Engineering Physics Commons^™

Towards A Strong Spin–Orbit Coupling Magnetoelectric Transistor, Peter Dowben, Christian Binek, Kai Zhang, Lu Wang, Wai-Ning Mei, Jonathan P. Bird, Uttam Singisetti, Xia Hong, Kang L. Wang, Dmitri Nikonov

Peter Dowben Publications

Here, we outline magnetoelectric (ME) device concepts based on the voltage control of the interface magnetism of an ME antiferromagnet gate dielectric formed on a very thin semiconductor channel with large spin–orbit coupling (SOC). The emphasis of the ME spin field-effect transistors (ME spin FET) is on an antiferromagnet spin–orbit read logic device and a ME spin-FET multiplexer. Both spin-FET schemes exploit the strong SOC in the semiconducting channel materials but remain dependent on the voltage-induced switching of an ME, so that the switching time is limited only by the switching dynamics of the ME. The induced exchange field spin …

Magnetism Of New Metastable Cobalt-Nitride Compounds, Balamuruga Balamurugan, Xin Zhao, Shah R. Valloppilly, Sumit Beniwal, Ralph Skomski, Anandakumar Sarella, Yunlong Jin, Xingzhong Li, Xiaoshan Xu, Huibo Cao, Haohan Wang, Axel Enders, Cai-Zhuang Wang, Kai-Ming Ho, David J. Sellmyer

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

The search for new magnetic materials with high magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy is important for a wide range of applications including information and energy processing. There is only a limited number of naturally occurring magnetic compounds that are suitable. This situation stimulates an exploration of new phases that occur far from thermal-equilibrium conditions, but their stabilization is generally inhibited due to high positive formation energies. Here a nanocluster-deposition method has enabled the discovery of a set of new non-equilibrium Co-N intermetallic compounds. The experimental search was assisted by computational methods including adaptive-genetic-algorithm and electronic- structure calculations. Conventional wisdom is that …

Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy Of "-Fe2o3, Imran Ahamed, Rohilt Pathak, Arti Kashyap

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

The epsilon Fe₂O₃ phase of iron oxide has been studied to understand the spin structure and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy in the bulk and in thin films of "-Fe₂O₃ and Co-doped "-Fe₂O₃. The preferential magnetization direction in the nanoparticles of "-Fe₂O₃ is along the a-axis [M. Gich et al., Chem. Mater. 18, 3889 (2006)]. Compared to the bulk band gap of 1.9 eV, the thin-film band gap is reduced to 1.3 eV in the Co-free films and to 0.7 eV in the film with partial …

Texture Development And Coercivity Enhancement In Cast Alnico 9 Magnets, Wenyong Zhang, Shah Valloppilly, Xingzhong Li, Lanping Yue, Ralph Skomski, Iver Anderson, Matthew Kramer, Wei Tang, Jeff Shield, David J. Sellmyer

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

The effect of Y addition and magnetic field on texture and magnetic properties of arc-melted alnico 9 magnets has been investigated. Small additions of Y (1.5 wt.%) develop a (200) texture for the arc-melted alnico 9 magnet. Such a texture is hard to form in cast samples. To achieve this goal, we set up a high-field annealing system with a maximum operation temperature of 1250⁰ C. This system enabled annealing in a field of 45 kOe with subsequent draw annealing for the solutionized buttons; we have been able to substantially increase remanence ratio and coercivity, from 0.70 and 1200 …

Flow Anisotropy Due To Thread-Like Nanoparticle Agglomerations In Dilute Ferrofluids, Alexander Cali, Wah-Keat Lee, A. David Trubatch, Philip Yecko

Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Improved knowledge of the magnetic field dependent flow properties of nanoparticle-based magnetic fluids is critical to the design of biomedical applications, including drug delivery and cell sorting. To probe the rheology of ferrofluid on a sub-millimeter scale, we examine the paths of 550 μm diameter glass spheres falling due to gravity in dilute ferrofluid, imposing a uniform magnetic field at an angle with respect to the vertical. Visualization of the spheres’ trajectories is achieved using high resolution X-ray phase-contrast imaging, allowing measurement of a terminal velocity while simultaneously revealing the formation of an array of long thread-like accumulations of magnetic …

Calibration Of Temperature Sensors In Preparation For The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse, Erick Agrimson, Kaye Smith, Ana Taylor, Vina Onyango-Robshaw, Rachel Lang, Alynie Xiong, Peace Sinyigaya, Grace Maki, Rachel Dubose, Brittany Craig, James Flaten, Gordon Mcintosh

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

In preparation for the 2017 total solar eclipse, St. Catherine University developed a calibration protocol for the temperature sensors flown during thermal wake boom experiments. The calibration method used a standard two-point technique that corrected each individual sensor for both slope and offset errors using a high quality NIST certified thermocouple as the temperature standard. Our method is not absolute but corrects each sensor relative to the NIST standard so that we feel some confidence that individual sensor variations are mitigated. In preparation for the eclipse, calibration curves were generated for over 200 individual digital and thermistor temperature sensors.

Controlled Heading Automation Device, Robert Coulson

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

One of the most significant limitations of weather balloon-based data collection is that instruments and payloads cannot depend on particular orientations or predictable rotation. Several investigators have used payload heading control devices to overcome this limitation in order to collect directional data and record motion controlled video footage. The work described in this presentation builds on the Controlled Heading Automation Device (CHAD) developed by Kruger et al. (2016) and was carried out at DePaul University in summer 2017 as an undergraduate research project. Our goal was to record stable video of the shadow of the moon on Earth’s surface during …

Simulation Of Alnico Coercivity, Liqin Ke, Ralph Skomski, Todd D. Hoffman, Lin Zhoue, Wei Tang, Duane D. Johnson, Matthew J. Kramer, Iver E. Anderson, C.Z. Wang

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Micromagnetic simulations of alnico show substantial deviations from Stoner-Wohlfarth behavior due to the unique size and spatial distribution of the rod-like Fe-Co phase formed during spinodal decomposition in an external magnetic field. The maximum coercivity is limited by single-rod effects, especially deviations from ellipsoidal shape, and by interactions between the rods. Both the exchange interaction between connected rods and magnetostatic interaction between rods are considered, and the results of our calculations show good agreement with recent experiments. Unlike systems dominated by magnetocrystalline anisotropy, coercivity in alnico is highly dependent on size, shape, and geometric distribution of the Fe-Co phase, all …

Effect Of Disorder On The Resistivity Of Cofecral Films, Y. Jin, R. Skomski, P. Kharel, S.R. Valloppilly, D. J. Sellmyer

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Structural and electron-transport properties of thin films of the ferrimagnetic Heusler compound CoFeCrAl have been investigated to elucidate structure-property relationships. The alloy is, ideally, a spin-gapless semiconductor, but structural disorder destroys the spin-gapless character and drastically alters the transport behavior. Two types of CoFeCrAl films were grown by magnetron sputtering deposition at 973 K, namely polycrystalline films on Si substrates and epitaxial films on MgO (001) substrates. The resistivity decreases with increasing temperature, with relatively small temperature coefficients of –0.19 cm=K for the polycrystalline films and –0.12 cm=K for the epitaxial films. The residual resistivity of the polycrystalline films deposited …

Formation Of Mound-Like Multiscale Surface Structures On Titanium By Femtosecond Laser Processing, Edwin Peng, Alfred Tsubaki, Craig A. Zuhlke, Ryan Bell, Meiyu Wang, Dennis R. Alexander, George Gogos, Jeffrey E. Shield

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Surface Functionalization Technique • Femtosecond Laser Surface Processing (FLSP) • Utilize high power, femtosecond (10-15 s) laser pulses • Produce self-organized, multiscale surface micro/nanostructures • Diverse range of applicable substrates: semiconductors, metals, polymers, & composites

Why? • What are the different types of FLSP structures on Ti? • Physical evidence needed for FLSP formation models • Optimize FLSP of Ti for biomedical & other applications

How? • Obtain evidence of mound growth processes by examining underlying microstructure • Utilize dual beam Scanning Electron Microscope-Focused Ion Beam instrument to cross section surface structures & fabricate transmission electron microscopy samples

Half-Metallic Magnetism In Ti3co5-Xfexb2, Rohit Pathak, Imran Ahamed, W. Y. Zhang, Shah Vallopilly, D. J. Sellmyer, Ralph Skomski, Arti Kashyap

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Bulk alloys and thin films of Fe-substituted Ti₃Co₅B₂ have been investigated by first-principle density-functional calculations. The series, which is of interest in the context of alnico magnetism and spin electronics, has been experimentally realized in nanostructures but not in the bulk. Our bulk calculations predict paramagnetism for Ti₃Co₅B₂, Ti₃Co₄FeB₂ and Ti₃CoFe₄B₂, whereas Ti₃Fe₅B₂ is predicted to be ferromagnetic. The thin films are all ferromagnetic, indicating that moment formation may be facilitated at nanostructural …

Cooperative And Noncooperative Magnetization Reversal In Alnicos, Raplh Skomski, Liqin Ke, Matthew J. Kramer, Iver E. Anderson, C.Z. Wang, W.Y. Zhang, Jeff E. Shield, D. J. Sellmyer

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

It is investigated how magnetostatic interactions affect the coercivity of alnicotype magnets. Starting from exact micromagnetic relations, we analyze two limits, namely cooperative reversal processes operative on short lengths scales and noncooperative reversal processes on long length scales. In alnicos, intrawire interactions are predominantly cooperative, whereas interwire effects are typically noncooperative. However, the transition between the regimes depends on feature size and hysteresis-loop shape, and interwire cooperative effects are largest for nearly rectangular loops. Our analysis revises the common shape-anisotropy interpretation of alnicos.

Epitaxial Strain Controlled Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy In Ultrathin Ferh/Mgo Bilayers, Guohul Zheng, San-Huang Ke, Maosheng Miao, Jinwoong Kim, R, Ramesh, Nicholas Kioussis

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Using ab initio electronic structure calculations we have investigated the effect of epitazial strain on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) of ultrathin FeRh/MgO heterostructures. Analysis of the energy- and k-resolved distribution of the orbital character of the band structure reveals that MCA largely arises from the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) between d_x2-y2 and d_xz/d_yz orbitlas of Fe atoms at the FeRh/MhO interface. We demonstrate that the strain has significant effects on the MCA: It not only affects the value of the MCA but also induces a switching of the magnetic easy axis from perpendicular on in-plane direction. The …

First-Principle Investigation Of Structural, Electronic And Magnetic Properties Of Co2vin And Covin Heusler Compounds, Zipporah Muthui, Rohit Pathak, Robinson Musembi, Julius Mwabora, Ralph Skomski, Arti Kashyap

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Investigation of the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of full-Heusler Co₂VIn as well as half-Heusler CoVIn Cobalt based Heusler compounds using density functional theory (DFT) leads to the general conclusion that Co₂VIn and CoVIn are half-metallic materials with a gap at the Fermi level in the minority states and majority states respectively. A Hubbard-like Coulomb correlation term U has been included in the DFT (DFT+U) for the computation of the electronic and magnetic properties of the compounds. The structural properties have been calculated for the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phases, and both Co₂VIn …

Controlling The Microstructure And Associated Magnetic Properties Of Ni0.2mn3.2ga0.6 Melt-Spun Ribbons By Annealing, Mahmud Khan, Ohud Alshammari, Balamurugan Balamurugan, Bhaskar Das, David J. Sellmyer, Ahmad Us Saleheen, Shane Stadler

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Here we report on the structural and magnetic properties of Ni_0.2Mn_3.2Ga_0.6 melt- spun ribbons. The as-spun ribbons were found to exhibit mixed cubic phases that transform to non-cubic structure upon annealing. Additionally, an amorphous phase was found to co-exist in all ribbons. The SEM images show that minor grain forma- tion occurs on the as-spun ribbons. However, the formation of extensive nano-grains was observed on the surfaces of the annealed ribbons. While the as-spun ribbons exhibit predominantly paramagnetic behavior, the ribbons annealed under various thermal conditions were found to be ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature …

Effect Of Fe Substitution On The Structural, Magnetic And Electron-Transport Properties Of Half-Metallic Co2tisi, Y. Jin, J. Waybright, P. Kharel, I. Tutic, J. Herran, P. Lukashev, S. Valloppilly, D. J. Sellmyer

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

The structural, magnetic and electron-transport properties of Co₂Ti_1-xFe_xSi (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5) ribbons prepared by arc-melting and melt-spinning were investi- gated. The rapidly quenched Co₂Ti_0.5Fe_0.5Si crystallized in the cubic L2₁ structure whereas Co₂Ti_0.75Fe_0.25Si and Co₂TiFe₀Si showed various degrees of B2-type disorder. At room temperature, all the samples are ferromagnetic, and the Curie tem- perature increased from 360 K for Co₂TiSi to about 800 K for Co₂Ti_0.5Fe_0.5Si. The measured …

Theoretical Approach To Electroresistance In Ferroelectric Tunnel Junctions, Sou-Chi Chang, Azad Naeemi, Dmitri E. Nikonov, Alexei Gruverman

Alexei Gruverman Publications

In this paper, a theoretical approach comprising the nonequilibrium Green’s function method for electronic transport and the Landau-Khalatnikov equation for electric polarization dynamics is presented to describe polarization-dependent tunneling electroresistance (TER) in ferroelectric tunnel junctions. Using appropriate contact, interface, and ferroelectric parameters, the measured current-voltage characteristic curves in both inorganic (Co/BaTiO₃/La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃) and organic (Au/PVDF/W) ferroelectric tunnel junctions can be well described by the proposed approach. Furthermore, under this theoretical framework, the controversy of opposite TER signs observed experimentally by different groups in Co/BaTiO₃/La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ systems is …

Effect Of Disorder On The Magnetic And Electronic Structure Of A Prospective Spin-Gapless Semiconductor Mncrval, P. Kharel, J. Herran, P. Lukashev, Y. Jin, J. Waybright, S. Gilbert, B. Staten, P. Gray, S. Valloppilly, Y. Huh, D. J. Sellmyer

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Recent discovery of a new class of materials, spin-gapless semiconductors (SGS), has attracted considerable attention in the last few years, primarily due to potential applications in the emerging field of spin-based electronics (spintronics). Here, we investigate structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of one potential SGS compound, MnCr-VAl, using various experimental and theoretical techniques. Our calculations show that this material exhibits ≈ 0.5 eV band gap for the majority-spin states, while for the minority-spin it is nearly gapless. The calculated magnetic moment for the com- pletely ordered structure is 2.9 μ_B/f.u., which is different from our experimentally measured value …

Tunneling Magnetoresistance Sensors With Different Coupled Free Layers, Yen-Fu Liu, Xiaolu Yin, Yi Yang, Dan Ewing, Paul J. De Rego, Sy-Hwang Liou

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Large differences of magnetic coercivity (HC), exchange coupling field (HE), and tun- neling magnetoresistance ratio (TMR) in magnetic tunnel junctions with different coupled free layers are discussed. We demonstrate that the magnetization behavior of the free layer is not only dominated by the interfacial barrier layer but also affected largely by the magnetic or non-magnetic coupled free layers. All these parameters are sensitively controlled by the magnetic nanostructure, which can be tuned also by the magnetic annealing process. The optimized sensors exhibit a large field sensitivity of up to 261%/mT in the region of the reversal synthetic ferri- magnet at …

Comment On “Electronic Structure Of Mo(1−X)Rex Alloys Studied Through Resonant Photoemission Spectroscopy”, Prescott Evans, Peter A. Dowben

Peter Dowben Publications

Further analysis of the resonant photoemission data, found within Sundar et al (2016 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 28 315502), show the intensities do not follow the elemental composition in the Mo_1−xRe_x alloy. Similar trends are observed in the published data for Gd_1−xNi_x alloy films. The analysis of the resonant photoemission intensities suggests that Mo in the Mo_1−xRe_x alloy and Gd in the Gd_1−xNi_x alloy have nearest neighbor bonds to Re and Ni respectively. This means the A–B bond is favored over the average of …

Anomalous Photovoltaic Effect In Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells, Yongbo Yuan, Tao Li, Qi Wang, Jie Xing, Alexei Gruverman, Jinsong Huang

Alexei Gruverman Publications

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) have been demonstrated to be highly successful photovoltaic materials yielding very-high-efficiency solar cells. We report the room temperature observation of an anomalous photovoltaic (APV) effect in lateral structure OIHP devices manifested by the device’s open-circuit voltage (V_OC) that is much larger than the bandgap of OIHPs. The persistent V_OC is proportional to the electrode spacing, resembling that of ferroelectric photovoltaic devices. However, the APV effect in OIHP devices is not caused by ferroelectricity. The APV effect can be explained by the formation of tunneling junctions randomly dispersed in the polycrystalline films, which allows …

Ch3Nh3Pbi3 Perovskites: Ferroelasticity Revealed, Evgheni Strelcov, Qingfeng Dong, Tao Li, Jungseok Chae, Yuchuan Shao, Yehao Deng, Alexei Gruverman, Jinsong Huang, Andrea Centrone

Alexei Gruverman Publications

Ferroelectricity has been proposed as a plausible mechanism to explain the high photovoltaic conversion efficiency in organic-inorganic perovskites; however, convincing experimental evidence in support of this hypothesis is still missing. Identifying and distinguishing ferroelectricity from other properties, such as piezoelectricity, ferroelasticity, etc., is typically nontrivial because these phenomena can coexist in many materials. In this work, a combination of microscopic and nanoscale techniques provides solid evidence for the existence of ferroelastic domains in both CH₃NH₃PbI₃ polycrystalline films and single crystals in the pristine state and under applied stress. Experiments show that the configuration of CH …

Evolution Of Network Architecture In A Granular Material Under Compression, Lia Papadopoulous, James G. Puckett, Karen E. Daniels, Danielle S. Bassett

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

As a granular material is compressed, the particles and forces within the system arrange to form complex and heterogeneous collective structures. Force chains are a prime example of such structures, and are thought to constrain bulk properties such as mechanical stability and acoustic transmission. However, capturing and characterizing the evolving nature of the intrinsic inhomogeneity and mesoscale architecture of granular systems can be challenging. A growing body of work has shown that graph theoretic approaches may provide a useful foundation for tackling these problems. Here, we extend the current approaches by utilizing multilayer networks as a framework for directly quantifying …

Abstracts From The 2016 Ahac Conference, Erick Agrimson

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

This is a listing of Abstracts from AHAC 2016

Model For The Electrolysis Of Water And Its Use For Optimization, Roger Lascorz, Javier E. Hasbun Dr

Georgia Journal of Science

The goal of this research was to study the optimization of the electrolysis of water both theoretically and experimentally. For accuracy, 3 hr experiments were made with measurements recorded every 15 min. The results show that a better model than the classical one is needed for water electrolysis. A new model that fits experimental data better is proposed. The results of this new model not only predict hydrogen production in electrolysis of water better, but show a way to predict gas production of any liquid as well as what voltage to use to optimize it.

Particle Image Velocimetry Design & Installation, Zach Ritchie

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This work will mainly focus on the design, construction, and installation of the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system in the Chemical Hazards Research Center wind tunnel. The PIV system utilizes a Class IV (double pulsed) laser, optics to produce a light sheet, timing circuitry, and a high-resolution camera (with buffered output) to measure a system’s velocity (two-dimensional) field by determining the displacement of particles over the time between laser pulses. For maximum mobility and functionality, the PIV system was installed in the center of the tunnel on a moveable cart with the laser and camera mounted to an adjustable support. …

Electron Diffraction Study Of Cobalt-Rich Hf-Co, Xingzhong Li, Yunlong Jin, Jeffrey E. Shield, Ralph Skomski, David J. Sellmyer

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Intermetallic compounds having compositions from HfCo₄ to HfCo₈ were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. A major crystalline phase, closely related to the orthorhombic Zr₂Co₁₁ phase in structure, has been observed in the samples with the composition ranges from HfCo₆ to HfCo₈. The phase, referred to as either Hf₂Co₁₁ or HfCo₇ phase in the literature, is actually one common phase, having a broad composition range and referred to as μ-phase in the present paper. In addition to the μ-phase, we …

Phase Separation In Lufeo3 Films, Shi Cao, Xiaozhe Zhang, Kishan Sinha, Wenbin Wang, Jian Wang, Peter A. Dowben, Xiaoshan Xu

Peter Dowben Publications

The structural transition at about 1000°C, from the hexagonal to the orthorhombic phase of LuFeO₃, has been investigated in thin films of LuFeO₃. Separation of the two structural phases of LuFeO₃ occurs on a length scale of micrometer, as visualized in real space using X-ray photoemission electron microscopy. The results are consistent with X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy obtained from LuFeO₃ thin films undergoing the irreversible structural transition from the hexagonal to the orthorhombic phase of LuFeO₃, at elevated temperatures. The sharp phase boundaries between the structural phases are observed to …

Influence Of Steric Hindrance On The Molecular Packing And The Anchoring Of Quinonoid Zwitterions On Gold Surfaces, Minghui Yuan, Iori Tababe, Jean-Marie Bernard- Schaaf, Qin-Yin Shi, Vicki Schlegel, Rachel Schurhammer, Peter A. Dowben, Bernard Doudin, Lucie Routaboul, Pierre Braunstein

Peter Dowben Publications

Driven by the huge potential of engineering the molecular band offset with highly dipolar molecules for improving charge injection into organic electrics, the anchoring of various N-alkyl substituted quinonoid zwitterions of formula C₆H₂ (···NHR)₂ (···O)₂ (R = iPr, Cy, CH₂CH(Et)CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,. . .) on gold surfaces is studied. The N–Au interactions result in an orthogonal arrangement of the zwitterions cores with respect to the surface, and stabilize adsorbed compact rows of molecules. IR spectroscopy is used as a straightforward diagnostic tool to validate the presence of …

Low-Temperature Fcc To L10 Phase Transformation In Copt(Bi) Nanoparticles, Frank M. Abel, Vasilis Tzitzios, David J. Sellmeyer, George C. Hadjipanayis

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

This work is focused on the effects of Bi substitution on the synthesis of CoPt nanoparticles with the L1₀ structure using a modified organometallic approach. The structural and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles have been studied and compared directly with those of CoPt nanoparticles synthesized by the same tech- nique but in the absence of Bi substitution. The as-synthesized particles at 330 ◦C have an average size of 11.7 nm and a partially ordered L10 phase with a coercivity of 1 kOe. The coercivity is increased to 9.3 kOe and 12.4 kOe after annealing for 1 hour at 600 …