where DTBDT is dithieno[2,3-d;2',3'-d'] benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b']dithiophene) using a combination of near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS) and density functional theory calculations (DFT) including final state effects beyond the sudden state approximation. In particular, we find that a description that considers the partial screening of the electron-hole Coulomb correlation on a static level as well as the rearrangement of electronic density shows excellent agreement with experiment and allows to uncover the details of the charge transfer mechanism in DTBDT-TCNQ and DTBDT-F4 TCNQ, as w…
Electronic, structural, and magnetic properties of the half-metallic ferromagnetic quaternary Heusler compounds CoFeMnZ(Z=Al, Ga, Si, Ge)
The quaternary intermetallic Heusler compounds CoFeMn$Z$ ($Z=\text{Al}$, Ga, Si, or Ge) with $1:1:1:1$ stoichiometry were predicted to exhibit half-metallic ferromagnetism by ab initio electronic structure calculations. The compounds were synthesized using an arc-melting technique and the crystal structures were analyzed using x-ray powder diffraction. The electronic properties were investigated using hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The low-temperature magnetic moments, as determined from magnetization measurements, follow the Slater-Pauling rule, confirming the proposed high spin polarizations. All compounds have high Curie temperatures, allowing for applications at room temperature…
Spin Polarimetry and Magnetic Dichroism on a Buried Magnetic Layer Using Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
The spin-resolved electronic structure of buried magnetic layers is studied by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) using a spin polarimeter in combination with a high-energy hemispherical electron analyzer at the high-brilliance BL47XU beamline (SPring-8, Japan). Spin-resolved photoelectron spectra are analyzed in comparison with the results of magnetic linear and circular dichroism in photoelectron emission in the case of buried Co2FeAl0.5Si0.5 layers. The relatively large inelastic mean free path (up to 20 nm) of fast photoelectrons enables us to extend the HAXPES technique with electron-spin polarimetry and to develop spin analysis techniques for buried magnetic multilayers a…
Magnetic dichroism in angular-resolved hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy from buried layers
This work reports the measurement of magnetic dichroism in angular-resolved photoemission from in-plane magnetized buried thin films. The high bulk sensitivity of hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) in combination with circularly polarized radiation enables the investigation of the magnetic properties of buried layers. HAXPES experiments with an excitation energy of 8 keV were performed on exchange-biased magnetic layers covered by thin oxide films. Two types of structures were investigated with the IrMn exchange-biasing layer either above or below the ferromagnetic layer: one with a CoFe layer on top and another with a Co$_2$FeAl layer buried beneath the IrMn layer. A pronounced…
Magnetic dichroism in angle-resolved hard x-ray photoemission from buried layers
This work reports the measurement of magnetic dichroism in angular-resolved photoemission from in-plane magnetized buried thin films. The high bulk sensitivity of hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) in combination with circularly polarized radiation enables the investigation of the magnetic properties of buried layers. HAXPES experiments with an excitation energy of 8 keV were performed on exchange-biased magnetic layers covered by thin oxide films. Two types of structures were investigated with the IrMn exchange-biasing layer either above or below the ferromagnetic layer: one with a CoFe layer on top and another with a Co${}_{2}$FeAl layer buried beneath the IrMn layer. A pronou…
A nondestructive analysis of the B diffusion in Ta–CoFeB–MgO–CoFeB–Ta magnetic tunnel junctions by hard x-ray photoemission
This work reports on hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) of CoFeB based tunnel junctions. Aim is to explain the role of the boron diffusion for the observed improvement of the tunneling magnetoresistance ratio with increasing annealing temperature. The high bulk sensitivity of HAXPES was used as a nondestructive technique to analyze CoFeB–MgO–CoFeB magnetic tunnel junctions. The investigated samples were processed at different annealing temperatures from 523 to 923 K. Hard x-ray core level spectroscopy reveals an enforced diffusion of boron from the CoFeB into the adjacent Ta layer with increasing annealing temperature. The dependence of the tunneling magnetoresistance on the ann…
Epitaxial growth and thermoelectric properties of TiNiSn and Zr0.5Hf0.5NiSn thin films
Abstract Due to their exceptional thermoelectric properties Half-Heusler alloys like MNiSn (M = Ti,Zr,Hf) have moved into focus. The growth of single crystalline thin film TiNiSn and Zr 0.5 Hf 0.5 NiSn by dc magnetron sputtering is reported. Seebeck and resistivity measurements were performed and their dependence on epitaxial quality is shown. Seebeck coefficient, specific resistivity and power factor for Zr 0.5 Hf 0.5 NiSn at room temperature were measured to be 63 μV K − 1 , 14.1 μΩ m and 0.28 mW K − 2 m − 1 , respectively. Multilayers of TiNiSn and Zr 0.5 Hf 0.5 NiSn are promising candidates to increase the thermoelectric figure-of-merit by decreasing thermal conductivity perpendicular …
Development of hard x-ray photoelectron SPLEED-based spectrometer applicable for probing of buried magnetic layer valence states
Abstract A novel design of high-voltage compatible polarimeter for spin-resolved hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (Spin-HAXPES) went into operation at beamline BL09XU of SPring-8 in Hyogo, Japan. The detector is based on the well-established principle of electron diffraction from a W(001) single-crystal at a scattering energy of 103.5 eV. It's special feature is that it can be operated at a high negative bias potential up to 10 kV, necessary to access the HAXPES range. The polarimeter is operated behind a large hemispherical analyzer (Scienta R-4000). It was optimized for high transmission of the transfer optics. A delay-line detector (20 mm dia.) is positioned at the exit plane of the…