1. |
- Adlmann, Franz, et al.
(author)
-
Depth resolved grazing incidence neutron scattering experiments from semi-infinite interfaces : a statistical analysis of the scattering contributions
- 2018
-
In: Journal of Physics. - : Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP). - 0953-8984 .- 1361-648X. ; 30
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Grazing incidence neutron scattering experiments offer surface sensitivity by reflecting from an interface at momentum transfers close to total external reflection. Under these conditions the penetration depth is strongly non-linear and may change by many orders of magnitude. This fact imposes severe challenges for depth resolved experiments, since the brilliance of neutron beams is relatively low in comparison to e.g. synchrotron radiation. In this article we use probability density functions to calculate the contribution of scattering at different distances from an interface to the intensities registered on the detector. Our method has the particular advantage that the depth sensitivity is directly extracted from the scattering pattern itself. Hence for perfectly known samples exact resolution functions can be calculated and visa versa. We show that any tails in the resolution function, e.g. Gaussian shaped, hinders depth resolved experiments. More importantly we provide means for a descriptive statistical analysis of detector images with respect to the scattering contributions and show that even for perfect resolution near surface scattering is hardly accessible.
|
|
2. |
- Hamann, Christine, et al.
(author)
-
Competing magnetic interactions in exchange-bias-modulated films
- 2010
-
In: Physical Review B. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics. - 1098-0121 .- 1550-235X. ; 81:2, s. 024420-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The magnetization reversal in stripelike exchange-bias-patterned Ni81Fe19/IrMn thin films was investigated by complementary inductive and high-resolution magneto-optical magnetometry, magneto-optical Kerr microscopy, and polarized neutron reflectometry to clarify the effects of competing interfacial exchange-bias and lateral interface contributions. Structures of varying ferromagnetic layer thickness and stripe period were analyzed systematically at the frozen-in domain state of oppositely aligned stripe magnetization. For all samples the mean magnetization of the magnetic hybrid structures was found to be aligned nearly orthogonally with respect to the stripe axis and the set exchange-bias direction. Due to the interaction of interfacial coupling, exchange, and magnetostatic energy contributions, the opening angle of neighboring stripe magnetizations increases with decreasing ferromagnetic layer thickness and increasing stripe period. The experimental observations are in agreement with an earlier proposed model for designing micropatterned exchange-bias films.
|
|
3. |
- Theis-Broehl, Katharina, et al.
(author)
-
Self assembly of magnetic nanoparticles at silicon surfaces
- 2015
-
In: Soft Matter. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1744-683X .- 1744-6848. ; 11:23, s. 4695-4704
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neutron reflectometry was used to study the assembly of magnetite nanoparticles in a water-based ferrofluid close to a silicon surface. Under three conditions, static, under shear and with a magnetic field, the depth profile is extracted. The particles have an average diameter of 11 nm and a volume density of 5% in a D2O-H2O mixture. They are surrounded by a 4 nm thick bilayer of carboxylic acid for steric repulsion. The reflectivity data were fitted to a model using a least square routine based on the Parratt formalism. From the scattering length density depth profiles the following behavior is concluded: the fits indicate that excess carboxylic acid covers the silicon surface and almost eliminates the water in the densely packed wetting layer that forms close to the silicon surface. Under constant shear the wetting layer persists but a depletion layer forms between the wetting layer and the moving ferrofluid. Once the flow is stopped, the wetting layer becomes more pronounced with dense packing and is accompanied by a looser packed second layer. In the case of an applied magnetic field the prolate particles experience a torque and align with their long axes along the silicon surface which leads to a higher particle density.
|
|
4. |
- Wolff, Max, et al.
(author)
-
Nuclear Spin Incoherent Neutron Scattering from Quantum Well Resonators
- 2019
-
In: Physical Review Letters. - : American Physical Society. - 0031-9007 .- 1079-7114. ; 123:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the detection and quantification of nuclear spin incoherent scattering from hydrogen occupying interstitial sites in a thin film of vanadium. The neutron wave field is enhanced in a quantum resonator with magnetically switchable boundaries. Our results provide a pathway for the study of dynamics at surfaces and in ultrathin films using inelastic and/or quasielastic neutron scattering methods.
|
|