Article
Spectroscopy
Jacopo Orsilli, Marco Martini, Anna Galli
Summary: With the Angle Resolved XRF (AR-XRF) technique, the intensity of the characteristic elemental fluorescence signal of a sample can be affected by the geometry of analysis at different angles of detection and irradiation. This technique has been proven to be useful in analyzing metallic bilayer samples. In this paper, AR-XRF was applied to study a glazed ceramic from Puebla, Mexico, in the field of Cultural Heritage. The analysis of the decorations revealed the limitations of the technique, especially for thick and diffused layers, highlighting the importance of prior knowledge in retrieving structural information in complex systems with numerous variables.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART B-ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Matthew H. H. Fischel, Cathy E. Clarke, Donald L. Sparks
Summary: Manganese-oxides are strong sorbents and oxidants that occur in trace amounts in soils as coatings and crusts. The microscale mineralogy of these manganese phases in soils and concretions is not well known. This study collected soils and concretions from South Africa to determine the mineralogy. X-ray diffraction showed the dominance of lithiophorite and the presence of todorokite in less altered soils, while more altered soils were enriched in gibbsite and birnessite. Synchrotron XRF mapping provided insights into the mechanisms stabilizing manganese and iron. The mu XRD revealed a mineralogical gradient across a concretion transect, with birnessite in the outermost layer and other minerals becoming more abundant in the middle layers.
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Xia Yang, Jie-Feng Cao, Jun-Qin Li, Fang-Yuan Zhu, Rui Yu, Jian He, Zi-Long Zhao, Yong Wang, Ren-Zhong Tai
Summary: An experimental picosecond time-resolved X-ray ferromagnetic resonance (TR-XFMR) apparatus with a time resolution of 13 ps (RMS) or 31 ps (FWHM) was constructed and demonstrated at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). The apparatus utilized pump-probe detection and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy to measure the amplitude of element-specific moment precession during ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in a single Ni81Fe19 layer.
NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNIQUES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Masaki Hada, Yuta Nishina, Takashi Kato
Summary: Molecular assemblies are widely used in functional soft materials, with liquid crystals being a representative example. Understanding the dynamic molecular behavior in liquid crystal states at the picosecond level is crucial for further functionalization. X-ray diffraction provides powerful insights into assembled structures, but limitations in time resolution hinder real-time observation. Ultrafast science and materials chemistry bring new opportunities for studying molecular dynamics at micro- to femtosecond scales.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Craig P. Schwartz, Sumana L. Raj, Sasawat Jamnuch, Chris J. Hull, Paolo Miotti, Royce K. Lam, Dennis Nordlund, Can B. Uzundal, Chaitanya Das Pemmaraju, Riccardo Mincigrucci, Laura Foglia, Alberto Simoncig, Marcello Coreno, Claudio Masciovecchio, Luca Giannessi, Luca Poletto, Emiliano Principi, Michael Zuerch, Tod A. Pascal, Walter S. Drisdell, Richard J. Saykally
Summary: Charge transport processes at interfaces play a crucial role in many processes. Here, the first soft x-ray second harmonic generation (SXR SHG) interfacial spectrum of a buried interface (boron-Parylene N) is reported. SXR SHG shows distinct spectral features that are not observed in x-ray absorption spectra, demonstrating its extraordinary interfacial sensitivity. Comparing to electronic structure calculations indicates a boron-organic separation distance of 1.9 angstrom, with changes of less than 1 angstrom resulting in easily detectable SXR SHG spectral shifts (ca. hundreds of milli-electron volts).
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xi Shi, Udo Eckstein, Yizhe Li, David Hall, Neamul H. Khansur
Summary: In situ, spatially-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the electric field-induced phase transformation of nonergodic relaxor 0.93Na(1/2)Bi(1/2)TiO(3)-0.07BaTiO(3) ceramics. The study found that the copper electrode side coated by aerosol deposition exhibited more significant lattice strain and domain texture compared to the platinum side deposited by sputter deposition.
JOURNAL OF MATERIOMICS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Can B. Uzundal, Sasawat Jamnuch, Emma Berger, Clarisse Woodahl, Paul Manset, Yasuyuki Hirata, Toshihide Sumi, Angelique Amado, Hisazumi Akai, Yuya Kubota, Shigeki Owada, Kensuke Tono, Makina Yabashi, John W. Freeland, Craig P. Schwartz, Walter S. Drisdell, Iwao Matsuda, Tod A. Pascal, Alfred Zong, Michael Zuerch
Summary: Second harmonic generation (SHG) spectroscopy is commonly used to investigate surface chemistry, interfacial chemistry, and symmetry properties in solids, but the complexity of novel materials makes interpretation of experiments difficult. Polarization-resolved extreme ultraviolet (XUV-SHG) spectroscopy demonstrates element-specific angular anisotropy investigations for the first time, paving the way for future angle and time-resolved XUV-SHG studies with elemental specificity in condensed matter systems.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiaming Li, Enwei Sun, Yaping Ma, Huashan Zheng, Hua Zhao, Zhiguo Zhang
Summary: This study proposes a method to quantitatively characterize the phase transition processes of ferroelectric materials using fluorescence wavelength shift, demonstrating exact consistency between changes in fluorescence peak positions and structural phase transitions. The contactless, non-destructive fluorescence method provides localized quantitative analysis for phase transition processes in ferroelectric materials. The method based on fluorescence peak wavelength dependence on crystal environment may potentially be applied to characterize phase transitions in other ferroelectric materials.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Colin Banyon, Matthew J. Montgomery, Hyunguk Kwon, Alan L. Kastengren, Lisa D. Pfefferle, Travis Sikes, Yuan Xuan, Charles S. McEnally, Robert S. Tranter
Summary: This study presents high-fidelity temperature field measurements of heavily-sooting ethylene/air flames using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements. The challenges faced by conventional optical diagnostics have been overcome by implementing the XRF method with a fluorescent agent. The results demonstrate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this method in accurately interpreting the experimental signals.
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dmitriy Zusin, Ezio Iacocca, Loic Le Guyader, Alexander H. Reid, William F. Schlotter, Tian-Min Liu, Daniel J. Higley, Giacomo Coslovich, Scott F. Wandel, Phoebe M. Tengdin, Sheena K. K. Patel, Anatoly Shabalin, Nelson Hua, Stjepan B. Hrkac, Hans T. Nembach, Justin M. Shaw, Sergio A. Montoya, Adam Blonsky, Christian Gentry, Mark A. Hoefer, Margaret M. Murnane, Henry C. Kapteyn, Eric E. Fullerton, Oleg Shpyrko, Hermann A. Durr, T. J. Silva
Summary: In this study, the laser-induced dynamics of labyrinth domain networks in ferromagnetic CoFe/Ni multilayers were investigated using ultrafast x-ray diffraction. It was observed that the amplitudes of the magnetic diffraction rings decreased to different degrees within a short period of time and the rings also broadened and contracted radially. By analyzing the diffraction rings using Fourier analysis, the broadening of the domain walls was quantitatively determined. These findings provide important evidence for understanding the dynamics of labyrinth domain structures under far-from-equilibrium conditions.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. Vollmer, S. Degener, A. Bolender, A. Bauer, A. Liehr, A. Stark, N. Schell, P. Barriobero-Vila, G. Requena, T. Niendorf
Summary: A recently developed strategy for promoting abnormal grain growth during cyclic heat treatment has the potential to manufacture single crystals with a size of several centimeters. However, there is still a lack of detailed understanding of the elementary mechanisms involved in this kind of abnormal grain growth. This study provides time resolved insights into the interplay of these mechanisms for the first time, using in situ synchrotron high energy X-ray diffraction analysis. The results not only deepen our understanding of abnormal grain growth, but also lay the foundation for improving the efficiency of the cyclic heat treatment process and obtaining even larger single crystals.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Yanlin Wu, Hidekazu Takano, Atsushi Momose
Summary: Time-resolved x-ray stroboscopic phase tomography using a Talbot interferometer provides a means to visualize structural changes in materials with light elements. In this study, vibrating objects under 24 Hz compression-stretch fatigue loading were examined using this technique. The measurements showed three-dimensional depictions of changes in soft materials undergoing plastic deformation under external vibrations.
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Philipp Hoenicke, Rainer Unterumsberger, Nils Wauschkuhn, Markus Kraemer, Burkhard Beckhoff, Paul Indelicato, Jorge Sampaio, Jose Pires Marques, Mauro Guerra, Fernando Parente, Jose Paulo Santos
Summary: The knowledge of atomic fundamental parameters is crucial for accurate elemental quantification using X-ray fluorescence analysis techniques. However, the available data for low-Z elements is often of poor quality or has large uncertainties. This study determined the K-shell fluorescence yield of carbon experimentally and compared it with theoretical calculations.
RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shin-ichi Towata, Tatsuo Noritake, Satoshi Ogawa, Yuuki Nakanishi, Yasuhiro Sakuma, Shoji Tachiki, Toshiki Hirotomo, Kohei Suda
Summary: The crystallographic changes of Mg2NiH4 were investigated to understand the behavior of the phase transformation using in situ synchrotron radiation X-ray measurements. The thermal history of the samples influenced the ratio of different phases and the transformation temperature. X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed the effects of crystal size, lattice strain, and short-range disorder of Mg2NiH4 on the phase transformation.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Noritake Isomura, Satoru Kosaka, Naoko Takahashi
Summary: This paper proposes a novel measurement method to address the self-absorption effect in X-ray absorption spectroscopy in fluorescence yield mode for surface analysis. The method, tested on copper samples, utilizes the L-line fluorescence that cascades from the KLL Auger process caused by K-shell absorption. The obtained spectrum is not distorted by the self-absorption effect and exhibits a wide energy range oscillation. The method is also applicable to samples with uneven surfaces, making it suitable for various real materials.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Eleanor Lawrence Bright, Lei Xu, Lottie M. Harding, Ross Springell, Andrew C. Walters, Martin Sundermann, Mirian Garcia-Fernandez, Stefano Agrestini, Roberto Caciuffo, Gerrit van der Laan, Gerard H. Lander
Summary: Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) was used to study epitaxial films of alpha-U3O8 and UN, with an incident energy tuned to the uranium N-4,N-5 absorption edges. The multiplets associated with a 5f(1) configuration were observed for U3O8, but the predicted strong transition at a transfer energy of 1.67 eV was not observed. For the 5f-itinerant system UN, no sharp transitions were observed, indicating a predominantly 5f(3) configuration in this band-like semi-metallic system. These findings provide important information on these materials and the potential of RIXS at the uranium N edge for actinide research.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
C. Klewe, P. Shafer, J. E. Shoup, C. Kons, Y. Pogoryelov, R. Knut, B. A. Gray, H. -m. Jeon, B. M. Howe, O. Karis, Y. Suzuki, E. Arenholz, D. A. Arena, S. Emori
Summary: In this study, we investigated the spin dynamics of different magnetic cations in ferrimagnetic oxide under continuous microwave excitation. Our results showed that the precessing cation moments remained rigid and collinear, and the effective spin relaxation was identical for all magnetic cations. This validates the commonly assumed ferromagnetic-like dynamics in resonantly driven ferrimagnetic oxide.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haonan Jin, Wancong Tan, Yizhou Liu, Kejing Ran, Raymond Fan, Yanyan Shangguan, Yao Guang, Gerrit van der Laan, Thorsten Hesjedal, Jinsheng Wen, Guoqiang Yu, Shilei Zhang
Summary: In this study, we introduce a novel mechanism for the controlled stabilization of emergent monopoles and demonstrate that magnetic skyrmion strings can be folded into monopoles. Conversely, monopoles can act as seeds out of which the entire string structure can unfold. Resonant elastic X-ray scattering is used to observe the reversible evolution from monopole to string, resulting in the emergence of a pure monopole lattice on the surface. This provides new insight into topological defects and establishes the emergent monopole lattice as a new 3D topological phase.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
David M. Burn, Jheng-Cyuan Lin, Ryuji Fujita, Barat Achinuq, Joshua Bibby, Angadjit Singh, Andreas Frisk, Gerrit van der Laan, Thorsten Hesjedal
Summary: The TSSs in TIs provide exciting possibilities for dissipationless spin transport. However, using high-quality single-crystalline TI films limits the amount of spin current that can be pumped due to a single pair of spin-momentum locked channels. On the other hand, using nanocrystalline TI films can effectively increase the number of spin channels available for spin pumping. This study demonstrates spin pumping from a FM layer through a TI layer and into a FM spin sink using x-ray based ferromagnetic resonance technique.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Andreas Frisk, Barat Achinuq, David G. Newman, Emily Heppell, Maciej Dabrowski, Robert J. Hicken, Gerrit van der Laan, Thorsten Hesjedal
Summary: The ability to control the in-plane magnetic anisotropy of thin films is crucial for magnetic device applications. In this study, thin layers of Co were deposited using glancing angle deposition (GLAD) magnetron sputtering on MgO(001) and MgO(110) substrates. The in-plane anisotropy direction in Co films on MgO(001) can be controlled by adjusting the deposition angle. However, in Co films on MgO(110), the anisotropy induced by the deposition angle competes with the anisotropy induced by the substrate, and the dominant contribution is determined by the growth parameters. Additionally, while the deposition angle and film thickness affect the strength of Co in-plane anisotropy on MgO(001), no influence of these parameters on the magnetic properties is observed for films on MgO(110).
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI A-APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
R. Caciuffo, G. H. Lander, G. van der Laan
Summary: Research on actinide materials has been greatly advanced by the general techniques available from high-intensity photon beams from x-ray synchrotron sources, which can work with minute samples and reduce the radioactive hazards. The article discusses the form and encapsulation procedures used for different techniques and presents the basic theory for interpreting the results. It also reviews a selection of experiments to demonstrate the potential of synchrotron radiation techniques for studying actinide materials.
REVIEWS OF MODERN PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Daisy O'Mahoney, Sanyum Channa, Xin Yu Zheng, Arturas Vailionis, Padraic Shafer, Alpha T. N'Diaye, Christoph Klewe, Yuri Suzuki
Summary: Developed epitaxial spinel structure ferrite thin films of Li-0.5(AlxFe2.5-x)O-4 with ultra-low magnetic damping. Al substitution tunes saturation magnetization and in-plane magnetic anisotropy while maintaining excellent epitaxy and low damping. Element-specific x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements confirm magnetism originates from Fe3+ cations occupying octahedral sites.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
R. Sant, A. De Vita, V Polewczyk, G. M. Pierantozzi, F. Mazzola, G. Vinai, G. van der Laan, G. Panaccione, N. B. Brookes
Summary: Polarization dependent x-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to study the magnetic ground state and orbital occupation in VI3 van der Waals crystals. The effects of symmetry reduction and hybridization between vanadium and ligand states were evaluated. The results suggest that the insulating ground state is stabilized by Mott correlation effects rather than a Jahn-Teller mechanism, and provide insights for studying the spectroscopic properties of other van der Waals halides.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sujit Das, Margaret R. McCarter, Fernando Gomez-Ortiz, Yun-Long Tang, Zijian Hong, Anirban Ghosh, Padraic Shafer, Pablo Garcia-Fernandez, Javier Junquera, Lane W. W. Martin, Ramamoorthy Ramesh
Summary: Nontrivial polarization textures, including ferroelectric domains and vortex structure, have been observed in ferroelectric/dielectric superlattices. By controlling the epitaxial strain, researchers have achieved single-phase vortex structures in superlattices. The thickness of the ferroelectric layer has been found to affect the helicity and chirality of the vortex structures.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Gerrit van der Laan, Thorsten Hesjedal
Summary: Element-specific spectroscopies using synchrotron-radiation provide unique insights into materials properties. X-ray detected ferromagnetic resonance (XFMR) allows studying the magnetization dynamics of magnetic spin structures. Recent developments in X-ray scattering techniques reveal the precessional magnetization dynamics of ordered spin structures, providing valuable information for the engineering of high-density and low-energy consumption data processing solutions.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fen Xue, Shy-Jay Lin, Mingyuan Song, William Hwang, Christoph Klewe, Chien-Min Lee, Emrah Turgut, Padraic Shafer, Arturas Vailionis, Yen-Lin Huang, Wilman Tsai, Xinyu Bao, Shan X. X. Wang
Summary: Xue et al. investigate 'type-x' spin-orbit torque switching in Platinum/Cobalt multilayers, demonstrating unique spin polarizations and field-free magnetization switching. The unconventional spin currents result from the strong orbital magnetic moment observed in the low-dimensional Co films. Their work provides additional pathways for electrical control of spintronic devices in pursuit of high-speed, high-density, and low-energy non-volatile memory.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nassar Doudin, Kayahan Saritas, Jin-Cheng Zheng, J. Anibal Boscoboinik, Jerzy T. Sadowski, Padraic Shafer, Alpha T. N'Diaye, Min Li, Sohrab Ismail-Beigi, Eric Altman
Summary: Researchers have successfully synthesized a single layer of 2D Cr-silicate material with high Curie temperature and ferromagnetic properties, providing a new platform for studying 2D magnetism and applications in spin-polarized devices.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
C. Love, J. E. Beevers, B. Achinuq, R. Fan, T. Susaki, K. Matsuzaki, V. K. Lazarov, S. S. Dhesi, G. van der Laan, S. A. Cavill
Summary: The size of the orbital moment in bulklike epitaxial Fe3O4 films on yttria-stabilized zirconia (111) substrates has been determined using ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). Annealing the films improves their stoichiometry and microstructure, allowing for the recovery of bulklike properties. Both FMR and XMCD techniques provide evidence for the presence of a finite orbital moment in Fe3O4, with a spectroscopic splitting factor g approximately 2.18.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Marisel Di Pietro Martinez, Alexis Wartelle, Carlos Herrero Martinez, Farid Fettar, Florent Blondelle, Jean-Francois Motte, Claire Donnelly, Luke Turnbull, Feodor Ogrin, Gerrit van der Laan, Horia Popescu, Nicolas Jaouen, Flora Yakhou-Harris, Guillaume Beutier
Summary: In recent years, there has been increased interest in expanding from 2D to 3D systems in the magnetism community. This has led to the need for new characterization techniques, including tomographic imaging, to explore new geometries and broaden knowledge on magnetic textures in thick samples. This study presents a new tomographic technique based on Fourier transform holography, which overcomes the phase problem inherent to reciprocal-space-based techniques and allows for investigation of thicker samples.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaodong Xie, Kejing Ran, Yizhou Liu, Raymond Fan, Wancong Tan, Haonan Jin, Manuel Valvidares, Nicolas Jaouen, Haifeng Du, Gerrit van der Laan, Thorsten Hesjedal, Shilei Zhang
Summary: We have identified a three-dimensional skyrmion side-face state in chiral magnets, which is composed of a thin layer of modulated surface spirals and an array of phase-locked skyrmion screws. Using resonant elastic x-ray scattering, we observed a characteristic X-shaped magnetic diffraction pattern that resembles Photo 51 of the DNA double-helix diffraction. By measuring both thin plates and bulk Cu2OSeO3 crystals in the field-in-plane geometry, we were able to unambiguously identify the modulated skyrmion strings and retrieve their chirality and helix angle. The breaking of translational symmetry along the side faces suppresses the bulk-favored conical state and provides a previously overlooked stabilization mechanism for the skyrmion lattice phase.
