Novel rare-earth free magnetic nanostructures

ORAL

Abstract

Magnetic nanostructuring including stabilization of novel structures without critical elements, easy-axis alignment, and self-assembly are important for creating new magnetic materials. We use a single-step process in a cluster-deposition system to fabricate rare-earth-free nanostructured magnetic materials with potential for high-energy magnet or spintronics applications.\footnote{B. Balamurugan, B. Das, D. J Sellmyer et al., \textit{Advanced Materials}, \textbf{25}, 6090 (2013).} For example, Mn$_{5}$Si$_{3}$ nanoclusters of diameter about 8 nm form hexagonal D8$_{8}$ structure and show strong ferromagnetic properties with a high $T_{c} =$ 590 K, an appreciable $K_{1} =$ 11 Mergs/cm$^{3}$, and a high $J_{s} = $12.5 kG. This result is in a sharp contrast to the antiferromagnetic ordering observed in bulk Mn$_{5}$Si$_{3}$ with $T_{N} =$ 100 K, and is supported by DFT calculations. On the other hand, MnSi nanoclusters form B20-type cubic crystal structure and are ferromagnetic below T $=$ 25 K. Skyrmion-type spin structures have been observed in MnSi thin films and evidence for such structures in nanoclusters will be discussed.

*This research is supported by U.S. DOE-BES-DMSE(DE-FG02-04ER46152) and NCMN.

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Authors

  • Bhaskar Das

    • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588

  • Balamurugan Balasubramanian

    • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588

  • Pinaki Mukherjee

    • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588

  • Priyanka Manchanda

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy and NCMN, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588
    • Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588

  • Ralph Skomski

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy and NCMN, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588
    • Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanosceince and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska
    • Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588

  • George Hadjipanayis

    • University of Delaware
    • University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716

  • David Sellmyer

    • Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588
    • Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanosceince and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska
    • NCMN, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588
    • Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
    • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588